TSU Athletic programs feel the sting of budget cuts
Adey Adeola
Contributing Reporter
Issue date: 4/13/09 Section: Sports
Academia is not the only portion of TSU that has felt the sting of a reduced budget as a result of the decrease in funding at the University.
When fall enrollment numbers failed to reach the expected number of 12,000 students, the school lost out on additional funding, $8 million of which had been originally allocated for the athletic department.
The budget cuts have caused job positions to be loss, and changed the way certain athletic departments conduct business, not limited to traveling arrangements for games and recruitment.
"We are deeply affected by that, we are in the business of revenue production and when you go through tough economic times, hey some things got to give," said Teresa Phillips, athletic director at TSU.
As a result, the athletic department was forced to change their budget to make accommodations for their players and staff.
Phillips said the department had to cut approximately $3,000 to $4,000 from the softball budget.
The cutbacks included taking vans instead of charter buses to many of their games.
The team also had to cut four games from their schedule this season as well as alter their travel plans for their annual spring break outing.
"When the economy is tough those (athletics) are some of things that are going to be affected," Phillips said.
Recruitment for various sports has been affected by the cuts because the school has to bring in students from different parts of the country and spend money for their activities while at the school.
The department has to pay for a place for the recruits to stay, the cost of feeding them and tickets to various sporting events.
Another problem athletics has faced is the loss of key sponsors. This has proved to be a challenge for the department.
"We had one of our sponsors to close one of their Nashville operations, so that sponsorship was just gone," Phillips said.
Athletics nearly took a hit with its own workers who help with various game activities by cutting back on the amount of staff that was used for games and events.
The annual Courtside Dining Basketball function had to be cut back this year with the staff workers not being able to feast on the meal, which runs $25-$30 a plate.
The marketing tactics used at games in the form of giveaways has been altered with small prizes such as t-shirts, ringtone cards and beverages.
"Yeah it's crazy, because it's like our prizes for the fans and students are just not the same," said Ceci Shell, an athletic worker. "We have to stretch things and that can make it frustrating."•
When fall enrollment numbers failed to reach the expected number of 12,000 students, the school lost out on additional funding, $8 million of which had been originally allocated for the athletic department.
The budget cuts have caused job positions to be loss, and changed the way certain athletic departments conduct business, not limited to traveling arrangements for games and recruitment.
"We are deeply affected by that, we are in the business of revenue production and when you go through tough economic times, hey some things got to give," said Teresa Phillips, athletic director at TSU.
As a result, the athletic department was forced to change their budget to make accommodations for their players and staff.
Phillips said the department had to cut approximately $3,000 to $4,000 from the softball budget.
The cutbacks included taking vans instead of charter buses to many of their games.
The team also had to cut four games from their schedule this season as well as alter their travel plans for their annual spring break outing.
"When the economy is tough those (athletics) are some of things that are going to be affected," Phillips said.
Recruitment for various sports has been affected by the cuts because the school has to bring in students from different parts of the country and spend money for their activities while at the school.
The department has to pay for a place for the recruits to stay, the cost of feeding them and tickets to various sporting events.
Another problem athletics has faced is the loss of key sponsors. This has proved to be a challenge for the department.
"We had one of our sponsors to close one of their Nashville operations, so that sponsorship was just gone," Phillips said.
Athletics nearly took a hit with its own workers who help with various game activities by cutting back on the amount of staff that was used for games and events.
The annual Courtside Dining Basketball function had to be cut back this year with the staff workers not being able to feast on the meal, which runs $25-$30 a plate.
The marketing tactics used at games in the form of giveaways has been altered with small prizes such as t-shirts, ringtone cards and beverages.
"Yeah it's crazy, because it's like our prizes for the fans and students are just not the same," said Ceci Shell, an athletic worker. "We have to stretch things and that can make it frustrating."•
Be the first to comment on this story