The sound of the final ring lingers through the natatorium. But this time, it wasn’t signaling the end of a race — it was signaling the end of an era.

For the athletes of the California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo swimming and diving team, the pool was more than just a sport made up of lane lines and chlorinated water; it was their home. Now, on an average Friday morning, it was stripped away, their single identity as a swimmer shattered and the future they had been chasing their entire childhood ripped from their hands.

On March 7, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo athletics cut the men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams effective immediately.

The Mustangs previously competed in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Big West Conference.

These past few months, the Mustangs achieved great success and broke 10 new school records which were “highlighted by records being broken in the 200 Medley Relay and 200 Breast, the Mustang men wrapped up 2024-25 with the program’s first undefeated dual meet season in its Division I history,” SwimSwam said.

Regardless of this successful and impressive season and program, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo President Jeffrey D. Armstrong decided to cut the program effective immediately.

The men’s and women’s swimming and diving programs had one of their strongest seasons both athletically and academically, yet it still wasn’t enough to prevent the staff from cutting the beloved program.

Along with Donald J. Oberhelman, Cal Poly’s Director of Athletics, President Armstrong cut the program due to “conference stability, lack of current investment from alumni and donors and the gap in current funding to be competitive vs. what is presently afforded,” KSBY said.

Taylor Lyon (‘21), a senior swimmer for the Mustangs shared her experience with the recent decision to cut the university’s swim program. Having swam for 17 years and competed at Rancho San Dieguito Swim Team before college, she expressed deep disappointment with the athletic department’s lack of support for the sport throughout her four years at the school.

“The athletic department hasn’t really shown true love for our sport — like ever — all of my four years here,” Lyon said. “It’s honestly a miracle that we’ve even had to overcome so many shortcomings.”

Loss can be devastating, but how it is delivered can make matters worse. For Lyon, the news felt like both a breakup and a death. 

“The way they delivered it felt heartless,” Lyon said.

Kale Lozano (12) has swam at RSD Swim Team for the past 12 years and holds a growing passion for swimming collegiately. His dream came true when Lozano verbally committed to swim at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo in October.

On the morning of March 7, Lozano was stunned to receive a message from fellow commits saying the program had been cut. Overwhelmed, he had no idea what to do next.

“We were given an email from the athletic director stating that due to funding problems, the program was going to be shut down,” Lozano said. “He stated the House v. NCAA settlement, saying that colleges would have to pay their athletes. The program would cost too much money to hold and he would not allow us to get funding.”

Armstrong wrote that the decision is due to the “rapidly evolving and changing NCAA Division I landscape,” which includes a lawsuit settlement related to “student-athlete compensation for name, image and likeness rights that is expected to result in a $450,000 loss to California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo programs,” KSBY said.

Joe Benjamin, a former NCAA and Olympic trials qualifier at the University of Georgia, has over 30 years of experience as an athlete and coach, and as head coach of the RSD Swim Team, he helped establish it as a top college development program guiding numerous athletes to collegiate swimming careers. 

“The funding challenges for non-revenue college sports are not new,” Benjamin said. “Some alternative solutions include private fundraising, sponsorships and alumni support. While these methods can provide some relief, they are often difficult and unpredictable.”

Now, what does this mean for the athletes? Where does this leave them in the midst of this struggle?

In his email, Armstrong promised all student-athletes who were in the program would have their scholarships and commitments honored throughout their time at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo or have the option to enter the transfer portal.

However, the majority of other universities’ swim and dive teams have already filled up their roster, making it seemingly impossible to enter the transfer portal for next year.

“The impact on current athletes and commits is significant,” Benjamin said. “They’re left with limited opportunities to find alternative programs in an already competitive environment. One day they’re part of a team, and the next, they’re not. This sudden change disrupts their plans and aspirations.”

As of now, current commits are “pretty torn,” according to Lozano. 

“We were promised a spot on the team and we sacrificed a lot to be there,” Lozano said. “The majority of the recruits did not apply anywhere else and the options are pretty low for us.”

Being abruptly removed from the program under such difficult circumstances leaves them with no positive outcomes and very limited hope in continuing their sport.

“Most of us are planning on attending the school and going from there,” Lozano said.

As of now, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo athletics has stated that no other programs are at risk of getting discontinued.

“The university continues to look at roster management to ensure we field the most competitive teams while providing a top-tier experience for our student-athletes,” Armstrong said.

However, how ironic is it for him to say they ensure competitive teams and top-tier experience for their athletes when they just cut 58 successful student-athletes?

At this time, the upperclassmen are being forced “to retire from the sport since it is not worth to transfer,” according to Lozano. 

“The majority of the underclassmen are looking into the transfer portal and what opportunities are out there,” Lozano said.

For upperclassmen, the sudden loss of their program is more than just a setback, it’s the end of the road. With no time left to transfer, they are forced to walk away from the sport they have dedicated years to. What should have been a final season of competition and achievement is instead cut short, leaving them without closure and with no clear path forward. The sport that shaped their college experience is now out of reach, not by choice, but by force.

However, despite the setback, the team has rallied demonstrating a strong family and system. From launching petitions to gathering fundraising efforts to save the program, the Mustangs prove to fight for their passions.

Currently, Mustang athletes have set up a GoFundMe, which so far raised $50,000, and a petition to save the sport on Change.org, which has 19,000 verified signatures.

Lyon discussed the broader implications of cutting non-revenue sports, emphasizing the passion and resilience of athletes in these programs. She remains hopeful that their fight will not only help their own team but also serve as an example for other schools facing similar challenges.

“We raised $40,000, and I think that’s a pretty big deal,” Lyon said. “We are still raising money and hoping to present it to President Armstrong and show how much people care about non-revenue sports and that we can fight for them.”

The goal of the athletes at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo is to “raise money through the GoFundMe and present it to the athletic director and say that they have raised enough money to get the team back,” according to Lozano.

If the fundraising goal is not reached, all donations will be returned to the contributors.

Aya Ferguson (11), a swimmer who trains at RSD Swim Team, is committed to Northwestern University and discussed the challenges of collegiate swimming, including limited roster spots and increasing pressure on recruits due to budget cuts in non-revenue sports.

“Cal Poly’s decision was way too abrupt,” Ferguson said. “They should have provided more backup for the kids before letting them go, especially before the transfer portal closed. For some of these kids, their dream of swimming in college was just suddenly pulled away from them.”

Ferguson highlighted how this reflects the vulnerability of non-revenue sports, suggesting that one school’s program elimination can lead to a chain effect across all of Division I programs. 

“One cut can start a chain reaction of schools cutting programs,” Ferguson said. “Recruiting is only going to get harder as competition goes up and roster limits go down.”

Benjamin highlighted the growing challenges in college recruiting, explaining that cuts to programs like Cal Poly San Luis Obispo are intensifying competition for limited roster spots across all divisions.

“With programs like Cal Poly’s being cut, the recruiting landscape becomes even more competitive,” Benjamin said. 

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo decision to cut the swim program without warning is more than just a disappointment — it is a profound injustice. Athletes who have dedicated years of sacrifice, discipline and passion to the sport are now left with nothing, stripped of the opportunity to compete and represent their school.

This decision from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo has now set into motion a dangerous precedent for non-revenue sports, risking the athletic careers of many young swimmers.

Regardless of who you are or what you stand for, the unfair treatment of these athletes by the athletic director and president is impossible to ignore. Take action — sign the petition, donate what you can and help give these athletes the opportunity they deserve. These athletes never should have had their program taken away from them.

To donate, please visit their GoFundMe page.