Bracing for further financial cutbacks, the University of Hawaii-Hilo has announced it will suspend operation of two teams, men’s and women’s cross country, as well as its cheerleading squad, for two years.

Meanwhile, its cross-state cousin, UH-Manoa, said it hopes to add women’s sand volleyball in spring 2012.

The funding models for the two schools are polar opposites. While Hilo, which operates at the NCAA Division II level, derives 81 percent of its revenue from state and institutional support, Division I Manoa self-generates nearly 85 percent of its revenue and receives about 15 percent from the school or state.

"Currently, we only fund our conference travel in all sports," said Dexter Irvin, UH-Hilo athletic director. "We are part of a 7 percent decrease in scholarships as well as a probable 7 percent decrease in our operational funding."

UH-Hilo, which does not offer football, has been operating 13 sports on a $3.52 million budget. Manoa, with football, has 19 sports at $29 million and derives most of its income from ticket sales, media rights, donations and corporate sponsorships.

Irvin said he hopes to realize approximately $100,000 in savings. Irvin said he considered additional across-the-board cuts but added, "we don’t have (room) to cut any of our other sports." With 11 remaining sports, UH-Hilo will be one above the Division II minimum.

He said, "coach (Jaime) Guerpo had done an excellent job in recruiting this upcoming season, so it is very painful for him — and for us."

Irvin said the school will honor its scholarship commitments.

Guerpo said he was "a bit surprised" by the suspension of the teams, "because my budget was already cut prior to this announcement." Guerpo said the announcement was "heartbreaking" for his athletes. "It is already late April. I have five guys and three (women) returning. Four are on scholarship. I have seven recruits committed." He said he is trying to raise enough funds to field at least one team this year.

Meanwhile, citing improving ticket sales in several sports, including men’s basketball, men’s volleyball and baseball, Manoa athletic director Jim Donovan said plans are moving ahead to offer sand volleyball in 2012 when it debuts as an NCAA sport.

The addition of sand volleyball was planned two years ago but was held up pending NCAA legislation.

"We’re very proud that our (women’s) volleyball team is normally in the Top 5 or Top 10 in the country year in and year out," Donovan said. "But the Bowl Championship Series programs have been dumping a lot of money into their women’s programs, in particularly women’s volleyball, which is one reason why we’re seeing more and more BCS programs advance deep into the NCAA tournament. We believe by adding sand volleyball to our program it will help us stay competitive on a national level."

He said top recruits will favor schools that offer volleyball in both seasons as it provides "the best chance of going on after college to play in the Olympics or some professional opportunities."

Sand volleyball will initially include players who already compete in indoor volleyball in the fall and their coaches. The initial expense, Donovan estimated, would be "around $100,000 the first year or so" and climb when as many as four scholarships and a coaching position are eventually added. He said UH could play its matches at the Ching Athletic Complex, where sand facilities are planned.

Kathleen J. DeBoer, executive director of the American Volleyball Coaches Association, said she anticipates "15 to 18 schools" debuting sand volleyball in 2012. She said, "the NCAA will host a championship once 40 institutions sponsor the sport at a varsity level."