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Strategic Budget Advisory Committee (SBAC)
Strategic Budget Advisory Committee

UNI to Eliminate Baseball After 2009

February 23, 2009

The Associated Press

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — Athletic Director Troy Dannen has said the University of Northern Iowa will eliminate its baseball program after the 2009 season to save money.

UNI’s athletic department is expected to run a budget deficit of up to $600,000 next year because of a 9 percent drop in state funding, Dannen said Monday. The Panthers baseball team is expected to run nearly a $400,000 deficit this season.

The Panthers, like Creighton University, are a member of the Missouri Valley Conference.

The NCAA will allow players transfer to another school without sitting out a year. Those who remain at Northern Iowa will have their scholarships honored.

Northern Iowa is the second NCAA Division I baseball program in Iowa to be eliminated this decade. Iowa State cut its program in 2001.

UNI also plans to reduce its athletic travel budget by $200,000.