“It’s an absolute gut punch”: McGill athletes reeling after 25 teams cut

Student-athletes say the decision, which includes track and field and women’s rugby, has left them shocked and devastated.

Hundreds of McGill University student-athletes say they’ve been left devastated after learning the school will eliminate 25 varsity teams beginning in the 2026–2027 season.

One of the programs that will be cut is both men’s and women’s track and field, one of the most storied teams in the country. The program was preparing to enter its 126th season, but this year’s campaign will now be its last.

Track and field co-captain Rebecca Warcholak said the news came without warning.

“We felt largely like it was out of the blue. We don’t really understand why it happened,” she said.

Warcholak added that even their longtime coach was stunned.

“Our head coach has been here for over 40 years, and it was a shock to him as well, which was really hard for us to see.”

For many athletes, McGill’s decision alters far more than their training schedules. It dramatically changes their university experience. Second-year athlete William Sanders said the cuts undermine the commitment the school made to student-athletes.

“It’s just an absolute gut punch, I came to McGill because I was promised that this was an institution that values both academic and athletic excellence,” he said. “To hear that my career could be over in three months if I don’t leave Montreal or leave McGill, it’s just hard to wrap my head around.”

Women’s rugby is another program that will be discontinued. Maya Nanji said the loss will reshape her day-to-day life.

“I definitely had to work my life around practices and games. Next year I won’t have to do that, which just sucks. Yeah, it’s terrible.”

For others, the impact is deeply personal.

“The track team is my family,” Warcholak said. “My boyfriend is on the track team. My roommates have been on the track team. All my best friends are on the track team. This really is just my life.”

In a release, McGill Athletics cited budget constraints and a lack of facility space as reasons behind the cuts, saying it can no longer support the programs at the standard the university expects.