U N O Considering Move To D Iii

MeanGreen61 · November 11, 2009

Article

http://www.nola.com/uno/index.ssf/2009/11/...ng_athleti.html

UNO pulls baseball LOI's on signing day

http://www.neworleans.com/sports/uno/25802...igning-day.html

Edited November 11, 2009 by MeanGreen61

ADLER · November 12, 2009

Here's the full text of the press release from UNO as posted on the NOLA board:

The University of New Orleans is investigating a move from NCAA Division I-AAA to NCAA Division III status.

After the severe budget cuts of the 2009-2010 fiscal year and the failure of the student referendum to increase student fees for Athletics in the spring of 2009, the University administration established plans to maintain a Division I Athletic program with far more stringent financial constraints. This, along with fundraising efforts offered by outside entities, as well as a windfall donation from the Wick Cary estate seemed to shore up UNO Athletics, at least for the current fiscal year.

Unfortunately the private fundraising efforts did not materialize and the Cary estate is far less than anticipated and may take years to complete its distribution. These factors have forced the University administration to consider the future of UNO's Division I status.

"We had to reduce funding for athletics in the previous round of budget cuts and since then the financial picture of the University and the athletics program has not improved," said Chancellor Tim Ryan. In addition, the Governor has suggested that future budget reductions for higher education are likely.

This has prompted the University to investigate many options for athletics with the main goal of maintaining and enhancing UNO's mission and its focus on academics. Recently the administration began investigating the possibility of moving from Division I to Division III as a viable alternative.

"The good thing about Division III is the focus on student-athletes. Division III is about students having a NCAA Conference experience that is an enhancement to their academic pursuits and is also much more cost effective," noted Ryan.

The NCAA requires a multi-year process to move from Division I to Division II and UNO has made initial contact with NCAA officials to understand the requirements. "In Division III, universities cannot offer athletics scholarships and we are taking steps to ensure that we follow all NCAA guidelines and recommendations in this, the initial stages of consideration," Ryan said.

The possible move to Division III would allow UNO's club football and soccer teams to move to NCAA Division III as well. NCAA requirements for Division III are six sports per gender. UNO feels confident it could easily field the required number of sports if not more under the reduced costs of Division III programs.

The University hopes to complete its investigation in the coming months as the application would be due to the NCAA by May 15, 2010 to start the transformation process in the fall of 2010. All moves such as this are subject to approval by the LSU System as well as the NCAA.

buff64 · November 13, 2009

Here's the full text of the press release from UNO as posted on the NOLA board:
The University of New Orleans is investigating a move from NCAA Division I-AAA to NCAA Division III status.
After the severe budget cuts of the 2009-2010 fiscal year and the failure of the student referendum to increase student fees for Athletics in the spring of 2009, the University administration established plans to maintain a Division I Athletic program with far more stringent financial constraints. This, along with fundraising efforts offered by outside entities, as well as a windfall donation from the Wick Cary estate seemed to shore up UNO Athletics, at least for the current fiscal year.
Unfortunately the private fundraising efforts did not materialize and the Cary estate is far less than anticipated and may take years to complete its distribution. These factors have forced the University administration to consider the future of UNO's Division I status.
"We had to reduce funding for athletics in the previous round of budget cuts and since then the financial picture of the University and the athletics program has not improved," said Chancellor Tim Ryan. In addition, the Governor has suggested that future budget reductions for higher education are likely.
This has prompted the University to investigate many options for athletics with the main goal of maintaining and enhancing UNO's mission and its focus on academics. Recently the administration began investigating the possibility of moving from Division I to Division III as a viable alternative.
"The good thing about Division III is the focus on student-athletes. Division III is about students having a NCAA Conference experience that is an enhancement to their academic pursuits and is also much more cost effective," noted Ryan.
The NCAA requires a multi-year process to move from Division I to Division II and UNO has made initial contact with NCAA officials to understand the requirements. "In Division III, universities cannot offer athletics scholarships and we are taking steps to ensure that we follow all NCAA guidelines and recommendations in this, the initial stages of consideration," Ryan said.
The possible move to Division III would allow UNO's club football and soccer teams to move to NCAA Division III as well. NCAA requirements for Division III are six sports per gender. UNO feels confident it could easily field the required number of sports if not more under the reduced costs of Division III programs.
The University hopes to complete its investigation in the coming months as the application would be due to the NCAA by May 15, 2010 to start the transformation process in the fall of 2010. All moves such as this are subject to approval by the LSU System as well as the NCAA.

This will be the 2nd La. school to apply for the drop to DIII from DI, Centary is also in the process.