ST. CLOUD — St. Cloud State University says it’s dropping six athletic programs to address budget shortfalls. 

The university said Wednesday it will eliminate men’s and women’s tennis, men’s cross country, men’s indoor and outdoor track and field and women’s Nordic skiing. That will affect about 80 student athletes. The university plans to honor current athletics financial aid agreements. Athletics director Heather Weems made the announcement during a department meeting that some student athletes said left them angry, upset and emotional. The university says the cuts will save the athletic department about $250,000 or about 5 percent of its general fund allocation.

Coaches from other institutions have been given permission to contact St. Cloud athletes about transfer opportunities.