Let's keep cutting men's sports. Hey.... it's the economy now, not Title IX.
I find this reasoning amusing.
John Smith
=======================================
NCAA's Brand: Don't fault Title IX for Future Cuts
Author: ASA News
Blog URL: allstudentathletes.com/.../ncaabrandtitleix
Description:
Brand expects some schools to drop men's teams in coming months because
of the economic downturn. He is urging them in advance to cite the
economy, not the law that bans sex discrimination at schools receiving
federal funds.
However, successful high-profile sports increase non-sport fundraising. A successful minor sport, like swimming or fencing, doesn't. I wish it did, but it just doesn't.
I have heard this said many times, that being successful in "major" sports increases fundraising. But other than simple assertions that it is so -- such as the one you reference -- I have not seen actual studies showing it to be true...which doesn't mean there are none. Do you know of any?
It seems like a pretty big assumption, if it is used to justify a sport that is as resource-intensive as football (and at the expense of sports like swimming). Ivy League endowments seem to be doing okay despite having pretty sucky teams.
The other thing I have heard frequently is that being successful in sports increases application pressure, though that doesn't necessarily directly increase revenue (though it might increase the quality of the incoming class). An increase in applications might be a little easier for me to believe, but again it would be nice to see proof.
The reality will be seen IF we see women's programs get the axe this coming year as well as men's. When was the last time a college dropped a women's program?.
Paul, let me name you one important one. At the University of Wyoming, in the 1980s, the AD dropped the ski team (the ONLY one that has given the university a legitimate NCAA championship). Both the men's and women's teams were cut.
Interesting to be at the ASU Men's Swimming fundraising dinner a couple of weeks back hosted by Amy Van Dyken, speakers including Frank Bush, Ron Johnson, Lacey Nymeyer, Phil Whitten and Jason Lezak as the keynote speaker...the emphasis was as much on saving college swimming in general as it was about helping ASU...and VERY sadly I did not see a single member of the ASU athletic department, let alone have one speak....foremost being the AD Lisa Love...even though its pretty clear that the direction for "Olympic" sports at college campuses is going to have to be self funded.
With 43 states currently running a severe budget deficit, I'm sure it's due to Title IX and not other economic forces. But, it's easier to keep whining about 35 year old legislation.
Send them to private school.:bolt:
Not a chance, baby! I moved to this county for the public schools and have no interest in sending my kids to private schools in general and especially at $25,000 a year.
Besides, I've heard the private schools may do the same.
I find it somewhat ridiculous that most schools don't have their own swimming pools. All our high schools and even junior highs had them when I was a wee young one. Having to rent pool time, and then displacing the club teams and forcing them to practice at odd hours, blows.
...and VERY sadly I did not see a single member of the ASU athletic department, let alone have one speak....foremost being the AD Lisa Love...even though its pretty clear that the direction for "Olympic" sports at college campuses is going to have to be self funded.
Paul, and you are surprised? Give the way she and other AD's announce cuts (like chickens***s) to men's intercollegiate athletic programs, this would be par for the course.
Wonder if she was at the ASU/UofA football game, after all that is a "revenue sport" right? What are the economics of major football and basketball programs anyway? If you aren't a major program, do these sports actually make any money? I profess ignorance on this topic but I really wonder what the economic reality of college sports is.
Now is a bad time to look for funding though with the (worldwide) economy in the tank. Maybe the NCAA's loss will be USA-Swimming and USMS' gain. Really sucks though, athletics are an important part of the college experience for those of us fortunate enough to participate in them. Looks like fewer kids will get that opportunity after high school.
Very sad indeed for swimming and other Olympic sports.
