Long Island University announced that it is combining the athletic programs of its Post and Brooklyn campuses beginning in September 2019. The news came as a surprise to the athletes of each campus.
The Brooklyn campus had been competing at the Division-I level, but the Post campus is in the Division-II East Coast Conference for baseball. The switch certainly upgrades the profile of the school, which in turn will help recruiting, but in the short-term it spells bad news for several recruits and current players.
Here’s what we know so far:
-The move is effective September 2019, so they will compete in the ECC once again this year.
-They will play baseball on the Post campus, which means the players currently living near Brooklyn will need to commute.
-Several of the Division-II players will not be guaranteed a roster spot.
-The Head Coach is yet to be determined, although, one source indicated it is likely to be Dan Pirillo.
While none of the athletic programs will technically be eliminated, it does feel that many of the current Division-II athletes will be left looking to transfer. Many parents of current players voiced their displeasure at the switch.
This represents good news for the football team, currently 4-0, that will have a state-of-the-art facility constructed and will compete in the Northeast conference. For the LIU Post baseball team, on the other hand, it means uncertainty at the very least, and potentially having to find a new place to play.
This is very big news for Long Island baseball players currently in high school, who now have another Division-I option to consider when looking to stay home.
