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I am paying for this? I want a better return on my forced investment

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As you know, I jumped out of my comfort zone (Connie the Wonder Women categorizes it more like jumping off a cliff), and went from full-time journalist covering FAU sports to full-time FAU student beginning in May.

I just survived the first week of my second semester, and it was a rough one, as I have a load of 19 hours. It was made rougher because I also had to hand over a check for $3,893.16 to cover the tuition.

That tab included $328.13 that goes to prop up the Athletic Department in the way of an athletic fee of $17.27 per credit hour (highest in the state, by the way). So the more industrious you are, the more you pay, even though that means it is likely you can attend fewer events because you will be studying. Go figure.


WHAT AM I PAYING FOR?

I already whined over the summer how I was paying athletic fees for the 16 hours I took then when there were no athletic events going on. You see, the only benefit granted to students by the fee is that they get into athletic events free.

So now they have started playing games, and what has happened?

Let’s see, the women’s soccer team in 1-2, and that includes being wiped out 7-0 by Illinois State. To lose by a score like that in soccer is something like 62-0 in football. That is humiliating. Don’t think I’ll spend the time to watch a team that bad play.

Men’s soccer is 0-1, and also appears headed for another bad season. Doubt I'll give up 90 minutes to watch them.


Football?

Well, Czar Pelini has kept a tight lid on his team, so even though us students are helping foot the bill for, among other things, his $450,000 salary, we have no clue what is going on.

Practices are closed to everyone, and the only chance to see the team before Friday’s season opener was last Saturday, but the scrimmage got washed out after 18 plays.

No wonder less than 6,000 tickets have been sold for the home opener. As one who is spending time on campus, there is no, and I mean NO, buzz about this team.

I can’t ask for a refund, or withhold payment, so the only option is for FAU to do better on the field, diamond, court and pitch so us students don’t feel like such chumps. And if they start winning, students might start showing up.

If you are going to ask the students to bankroll the bulk of the athletic department budget, then give them something to be proud of.

Rant over. Go Owls.

Later…

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