Sports sponsorship: Tulane University has approved a plan to address its current and future operations due to the effects of Hurricane Katrina. The campus closed for the fall semester because of storm damage, but most of Tulane's fall sports teams continued to operate from other locations. Under the new plan, Tulane will continue to participate in Division I intercollegiate athletics, but with a reduced number of programs. The university will sponsor six programs that will compete in eight sports -- football, baseball, men and women's basketball, women's volleyball, and women's indoor and outdoor track and cross country. Tulane officials have been assured that the school will be able to secure the waivers needed to continue to compete as a Division I program for the near future. Athletics Director Rick Dickson said in a December 8 statement that the decision was difficult for the university to make. "Today, I will face more than 100 of the best ambassadors this university has, and tell them that there are no longer opportunities for them as student-athletes at Tulane University," Dickson said. "I will inform dedicated and successful coaches that this university can no longer sponsor their programs. Their athletic careers at Tulane are victims of Hurricane Katrina. Fortunately, six of our core programs will go forward. Nonetheless, today is a day of great loss. As far as I am concerned, no student-athlete is any more important than any other. Since my arrival here almost six years ago, my philosophy has been that every student-athlete who wears the Tulane uniform is treated equally. That's why this day is so difficult." University President Scott S. Cowen said the plan strengthens the school's commitment to "building a world-class educational and research institution," while implementing measures to ensure the university's financial stability. "Tulane University, now more than ever, is a powerful and positive force as New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region begin the monumental task of recovery," he said. "We are determined to find opportunity in the face of adversity. Tulane will do more than just survive; we will thrive and continue our role as a beacon of learning and research for the region and nation, as well as a dynamic engine of growth and change for New Orleans and its citizens." The plan also addresses the financial challenges created by Katrina, including $200 million in recovery costs this year and a significant projected budget shortfall for next year. Accordingly, the renewal plan calls for phasing out about 50 faculty positions in discontinued undergraduate and professional degree programs. Another 180 faculty positions will be eliminated at the medical school as a result of the decreased population and changing health care needs of New Orleans. "I deeply regret that employee reductions were necessary to secure the university's future," said Cowen. "We have tried to make the reductions as strategically and humanely as possible, recognizing the hardship it places on those whose positions have been terminated." ... Delaware State University announced the addition of a women's equestrian team. "Looking at the demographics of Delaware and surrounding states, and the fact that this is a land-grant institution with a strong college of agriculture, we came to the conclusion that an equestrian team would be good for the institution, and would satisfy future and present Title IX requirements," said Delaware State Athletics Director Chuck Bell. Delaware State will be the only institution in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference to have an equestrian team. Bell said the school has launched a search for a coaching staff. The goal is for the team to begin competing in the fall of 2006. Bell also said the school is considering an additional women's sport.

Miscellaneous: The Ohio Valley Conference announced a five-year extension (through 2010) to its existing television agreement with ESPN. Under the terms of the extension, a minimum of 14 league contests will be televised annually across the ESPN networks. "Never before in the history of the league have we had an opportunity to provide this level of national exposure for our student-athletes, coaches and fans," said Commissioner Jon A. Steinbrecher. Twelve of the contests for the 2005-06 year will be carried on ESPNU, which will air a number of men's basketball contests, including seven regular-season games and the March 3 semifinals of the league's postseason tournament. ESPN already televises the men's championship game ... The University of Illinois, Champaign, received a $1 million gift from the Rex & Alice A. Martin Foundation to complete the final phase of its softball complex. The phase will include the construction of a permanent press box, restrooms, permanent concessions and a clubhouse for the softball team. The Martin Foundation is a private charitable foundation that funds major projects for young people. "The University of Illinois changed my life," said Alice Martin, co-founder and president who received her MBA from the school. A timetable for the project's design, construction and completion will be announced at a later date ... The University of Washington will offer a master's degree focused on developing leaders for college athletics organizations beginning in the summer of 2006. The University of Washington Master of Education in Intercollegiate Athletic Leadership will help students acquire a number of core competencies essential to hold leadership positions in higher education or within an athletics department. "This program will set the standard for the preparation of leaders within intercollegiate athletics," said Jim Antony, the program's executive director.

-- Compiled by Gary T. Brown