The Division I football program at Jacksonville University will end after more than 20 years in existence, university officials announced Tuesday.
The school said in its announcement that more than a year was spent evaluating its athletic department with the help of "experienced, independent consultants" who conducted "data-driven evaluation" of the feasibility of investing in a Division I athletics program.
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"As a University, we are investing and innovating to match our offerings to the 21st century marketplace and to support the diverse demands and interests of our students," said Jacksonville University President Tim Cost in a statement. "This investment profile requires careful analysis, realistic planning and — occasionally — difficult decisions to help drive us forward to excellence."
Athletic director Alex Ricker-Gilbert said in a statement that “ultimately, one option stood out as the best path forward for Jacksonville athletics as a whole. ... It’s clear the resources required to support our football program outweigh the benefits to the overall athletics department and the university.”
The Dolphins have participated in the non-scholarship Pioneer Football League since 1998. They finished 3-9 this season, the fourth under coach Ian Shields. The Dolphins’ most successful stint came between 2007 and 2015 under the direction of South Florida offensive coordinator Kerwin Bell, according to CBS Sports. Jacksonville went 66-35 under Bell and won two conference titles.
The school is offering full-tuition scholarships to every football player who chooses to stay at Jacksonville University until graduation. The university also will honor the contracts of all football coaches and assist in their job searches.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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