University of Massachusets Athletics
Chancellor Lombardi Announces Budget Reductions
 |  UMass Athletic Director Ian McCaw |
July 9, 2003
AMHERST, Mass. - University of Massachusetts Amherst Chancellor John V. Lombardi today announced the plan for implementing budget reductions totaling $2.55 million in athletics. The plan received input from the athletic budget advisory committee, comprised of faculty and athletic department staff, and was developed in consultation with Athletic Director Ian McCaw and the Board of Trustees Ad-Hoc Task Force. Central to the budget reduction plan are a series of intercollegiate athletic program adjustments and reductions that total nearly $2 million in savings.
McCaw said: "The premise behind these reductions is to ensure that the athletic department continues to pursue its primary goals of providing a high quality experience for its student-athletes and achieve competitive success in its intercollegiate athletic programs. We are fortunate that this strategy does not compromise either of our primary goals."
Key points in the budget reduction plan are as follows:
-- The most significant financial impact results from the elimination of a portion of the general operating funds for the football program. The Board of Trustees Ad-Hoc Task Force recently authorized the exploration of a reconfiguration of the athletic program to be an independent, not-for-profit (501c3) corporation controlled by UMass Amherst, with the income and expenses of the entire athletic program the responsibility of the new entity. That effort involves securing private funding dedicated to supporting UMass football and the establishment of the not-for-profit entity. Several benchmark goals and dates will be identified to ensure that this process moves forward in a timely fashion. In the meantime, the University will provide temporary bridge-funding in support of the current football program to allow this process to complete its course.
-- Institutional funding for the men's and women's intercollegiate skiing programs will be eliminated. The programs will be expected to become self-supporting through NCAA sports sponsorship allocations and private funding.
-- Men's and women's intercollegiate swimming and diving programs will be combined to provide savings.
-- The men's intercollegiate indoor track and field program was eliminated a year ago as part of a $1.1 million athletic budget reduction. However, this decision has resulted in a number of consequences for the overall track and field program that must be ameliorated. The indoor track program will be reinstated for the 2003-04 academic year to enhance the quality of experience for student-athletes and the competitive level of the track and field program. The indoor track and field program will become self-supporting and thereby only receive NCAA sports sponsorship monies and private funding to support its budget. Although this is a case where a sport is being added, it will not require any direct institutional support.
-- Each men's intercollegiate program will be asked to reduce its operating budget by five percent. Women's programs have not been identified for direct reductions due to gender equity considerations.
-- The athletic department will reduce its operating budgets for administrative and support services by approximately $50,000. A reorganization plan will be implemented in the near future.
-- To achieve the remaining budget savings, the athletic department will reduce its staffing by 15 positions. The affected staff members are being notified through the established University process.
"Our department will move forward in a positive manner and continue to conduct a successful Division I athletic program consistent with the high expectations that come from being the flagship athletic program in a respected state, despite the most difficult circumstances that have been imposed upon us by the state's fiscal crisis," said McCaw.
"Student-athlete opportunities and sport programs are sustained in this plan," he added. "We will be announcing a series of revenue-enhancement strategies in the coming weeks designed to secure additional private support. However, this strategy will require alumni, friends, fans, and partners to increase their support of UMass Athletics in order for our programs to reach their full potential."
MEDIA COMMENTS
Comments from Director of Athletics Ian McCaw in Response to Announcement From Chancellor John V. Lombardi
The premise behind these reductions is to ensure that the athletic department continues to pursue its primary goals of providing a high quality experience for its student-athletes and achieve competitive success in its intercollegiate athletic programs. We are fortunate that this strategy does not compromise either our primary goals.
I am looking forward to working with the Chancellor, President's Office, Board of Trustees Athletic Committee and Ad Hoc Task Force to study and pursue opportunities for the athletic department including Division I-A football. In light of the changing conference landscape in college athletics, there will be a narrow window of opportunity for programs to consider making such transitions.
Our department will move forward in a positive manner and continue to conduct a successful Division I athletic program consistent with the high expectations that come from being the flagship athletic program in a respected State despite the most difficult circumstances that have been imposed upon us by the State's fiscal crisis.
Student-athlete opportunities and sport programs are sustained in this plan. However, this strategy will require alumni, friends, fans and partners to increase their support of UMass Athletics in order for our programs to reach their full potential. We will be announcing a series of revenue enhancement strategies in the coming weeks designed to secure additional private support.
While this budget cut will clearly impact our department's day-to-day operations, the greatest impact of the legislature's and the governor's decisions result in job losses for valued members of the athletic department staff.