UNM regents vote to uphold contested athletics cuts

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Regents at New Mexico's flagship university on Friday voted for a second time to cut men's soccer and other teams, citing longstanding financial challenges within the troubled athletics department and failures by the school to meet federal gender equity mandates under Title IX.

The unanimous vote followed hours of public testimony that included emotional pleas to preserve the soccer team along with men's and women's skiing, beach volleyball and women's diving.

Diving was taken off the table before the final vote after questions were raised by student regent Garrett Adcock regarding the facilities used by the team, the overall effects on the swim team and the minuscule savings that would result.