Post by Bornthrilla on Dec 19, 2008 14:12:59 GMT -5
FAMU athletic department faces tough economic decisions
By St. Clair Murraine • DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER • December 15, 2008
FAMU athletic director Bill Hayes has a fantastic view from his office of the Rattlers' new multimillion-dollar basketball arena. But concerns over being able to fill the 9,000-seat venue is worrisome at a time when fans have to stretch their entertainment dollars.
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"With the economic times, we're really afraid," Hayes said, just minutes after meeting with his staff last week on the economics of FAMU athletics. "It's challenging."
The arena won't open until next spring. Meanwhile, like a lot of other small schools around the country, FAMU is faced with belt-tightening choices.
A big part of that is how to raise money to keep afloat a program that gets no financial support from government and relies on donations and ticket sales. Football and basketball are the breadwinners for all 18 sports at FAMU, Hayes said.
Given the national economic forecast, several cost-cutting measures are being considered, he noted. He also expressed concern that the economic downturn could eventually lead to reduced scholarships and even further cuts in recruiting dollars.
"The hardest thing to do is tell a coach no when he wants to recruit," Hayes said. "The next hardest thing is to tell him cut (recruiting) short when there is one more quality kid out there and you can't get him.
"That's when my job gets hard (but) I haven't had to do that yet."
Other cost-saving steps will include cutting new uniform purchases and restricting travel to a 400-mile radius, he said. Changing travel times to cut down the cost of meals and lodging are among the options Hayes said is considering.
"We've tightened up the belt but we haven't completely cut back," Hayes said. "We've cut out some fat. We might have to keep wearing a uniform three years and fill in rather than buying all new. We are doing some of that and we may have to do more."
Even before the current economic gloom was confirmed, Hayes was beating the drums to raise money for a program in the red he inherited a year ago. He's instituted a 1,000 Strike donation campaign, which he said is generating funds, but far from enough to make a substantial dent in the athletic-budget shortfall.
Hardest hit are non-revenue producing sports, which include every sport other than football and basketball. Hayes projected that it could take as long as two years to get through the current situation.
"I just think in these economic times, that we as coaches have to weather the storm and be the diehard Rattlers that we've always been," golf coach Marvin Green said. "If our student-athletes understand that as long as they weather the storm, the administration will make sure things are in place in the future economically.
"I think Rattler nation will continue to support us as best they can knowing our situation."
While the attendance averages for home football games might have been down, more tickets have been paid for than in previous years, Hayes said. Football also generates revenue through games such as the Atlanta Classic and the annual meeting with Bethune-Cookman in Orlando.
FAMU's basketball team also brings in large purse guarantees for playing perennial powers early in the season. The Rattlers have such an eight-game schedule this season.
Ideally, Hayes says larger attendance for basketball home games would help. However, he is still expecting the economy to take its toll.
"We're depending on ticket sales and people are tightening their belts, trying to feed their families," he said. "We are trying to get a guy to make a choice between trying to come to a game and bring his whole family or go and pay a bill."
By St. Clair Murraine • DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER • December 15, 2008
FAMU athletic director Bill Hayes has a fantastic view from his office of the Rattlers' new multimillion-dollar basketball arena. But concerns over being able to fill the 9,000-seat venue is worrisome at a time when fans have to stretch their entertainment dollars.
Advertisement
"With the economic times, we're really afraid," Hayes said, just minutes after meeting with his staff last week on the economics of FAMU athletics. "It's challenging."
The arena won't open until next spring. Meanwhile, like a lot of other small schools around the country, FAMU is faced with belt-tightening choices.
A big part of that is how to raise money to keep afloat a program that gets no financial support from government and relies on donations and ticket sales. Football and basketball are the breadwinners for all 18 sports at FAMU, Hayes said.
Given the national economic forecast, several cost-cutting measures are being considered, he noted. He also expressed concern that the economic downturn could eventually lead to reduced scholarships and even further cuts in recruiting dollars.
"The hardest thing to do is tell a coach no when he wants to recruit," Hayes said. "The next hardest thing is to tell him cut (recruiting) short when there is one more quality kid out there and you can't get him.
"That's when my job gets hard (but) I haven't had to do that yet."
Other cost-saving steps will include cutting new uniform purchases and restricting travel to a 400-mile radius, he said. Changing travel times to cut down the cost of meals and lodging are among the options Hayes said is considering.
"We've tightened up the belt but we haven't completely cut back," Hayes said. "We've cut out some fat. We might have to keep wearing a uniform three years and fill in rather than buying all new. We are doing some of that and we may have to do more."
Even before the current economic gloom was confirmed, Hayes was beating the drums to raise money for a program in the red he inherited a year ago. He's instituted a 1,000 Strike donation campaign, which he said is generating funds, but far from enough to make a substantial dent in the athletic-budget shortfall.
Hardest hit are non-revenue producing sports, which include every sport other than football and basketball. Hayes projected that it could take as long as two years to get through the current situation.
"I just think in these economic times, that we as coaches have to weather the storm and be the diehard Rattlers that we've always been," golf coach Marvin Green said. "If our student-athletes understand that as long as they weather the storm, the administration will make sure things are in place in the future economically.
"I think Rattler nation will continue to support us as best they can knowing our situation."
While the attendance averages for home football games might have been down, more tickets have been paid for than in previous years, Hayes said. Football also generates revenue through games such as the Atlanta Classic and the annual meeting with Bethune-Cookman in Orlando.
FAMU's basketball team also brings in large purse guarantees for playing perennial powers early in the season. The Rattlers have such an eight-game schedule this season.
Ideally, Hayes says larger attendance for basketball home games would help. However, he is still expecting the economy to take its toll.
"We're depending on ticket sales and people are tightening their belts, trying to feed their families," he said. "We are trying to get a guy to make a choice between trying to come to a game and bring his whole family or go and pay a bill."
