One of the options the University of Montana is looking at to alleviate its economy-induced budget woes is cutting the number of out-of-state scholarships that could be offered to prospective athletes.

It’s an attractive thought to some because five in-state scholarships can be offered for the same cost as two out-of-state ones.

But can UM realistically compete in the Big Sky Conference using only in-state athletes, and can it compete nationally in football under that scenario?

The answer is a resounding, “No,” as much as fans of using in-state athletes (and I’m one of them) would like to think so. While the state produces a lot of good athletes from its small population, and while those athletes generally have a work ethic and desire second to none, it’s simply not realistic.

And if, or when, UM is forced to leave the Football Championship Subdivision for the Football Bowl Subdivision of the NCAA (or I-AA for I-A for us purists), limiting out-of-state aid would only increase the damage done to the competitiveness of Grizzly teams.

There was a time when the University System authorized a fairly large number of so-called fee waivers which basically gave member schools the option to offer out-of-state scholarships at the cost of in-state aid. While athletics used a hefty share of those, they were available to other students as well.

Resurrecting fee waivers might be another option University System officials could consider. Regardless, they need to find a solution other than limiting out-of-state scholarships, because less competitive teams, especially in the sports of football and basketball, will mean smaller crowds, dwindling ticket revenue, and . . . need I go on?

- Bill Schwanke