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The President’s Commission on
Athletics Finances at California State University, Fresno recommends
several changes to strengthen financial operations and fundraising in
support of Bulldog intercollegiate athletic programs.
The commission issued its report Friday, Jan. 11.
“Implementing the recommendations will allow Athletics to enhance and
streamline current financial and fundraising operations, ensure
long-term viability and move toward the goal of being a model program
within the NCAA’s Division I,” concludes the commission’s Executive
Summary.
President John D. Welty said, “The commission has created a roadmap for
financial stability in athletics, now and into the future.”
The commission proposes generating more revenue for Athletics through
increases in ticket sales, endowment income and philanthropy; and
student fees dedicated to all Athletics programs; and by streamlining
operations.
The report also recommends that allocations from central, unrestricted
funds be directed to Athletics programs, but in a manner that does not
change the current general fund percentage allocated to instructional
and academic affairs.
At the faculty and staff at the Spring Assembly on Thursday, Jan. 10,
Welty pledged to approve that recommendation, adding, “This confirms my
belief and commitment that our academic mission is our central mission
and we will focus upon that commitment.”
The commission’s key recommendations include:
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While working toward
expanding ticket revenue, Fresno State must increase its fundraising
efforts, particularly philanthropic giving, and the annual payout
ratio from the Bulldog Foundation Endowment.
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There must be a
significant increase in student fees and it must be directed to the
benefit of all sports programs.
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The availability of
central, unrestricted funds that could be directed to Athletics
should be considered. But allocations should not be at the expense
of the other divisions on campus.
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One set of policies and
procedures should govern Athletics Operations, and the California
State University, Fresno Athletic Corporation should be dissolved.
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Athletics fundraising
staff should be unified under one employer, focus on meeting needs
of all teams and explore consolidated financial reporting and
operations.
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High priority should be
placed on transitioning to the University Development Office full
responsibility for processing Athletics gifts and many benefit
transactions.
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The University should
consider the experiences of peer institutions in facing Athletics
program financial challenges.
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The recently adopted
procedures for matching gifts appear to be working.
Welty created the commission
in February 2007 following his service on a 50-member NCAA task force,
whose findings are reported in “The Second Century Imperatives:
Presidential Leadership-Institutional Accountability.” That report
emphasizes campus-based presidential leadership and institutional
accountability in funding intercollegiate athletics and stresses the
need for integration of athletics with the university’s educational
mission.
“Under the leadership of Athletics Director Thomas Boeh and his staff,
the university has made major strides in strengthening its compliance
and student-athlete academic assistance programs,” Welty said. “These
programs are more closely integrated with the university’s academic
programs and mission. We are beginning to see success in these areas,
and many of our coaches have led the way in improving the academic
success of our student-athletes.
When the commission was appointed, Boeh said that implementation of the
commission’s recommendations “will result in the development of
significant internal efficiencies as well as a less-complex and fully
transparent Athletics Department that is more easily understood and
embraced by our community.“
Commission Chair Paul M. Oliaro, vice president of student affairs and
chair of the Athletic Corporation, praised the body’s work.
“We had great, active representation from the major stakeholders and
everyone work collaboratively on the changes necessary to ensure that
Athletics finances will adequately support its mission,” Oliaro said.
“Our goal is to provide competitive programs at the conference and
national levels, while offering our student-athletes the best
educational experience possible,” Oliaro added.
View the report:
Report on President's Commission on Athletics
Finances
(PDF)
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