Malone University in Canton is eliminating its intercollegiate football program in an effort to save money.

"Plain and simple it's the largest sport. It's the most expensive for us. It's our largest budget line item," Charlie Grimes said.

Grimes is the Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at Malone University and said it was a tough decision; an unfortunate element of restructuring that will eliminate a $2.5 million deficit over the next two years. Getting rid of the football program alone will save the university roughly $1 million per year.

"We're going to save most of that money and reallocate it strategically where our other sports can really thrive," Grimes said.

Defensive back, Lamon Mathison was able to enjoy his senior season, but he said he feels bad for his coaches and younger teammates.

"When you get everyone to buy in and to change the culture around and just for that to happen, it's just a big shock to your face," Mathison said.

Junior, Cameron Ingram played as the team's quarterback and was on a school visit Wednesday.

"I might end up staying because I'll be a senior next semester. I was supposed to graduate in the fall. On the field, I'm a sophomore redshirt, so I have two years left, but I'm set to graduate next fall. And I planned on being a GA here under Coach Thomas, but right now I'm talking to a lot of schools and just trying to figure out the best way. Today, I took a visit to Walsh, so I don't know what the future holds yet,” Ingram said.

The Malone University Board of Trustees finalized the decision on January 30th and coaches were notified over the next two days. Grimes said Malone University will honor scholarships and financial aid for those who decide to finish out their degree. Transcript fees have been waived. Recruits were immediately notified. Coaches at other universities have also been invited to recruit football players on campus if they wish to continue to play.

"I would say it's not necessarily desperate, but it's our preemptive move to not allow it to get to a desperate place. A lot of people out in the public are saying, 'Oh my goodness. Is this the start of the end of Malone?' And that's absolutely not true. We're restructuring, so that we will thrive in the future and we've been preemptive in this really difficult decision," said Grimes.

Grimes said there are no plans to eliminate any other intercollegiate programs at Malone University.