Louisiana budget woes causing athletic cuts
Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2009 5:02 pm
Nicholls State University’s Brooke Braun starred on the Colonels' golf team as a freshman this year and thought she was in a “perfect” situation.
Then Nicholls suspended its women’s golf team this spring because of state budget cuts to colleges. Braun found herself losing her scholarship.
“I teared up a lot,” said Braun, 19. “I felt, ‘How could this happen?’ No one asked for this. I was hurt.”
But Braun, a Metairie native, said she took a “glass-is-half-full” approach. With the aid of her coach, she said she is transferring to the University of Central Arkansas on a golf scholarship.
Southern University, Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond and Nicholls State University in Thibodaux are among the schools that have already suspended one or more teams because of budget cuts this year.
The University of New Orleans is eliminating all state funding for athletics. The recession and budget cuts are putting stress on the state’s college athletics programs.
Then Nicholls suspended its women’s golf team this spring because of state budget cuts to colleges. Braun found herself losing her scholarship.
“I teared up a lot,” said Braun, 19. “I felt, ‘How could this happen?’ No one asked for this. I was hurt.”
But Braun, a Metairie native, said she took a “glass-is-half-full” approach. With the aid of her coach, she said she is transferring to the University of Central Arkansas on a golf scholarship.
Southern University, Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond and Nicholls State University in Thibodaux are among the schools that have already suspended one or more teams because of budget cuts this year.
The University of New Orleans is eliminating all state funding for athletics. The recession and budget cuts are putting stress on the state’s college athletics programs.
