Savannah State announces plan for Division II return

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(STATS) -- Savannah State University has announced a plan to reclassify its athletic program from Division I to Division II, citing fiscal concerns.

The move, if approved by the NCAA, is expected to occur for the 2019-20 academic year. The Georgia school would end its membership in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, which it joined in 2010.

"While I am extremely proud of the progress our athletes and coaches have made at the Division I level, it is not financially feasible for us to continue," Savannah State president Cheryl D. Dozier said Monday.

Savannah State previously competed in Division II and was a member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference from 1969-2000. The SIAC, Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association and Peach Belt Conference are each considered a potential fit for the Tigers with a return to D-II.

Their teams would have fewer scholarships and operate within a lower athletic budget in Division II.

The football program has particularly struggled on the D-I level. Last season's 3-7 record marked just the second time the Tigers surpassed two wins since joining the FCS level in 2002.

Copyright 2017 by The Associated Press

This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. Wire index

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