UTPB cancels men’s football and cross-country

ODESS, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – The University of Texas Permian Basin announced it was eliminating the men’s soccer and cross country programs, citing “budgetary pressures.”

In a statement from the president’s office, the UTPB said it had strategies in place to help student-athletes who were part of these programs ensure a smooth transition.

According to the statement:

– Registered men’s soccer and men’s cross-country student-athletes will have the option of remaining at UT Permian Basin to complete their degree or transferring to another institution sponsoring their respective sports.

– The advance warning of closure for these two sports allows impacted students to identify other opportunities with their sports.

– Additionally, scholarship student-athletes wishing to graduate at UT Permian Basin will retain their current athletic scholarship until graduation.

The announcement said it was a “difficult decision” linked to budgetary problems which “include a sharp increase in spending due to inflationary factors”. It also says reducing the number of sponsored sports will “provide a better experience and more support” for UTPB athletes.

As of 2010, UTPB men’s soccer has a program record of 62-137-17. The Falcons have had two winning seasons since then, going 9-7-2 in 2017 and 5-3-1 in the shortened 2020 COVID season. Seasons prior to 2010 are not available on the UTPB sports website.

Dennis Peterson was the men’s soccer head coach for 22 years, starting in 2000 before stepping down last fall. Assistant coach Victor Domingues has become the interim head coach for the 2022 season.

Domingues recently took on a new role as head coach of new Permian Basin semi-pro soccer team West Texas FC, shortly before UTPB announced it was scrapping its men’s soccer program.

Alick Musukuma coached the men’s cross country for seven seasons before stepping down last fall to take a job with Oral Roberts. Under his leadership, the Falcons finished third in the Lone Star Conference in 2017.

Josh Larringa, UTPB’s assistant baseball coach, had stepped in as interim head coach for the 2022 season, despite having no prior cross country experience. The UTPB website, however, states that Larringa has a background in fitness. The Falcons finished 12th in the 2022 Lone Star Conference meeting.