With budget cuts coming, LSU-Alexandria athletics must support themselves - Michael D. Doyle, the Town Talk

With projected budget reductions of up to $2.6 million affecting Louisiana State University at Alexandria for the 2011-2012 fiscal year, student services are expected to take an appreciable hit. One of the more immediate cuts will take its toll on the school's fledging athletic programs, which were instituted in 2007. Currently, the LSUA Generals compete as a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics in two sports -- baseball and softball. The sports programs are not being disbanded, but according to a document provided by the LSUA chancellor's office, the first proposed level in three tiers of budget cuts would eliminate an undetermined number of athletic scholarships totalling $156,000 and place all athletic department operations in "restricted support."