Andrew Singer: The Chicago Tribune reported on Friday that the Schaumburg Flyers baseball team have been evicted from their home park for unpaid rent totaling near $900,000. This eviction has me thinking of the current state of NIU sports. Now, it’s not really plausible that any team can actually get kicked off its home turf, but there are still some teams that deserve it. Not because of financial reasons, but because of dreadful play. Any thoughts Mike?

Mike Romor: There are a few candidates for NIU programs that could be given the boot, but the men’s basketball team may be the leading candidate. Not only does the team consistently finish in the lower half of the MAC, but it also has very low attendance for every home game.

AS: Well if you like wins, then I guess men’s basketball should be evicted. In all honesty, though, there is a shred of a chance that men’s basketball can actually be good someday. Instead of evicting a sport that people actually like, why not get rid of a team that absolutely no one will ever care about. How about softball?

MR: I admit softball is not a popular sport, but it probably does not lose as much money for the school as the basketball program does. I agree basketball could be a popular attraction, but NIU has been treading water ever since its 2005-2006 season when the Huskies were 17-11.

The best record the Huskies have achieved since then is 10-20. From 2006 until now, the basketball program’s record is 41-104 overall and 22-55 in conference action. NIU may not have the best athletics, but the men’s basketball team has been a disgrace for quite some time now.

AS: Are you really talking about losing money? What student honestly cares about what NIU is spending its money on? The university is going to foolishly spend its money even if there isn’t a men’s basketball program.

The bottom line is that no winter sport draws any fan interest, so we have to retract one of them. Men’s and women’s tennis can stay, because tennis actually is fun to watch. Men’s basketball has to stay because people like the sport.

And baseball has a place at NIU, because baseball is the best game on the planet. That leaves wrestling, gymnastics, softball, and track & field. Choose one Mike.

MR: If I am to pick between the options you’ve given me, gymnastics would have to go. The team is 1-7 this season and 1-5 in the MAC. But more importantly, the sport may be the most unpopular sport at NIU. I have never heard of a student attending a gymnastics meet. It would definitely be the easiest sport to evict from NIU.

AS: Well I enjoy watching gymnastics, but if it has to go, then so be it. Your move, NIU.