Looks like UNO will be severely cutting its budget for FY10 with legislative negotiations starting in late April.The UNO chancellor promises that the athletic department will be self sufficient but with BB attendance of less than 1,000 per game and no FB revenue it is likely that the school will need to drop from the SBC and likely D-1 since they currently support only 9 sports teams which is less than the 14 for D-1 and 15 for SBC requirements.The NCAA and SBC waivers expire after next year.
Does UNO bite the bullet this year or wait until next year?
Which D-2 conference would make a better fit for UNO if they had to drop a division?
This should be an interesting story to follow.

I previously posted these three articles in the SBC realignment section of this board but they also fit in here.
Links at http://www.nola.com/sports/t-p/index.ss ... xml&coll=1

at http://www.boston.com/sports/other_spor ... uno_sports

and at http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/v ... ecID=32706

The southland is the best geographic fit, but they have a general distaste for non football schools. Still their BB attendance numbers scream Southland, lol! maybe the Atlantic Sun? WOuld they want to expand west for a BB school? It would make 10---a good number for BB. A possible replacement for a potential upgrade (Ga. So., App. State, or The Citadel) in the SoCon? Indy status?

My suspicion is the Summit. In spite of the fact they increase their footprint, they are a core school and the Summit may feel a need for another. Although, they might also consider New Orleans to be another Chicago state and leave them for the Great West. If NO can't fulfill the Sunbelt requirements, they may have trouble hitting any conference's requirements. SOunds like a Great West school. I think the GW would kill for another Core school and will not let New Orleans fall into the DII level --- regardless of the shape of their program.

If they do fall into D2, the gulf south probably makes the most sense.

If New Orleans is forced to scuttle their athletic programs in part because the state government refuses federal stimulus dollars that might alleviate much of the shortfall, would the state elected officials take the blame?

Finiteman,thanks for the post.We should know more later this spring regarding whether UNO plans to drop a division or can come up with some miracle plan.

Thanks
Freaked

Finiteman,the Gulf South as a D-2 possibility if UNO falls that far?
On the Sunbelt thread,WBYEAGER,apparently agrees with the Gulf South as a D-2 possibilty but also adds the Lonestar and the Heartland as possibilities.
What do you think about those two additional D-2 conference possibilities for UNO?


Thanks
Freaked

The question is can UNO come up with 14 sports to stay D-I. If no then the Heartland would take them. GSC maybe.

If they get up to 14 would SBC still dump them because of 1 sport? SLC will need replacements if that's true. UTSA & Texas St. set to leave

_________________

WRANGLERS 153-55-1 CVFL CHAMPS '04 '05 '09 '12

NFL CHAMPS '29 '30 '31 '36 '39 '44 '61 '62 '65 '66 '67 '96 '10

BW/WAC/MWC CHAMPS '77 '82 '85 '88 '89 '91 '92 '93 '99 '12
['08 NCAA BASEBALL CHAMPS]

Fresno St Alum,thanks for the post.Agree that UNO apparently needs to come up with funding for 14 sports by the end of next year in order to stay above D-1 requirements.Unclear as to whether the SBC would extend their waiver to UNO if they had the 14 but not 15 sports teams.Looks like we will know more about the FY10 funding situation next month after the state legislature meets.This should be an interesting story to follow.

Thanks
Freaked

I am not the best at D2 predictions, but I would disagree with Yeager (although it is often foolish to do so...). IMO, the addition of travel to New Orleans would make travel more expensive for lone star schools with zero real benefit. It would seem unneccessary and not a positive improvement. The LSC is a football conference for the most part. They do have TWU in the metroplex, so I cannot totally dismiss it, but I just don't see it as likely. The heartland is non football and has few members and would seem more likely to want New Orleans, but I think New Orleans would sell their soul (ie. Great West) not to fall that far. The heartland publics are tiny schools with small budgets.

IMO, There are pretty good odds the 14 team (10/4) Gulf South will likely lose Valdosta State and Arkansas Tech to FCS in the next 15 years. Would that make for a natural fit? Not really. Looking at BB, that would leave a 12 member conference with 5 schools in Arkansas and one in Mississippi. It makes for nice divisions. Could an eastern partner be found to balance New Orleans? Maybe. Maybe not.

Really I anticipate the Summitt or Great West to take NO in if the Sunbelt pushes them out.

Yeah, UNO going to the Lonestar or Heartland would be rather ugly; both are equivalent to going to the Gulf South only in that none of the three conferences currently have a member in Louisiana. The Gulf South would place a much smaller travel burden on New Orleans.

Any thoughts on whether Arkansas Tech, Central Oklahoma, or Tarleton State, or any other Division II football schools in the Southland footprint intend to move up post-2011? That may do more to force New Orleans (and possibly UALR) to the Great West or Summit, as the Southland would likely want to reload with football-playing schools (even though UTSA, who appears headed out, doesn't currently play football).

Finiteman and WBYeager,thanks for the posts regarding possible D-2 conference "landing spots" for UNO,if one is needed.

Article out of NO that mentions the link between the SBC and NO.Apparently the SBC is funding a study to find out how UNO can continue to remain a D-1 program despite it's financial problems.Link at http://blog.nola.com/tpsports/2009/03/s ... _in_n.html

Heartland added UA-Ft.Smith last week they will be member #8 after losing UIW to the LSC and Lincoln(MO) to the MIAA

_________________

WRANGLERS 153-55-1 CVFL CHAMPS '04 '05 '09 '12

NFL CHAMPS '29 '30 '31 '36 '39 '44 '61 '62 '65 '66 '67 '96 '10

BW/WAC/MWC CHAMPS '77 '82 '85 '88 '89 '91 '92 '93 '99 '12
['08 NCAA BASEBALL CHAMPS]

Fresno St Alum,thanks for the post.Looks like Heartland may be a geographic fit for UNO,if they need a D-2 home.Here is link to article regarding your Heartland expansion reference at http://www.nwanews.com/adg/Sports/254001


Thanks
Freaked

Fresno St Alum,thanks for the post.The Heartland appears to be a geographic fit(along with others) if UNO needs a D-2 home.Link to article referencing latest Heartland realignment move that you mentioned at http://www.nwanews.com/adg/Sports/254001

I expect to hear more regarding the UNO budget situation by the end of next month.

Thanks
Freaked

Article out of NO indicating that the Louisiana Governor will announce his budget cut goals for FY10 on friday with UNO's "haircut"estimated to be about $11 million which was apparently reduced by "Obama bucks"from the recently passed federal stimulus bill.
Unclear how this will affect the UNO athletic department.I expect more info in the coming weeks.Link at http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2009 ... _cuts.html

Article discussing Louisiana Governor's suggested University budget cuts released yesterday with about $14 million (about 12% of UNO budget)targeted for UNO.
Comments by UNO chancellor who will be in negotiations later next month with the State legislature over budget cuts for his school.Interesting to see if UNO comes out with a public budget cutting plan before 4-27-09.Link at http://www.wwltv.com/local/stories/wwl0 ... 2945d.html

Article with comments from UNO Chancellor regarding the possible cutting of UNO Athletic department funding due to the impending reduction of state funds. He would like to replace that money thru fund raising or with added game revenue. Link at http://www.thenew995fm.com/cc-common/ma ... le=5180119