April 19, 2002
Dear Colleagues,
As part of the on-going budget process, Director of Athletics Bruce Hanks, will make his presentation to the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors next week outlining our plan for increasing revenue in the area of intercollegiate athletics and balancing the athletic budget. The budget is subject to the approval of the Board.
In a press release issued by ULM's Sports Information Office today, Bruce Hanks, ULM's Athletics Director, said, "We have a $5 million athletic budget to operate 18 Division I sports and I think you will find very few athletic departments around the country operating on that limited a budget" Hanks said. "We have to find ways to generate more revenue as well as reduce costs, and I think this budget speaks to both issues."
We are making great strides in improving our season football ticket sales. Thanks to the "Rising to the Challenge" ticket campaign initiated by athletics, we have sold over 4,700 season tickets, 2,700 more than last year and the figure is fast approaching the most season tickets ever sold.
Among the proposals that will be presented to the Board are:
- football game guarantees have been negotiated to increase revenue by $350,000 this coming season and $300,000 in two future years
- men's basketball guarantees will be increased by $24,000 in 2002-2003
- football travel expenses will be reduced by flying to only two road games next year while busing to the remaining four road games
- the teaching load of coaches and staff will be increased to reduce the cost of salaries
- men's swimming will be required to fund all cost for travel, supplies and operating services outside of the budget
- the budget does not reflect revenue from the home Tulane football game this season which is expected to generate large ticket sales
- the sport of men's tennis is being discontinued at a savings of approximately $90,000 annually
- rebate 1/2 the Director of Athletics' salary unless other new revenue is generated to cover it
Already this fiscal year, the athletic department has eliminated the position of Associate Athletic Director and the Athletic Director's administrative assistant, and the department will not fill two vacant budgeted support positions in men's basketball and football. In addition, for the past two years, the athletic department has provided only minimal raises unless called for by contract.
I applaud Mr. Hanks and members of his staff for making the sacrifices necessary to return athletics to a sound financial situation and I believe with the continued support of our entire campus we will see our programs succeed both on the athletic playing fields, in the classroom and financially.
James E. Cofer, Sr.
ULM President