http://www.nola.com/sports/t-p/index...150.xml&coll=1

University of New Orleans Chancellor Tim Ryan said Monday state budget cuts for the 2009-2010 fiscal year might force the university to consider eliminating athletics, among other reductions.

In a letter to LSU System President John Lombardi dated Dec. 16, Ryan said cutting athletics was a possibility for the 2009-10 school year.

Ryan's letter also outlined $5.4 million worth of proposed mid-year cuts for this school year, but athletics was not included in the list. UNO's athletic budget is $4.5 million for this school year

Crossing into politics for a second, Louisiana Gov Bobby Jindal --- a republican frquently mentioned as a presidential candidate in 2012 --- is one of 4 governors making noise about declining the money the Obama stimulus package earmarked for their states to cover budget shortfalls. If the state of Lousiania loses some athletic programs because of budget shortfalls, will Jindal's career take the hit?

Just an interesting thought.