University of Massachusets Athletics
Ask The A.D. - McCutcheon Answers Your Questions, Part III
November 22, 2004 | General
Nov. 22, 2004
Question: In your last installment, you mentioned team funding and the inequalities at this time.
"Since several of our programs are not as of yet fully funded regarding scholarships, operating budgets, and assistant coaches, it would not be feasible to put additional strain on our limited resources until these shortfalls are addressed"
If this is the case, how do you justify adding lights and artificial turf to a sport (football) that is already in the red budget wise? What is being done to bring the other sports online?
-- Charles from Northampton
McCutcheon:
Dear Charles,
The capital improvements we have planned for the stadium and other areas will not be funded from funds that support scholarships' operating budgets and salaries. In fact, these improvements will be made possible primarily from restricted gifts that can only be used for these specific projects. It is also important to note that the stadium renovations will also benefit Lacrosse, Soccer, and Recreation Sports and other University activities in addition to Football.
We have placed significant new emphasis and resources into our Annual Giving Campaign which will be the primary source of funding for scholarship support and growth. Our ability to raise scholarship and operating budgets will in large part depend on the interest and support of our donors.
As a final point of clarification, the football program just as all of our sports, has a pre-determined budget that they operate within. The assumption that they are over-budget is not accurate.
Question: Thank you for taking the time to answer some of our questions. I think it is great that you communicate with the fans of the UMass athletic program... My question is about the Mullins Center. Why are there no pictures of UMass athletes in the concourses? You can walk around the entire concourse and not even know you are at UMass. I love going to other college arenas and walking around and looking at all the various photos. I know there is an expense involved in decorating, but I think it would make for a much better environment.
--Brian from Westfield
McCutcheon:
Dear Brian,
We couldn't agree more. In fact, we are exploring image enhancements opportunities both at the Mullins Center and Boyden Gym. The challenge is that to do these improvements in a first class fashion, there is a significant expense. Our goal is to have at least a first phase of these projects in place this year. You may have noticed the new banners in the Mullins Center Auxiliary Ice Rink. These were made possible by private donations and a gift from the UMass Alumni Association. These banners are the type of improvement we hope to bring to other Athletic Venues.
Question:
I understand that budget constraints limit the awarding of scholarships to student athletes. My question to you is: Why is the primary focus of awarding scholarships given to sports like football (that often net negative revenue to the university) where many of the athletes do not even compete on a weekly basis and in some instances sit out for most of the season? Contrast this to sports like cross country and track where nearly 100% of the athletes practice and compete for the University weekly, where there is minimal recruitment activity (as a result of the lack of scholarships) and that cost comparatively little to operate?
--K.C. from East Longmeadow
McCutcheon:
Dear K.C.
Our football program operates within an approved expense budget just like every other sports program we offer. Football, however, does generate significant revenue from designated gifts, ticket revenue and related sponsorships. Most of the sports we offer do not generate more revenue than it costs to run that particular program and this is the case with Football as well. The net cost per participant for Football is very similar to the average for all UMass Student-Athletes.
