Jackson Reid
Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA) is a Division I school with a variety of sports teams, including golf. SFA's golf program has been a part of the Southland Conference (SLC), along with other athletic teams representing the university. However, recent decisions by the university to address budgetary concerns have led to the elimination of the golf programs for both men and women. This decision is intended to strengthen the financial position of the athletics department, despite the success of the men's golf team within the Southland Conference.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the University | Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA) |
| Location | Texas |
| Division | Division I |
| Conference | Southland Conference (SLC) |
| Teams | 14 |
| Team Names | Lumberjacks and Ladyjacks |
| Athletics Achievements | Championship-winning sports, cheer and dance teams |
| Student Traditions | Banging axe handles on bleachers at football games, traditional bonfire and pep rally during homecoming |
| Recent Developments | Elimination of men's and women's golf programs, addition of new provost and executive vice president Dr. Barkley |
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What You'll Learn
Stephen F. Austin State University's golf program is Division 1
The decision to eliminate the golf program at the end of the 2025 academic year was based on departmental budget deficits and the financial impact of revenue-sharing requirements with Division I athletes. The men's golf team compiled a 44-74 record and finished eighth in the Southland Conference that season.
Stephen F. Austin State University has a proud history of athletic achievement, with its teams competing in Division I and delivering championship-level performances. The football team, for example, competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) within the SLC. The university also offers a range of clubs and organizations for students to get involved in, fostering a sense of community and school spirit.
The elimination of the golf program is part of a broader effort by the university to strengthen its financial position and reduce annual athletics expenditures. While difficult, these decisions are made in the best interest of the athletic program and the university as a whole. The university remains committed to supporting its student-athletes and has pledged to honor all scholarships for those who choose to stay and complete their academic work.
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The golf program is being eliminated due to budget deficits
Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA) is a Division I school with a strong athletics program. However, in May 2025, the university announced that it would be eliminating its men's and women's golf programs at the end of the current academic year due to sustained departmental budget deficits. This decision was not made lightly, but it was necessary to strengthen the financial position of the athletics department and ensure the best possible experience for all student-athletes.
The golf program at SFA has a rich history, with the men's team compiling a notable 44-74 record and finishing eighth in the Southland Conference this season. Despite these accomplishments, the university has been facing economic and facility challenges that have impacted their athletics program. Over the past year, SFA Athletics has made significant progress in reducing annual athletics expenditures, especially in travel costs. Unfortunately, these efforts have not been sufficient to offset the budget deficits.
In addition to the golf program, beach volleyball and bowling are also being cut. The university will honor all existing scholarships for student-athletes who choose to remain at SFA to complete their academic work. For those who wish to transfer to another institution to continue their athletic careers, the SFA athletics administration will provide full support and assistance throughout the transfer process.
The elimination of the golf program is a difficult but necessary decision for SFA. It is important to note that this decision is not a reflection of the program's success or the dedication of the coaches and athletes. Budget deficits and the upcoming financial impact of revenue-sharing requirements with Division I athletes have played a significant role in this outcome. By reducing the number of sponsored sports, SFA aims to enhance its financial stability and continue providing a high-quality athletic experience for its student-athletes in the future.
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SFA has 14 intercollegiate athletic teams
Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA) has 14 intercollegiate athletic teams known as the Lumberjacks and Ladyjacks. They participate in Division I as members of the Southland Conference (SLC). The football team competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).
SFA's 14 intercollegiate athletic teams include both men's and women's sports. On May 22, 2025, SFA announced that it would be eliminating four sports at the end of the 2024-25 school year: women's beach volleyball and bowling, as well as men's and women's golf. This decision was made due to sustained departmental budget deficits and the financial impact of upcoming revenue-sharing requirements with Division I athletes.
The golf teams' removal from the athletic program is effective immediately, and the school will honour all scholarships for student-athletes who choose to remain at the university. Those who wish to transfer to another institution to continue their athletic careers will be supported by the SFA athletics administration.
Despite the elimination of these four sports, SFA remains committed to providing a competitive intercollegiate athletics program. With 14 teams across various sports, SFA continues to offer a range of athletic opportunities for its students. The university prioritises delivering the best possible championship experience for its student-athletes while also managing economic and facility challenges.
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The SFA Lumberjacks and Ladyjacks compete in the Southland Conference
Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA) is a Division I school, with its teams, the Lumberjacks and Ladyjacks, competing in the Southland Conference (SLC). The university's teams participate in a variety of intercollegiate athletics, with the football team competing in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).
The SFA Lumberjacks and Ladyjacks represent the university across 14 teams, showcasing their talent and spirit in a range of sports. While the university previously offered golf as one of its sports, it was announced that the men's and women's golf programs would be discontinued at the end of the academic year. This decision was driven by financial considerations, aiming to strengthen the athletics department's financial position.
The SFA Lumberjacks and Ladyjacks have a rich history in intercollegiate athletics, with their football team being a notable source of pride. The team's achievements are celebrated with traditions such as firing the 75mm cannon, "Ole Cotton," after every score, and the traditional bonfire and pep rally during homecoming. These traditions foster a sense of community and pride among the Lumberjacks.
Competing in the Southland Conference, the SFA Lumberjacks and Ladyjacks have the opportunity to face off against other notable institutions in the region. The conference provides a platform for intense competition and the pursuit of athletic excellence. While the university's golf programs are no longer active, the Lumberjacks and Ladyjacks continue to represent SFA in a variety of other sports, carrying the university's spirit and tradition forward.
The decision to eliminate the golf programs was a difficult one, as indicated by SFA's director of athletics, Michael McBroom. The move was primarily driven by budgetary constraints and the anticipated financial impact of revenue-sharing requirements with Division I athletes. The university honoured existing scholarships for student-athletes who chose to remain at SFA, while also providing support for those who wished to transfer and continue their athletic careers elsewhere.
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SFA's other sports include cheerleading and dance
Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA) has decided to end its men's and women's golf programs, along with beach volleyball and bowling, at the end of the current academic year. This decision was driven by budgetary concerns and the impending financial burden of revenue-sharing requirements with Division I athletes. SFA's athletic teams, known as the Lumberjacks and Ladyjacks, compete in Division I as part of the Southland Conference (SLC).
While golf is being discontinued at SFA, the university offers a range of other athletic programs for its students, including cheerleading and dance. Cheerleading has a long history in the United States, dating back to the mid-1800s when it emerged alongside gridiron football at Ivy League colleges. Originally, cheerleaders, then known as ""yell leaders," were predominantly male and served to encourage spectators and maintain crowd control. Over time, cheerleading evolved into a formal extracurricular activity, spreading across high schools, colleges, and communities nationwide.
The activity witnessed a significant shift during World War II when women stepped into the role of cheerleaders as men went off to war. Following the war, cheerleading became predominantly female, with females currently accounting for approximately 85% of participants. The passage of Title IX in the early 1970s further impacted cheerleading by prohibiting federally funded educational institutions from discriminating based on sex, resulting in the addition of female sports programs and increased athleticism in cheerleading.
Cheerleading and dance are now governed by organizations such as the U.S. All Star Federation (USASF), which was founded in 2003 to establish safety standards and competition regulations. The USASF hosts elite cheerleading and dance events, including the Cheerleading and Dance Worlds, attracting athletes from around the world. These competitions provide a platform for athletes to showcase their skills and promote the sports' highest ideals of fair play, adherence to rules, and integrity.
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Frequently asked questions
Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA) golf teams participated in Division I as members of the Southland Conference (SLC).
The decision was based on sustained departmental budget deficits and the financial impact of revenue-sharing requirements with Division I athletes.
The university eliminated its men's and women's golf programs at the end of the 2024-25 academic year.
In addition to men's and women's golf, beach volleyball and bowling were also cut by the university.
