Jump to content

Smaller, Leaner athletic program...


zip81

Recommended Posts

44 minutes ago, clarkwgriswold said:

I hate to disturb the lovely quiet over here but here's a Beacon article on the anticipated budget deficit.  

 

The original article is short enough to paste here-

 

The University of Akron’s financial woes as a result of the coronavirus outbreak are “at least a $65 million to $70 million challenge,” President Gary Miller said in a video message to campus Monday.

 

That number takes into account both “real and anticipated” loss of revenues for next fiscal year, Miller said.

Miller also announced an initial plan to consolidate the university into five colleges.

 

Newly appointed Provost John Wiencek will announce further details within the next week, he said.

 

The announcement came a week after Miller released a similar video sharing plans for substantial cuts to athletics and a reorganization of departments. Executives will also take a 10% pay cut.

 

The university was already expecting financial uncertainty, as enrollment has continued to drop for the last decade to just under 20,000 this year. The budget approved for the current fiscal year, which ends in June, called for dipping into the university’s reserves by about $11 million.

 

Rip the band-aid off.  Cut the cord.  Let's just get on with it.  Heard a story on NPR that for many retail establishments the pandemic is only accelerating what they were already planning to do.  And then on an episode of Ozark, money launderer and casino owner Wendy Byrde offered the sage advice, "Never waste a good crisis"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

38 minutes ago, NWAkron said:

Rip the band-aid off.  Cut the cord.  Let's just get on with it.  Heard a story on NPR that for many retail establishments the pandemic is only accelerating what they were already planning to do.  And then on an episode of Ozark, money launderer and casino owner Wendy Byrde offered the sage advice, "Never waste a good crisis"

 

It was better when Churchill said it!

 

One area the president could save money is in video production.  The weekly end of the world updates could be done in a brief memo form.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

14 minutes ago, NWAkron said:

Maybe it was just me, but I kept reading the article waiting for the answer that doesn't involve cutting sports and all they could come up with is salary cuts (not to mention it would supposedly save "millions")? Does not compute.

  • Like 1
  • Confused 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

39 minutes ago, NWAkron said:

The only thing of value I derived from that article was the statement "The first thing you say to a school facing financial exigency is: Do not cut sports," Lopiano said. "Every alumni that ever played that sport at your institution in the last 100 years will be on your case, and the loss of future donated revenues and goodwill is not something you want to deal with."

 

The company that employ the woman quoted is a consulting firm apparently devoted to developing sports programs.  Not sure she's a disinterested expert.

Edited by clarkwgriswold
Link to comment
Share on other sites

22 minutes ago, LZIp said:

Maybe it was just me, but I kept reading the article waiting for the answer that doesn't involve cutting sports and all they could come up with is salary cuts (not to mention it would supposedly save "millions")? Does not compute.

Well, yes, there is that.  Reorganizing the colleges I guess.  Cutting administrators. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

29 minutes ago, clarkwgriswold said:

 

It was better when Churchill said it!

 

One area the president could save money is in video production.  The weekly end of the world updates could be done in a brief memo form.

Wonder where Churchill got it from.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

9 minutes ago, clarkwgriswold said:

The only thing of value I derived from that article was the statement "The first thing you say to a school facing financial exigency is: Do not cut sports," Lopiano said. "Every alumni that ever played that sport at your institution in the last 100 years will be on your case, and the loss of future donated revenues and goodwill is not something you want to deal with."

 

The company that employ the woman quoted is a consulting firm apparently devoted to developing sports programs.  Not sure she's a disinterested expert.

sorry to waste your time, Clark.  Guess there will no Christmas bonus for you!?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

8 minutes ago, clarkwgriswold said:

 

Naaaah, not a waste of time!  Thanks for posting.

A bird told me that we will have an idea about the athletic dept this Wednesday.

googling all the MAC schools in Ohio, I see that they all have millions and millions in budget shortfalls.

Edited by NWAkron
  • Thanks 1
  • Sad 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1. Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences (the heart and soul)

2. College of Polymer Science (the other heart and soul and patent driver)

3. College of Engineering, Technology and Health Sciences (indispensable)

4. College of Business and Law (another strong suit)

5. College of Performing Arts (dance, music, media, etc.)

 

College of Education is ceded to the historical teacher-training schools and Ohio's smaller colleges. Refund LeBron's COE donation and hope he redirects it.

 

Edited by ZippyRulz
Link to comment
Share on other sites

16 minutes ago, ZippyRulz said:

1. Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences (the heart and soul)

2. College of Polymer Science (the other heart and soul and patent driver)

3. College of Engineering, Technology and Health Sciences (indispensable)

4. College of Business and Law (another strong suit)

5. College of Performing Arts (dance, music, media, etc.)

 

College of Education is ceded to the historical teacher-training schools and Ohio's smaller colleges. Refund LeBron's COE donation and hope he redirects it.

 

 

Lump #5 with #1 because the LeBron name isn't going anywhere.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

14 hours ago, NWAkron said:

(quoting from the article)
 

"experts warn against cutting sports" ?

"Experts in college sports spending..." ?

"Despite likely revenue decreases, experts say universities still don't have to cut teams" ?

"Donna Lopiano, the president and founder of consulting firm Sports Management Resources and the former director of women's athletics at Texas...'The first thing you say to a school facing financial exigency is: Do not cut sports'...." ?

"Every alumni that ever played that sport at your institution in the last 100 years will be on your case, and the loss of future donated revenues and goodwill is not something you want to deal with." ?

Alright I'll stop here. I put the laugh emoji because I want to emphasize that these comments and  "experts" in this case is synonymous with people who have a non-objective bias/benefit from maintaining the gravy train.  There would be a lot less opportunities for Donna Lopiano to get lucrative jobs as the head of "Sports Management Resources" (whatever the hell B/S that is) if there was a mass exodus of Universities from sports.  Sports that are artificially held inflated and propped-up by a socialized cost (student fees, universities footing the bill) and not an actual market demand.  There's  a LOT of fat to be cut out, and a lot of the fat "middlemen" that would be cut out are the "experts" who profess you shouldn't cut them.

As for the Alumni thing.  I'm tired of this argument. Yeah, I'd be pissed and probably not have as intimate a connection to my Alma Mater.  But the U wastes more money on maintaining these bloated sports programs than it gets from Alumni.  So what if Jason Taylor would get mad if Akron cut Football?  When was the last time Jason Taylor did anything major for UA other than show up for a bobblehead giveaway?  Like...not a good argument.

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 minutes ago, Zip-Grad '13 said:

(quoting from the article)
 

"experts warn against cutting sports" ?

"Experts in college sports spending..." ?

"Despite likely revenue decreases, experts say universities still don't have to cut teams" ?

"Donna Lopiano, the president and founder of consulting firm Sports Management Resources and the former director of women's athletics at Texas...'The first thing you say to a school facing financial exigency is: Do not cut sports'...." ?

"Every alumni that ever played that sport at your institution in the last 100 years will be on your case, and the loss of future donated revenues and goodwill is not something you want to deal with." ?

Alright I'll stop here. I put the laugh emoji because I want to emphasize that these comments and  "experts" in this case is synonymous with people who have a non-objective bias/benefit from maintaining the gravy train.  There would be a lot less opportunities for Donna Lopiano to get lucrative jobs as the head of "Sports Management Resources" (whatever the hell B/S that is) if there was a mass exodus of Universities from sports.  Sports that are artificially held inflated and propped-up by a socialized cost (student fees, universities footing the bill) and not an actual market demand.  There's  a LOT of fat to be cut out, and a lot of the fat "middlemen" that would be cut out are the "experts" who profess you shouldn't cut them.

As for the Alumni thing.  I'm tired of this argument. Yeah, I'd be pissed and probably not have as intimate a connection to my Alma Mater.  But the U wastes more money on maintaining these bloated sports programs than it gets from Alumni.  So what if Jason Taylor would get mad if Akron cut Football?  When was the last time Jason Taylor did anything major for UA other than show up for a bobblehead giveaway?  Like...not a good argument.

 

My grandfather was an old time one classroom country schoolteacher.  In defining an "expert" he said "an ex is a has been and a spurt is a drip under pressure."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

14 minutes ago, Zip-Grad '13 said:

(quoting from the article)
 

"experts warn against cutting sports" ?

"Experts in college sports spending..." ?

"Despite likely revenue decreases, experts say universities still don't have to cut teams" ?

"Donna Lopiano, the president and founder of consulting firm Sports Management Resources and the former director of women's athletics at Texas...'The first thing you say to a school facing financial exigency is: Do not cut sports'...." ?

"Every alumni that ever played that sport at your institution in the last 100 years will be on your case, and the loss of future donated revenues and goodwill is not something you want to deal with." ?

Alright I'll stop here. I put the laugh emoji because I want to emphasize that these comments and  "experts" in this case is synonymous with people who have a non-objective bias/benefit from maintaining the gravy train.  There would be a lot less opportunities for Donna Lopiano to get lucrative jobs as the head of "Sports Management Resources" (whatever the hell B/S that is) if there was a mass exodus of Universities from sports.  Sports that are artificially held inflated and propped-up by a socialized cost (student fees, universities footing the bill) and not an actual market demand.  There's  a LOT of fat to be cut out, and a lot of the fat "middlemen" that would be cut out are the "experts" who profess you shouldn't cut them.

As for the Alumni thing.  I'm tired of this argument. Yeah, I'd be pissed and probably not have as intimate a connection to my Alma Mater.  But the U wastes more money on maintaining these bloated sports programs than it gets from Alumni.  So what if Jason Taylor would get mad if Akron cut Football?  When was the last time Jason Taylor did anything major for UA other than show up for a bobblehead giveaway?  Like...not a good argument.

I just thought it was an interesting article...not the Holy Grail.

  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 5/1/2020 at 8:26 AM, kreed5120 said:

For the most part the people who I've seen posting that they wanted the football program to drop to a lower level are the ones who are very anti-football. The football fans for the most part are the ones who want to stay in the MAC. Akron wasn't competing for national championships before they joined FBS. Why would they start competing for them now if they dropped down? In fact, they never even won a I-AA playoff game. Personally, I don't see what's wrong with playing 2 buy games per year. If Akron can't go 6-4 in the remaining 10 games while playing in what is by far the worst division in all of FBS, they don't deserve to make the postseason.

 

Slightly off topic, I'm not sure MAC soccer will survive this. Akron may prioritize its soccer program, but it's not nearly the same priority at the other schools. We may need to look for a new home for the soccer program regardless if we want to or not.

Respectfully disagree with your comment about about those who talk about football 'dropping down' are 'anti-football'. Speaking for myself I will hazard a guess that I have been attending Akron football games longer than some posting here have been alive. As for purchasing season tickets for decades...nuff said. Many of the comments I have seen here come from people who want to adjust the focus of University spending. Support the educational process and students who participate in that process first. Athletics can support the University and be supported at a level that does not detract from the primary objective of any university,preparing students to contribute in society by applying what they have gained through a college education. That can be the polymer scientist,the teacher,the lawyer or the cornerback on the football team.

Guess we will find out soon.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Seems like all the Name/Image/Likeness compensation might just be the beginning.  If the financial situation is too bad, it might force colleges to move revenue sports into some sort of professional minor league.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Lee Adams said:

Respectfully disagree with your comment about about those who talk about football 'dropping down' are 'anti-football'. Speaking for myself I will hazard a guess that I have been attending Akron football games longer than some posting here have been alive. As for purchasing season tickets for decades...nuff said. Many of the comments I have seen here come from people who want to adjust the focus of University spending. Support the educational process and students who participate in that process first. Athletics can support the University and be supported at a level that does not detract from the primary objective of any university,preparing students to contribute in society by applying what they have gained through a college education. That can be the polymer scientist,the teacher,the lawyer or the cornerback on the football team.

Guess we will find out soon.

 

Everyone is in agreement that the athletic subsidy needs reduced. This isn't an argument unique to those wanting our football program drop down to a lower level. Those arguing we stay FBS are simply arguing that any costs we save by dropping down to FCS are more than offset by revenue lost and increased travel costs. We can still slash the football budget while remaining FBS. We can also schedule more buy games to boost revenue and help cover the costs of the other sports. 

Edited by kreed5120
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

42 minutes ago, Lee Adams said:

Respectfully disagree with your comment about about those who talk about football 'dropping down' are 'anti-football'. Speaking for myself I will hazard a guess that I have been attending Akron football games longer than some posting here have been alive. As for purchasing season tickets for decades...nuff said. Many of the comments I have seen here come from people who want to adjust the focus of University spending. Support the educational process and students who participate in that process first. Athletics can support the University and be supported at a level that does not detract from the primary objective of any university,preparing students to contribute in society by applying what they have gained through a college education. That can be the polymer scientist,the teacher,the lawyer or the cornerback on the football team.

Guess we will find out soon.

 

I think that we all need to step back sometimes and acknowledge that just because another poster doesn't agree with our position or sees things from another perspective does not mean that they are wrong, disloyal to the school or a program, or even worse mentally challenged as we sometimes suggest.  These are uncharted waters.  There are no 100% correct answers.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

13 minutes ago, clarkwgriswold said:

 

I think that we all need to step back sometimes and acknowledge that just because another poster doesn't agree with our position or sees things from another perspective does not mean that they are wrong, disloyal to the school or a program, or even worse mentally challenged as we sometimes suggest.  These are uncharted waters.  There are no 100% correct answers.

But what about just plain stupid?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, Cykron said:

Seems like all the Name/Image/Likeness compensation might just be the beginning.  If the financial situation is too bad, it might force colleges to move revenue sports into some sort of professional minor league.  

Reduce the scholarship (and the cost to the University) till fully gone for a college athlete that sells their Name/Image/likeness?     

Edited by UA1987
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...