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Sun Sentinel takes its shot

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Don't know if anyone else saw this, but it appears the Sun Sentinel has been reading Mr. Schultz's columns.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/editorial/sfl-editfaufootballmar27,0,2978400.story?coll=sfla-news-editorial

Fee Hike Plan Questionable
South Florida Sun-Sentinel Editorial Board
Posted March 27 2005

University athletic programs are a staple of college life. They give students a needed distraction from exams and studies, and they build a nexus to alumni, whose support is key to building endowments and other fund-raising efforts.

Still, athletic programs are a campus luxury. They are not the reason universities exist.

So it's fair to question Florida Atlantic University's proposal to jack up student fees to cover mounting losses in its athletic budget. If approved by a student-staff committee and the school's trustees, FAU's sports fees would rank among the highest in the state.

School officials say the fee increase is necessary because FAU's sports programs continue to lose money. This year, the sports budget could bleed as much as another $1.7 million.

The losses come largely from expenses incurred by the young football program. Though the team has been a winner on the gridiron, it's a financial loser that has missed revenue projections by a long shot.

The FAU athletic department has moved to stem losses by reining in costs and drumming up revenues, and those measures are welcome. It's an ominous sign that the team has failed to meet forecasts for ticket sales and corporate and community support even though it's been a winner. FAU administrators are preparing a plan to repay the university's fund-raising foundation and other campus programs starting next year.

More concerning is the yawn the program has gotten from the South Florida fan base. South Florida is arguably one of the country's most competitive sports markets with four pro sports teams. It may well be a case where, no matter how successful FAU's football team is, it simply can't compete in a crowded field.

For the moment, however, the FAU community seems committed to the program. The student-staff committee reviewing the sports fee proposal might be willing to accept it if students can get a break on parking and other fees.

That seems a reasonable trade-off, but only as a short-term solution.

If football is going to work, administrators and boosters are going to have to beat the drums harder for funds and support. Considering the fiscal constraints public universities like FAU face, a football team is not a luxury students can subsidize.

President of the No Homers Club. Keepin' it real since 2001.
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Sun Sentinel takes its shot

Interesting article. At least it lacks the negative sentiment put forth by the Post.

Three things that I think would be interesting to examine.

1) How is FIU funding its program without losing money? Or, is it losing money but people are keeping it quiet?

2) What will the big pay days from Kansas, Louisville, and Minnesota do for the budget? Undoubtedly FAU will improve financially from these games.

3) What impact do the other sports programs have on the budget? None of them are money-makers. They are all losing money but football is taking the majority of the criticism. This is a long term endeavor. All involved knew that FAU would lose money early on. The question is, does the end justify the means?

GO OWLS!!!
3)

2017 and 2019 Conference USA Champions
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Sun Sentinel takes its shot

Here is the budget info from the Sun-Sentinel

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/college/fau/sfl-fau29mar29,0,2850442.story?coll=sfla-fau

Looks like the $1.24 million gauranteed for road games will ease the load.

GO OWLS!!!

2017 and 2019 Conference USA Champions
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Sun Sentinel takes its shot

The one sport that has any change of generating good size revenues is the one sport that cost the most to operate and the fact that we took football to the next level as quickly as we did but an extra burden on us - did we over extend, yes - if given a chance things will work themselves out with the right leadership in place, which we do.

Never dare to dream big, let the nay sayers swallow and choke on their own negativity, these people don't get far in live.

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Sun Sentinel takes its shot

Sun Sentinel takes its shot


1) How is FIU funding its program without losing money? Or, is it losing money but people are keeping it quiet?

I think that having their own home stadium helps with the budget…its not the fanciest, but its rent free!
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Sun Sentinel takes its shot



I think that having their own home stadium helps with the budget…its not the fanciest, but its rent free!

Exactly. Having our own stadium has been huge in avoiding going over budget. I think what really hurt you guys were those years at Pro Player, if it wasn't for that you guys might be ok right now.

Panthers on the Rise
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Sun Sentinel takes its shot

the thing with football is its the only sport besides basketball that will ever have the possibility of generating money. it may be a burden at first but in the long run if we do build the dome it will end of funding the rest of the atheltic department.
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Sun Sentinel takes its shot

according the sun sen were getting 300k from the gophers. Wonder if shultz heard that?
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Sun Sentinel takes its shot

Hopefully we'll have our own stadium with a Jumbotron before we host Minnesota–I'd love to see some clips from "Caddyshack" to taunt the gophers with. "Don't be afraid Mr. Gopher, I'm your friend Mr. Rabbit…not explosives or anything" ;D
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Sun Sentinel takes its shot

I'm sure it makes no difference to him and the other NAYSAYERS if you made a million a game.
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