I very strongly agree that football (and other sports) are very important to
the campus, not in terms of revenue, but in terms of tying students together
and contributing to a campus identity.  Though it happened before I arrived,
I believe (from conversations I've had with students) that the program was
damaged in the students' eyes when the games were moved off campus, and the
"shoe" mascot was replaced with (student's phrase) "the chicken in the
train."

It's not about sports or money, but about community.

Claire "Can't resist putting her 2 cents in" McCullough

-----Original Message-----
From: UTC Staff E-Mail List [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of
Sandra Dodd
Sent: Thursday, April 25, 2002 9:05 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [UTCSTAFF] Should UTC drop football?


Not personally knowing what goes on behind the scenes of the football
program, and understanding that the cost of operating the football program
is presently more than the revenue generated, let me just say from the
heart that I would hate to see UTC cancel its football program, or any
other sport.

School spirit in supporting its football team, etc. is very important in
bonding the University together.  Students, staff and faculty, and the
community can feel part of the same team by cheering our teams on to
victory.

Perhaps some new innovative methods of increasing school spirit and game
attendance will come about soon to help solve the problem of revenue.

Do we currently have any kind of sales program that contacts the community
of Chattanooga and surrounding areas to try to sell season tickets?  Could
we have a more active presence on local television programs to promote our
teams?

Could we think about having Pep rallies of some type (on a regular basis)
to boost team spirit?

Anyway, I hope the whole situation can be worked out financially, so that
lack of revenue won't be an issue in the future.

Sincerely,
Sandy Dodd
Student Fees Supervisor
Bursar's Office


At 01:44 PM 4/24/02 -0400, James Russell wrote:
>No one has yet responded publicly to Joe Dumas's invitation to discuss
>elimination of the football program at UTC. I have decided to do so.
>
>I do not have recent figures on the costs of running the football program
>at UTC. But I do have at my disposal documents that pertain to the
>athletic budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1996.  In that year,
>total operating expenditures for men's football amounted to $1,497,181;
>operating revenues for football (mostly derived from institutional
>support, ticket sales, and game guarantees) totaled $490,973.  Anyone who
>would like to see these documents is welcome to stop by my office and have
>a look.
>
>I note in this morning's paper that our new basketball coach is guaranteed
>a 5% annual raise every year he stays with us. He also gets a new Lexus
>and so does his wife.
>
>In the name of faculty and staff, I have a modest proposal. Let's abandon
>football.  There might be sufficient funds saved so that every faculty
>member will have enough money for a down payment on a used Yugo. We know
>our place.  A Lexus is not for us.  Sorry, staff, I don't think much will
>be left for you. Maybe new bikes.
>
>Cheers,
>Mike Russell
>
>
>On Fri, 19 Apr 2002, Dr. Joe Dumas wrote:
>
>> Hello faculty and staff,
>>
>> At the risk of starting another "streets debate" I would like to ask for
>> your responses to this question:
>>
>> Given that THEC has adopted a policy against using state money to fund
>> athletics, and given that football is far and away the most expensive
>> sport at UTC (it requires by far the most scholarships, the most
>> expensive equipment, the most coaches, etc., yet brings in little in the
>> way of revenue), should UTC discontinue its football program?
>>
>> Another thing to consider is that UTC has just been given Engel Stadium
>> which could be used as the home of a baseball team.  Baseball is a much
>> less expensive sport than football.  However, given gender equity laws
>> it is unlikely that UTC will ever be able to add a baseball team, or any
>> other men's sport, given the amount spent on football.
>>
>> So, should UTC:
>>
>> (a) drop its football program and replace it with baseball
>>
>> (b) drop football and replace it with nothing
>>
>> (c) keep the football team (status quo)
>>
>> Thanks in advance for your responses!
>>
>> Joe
>>
>