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Men's Gymnastics Program At Cal Avoids Elimination

BERKELEY (CBS / AP) -- A fundraising effort has helped save Cal's men's gymnastics program, which was slated to be eliminated in a cost-cutting move.

School officials said Monday that supporters had raised more than $2.5 million for the program.

KCBS' Chris Filippi Reports:

That's short of the $4 million needed but officials say it's enough to support the team for seven to 10 years when combined with cost-cutting steps, including restricting scholarships for new recruits.

Previous fundraising efforts helped preserve Cal's baseball, women's lacrosse and women's gymnastics teams, which were to be eliminated, and men's rugby, which was to be reclassified as a "varsity club sport."

The plan to cut the sports was part of a broader campaign to reduce UC Berkeley's annual support for intercollegiate athletics.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services may have contributed to this report.)

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