Iowa State University Athletics is grappling with multiple crises that could reshape its future. Just as the cross-country team is reaching the pinnacle of performance, Iowa State Head Coach Jeremy Sudbury confirmed that multiple men’s cross country athletes have been suspended from the team for the season. To add to the woes, now, massive budget cuts have struck where it hurts the most. The department faces a staggering $147 million deficit projected through 2031, with an average annual shortfall of nearly $25 million, according to a financial report submitted ahead of the Iowa Board of Regents’ July 30 meeting.

Amid this turmoil, a coach has stepped forward, revealing that the financial strain is already taking a visible toll on the team’s performance on the field. Taking to his X handle, Iowa Western Head Coach David Burnett shared a striking update on the university’s current situation. In a dedicated post, he highlighted the relentless hurdles, both literal and figurative, that the team is facing. “When hurdlers keep breaking hurdles, but you’re on a budget. Pipe insolation for the win,” Burnett wrote, showcasing the creative and slightly desperate fixes to keep the equipment intact. In the comments, he playfully shared a video of the athlete allegedly responsible for the damage, though the tone was clearly sarcastic.

Is the situation at the university so dire that they had to resort to desperate measures to cut costs? Well, in simpler words, yes. Iowa Western President Dr. Daniel Kinney, in his conversation with ‘KMA News’ this May, expressed that increased inflation continues to torment the college’s budget. He adds that additional state dollars are needed to avoid increased tuition. So, either they have to cut their expenses or increase the tuition fees, and they decided that it’s better to cut the sports expenses further.

In response to the budget pressures, the ISU athletics has postponed its proposed $20 million wrestling facility and a $25 million Hilton Coliseum renovation. So, have they finally decided to scrap the deal? Well, it’s quite complicated, as in order to bridge the financial gap, the authorities have decided to pass sales tax directly to ticket buyers and hike Cyclone Club donation requirements by 20%. All the sports programs will adopt cost-cutting measures.

The FY2026 report attributes the shortfall to “transformational changes,” including the Big 12’s expansion to 16 teams and the House v. NCAA settlement, which obliges schools to share $20.5 million annually with student-athletes. In an audit report for Iowa Western Community College published on June 30, 2022, it was shown that the College incurred an operating loss of $28.44 million as operating expenses exceeded revenues.

However, thanks to strong non-operating revenues from state appropriations, property taxes, and federal Pell Grants, the College was able to offset this deficit. After accounting for all income and expenses, the College’s net assets ultimately increased by $13.8 million. The situation seems grim, but what does the administration have to say about the condition?

Iowa State University Athletics releases its statement on budget cuts

With 2026 approaching quickly, Iowa State University Athletics announced that it is facing a massive $147 million budget deficit through 2031, averaging just under $25 million annually over the next six years. This financial strain has forced the department to take several desperate measures. “In the past two years, there have been several transformational changes in college athletics that will result in $30 million in recurring annual financial repercussions to the athletics department beginning this year,” said the administrators about the 2026 situation.

They have uncovered $8.7 million in yearly cost savings, but despite that, the Iowa State Athletics still faces a $24.5 million annual shortfall. The alarming outlook has thrust the Cyclones into a full-scale, all-hands-on-deck crisis mode.“ISU is engaging with the Big 12 Conference, ISU Foundation, sponsors, donors and other partners to explore additional opportunities to create growth in revenue sufficient to overcome future anticipated revenue shortfalls and to otherwise support the continued success and viability of the ISU athletics program,” department officials reported.

With the department stepping up its efforts to ensure cost-cutting measures are effectively implemented, every division has been instructed to contribute in some way. However, these actions could severely hamper the athletes in the future. What are your thoughts on this? Share them in the comments below.