NCAA Division II sports will begin at Sonoma State University in fall 2027 as part of what the university president Michael Spagna describes as a broader “reimagining” of the university and its programs.
Monday's announcement at news.sonoma.edu comes 18 months after Sonoma State determined it was necessary to discontinue all athletics programs amid a budget crisis.
Related: Sonoma State Eliminates Entirety of School's D-II Athletics Program Amid Budget Deficit
The early months of 2025 saw Sonoma State petitioned and sued.
Related: Athletes Sue Sonoma State, CSU Over 'Fraudulent' Elimination of All Sports Programs
Spagna said the university has marked several “reimagining” successes in recent months, including the reincorporation of academic programs once slated closure, expansion of others, and a Campus Vibrancy Project to add student-centered amenities this fall.
Spagna added that the next step forward in a reimagined Sonoma State is fresh establishment of the university’s NCAA Division II athletics program, which was shuttered in June 2025 as part of campus-wide program and personnel reductions aimed at eliminating a $24 million budget deficit.
Based on the recommendations of the university’s Athletics Fiscal Feasibility Team (AFFT), 10 Division II sports will compete in the California Collegiate Athletic Conference in 2027-28 after a two-year absence.
“[Athletics] are an exciting way to engage our communities, help generate school spirit, enhance the student experience, and increase recruiting efforts,” Spagna said, adding that “community engagement and support will be essential to athletics’ success.”
The 2027-28 Seawolves sports will include women’s basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball and volleyball, and men’s basketball, cross country, golf and soccer.
As reported by SFGATE.com, Sonoma State will return nine of the 11 sports it had sponsored at the time the school cut athletics after 2025, while also adding men’s cross country, a sport not sponsored by the school in more than a decade.
The school is not bringing back women’s track and field and baseball.
Spagna said that after five months of research and discussion, the AFFT on June 15 recommended establishing the 10 programs, the minimum number required for membership in NCAA and CCAA Division II athletics. The AFFT used the Athletics Task Force Report from January 2026 as a guiding document to determine which sports will return to campus.
“Sonoma State Seawolves have always been fierce competitors in the California Collegiate Athletic Association,” Spagna said. “We look forward to working with the Association leadership and renewing friendly competition in the conference."
"This unprecedented return speaks volumes to the strength, resilience and resolve of our membership,” CCAA commissioner Allen Hardison said. “I want to pay a huge compliment to SSU President Dr. Michael Spagna and our CCAA Board of Presidents and Chancellors for their vision and collaboration on this project over the last few years."
According to SFGATE.com, the school said it has forecast spending a little more than $2.8 million in 2026-27 to restart athletics, money that will come out of $8 million set aside from the state in what the school called the SSU Commitment fund.
Related: Sonoma State Receives $8M From California, But Future of Athletics Remains Unclear
Ongoing financial support of sports will be made possible through a combination of student fees, tuition revenue from new student-athletes, fundraising and sponsorships, sports camp and use fees for SSU facilities, and direct institutional support, including SSU Commitment funding provided by the state of California in 2025.
”Sonoma State is one of the North Bay’s largest economic drivers — it’s a hub for innovation and job creation. That’s why the North Bay’s legislative delegation was unified in our fight to secure $90 million to turn this campus around and move SSU forward,” state Sen. Mike McGuire said. “Bringing back athletics will help invigorate student life, attract and retain new students, and restore a critical piece of Seawolf spirit.
“We know there is still hard work ahead, but this action represents an important step in the overall Sonoma State comeback story.”
Recruitment for players for the 2027-28 seasons will begin once coach and support staff positions have been filled for the 10 programs.
“Reinstating Seawolf athletics demonstrates a meaningful commitment to current and future students, the campus community, alumni, and our athletic and philanthropic partners in the North Bay and beyond,” SSU interim athletics director Joan McDermott said. “We are excited about the opportunity to compete again in the CCAA and to represent our community."
