...the "not sure where this is headed" news first?
Good News:
Fresno State is looking into restoring their dumped wrestling program. Read more
here.
Wrestling was dropped at Fresno State in 2006 -- a move that
blindsided fans but was explained at the time as a way to keep costs in
check and get the university in line with Title IX requirements. Fresno
State added women's equestrian, soccer and golf, and also cut men's
water polo and soccer.
The possibility that wrestling might be
reinstated has perked up the ears of Fresno fans. Dennis DeLiddo, who
ran Fresno State's wrestling program from 1981 to his retirement in
2005, was happy to hear the review process is moving forward.
"I've spoken to Dr. Castro and got nothing but positive vibes," he said. "I think we're in good hands with him."
Bad News:
Seems private funds used to improve a high school baseball field were wasted in Plymouth, Michigan.
Since parents didn't kick in more dough to spruce up the girls' softball field, the brainiacs in the
Department of Justice are making the high school take down a baseball scoreboard and some seating. Read more (and watch news report)
here.
Gilbert and other parents
installed and paid for the new seats themselves. They were put in years
ago. The parents also bought a new scoreboard. But now, the bleachers
and scoring equipment will be put in storage until the district can
afford to make similar improvements to the girls’ field.
Gilbert disagreed with DOJ’s determination.
“I don’t think parents sitting has anything to do with on-field
competition,” he said. “I can’t believe we are tearing something down as
opposed to building something.”
Not Sure Where This Is Headed News:
Students at
Kansas recently voted to eliminate a fee the school collected to fund travel for women's athletics.
The school listened to the students, considered their stance, then went ahead and did whatever they danged well pleased. Once again, kids have gotten a lesson on adults, power, and politics. Read more
here.
The KU student senate previously voted to cut the fee altogether, but
chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little, who had the power to veto the senate
vote, issued an alternate plan on Thursday.
In a letter to the
KU student body president and vice president, Gray-Little said she would
lower the Women’s and Non-revenue sports fee from $25 to $7 per
semester, while increasing a Student Recreation and Fitness Center fee
by $12.
Read more here: http://www.kansas.com/2014/03/27/3371770/ku-to-lower-student-fee-for-athletics.html#storylink=cpy
How has the KU athletic department managed to stay in the black in recent years? By digging deeper into all available pockets, of course!
A practice that began as a small $1.50 fee to help KU comply with Title
IX regulations was now funneling more than a million dollars from the KU
student body to athletics — some of which was used to pay bonds on the
recreation center. According to documents filed to the NCAA, KU
athletics had $93 million in revenues in 2013.
Another article on money issues at Kansas is
here. Pretty interesting stuff.
As one might expect, firing coaches can be an expensive decision in the
short-run. The payments to Gill and his staff came on the heels of
multimillion-dollar settlements with former football coach Mark Mangino
and athletic director Lew Perkins in the previous two years.
Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2014/03/28/4923010/ku-reports-record-93-million-in.html#storylink=cpy
Translation: "We won't fund our men's swimming program, but we can scrape together a few million in hush money."
In total, Kaufman says, KU has spent close to $150 million in
improvements for facilities over the last 10 to 15 years, while accruing
just $49 million in debt. And officials believe the department is in
good financial shape moving forward.
“To put it in context, over
the last 11 or 12 years, we’ve been able to improve our athletic
facilities, student-support facilities and our office facilities to the
tune of $150 to 160 million dollars,” Kaufman said.
“We only have
debt of $49 million, so the other two-thirds we’ve been able to fund
through operations or fundraising or other revenue sources.”
Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2014/03/28/4923010/ku-reports-record-93-million-in.html#storylink=cpy
Y'all spotted that silver lining, right? That "we're less'n fitty mill in da hole" one...
Read more here: http://www.kansas.com/2014/03/27/3371770/ku-to-lower-student-fee-for-athletics.html#storylink=cpy
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