NEW ORLEANS — The University of New Orleans already has one of the smallest budgets among NCAA Division 1 schools and it’s now getting even smaller.
As part of major spending cuts across campus, the UNO Athletics Department was ordered to slash its budget by 25 percent. That’s a reduction of more than 2 million dollars.
UNO Athletic Director Tim Duncan admits, in addition to being more efficient with scheduling and travel, he’s also been forced to reduce the number of athletic scholarships.
“We don’t have as much money to offer student-athletes, however our coaches, they sacrificed a ton, and we think they can still be successful in spite of, but it will be a challenge for sure,” Duncan said.
Hall of Fame UNO Baseball Coach Ron Maestri, who finished out his legendary career on a field that bears his name, said a university can’t spend like it has 12,000 students when it only has 6,000.
“I think we just have to tighten our belts and understand where we are,” Maestri said. “We need to get more students and we have to be more fiscally responsible with dollars that we do have.”
According to Maestri, despite UNO’s financial challenges, it would be a mistake to drop down to Division 2 or 3 or eliminate sports altogether.
“Let’s say you eliminated athletics at UNO, how much money would that really save? You’d lose about 200 students that’s number one and you need students.”
“These are students that are coming to the university, that are graduating from the university and hopefully, donating to the university,” Maestri added.
Duncan is now appealing to the Privateer Nation and university boosters to help minimize the impact of these cuts on athletic programs and UNO’s student-athletes.
“We haven’t been public with our enrollment challenges,” Duncan said. “We haven’t been public about how that impacts athletics, so now we have that opportunity, it gives a chance to go out and talk more frankly with those who support us the best.”
Maestri said it’s good to appeal to the public for help.
“We need help, but we have to show them that we’re using the money the right way and hopefully we can turn this thing around.”
Overall, UNO is seeking to cut $15 million in spending next year.
UNO athletics recently sent out an email, explaining the need for budget cuts and how supporters can help.
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