University of New Orleans
From WikiRun
| U of New Orleans | |
| Location | New Orleans, Louisiana |
|---|---|
| Conference | Sun Belt |
| Division | NCAA Div I |
| Nickname | Privateers |
The University of New Orleans does not currently have a cross country or track program. UNO was the 2000 Women's Sun Belt Conference Cross Country Champion. Prior to its dissolution, the program was coached by Willie Randolph. Randolph was the head men’s and women’s track and field coach and head cross country coach at the University of New Orleans. In three seasons at UNO, Randolph coached 10 NCAA regional qualifiers, 30 All-Sun Belt Conference performers, 10 Sun Belt Conference Track and Field champions, 15 Academic All-Sun Belt selections and an individual cross country Sun Belt champion. UNO broke 56 school records, including two Sun Belt Conference records, under his guidance.[1]
UNO students were asked to consider an athletic fee increase which would restore women's cross country. In April 2009, UNO students voted 1,418-1,251 (53%-47%) against funding a tuition increase to support athletics and to keep the Division One programs at UNO alive. The student fee increase under consideration would have encompassed $96 per semester. As a result, barring intervention from the State Legislature, LSU Board of Supervisors or UNO Chancellor Tim Ryan, athletics at the University of New Orleans may be done with. Ryan took a neutral approach to the issue and vote.[2]
UNO began participating in athletics in the late 60's and moved up to Division One status in the late 70's. A severe drop in the student population and damage to facilities following Hurricane Katrina crippled the effort at UNO. Most recently, severe budget cuts mandated by the state of Louisiana placed the UNO athletic department on life support, producing the student vote. Currently the school's athletic department is in the fourth year of a five-year waiver granted by the NCAA after Hurricane Katrina. The waiver allows UNO to retain Division I status without having the mandated minimum of 14 teams in sanctioned sports. Women’s golf, women’s softball, women’s soccer and men’s and women’s cross-country were to be added and bring the number of teams to 15, the minimum required for UNO to retain membership in the Sun Belt Conference.[3]
References
- ↑ http://www.cmuchippewas.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10500&ATCLID=3734688 Retrived 2009-07-28.
- ↑ Chancellor's letter announcing vote result Retrieved 2009-07-28.
- ↑ http://www.neworleans.com/sports/uno/128947-students-vote-no-on-athletics-at-uno.html Retrieved 2009-07-28.
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