FINANCIAL

Revenue increases outpace hikes in athletics expenses

Data in the 2003 edition of Revenues and Expenses of Divisions I and II Intercollegiate Athletics Programs reveal that average total revenues apparently increased more rapidly than expenses in all Division I subdivisions and in Division II.

But the study, conducted every two years, also indicates that athletics programs are deriving more revenue from direct institutional support -- or transfers from universities' general funds -- while raising ticket prices and student activity fees.

The number of Division I-A programs reporting revenues above expenses grew from 40 in 2001 to 47 in 2003. A 17 percent increase in revenue in Division I-A was boosted by a 20 percent increase in direct institutional support and 22 percent increase in average ticket sales. Meanwhile, expenses increased by 16 percent.

Even more noteworthy percentage increases in revenue occurred in Divisions I-AA and I-AAA programs and in Division II, and were boosted by even larger increases in institutional support, as well as significant increases in student activity fees.

In all cases, the revenue increases outpaced hikes in expenses.

The study, however, also reveals a continuing widening of the gap between institutions that post a profit and those whose expenses exceed revenue.

The average deficit at Division I-A schools reporting a loss increased from $3.8 million to $4.4 million.

STAFF CONTACT: Todd Petr (tpetr@ncaa.org)

SPORTSMANSHIP

Institutions withhold teams from postseason football bowls

Presidents of the University of South Carolina, Columbia, and Clemson University decided to withhold the football teams at their institutions from postseason play after the two squads engaged in a brawl near the end of their November 20 game.

South Carolina President Andrew Sorensen and Clemson President James Barker announced the teams, both of which are bowl-eligible, would not participate in bowl games.

NCAA President Myles Brand lauded the actions. "I think Presidents Sorenson and Barker sent a very powerful message," he told USA Today. "They put the values of their institutions above dollars. They said that it matters to us that we are educational institutions of integrity."

Brand said the Association will continue its own efforts to promote sportsmanship.

"I expect that university presidents will both approve and applaud what Presidents Sorensen and Barker did. I see this as part of a change that is taking place in college sports in which college presidents are taking a more active role."

HONORS

Former astronaut selected for NCAA's 'Teddy' award

The NCAA Honors Committee has selected Sally K. Ride as the 2005 Theodore Roosevelt Award winner.

A former astronaut and current professor of space and science at the University of California, San Diego, Ride is the 38th recipient of the Association's "Teddy" award. She will receive the honor January 9 during the Honors Dinner at the NCAA Convention in Dallas.

Ride spent one year at Swarthmore College, where she was a three-sport student-athlete in tennis, field hockey and basketball, before transferring to Stanford University. She occupied the No. 1 singles slot as a tennis standout for the Cardinal from 1969 to 1973.

Ride was the first American woman in space and served on Space Shuttle Challenger missions in 1983 and 1984.

STAFF CONTACT: Crystal Reimer (creimer@ncaa.org)

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