Winston-Salem State University has abandoned its dream of becoming a Division I athletic program.

Why? Costs too much.

WSSU leaders decided late last week to stop pushing for an upgrade to D-1 status and remain competing in Division II. 

In a written statement, Chancellor Donald Reaves said in part: "If there were any reasonable way to complete this transition without diverting resources from competing academic resources, I would have recommended that we stay the course."

Here are a couple numbers that should illuminate the situation. From 2005-06 through last year, spending for the WSSU athletics program rose from $2.88 million to $5.58 million, according to that statement. 

At the same time, revenues increased from $2.07 million to $3.77 million and last year, the athletic program ran a deficit of nearly $2 million.