UC Berkeley to cut 5 sports teams to cut costs

BERKELEY, Calif. — The University of California, Berkeley is eliminating five of its intercollegiate sports teams, including its championship men's rugby team, in the school's latest move to cut costs.

Chancellor Robert Birgeneau said Tuesday that UC Berkeley's baseball, men's and women's gymnastics, and women's lacrosse teams will no longer represent the university in intercollegiate competition after this academic year.

Men's rugby will become a "varsity club sport," a new status at Cal that officials say will allow the team to become financially self-sustaining.

Officials say reducing the number of intercollegiate teams from 29 to 24 will save an estimated $4 million a year.

The university says the move will affect 163 student-athletes and 13 full-time coaches.