Dear Colleagues,

The end of a semester/academic year is a busy time for all of us.  I note a
casual interest building into considerably more interest in the
compensation package of our new basketball coach.

Some are having fun with lampooning the imbalance of what fans are willing
to invest as "their share" to hire some high caliber coach against what the
regular budget would pay coaches - or faculty and staff.  Some of the
information is just not as clear as it might be.

Since the "numbers" from the potential compensation are so large, let me
try to summarize the compensation opportunities afforded Mr. Lebo.

The regular salary from E & G state budget is $100,000.

In addition, the coach has additional earning capacity if he works beyond
or in association with his contracted duties.  Since NCAA requires the
university to "approve" all compensation known to be related to the
positions as coach,  other compensation   enhancements, "earnables" or
"donated perks" have to be noted in the contract.

Three different individuals/companies have pledged/donated $25,000 each in
funds acting as endowments to enhance the basic $100,000 base.

Radio and Television "Coaches shows" have customarily paid coaches talent
fees for appearances estimated at $30,000 +/-.

Summer basketball camps at Coach Lebo's prior campus demonstrated earning
probabilities of $150,000 +/-.

Customary to athletic coaches' travel needs for recruiting, etc. car
dealers have "loaned" vehicles for coaches to use.  In this case, Toby
McKenzie has offered the use of cars from his dealership - Lexus.  In a
spirit of generosity and support for the coach, Mr. McKenzie has offered
not only one vehicle for coach Lebo, but, as he could do with anyone, he
has offered the use of a another vehicle for family use, the so-called
"wife's car".  Several cars have been loaned other UTC coaches in most
sports for years, including an occasional Lexus.

I hope this is helpful to the facts, even if still outside the realities
most employees face.  Coach Lebo created dramatically unusual excitement
and support for the university, specifically the basketball program.  I
appreciate that, especially since the university's expense remains the
$100,000 state salary.

As we wind up the most important search for the campus this year, the
Provost, I would hope that some of our partners in the area would find the
opportunity to add to the Provost's base state salary of $150,000 similar
funds acting as endowments to enhance the Provost salary.  Maybe a car.
Maybe even a Provost's talk show.

The "problem" with inviting support to the many facets of the university is
that the donor will choose to donate to the facet of the university he or
she finds most interesting or to expand the university's ability to
attract.  Donors usually will not want to send additional money to cover
what they think is "the state's responsibility".

In my chief role as resource gatherer for the mission of an engaged
metropolitan university, I will try always to be sure we are gathering
resources for the multi-faceted university, not just one program nor just
one person.  The year 2001-2 was certainly a great year for the continued
generosity of friends of UTC in giving millions of dollars to every facet
of the university.

I wind up grateful to our donors in athletics as well as to the many
others.  We could not have attracted Mr. Sloan or Mr. Lebo nor retained Mr.
Moore without the significant donations pledged and received.

Bill