$13 million to Zips sports
Athletic director defends his department's budget, saying the Zips have intangible benefits to UA's campus
Mike Rasor
Issue date: 4/26/07 Section: News
Rhoades also points to the publicity sports garner for a university. The football team will play twice on ESPN next season. Ninety million homes receive that network, and each of the viewers, conceivably, could walk away from the television set with a higher level of respect for UA.
"For most universities, the greatest marketing window is athletics," Rhoades said. "It can lead people to investigate the academics, which is most important."
Another intangible benefit is the cohesion that university athletics offer.
"It can be a focal point of celebration," Rhoades said. "If you're winning, it brings a sense of school spirit to the campus."
Still, Rhoades said his department must improve upon the $3 million in total revenue it generated last year.
The department has improved already since Rhoades arrived in January 2006. Football ticket sales brought in $349,000 last season, which is double the total from 2005 when Akron won the Mid-American Conference Championship. With Keith Dambrot's Zips winning 26 men's basketball games, attendance income jumped 15 percent to $270,000, and that's even with a massive blizzard wiping out attendance for the game against Ohio University which was expected to be a big money maker.
Women's basketball is considered the third-largest collegiate sport. Akron's team brought in only $25,800 last year. That is a figure with perhaps the highest potential to grow, Rhoades said.
"It hasn't been a successful program," Rhoades said. "People want to see a quality product. Before we can think about making money, we have to have a better product."
That illustrates the importance of winning to a financially successful institution. Take Ohio State University, for example. The Buckeyes were national runners-up in men's basketball and football. OSU's budget of $98 million reflects that. It is the highest of any department in the nation.
Merchandise sales at Ohio State also boost revenue significantly. It's hard to walk anywhere without seeing a Buckeyes shirt or baseball cap, even on UA's campus.
"For most universities, the greatest marketing window is athletics," Rhoades said. "It can lead people to investigate the academics, which is most important."
Another intangible benefit is the cohesion that university athletics offer.
"It can be a focal point of celebration," Rhoades said. "If you're winning, it brings a sense of school spirit to the campus."
Still, Rhoades said his department must improve upon the $3 million in total revenue it generated last year.
The department has improved already since Rhoades arrived in January 2006. Football ticket sales brought in $349,000 last season, which is double the total from 2005 when Akron won the Mid-American Conference Championship. With Keith Dambrot's Zips winning 26 men's basketball games, attendance income jumped 15 percent to $270,000, and that's even with a massive blizzard wiping out attendance for the game against Ohio University which was expected to be a big money maker.
Women's basketball is considered the third-largest collegiate sport. Akron's team brought in only $25,800 last year. That is a figure with perhaps the highest potential to grow, Rhoades said.
"It hasn't been a successful program," Rhoades said. "People want to see a quality product. Before we can think about making money, we have to have a better product."
That illustrates the importance of winning to a financially successful institution. Take Ohio State University, for example. The Buckeyes were national runners-up in men's basketball and football. OSU's budget of $98 million reflects that. It is the highest of any department in the nation.
Merchandise sales at Ohio State also boost revenue significantly. It's hard to walk anywhere without seeing a Buckeyes shirt or baseball cap, even on UA's campus.
Viewing Comments 1 - 7 of 7
Sharon Theodoric
posted 3/12/09 @ 3:48 AM EST
I have to agree with teh poster above... :/ looks like a lot of hot air to me.
Jeff
posted 3/12/09 @ 8:44 AM EST
I wonder what the budget for safety is on campus? I think think safety on and in the immediate area of campus would attract more people then sports. I sure the budget for safety is nothing compared to what they blow on sports. (Continued…)
Robin Anderson
posted 3/13/09 @ 8:35 AM EST
Is the "chart on A2" to be found in this online publication? Does it happen to report the coaches' staffing/salary structure?
KSU only spent 3-4 million dollars last year subsidizing it's sports teams. (Continued…)
Robin Anderson
posted 3/13/09 @ 9:44 AM EST
No pay raises for administrators at Ohio State
By Associated Press
POSTED: 08:56 a.m. EDT, Mar 13, 2009
Robin Anderson
posted 3/15/09 @ 9:02 AM EST
and now, the rest of the story...
No pay raises for administrators at Ohio State,By Associated Press
POSTED: 08:56 a.m. EDT, Mar 13, 2009
COLUMBUS: Ohio State University is freezing the pay of President Gordon Gee and 18 members of his management team. (Continued…)
Catherine Dering
posted 3/16/09 @ 9:26 AM EST
Nice review! Thanks!
Justine Clarke
posted 3/20/09 @ 12:08 PM EST
Cheers for writing about this. FYI - here's some more info about watch bones you might like!
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