Sonoma State announced that it plans to eliminate its athletics programs, but now players and coaches are planning to file a civil rights lawsuit in hopes of saving the athletics program.

A grassroots organization seeking to save Sonoma State University’s athletics department says it has filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, calling for an investigation into the university’s decision to cut the entire department.

Sonoma State University women’s basketball coach Des Abeyta, meets with her team prior to a two-game road trip to the Central Valley, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, to discuss the fallout from an announcement all athletic programs and other departments would be dropped at SSU. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)

A lot of students and staff are feeling blindsided over Sonoma State University's decision to cut the entire athletics program and more amid a $24 million budget deficit. And now, they said they're preparing to fight back.

Sonoma State University announced Wednesday that its intercollegiate athletics programs are being discontinued, several academic departments and majors are being eliminated and dozens of faculty members are being laid off to address a budget deficit of nearly $24 million.

Facing a $23.9 million deficit, Sonoma State University will enact large budget cuts, including laying off faculty and eliminating its intercollegiate athletics program.

The complaint calls for an investigation into the proposed cuts that have “unfairly targeted a student body that is notably diverse, creating a disparate impact on students from underrepresented communities.

A grassroots organization working to preserve the athletics department of Sonoma State University has recently filed a complaint against the school over its decision to shut down the department.