Collection:LPB

Genre: News, Public Affairs

Place Covered: Thibodaux, Lafourche Parish, Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 2015-09-25

Duration: 00:06:27

Subjects: College athletes | College sports | NICHOLLS STATE UNIVERSITY | HIGHER EDUCATION

Contributors:

• Sanford, Shauna Host
• Connelly, Kelly Producer
• Woods, Virnado Editor
• Bernardi, Rob Interviewee
• Watts, Ray Speaker
• Keene, Kathy Interviewee

This segment from the September 25, 2015, episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” features Kelly Connelly’s report on the funding of athletic programs at small colleges. She interviews Rob Bernardi, the athletic director at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, who discusses the impact of budget cuts to the school on the athletic program, how he sells their athletic programs to potential recruits, and some of the creative methods they use to raise revenue. Connelly also interviews Kathy Keene, the chief operating officer of the Sun Belt Conference, who discusses the cost of student scholarships. Lastly, this report touches on the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s decision to cut its football program and later reinstate it due to the public outcry against the decision. Host: Shauna Sanford