June 5, 2003

NEW ORLEANS, La. - Mayor C. Ray Nagin today asked the Tulane University Board of Trustees to keep the school's athletic program in Division IA, the highest level of NCAA competition.

"The high profile of athletic competition that Tulane University has achieved has brought notoriety to both the university and to the city," said Mayor Nagin. "Tulane athletics helps us attract visitors from across the country."

The mayor joined the City Council in requesting that Tulane stay in Division IA. On May 15, the Council unanimously passed a resolution supporting the Tulane athletic program.

Mayor Nagin, who attended Tuskegee University on a baseball scholarship, noted that athletic scholarships are often the only ticket to college for many students. "Highly competitive sports programs help shape the leaders of the future," Mayor Nagin said.

He acknowledged that Division IA athletics are expensive to support, but he said the recent outpouring from the community shows that there is ongoing support for Division IA athletics in New Orleans.

"I understand that Tulane's board of trustees must protect the financial health of the university. While a Division IA athletic program is expensive to maintain, it has a tremendous impact on the university and the city," Mayor Nagin said.

"I will assist Tulane in ticket sales drives and other efforts to reduce or eliminate the operating deficit for athletics," he said.