The University of New Orleans has announced that it will withdraw from the Sun Belt Conference on July 1 as part of its plan to transition from Division I to Division III.

The Sun Belt executive committee has decided not to charge the school early withdrawal fees that could total $500,000.

New Orleans announced last fall its intention to explore reclassification due to budgetary concerns resulting from the continuing recovery from Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the failure of a student referendum to increase student fees for athletics.

“It is unfortunate that (New Orleans) finds itself in financial constraints that have necessitated such drastic measures, but there is a time when tough decisions must be made,” said New Orleans Chancellor Tim Ryan. “While we are proud of our past membership in the Sun Belt Conference, the university has to make changes that will allow NCAA-sanctioned athletics to continue at the Division III level.”

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the Privateers suspended nine of its 15 sports. The school has operated under a waiver of the NCAA requirement of 14 sports for non-football institutions. An independent study by a private consulting firm identified several funding issues.

“The last several years have been unquestionably difficult on the university and the athletics department,” said Sun Belt Commissioner Wright Waters. “The university’s assessment that has led to its withdrawal from the Sun Belt has assuredly also been another difficult chapter for New Orleans. New Orleans is our third-longest-tenured member, and they will be sorely missed. The hard work put in by Chancellor Ryan and numerous other administrators on campus over the last several years of uncertainty is to be commended.”

UNO currently competes in Division I in baseball, men’s & women’s basketball, men’s golf, men’s & women’s swimming and diving, men’s & women’s tennis, and volleyball.

When New Orleans withdraws from the league, the Sun Belt will maintain 12 members, nine in the Football Bowl Subdivision. The conference tackled scheduling challenges at its January 13 meeting and the athletics directors believe they have a fair, balanced and marketable scheduling solution in all affected sports. Waters said the conference has no plans for further contraction or expansion.

(NCAA Release)