Foreclosure Crisis at Division II School Sends Softball Players to Transfer Portal
Limestone University, a Division II program in South Carolina, celebrated senior day on Saturday. The Saints split a doubleheader that day with Lincoln Memorial, setting themselves up for a season finale doubleheader against King.
A shocking announcement sent shockwaves throughout the athletic department on Thursday, which has cancelled those two games and the future of the university.
After 179 years as an institution of higher education, Limestone University could be closing its doors for good.
According to a press release on the college website, Limestone’s Board of Trustees has announced that unless the university can obtain “immediate financial support in the amount of $6 million,” the institution will need to move fully online or begin the process of closing.
The news sent softball players and recruits directly to the transfer portal.
Due to the unfortunate foreclosure of Limestone, I’m officially entering the transfer portal with 3 years of eligibility left. Grateful for the journey so far—excited for what’s next
— Allie Boone (@Allie_Boone2024) April 17, 2025
Lefty Power Hitter - C/1st/OF
3.8 GPA
Phone: (803) 429-1681@SoftballPortal @SoftballTdb pic.twitter.com/QVwp2IHVyd
Limestone University will unfortunately be shutting down after this spring semester. I will be entering the transfer portal with 2 years of eligibility.
— Emma Wrenn (@Emmakwrenn) April 16, 2025
- OF / Slapper
- Health Care Administration major
- 4.0 GPA
980-613-6326@SoftballPortal pic.twitter.com/uA86M6BWne
Due to Limestone closing its doors, I will be entering the transfer portal with 2 years of eligibility remaining. Thank you Limestone💙
— maddie gerovac (@maddiegerovac) April 17, 2025
-3.8 GPA,Honors College Student-
- Finance Major
- MIF/OF
-(919)-413-2053@SoftballPortal pic.twitter.com/CqVZD664VD
Unfortunately, due to Limestone University closing their doors, I will be entering the transfer portal to continue my collegiate softball career. 4yrs of eligibility left. Catcher/utility
— Zaley05 (@Zpackett71) April 17, 2025
zaleypackett2024@gmail.com
(828)748-0343 pic.twitter.com/1hjKa3l3Nk
“Limestone remains committed to our students and we will work directly with current students to help them identify the best path to successfully complete their educational journey,” said Randall Richardson, chair of the Limestone University Board of Trustees. “We are reaching out separately to students with information regarding options to continue their education.”
If the university chooses to go online, it would cease operations for the entire athletic department.
“The Board’s priority is to preserve the Limestone mission of education and service on our campus in addition to online. But without this financial lifeline, we will have no choice but to move all operations online, which means closing our physical campus,” said Richardson.
The Limestone softball program ended what could be its final season with a record of 14-24.
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-1d7db99dccc9abef7b9378f016b22b68.webp "Maren Angus-Coombs")
Maren Angus-Coombs was born in Los Angeles and raised in Nashville, Tenn. She is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University and has been a sports writer since 2008. She has been covering college softball since 2016 for various outlets including Softball America, ESPNW and Hurrdat Sports. She is currently the managing editor of Softball On SI and also serves as an analyst for Nebraska softball games on Nebraska Public Media and B1G+.