Spring Break
Future uncertain but spirit remains
Editorial Board
Issue date: 4/30/09 Section: Forum
As you have read in the news section in today's Daily Barometer, sports as we know it at OSU could be changing, and frankly, we are nervous.
Along with other parts of the OSU community, the athletic department is affected by the economic recession.
According to Athletic Director Bob De Carolis in the April 21, 2009 Athletic Director Report, all sports are up for budget cuts or elimination, except for men's and women's basketball, football and volleyball. These sports are required to be at OSU if we are to maintain our Division I standing, and football and men's basketball make the most money for OSU, but the fate of others are up in the air.
He also stated that any changes will not be official until July 1, 2010.
De Carolis reported that 40 percent of the athletic's budget is made up of gifts and ticket sales. However, there are currently 6,700 OSU athletics donors, ranking us eighth in the Pac-10.
We do have revenue coming in from donors; in his report, De Carolis said that 11 percent of donors have increased their donation dollars.
This sounds positive, but De Carolis also pointed out in his report that the athletic programs' costs are expanding faster than donations.
As we learned, the cuts aren't likely to happen and are truly a last resort. However, it is a scary thought to think of the changes that could happen.
Which sport would it be? Soccer, softball, swimming? Gymnastics, golf?
It is sad to know that any one of our sports could be cut, but we're happy to hear about the 12,000 Strong by 2012 campaign, outlined by De Carolis in the athletic department report.
Since any changes won't be made official until next July, there is time for athletics to generate the revenue from donors. Also, the current economic situation may be resolved.
It is undeniable how athletics are an important part of OSU.
Our football team beat USC last fall, and it would be hard to find a cynical sports-hating student who didn't at least smile after hearing the news of the win. Our baseball team has won two national championships in the last three years. Our gymnastics team traveled to nationals this year. Our basketball team won the CBI. In fact, all our teams have accomplished amazing things in recent years.
We don't have much control over what will happen with the athletic department, but we can enjoy games while we have them, filling the stands of men's and women's games and cheering on the Beavers.
Editorials serve as a platform for Barometer editors to offer commentary and opinions on issues both global and local, grand in scale and diminutive. The views expressed here are a reflection of the editorial board majority. Disagree? E-mail a letter to the editor or guest column to editor@dailybarometer.com.
Along with other parts of the OSU community, the athletic department is affected by the economic recession.
According to Athletic Director Bob De Carolis in the April 21, 2009 Athletic Director Report, all sports are up for budget cuts or elimination, except for men's and women's basketball, football and volleyball. These sports are required to be at OSU if we are to maintain our Division I standing, and football and men's basketball make the most money for OSU, but the fate of others are up in the air.
He also stated that any changes will not be official until July 1, 2010.
De Carolis reported that 40 percent of the athletic's budget is made up of gifts and ticket sales. However, there are currently 6,700 OSU athletics donors, ranking us eighth in the Pac-10.
We do have revenue coming in from donors; in his report, De Carolis said that 11 percent of donors have increased their donation dollars.
This sounds positive, but De Carolis also pointed out in his report that the athletic programs' costs are expanding faster than donations.
As we learned, the cuts aren't likely to happen and are truly a last resort. However, it is a scary thought to think of the changes that could happen.
Which sport would it be? Soccer, softball, swimming? Gymnastics, golf?
It is sad to know that any one of our sports could be cut, but we're happy to hear about the 12,000 Strong by 2012 campaign, outlined by De Carolis in the athletic department report.
Since any changes won't be made official until next July, there is time for athletics to generate the revenue from donors. Also, the current economic situation may be resolved.
It is undeniable how athletics are an important part of OSU.
Our football team beat USC last fall, and it would be hard to find a cynical sports-hating student who didn't at least smile after hearing the news of the win. Our baseball team has won two national championships in the last three years. Our gymnastics team traveled to nationals this year. Our basketball team won the CBI. In fact, all our teams have accomplished amazing things in recent years.
We don't have much control over what will happen with the athletic department, but we can enjoy games while we have them, filling the stands of men's and women's games and cheering on the Beavers.
Editorials serve as a platform for Barometer editors to offer commentary and opinions on issues both global and local, grand in scale and diminutive. The views expressed here are a reflection of the editorial board majority. Disagree? E-mail a letter to the editor or guest column to editor@dailybarometer.com.
Note: writers will not reply to comments.
Be the first to comment on this story
Comments by registered users are approved by default.