Due to financial constraints, UNO has decided to move their athletic program from Division I to Division III. The move was necessary for the Privateers in order to continue participating in NCAA-sanctioned sports. In an act of kindness, the Sun Belt Conference unanimously voted to waive a $500,000 fee for schools that voluntarily leave the conference, helping New Orleans make their transition beginning on July 1, 2010.
In 1984, the Privateers program became the first university in Louisiana to reach the Division I College World Series, after making a pair of appearances at the Division II CWS in the 1970s. They finished 2009 with a 22-33 record (12-18 in the Sun Belt) after making consecutive trips to the postseason in 2007 and 2008. Current LSU head coach Paul Mainieri helped UNO win a pair of Sun Belt titles during his two season as a Privateer from 1978-1979.
You can read more on the decision here.
