Grambling Football Dispute Draws Attention To Cuts

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — The leader of Grambling State University says a nearly weeklong boycott by the university's football team has drawn awareness to the campus's financial struggles and drummed up donation interest around the country.

Grambling President Frank Pogue told his university system's board Tuesday that he's using the national attention received as a way to highlight campus academic and facility needs.

Grambling's players staged the now-ended boycott because of many issues with university leaders, including the school's rundown facilities, long bus trips to road games and personnel decisions.

The university, like all public colleges around Louisiana, has been hit with repeated budget cuts from the state since 2008. Tuition increases have only partially filled the gap.

University of Louisiana System President Sandra Woodley says Grambling's financial woes are worst in the system.