UNO was the first school in Louisiana to ever send a team to the College World Series. Under a plan unveiled today, they could never go back. The Privateers would also never be able to participate in the NCAA basketball tournament again either.
Budget cuts and other problems force the University of New Orleans to consider moving to Division III.
Officials must decide by May 15 whether to apply for the change. University spokesman Mike Rivault says the process would take about four years, but travel expenses and conference fees
would drop immediately.
In the spring, students voted against raising fees for athletics. Officials thought athletic cutbacks, outside fundraising and a supporter's estate would shore up athletics. But Chancellor
Tim Ryan says the fundraising didn't happen and UNO is getting much less than expected from the donor's will.
UNO has nine NCAA teams. Division III requires six men's and six women's teams. Rivault says lower costs would let the school add those teams.
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