UNO Cancelling Football

[BisoninHuskerland]

I know some of the players from Nebraska Omaha teams that were contacted by NDSU to see if they were interested in possibly coming up to Fargo. May be a chance to strengthen our roster. I think most would have to come without a scholarship. I feel bad for the players because of the timing of the decision since scholarship can't be given to a lot of players especially the seniors on the team. I know some were contacted last year but decided to stay closer to home. Another great reason to develop a strong athletic program surrounding a great football organization. All sports revolve and are sussessful around football because of revenue. UNO athletic program has diminished with the problems with the AD and other issues internally. The football attendance is down tremendously leading to a 1.3 million deficit.

[lakesbison]

None would start for us, let them goto Sdsu,usd...they need the help

[THEsocalledfan]

I felt the shutting down of the UNO football program was a very sad day. Coach Burns had turned them into a very respectable program, despite very little interest due to a much more visible program. I'd always hoped they would make the jump up with NDSU, but after I looked at the numbers, not sure what they were supposed to do other than consider non-scholarship football. (And if they did that, it would be about the same as shutting the program down....)

[tony]

I know some of the players from Nebraska Omaha teams that were contacted by NDSU to see if they were interested in possibly coming up to Fargo.

UN-O usually has some excellent offensive linemen. Tough deal for the UN-O football program and their players.

Kind of tough to transfer up a division because they'd have to sit out a year. Maybe this year's signing class would be allowed to go elsewhere without sitting out.

[Dabison]

This should also make recruiting in Nebraska a little bit easier now. Especially since they wouldn't have another DI football program in the state. Not saying that we'd get out recruited by UNO.

[BisonNeil]

Wasn't UNO looking at moving all of their programs to DI just a couple of years ago?

I wonder how much of this is due to the financial drain of having DI hockey? At the very least, I guess they still have hockey

[The_Sicatoka]

I wonder how much of this is due to the financial drain of having DI hockey? At the very least, I guess they still have hockey

Actually, football and wrestling are the drain at UNO. After these changes, UNO Hockey will be the revenue-positive program to run the whole UNO Athletic department.

[THEsocalledfan]

Actually, football and wrestling are the drain at UNO. After these changes, UNO Hockey will be the revenue-positive program to run the whole UNO Athletic department.

As much as it pains me to say, this makes sense. Why follow their football when you have Big Red right next door? On the other hand, Big Red does not have hockey which gives them an excellent niche.

Further, they fit in well as a Division 1 hockey school since they do not belong to a major conference, and a nor do they field a football or basketball team that can compete with anyone. A lot like UND.

[Leonardite]

Actually, football and wrestling are the drain at UNO. After these changes, UNO Hockey will be the revenue-positive program to run the whole UNO Athletic department.

The football program there was a financial mess, but the Omaha paper said last year was the first in six years that the hockey program made money. Apparently the Qwest Center lease has been quite a burden. The Qwest Center is a great facility, so you had to wonder why they are pushing to build a new arena. This connects the dots.

[Bisonwinagn]

Actually, football and wrestling are the drain at UNO. After these changes, UNO Hockey will be the revenue-positive program to run the whole UNO Athletic department.

I'm surprised they're cutting wresling. I can't imagine it is a very expensive sport considering there are not many players, no equipment, no field etc. All they need is a mat and headgear.