Athletics cuts proposed by board of trustees
By JJ Ossola
IV Leader Staff, Feb 15, 2007
Illinois Valley Community College’s athletics face another
potential budget cut, the second in 5 years, but next years fate will wait until
summer to be determined.
IVCC President Larry Huffman said, “Currently we are
following through with the boards request to look at ways to reduce costs, and
athletics was an area of interest.” Dave Wilcoxson, speaking on behalf of the
IVCC board of trustee’s said, “We have made no decisions yet, and we are looking
forward to the recommendations that the committees will make to the board in
June budget hearing.”
In December Huffman presented the board with financial
information on athletics provided by Vice President for Business Services and
Finance, Jerry Corcoran, and Vice President for Student Services, Bob Marshall.
At the January meeting, the board approved the development of
a plan to reduce athletic expenditures and enhance other sources of revenue.
“Since it is a larger amount, about 250 thousand dollars transferred once a year
from the general education fund, it can seem alarming.” Said Huffman, who went
on to say, “The board raised concerns on the value of athletics compared to its
costs.”
Huffman also said, “There will be two committees making
recommendations in June. One will look at ways to cut costs in athletics and
look at program reductions. The other will look at ways to increase revenues,
either through a booster club, sports camps, or other opportunities.”
Athletic director and a member of each committee, Mike Riley
said, “We have had our preliminary meeting with the coaches to look at what can
be cut and to look at our budgets. We will meet again in two to three weeks to
continue brainstorming on how to save some money for the school. We will do
whatever is needed for the benefit of the school.”
In 2005, the student government used part of the student fee,
approximately 63 thousand dollars, to help fund athletics. Athletics for the
year cost 398 thousand dollars: 179 thousand for team activities and events. The
rest went to fundamental costs: 143 thousand for the coaches, clerks, and staff
expenses and 76 thousand for utilities. IVCC tuition waivers for athletics cost
roughly 130 thousand dollars also.
Huffman said, ““I have spoken to colleagues and looked into
regional colleges that are similar to us to see where we differ in paying for
athletics. Most colleges use a variety of revenues to fund their programs, from
book store profits to student fees.”
Regionally, Heartland has decided to begin an athletics
program this year, leaving only one junior college in the state without one.
Huffman said, “Heartland is funding their initiative with a three dollar per
credit hour student fee that should raise an annual amount of roughly 300
thousand dollars.” He went on to say, “My job is to present a variety of
scenarios to the board, not just my recommendations. I went through some
scenarios that may or may not be recommended in June.
For example, if we drop to a division III standing, we might
face a competitive recruiting disadvantage compared to other schools in our
region. In a worst case scenario, a team’s season might have to be cut because
of lack of participation.”
The difference in college divisions is the level of student
assistance provided. In division III schools, there is no student assistance
provided. Division II allows for student tuition and textbook waivers and in
division I housing and incidental expenses are acceptable. IVCC will declare
which sports will be in what division in Jan. of 2008 and it is a two year
declaration.
Women’s basketball coach, Steve Crick said of the tuition
waiver proposed cuts, “It should have no effect on our program. We have never
used more than 12 waivers in the past.”
Riley said, “In terms of recruiting, the proposed tuition
waiver reductions will hurt in the way of depth. We will have to turn to looking
at walk-on’s more closely but that’s ok.” He went on to say, “People have to
understand that we have sports for the students benefit. We don’t do it to make
money or for the spectators, although spectators are a welcome bonus. We have
sports to build the leaders of tomorrow. These young men and women learn team
skills, like communication and stress management. They learn time management,
they set goals and work to achieve them, and they learn to sacrifice.”