At the end of the 2000-2001 swim season, but months before the NCAA violations were determined, Nebraska Athletic Director Bill Byrne announced that the Men's swim program was to be eliminated for budgetary reasons.  Current male swimmers at the University could find another university swim team or stay at Nebraska with their scholarships intact without swimming.  It was determined that 1.2 million dollars would be saved "in the long run."  Athletic Director Bryne stated that while the NCAA infractions were not the reason the team was cut, it influenced the decision to eliminate the program.

Due to Title IX regulations which, stipulate that all universities continue to try to equalize the number of women's and men's athletic scholarships, the women's team remained.  However, the termination of the men's program and the coaching staff caused most of the women swimmers to leave Nebraska.

Within three weeks of Nebraska's announcement that the men's swim program would be cut the Iowa State and University of Kansas men's programs were also discontinued.  Of the original Big 8 men's programs, only one remains: Missouri.

Press Release from Bill Byrne and Chancellor Pearlman on the cancellation

NCAA News on the infractions