Cal eliminates four varsity sports, including baseball

In a move designed to cut costs and save money, UC Berkeley announced Tuesday that it will cut four varsity sports programs, including baseball, at the end of the 2010-11 academic year.

University Chancellor Robert J. Birgeneau announced the cuts in a letter under a plan that will generate $4 million for the school and reduce the number of varsity sports on campus to 24. Men's and women's gymnastics and women's lacrosse will be eliminated as varsity sports while men's rugby will be reduced to a club sport.

The university plans to honor scholarship commitments to athletes affected by the reduction. The 163 affected athletes are also eligible to transfer to another school and be able to compete immediately.

Here's the chancellor's letter in full.

-- Austin Knoblauch