Sun Sentinel takes its shot
Posted
#165769
(In Topic #29627)
Wise Owl
Member since 2004
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.
Posted
Wise Owl
Member since 2004
Sun Sentinel takes its shot
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
Posted
Wise Owl
Member since 2004
Sun Sentinel takes its shot
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
Posted
Bytor
Member since 2004
Sun Sentinel takes its shot
Never dare to dream big, let the nay sayers swallow and choke on their own negativity, these people don't get far in live.
Posted
Wise Owl
Member since 2004
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!
Posted
Spread The Wings
Member since 2003
Sun Sentinel takes its shot
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
Posted
First Flight
Member since 2004
Sun Sentinel takes its shot
Posted
First Flight
Member since 2004
Sun Sentinel takes its shot
Posted
Wise Owl
Member since 2004
Sun Sentinel takes its shot
Posted
Wise Owl
Member since 2004
Sun Sentinel takes its shot
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