As expected, the University of New Orleans lost its Sun Belt conference tournament match against Western Kentucky. Billy Humphrey was able to play his last collegiate game, scoring 7 points in the loss.
Humphrey will have surgery on his knee, now that the season is officially over.
Sounds very much like this is the end of the road for Humphrey's playing career. Hope it's not, but without reliable wheels, you can't play pro ball, no matter how well you might shoot from long range.
It's hard to leave a sport that you've played for so long. Sports often defines a person. It's not just what we do, it is who we are. "I'm Joe Blow, basketball player for Xavier University."
The problem is that when Joe can no longer play basketball, who is he? Is he Joe the ex-basketball player, doomed for the rest of his life to attempt to draw a crowd by telling stories about how things were when he used to play? What makes Joe special if his tie to sports has been broken? How will he support himself if there is no more scholarship?
UNO will have a difficult adjustment to make as well. The student body may well wish to take another vote next year, once they feel the impact of losing Division I sports, but it will be too late. The infrastructure and the players and coaches will be gone.
Perhaps University of New Orleans basketball is Katrina's latest victim.
Good luck to Billy and to UNO.
Showing posts with label UNO. Show all posts
Showing posts with label UNO. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
End of the Road for Humphrey?
I had high hopes that Billy would have a successful tenure in New Orleans, get back on his feet physically and mentally. After sitting out his transfer year last year, I know that he must have had a "can't wait" attitude toward getting this season started.
I was happy to learn before the season started that Georgia would kick off the year by playing UNO. Unfortunately, Humphrey reinjured his knee prior to the game. I expected him to miss the contest, but he surprised me by being able to play, not just in Georgia's game, but in thirteen games thereafter.
But the knee issues would not go away. As the season moves through mid-February and on toward the end of the year, Billy Humphrey has had to watch the action from the bench. He has missed nine or ten games, and UNO has been playing poorly in his absence.
UNO has missed its leading scorer. The team will be moving down to non-scholarship Division III in the future, a factor that has perhaps led to less than inspired play for Humphrey's teammates.
To make matters more disappointing for Humphrey, it looks like he will have to have surgery again on his knee. He should consult with his doctors and get the best guidance possible, but it sounds to me that his basketball playing career is coming to a close.
I was happy to learn before the season started that Georgia would kick off the year by playing UNO. Unfortunately, Humphrey reinjured his knee prior to the game. I expected him to miss the contest, but he surprised me by being able to play, not just in Georgia's game, but in thirteen games thereafter.
But the knee issues would not go away. As the season moves through mid-February and on toward the end of the year, Billy Humphrey has had to watch the action from the bench. He has missed nine or ten games, and UNO has been playing poorly in his absence.
UNO has missed its leading scorer. The team will be moving down to non-scholarship Division III in the future, a factor that has perhaps led to less than inspired play for Humphrey's teammates.
To make matters more disappointing for Humphrey, it looks like he will have to have surgery again on his knee. He should consult with his doctors and get the best guidance possible, but it sounds to me that his basketball playing career is coming to a close.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Who Dat Moving to Division III
The University of New Orleans' chancellor has made the call. Not to Beyonce for an upgrade, but rather to the Sun Belt Conference to disconnect the service. In a tough decision, UNO has decided to move from Division I athletics down to Division III.
I think it's going to be devastating to UNO.
I understand the hand that the school has been dealt. They have the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Falling enrollment. Poor facilities.
I assume that UNO asked the NCAA and the Sun Belt Conference for a waiver due to special circumstances. I assume that UNO appealed to its boosters, alumni and other groups for help. I assume all other avenues were thoroughly analyzed, and the move to Division III was the only option.
As a UGA fan, I follow UNO athletics because Billy Humphrey has been playing there. In this particular case, however, I'm not concerned with Humphrey. He has missed the last 5 games with knee problems, and the July move to Division I wouldn't affect him anyway. Either through injury or exhaustion of his eligibility, he's at the end of his collegiate career.
It's all the other players who will be stuck in limbo, who now have to decide what to do. It's the larger student body that will know that something important has been lost.
For all of its faults, athletics plays a big role in boosting the spirits. Just look at how the entire city of New Orleans has benefitted from the sudden success of the Saints.
My hope is that after a suitable time of recovery, UNO will be able to rejoin major college athletics.
I think it's going to be devastating to UNO.
I understand the hand that the school has been dealt. They have the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Falling enrollment. Poor facilities.
I assume that UNO asked the NCAA and the Sun Belt Conference for a waiver due to special circumstances. I assume that UNO appealed to its boosters, alumni and other groups for help. I assume all other avenues were thoroughly analyzed, and the move to Division III was the only option.
As a UGA fan, I follow UNO athletics because Billy Humphrey has been playing there. In this particular case, however, I'm not concerned with Humphrey. He has missed the last 5 games with knee problems, and the July move to Division I wouldn't affect him anyway. Either through injury or exhaustion of his eligibility, he's at the end of his collegiate career.
It's all the other players who will be stuck in limbo, who now have to decide what to do. It's the larger student body that will know that something important has been lost.
For all of its faults, athletics plays a big role in boosting the spirits. Just look at how the entire city of New Orleans has benefitted from the sudden success of the Saints.
My hope is that after a suitable time of recovery, UNO will be able to rejoin major college athletics.
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