Budget Plans Reviewed
January 27, 2004 | General News
The Finance Committee of the University of Wisconsin Athletic Board reviewed several significant financial measures for the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Tuesday.
Deputy Athletic Director Jamie Pollard shared a comprehensive financial review and projection for the Athletic Department which included (1.) mid-year financial statements for the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics, (2.) a ticket price increase proposal, (3.) a significant reduction in the department's courtesy car program, and (4.) additional spending authority for the Camp Randall Stadium renovation project.
'As we ask our loyal supporters to pay more to see our student-athletes perform, I continue to challenge our department staff to make sacrifices as well,' says Athletic Director-designee Barry Alvarez. 'We've reduced our courtesy car program by 19 vehicles, decreased our total department payroll from a year ago and have tightened the belt on operating expenditures.'
Positive Net Margin Projected
The department's mid-year financial statements project a $106,000 positive net margin for 2003-04. Posting a positive net margin is one of the department's key financial initiatives. The Athletic Department has recorded a positive margin in three of the last four and five of the last seven years.
Ticket Price Increases Proposed
For season ticket purchasers, the proposed prices for football ($33), men's basketball ($22 in the 100 and 200 levels and $20 in the 300 level) and men 's hockey ($18) games would increase. The increases are $5 per game for football and $2 for men's basketball and men's hockey. This is the first price increase for Badger football tickets since 1999.
The UW's ticket prices for season-ticket buyers rank favorably with its Big Ten colleagues. Assuming that no other schools increase their prices for next year, the Badger football price would be tied for the lowest in the conference and the men's basketball price would be tied for seventh-lowest.
The department also introduced a variable pricing strategy for football, men's basketball and men's hockey tickets. The plan increases single-game prices for non-season ticket buyers to $40 (conference) and $33 (non-conference) for football, $24 and $22 for men's basketball and $20 for men 's hockey.
'We felt it was very important to reward our season ticket buyers by offering them a lower price in comparison to those patrons that purchase single-game tickets only,' says Alvarez. 'Despite this increase, our single-game prices remain in the middle of the Big Ten.'
Courtesy Car Program Reduced
The Athletic Department has eliminated cars for all administrative staff effective this July. Only coaches will receive courtesy cars, which cuts the car program from 71 to 52 participants.
Spending Authority For Renovation
Finally, the Athletic Department wants to build some flexibility into its spending capacity for the Camp Randall Stadium renovation by approximately $5.5 million should the UW decide to seek additional spending authority from the Board of Regents and the state. No additional state monies are being sought. Rather the division is seeking spending authority for costs associated with the construction project for which it would be solely responsible to fund.
'The Division of Intercollegiate Athletics is committed to conducting itself in a fiscally responsible manner,' said Alvarez. 'That sometimes involves a combination of reductions and increases in a variety of areas. '
