Could McNeese, Nicholls and Northwestern State be closed?

[Guest coachacola]

Louisiana is having major budget difficulties so now there's talk of closing some universities.  Looks like there's quite a few small schools that could potentially be closed.  UNO just dropped out of the Sun Belt down to D3.  Could the same happen to one of the schools in the SLC?  Whole article here:

http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/93595549.html

[UNLV]

Not a chance any of the SLC schools get closed. It would send those communities into an economic
train wreck, which would hurt the state more than the savings from closing. Most likely cuts in programs and
athletics will likely hit the SLC schools. Maybe DIII for Mcneese. The Black schools and much smaller schools could
get closed. And lets not ignore Lamar must cut $14 million from it's budget. A major pain, but LU can afford it.

[NorthoftheBorder]

Can't see McNeese closing or dropping down.  SE La, Nichols and Northwestern could have problems.  I say Lamar needs to make plans to jettison to a bigger conference soon.  Economics (the big conferences trying to squeeze out the small guys as well as the nations economy) is going to have a dramatic impact on the landscape.  If anyone sits around and is indecisive, then they will be left in the lurch.

[LU Baseball Fan]

And you wondered why Jake wanted out of Louisiana.....

[UNLV]

This was a problem brewing for a very long time. Louisiana is smaller
than the Houston area yet you don't see as many DI schools in Houston.

[DP#1FAN]

I hope they remain open.

[UNLV]

[quote name="DP#1FAN" post="807126" timestamp="1275131728"]
I hope they remain open.
[/quote]They will remain open, but the athletics will take a big time hit. Think UNO...

[LU Baseball Fan]

It is so sad that the Louisiana government has a history of badly handling its financing.  Now the future of that state are paying for it.  How sad for these kids.  I can only imagine the turmoil these kids are feeling.  Even the suggestion or hint that their school or its athletic program is in jeopardy is sad....

[TexasTerror]

I do not think any of these schools are going to end up closing. There's too many things at stake. Can you imagine if they shut down Grambling? Wow - can not imagine the heat the state of Louisiana would receive.

You may see a few schools reclassify down to Div II - the NCAA actually is anticipating this and is re-working some of their Div II rules. Also, keep in mind that UNO has not been approved for D3 yet, that could come as early as July.

[bigred360]

Completely agree with your comments about the Louisiana schools.