Photo courtesy of Paul Julian
A Hastings High School senior’s college plans were turned upside down with the announcement of unprecedented budget cuts of $3.4 million at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
Earlier this month, UNK Chancellor Doug Kristensen announced that the university would be cutting several positions and athletic programs, namely the men’s baseball, golf and tennis teams.
“Sport elimination is particularly difficult because it directly impacts 56 student-athletes and 10 incoming freshmen,” Kristensen said during a budget forum hosted at UNK on February 12.
As the Tiger Cub reported earlier this school year, senior Connor Laux committed to furthering his education and baseball career at UNK in October of last year. Connor Laux chose UNK due to the close connection he made with the coaching staff. He was also offered scholarships to play for the school.
“They were offering me a couple thousand dollar scholarship to play the middle infield,” Connor Laux said.
Connor Laux initially heard of the budget cuts through his father, Brian Laux.
“I heard about it on Monday before wrestling practice from my dad who heard it on the news the night before,” Connor Laux said.
Upon hearing the news, Connor Laux was shocked.
“I was kind of in disbelief. I had everything all set and was ready to go there,” Connor Laux said.
Brian Laux shares the same sentiment as Connor regarding the news.
“I was surprised, it really came out of nowhere,” Brian Laux said.
Connor Laux, who has wanted to attend UNK ever since he visited the school and its baseball facilities, is back on the college search.
“I am looking for another school to go to. My dream has always been to play college baseball somewhere and that just isn’t possible at UNK anymore. I’m looking at schools that showed interest in me before I committed to UNK,” Laux said.
Brian Laux is trying his best to help Connor through this difficult time.
“I’m helping my son through this by being supportive and assisting Connor in contacting coaches and schools that he was in contact with prior to signing to UNK,” Brian Laux said.
Disappointed accurately sums up Connor Laux’s feelings regarding the budget cuts.
“Most disappointing thing about all this was I thought I could have a great future in Kearney, both academically and athletically,”
