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MIAMI (AP) — At FIU, the economic downturn is nothing to cheer about.
Florida International University eliminated its cheerleading team Wednesday, part of a plan to cut more than $1 million — roughly 6 percent — from the Golden Panthers’ athletic budget for the coming year.
More cuts, including layoffs and other unspecified reductions, will be announced in the coming weeks. FIU is not planning to eliminate any varsity teams; the Golden Panthers offer five sports for men and eight for women, with what was planned as a $16 million operating budget.
“This economy has forced us to make some very touch choices,” FIU athletic director Pete Garcia said. “The decision to discontinue our cheerleading program was one of them.”
