PRESS CONFERENCE VIDEO
NEW ORLEANS - University of New Orleans President Peter J. Fos announced that UNO's athletic program will remain NCAA Division I, instead of transitioning to Division II. UNO is currently competing as a Division I independent.
"After great deliberation and the acquisition of information from various sources, I believe that this is the best course of action for UNO," President Fos said. "We are striving for excellence at the University in all facets, and that is why I think it's important that our teams are competing at the highest level possible. This decision is not simply about winning games; it's about the future of the University. This will result in increased enrollment and community involvement."
"President Fos has worked tirelessly to research and understand the issues and long-term implications of remaining in NCAA Division I athletics," said University of Louisiana System President Randy Moffett. "I respect the careful consideration he has employed in making this decision and believe it is in the best interest of the University."
UNO currently competes in 10 sports under a sport-sponsorship waiver received from the NCAA in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. They are: baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's golf, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's tennis, and volleyball.
"I realize this has been a tumultuous couple of years for Privateer fans," President Fos said. "But I want to assure them that we will put our athletic program on solid ground, we will give our student athletes the tools they need to succeed, we will compete for championships and we will give our supporters something they can take pride in."
In April 2011, UNO received permission from the NCAA to begin the transition from Division I to Division II. In 2010, UNO withdrew from the Division I Sun Belt Conference with the intention of moving to NCAA Division III.
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