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The Commission on Athletics
Finances at California State University, Fresno has completed its first
phase – a comprehensive review of the athletics program -- and now is
reviewing seven comparable universities seeking ideas that could help
Fresno State.
The 16-member commission was created by university President John D.
Welty in February to consider ways Fresno State can implement
recommendations in a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
report calling for better integration of college athletic and academic
programs.
Welty asked the commission to complete its work by July, but it will
take until Nov. 1 to complete its charge, said Dr. Paul M. Oliaro, the
commission chair, said in a preliminary report. Oliaro is the
university’s vice president for student affairs.
Welty asked the commission to examine long-term revenue growth for the
university’s athletics program and ensuring that Athletics Department
financial management systems are efficient and effective, that
fundraising processes are effective and that donated dollars go where
donors intend.
Oliaro reported that in its first four months, the commission conducted
an extensive internal review of current processes and received
comprehensive presentations on athletics finances and internal controls;
fundraising processes (including how matching gifts are managed); NCAA
structure and Fresno State’s role within Division I athletics; fiscal
operation and fiduciary responsibilities of university auxiliaries; and
Athletics Director Thomas Boeh’s five-year vision for Fresno State’s
athletic competitiveness and academic performance.
The seven comparable universities whose athletic processes will be
reviewed by Fresno State are Utah, Boise State, Washington State, San
Diego State, Virginia Tech, Cincinnati and Louisville.
For its next phase, the commission has formed subcommittees to focus on
athletics financial management and fundraising. The subcommittees are
chaired by Vice Presidents Dr. Peter Smits (advancement) and Cynthia
Teniente-Matson (administrative services).
Oliaro said the subcommittees will gather comparative information from
athletics programs at the “peer or aspirant institutions” to determine
whether their strategies, insights or techniques could help Fresno State
improve its athletics financial operation and fundraising.
“We are engaged in a careful process to see if the practices we are
using to raise money and manage the money we have are working to the
advantage of the athletics program and in keeping with good practices on
comparable campuses,” Oliaro said. “We are also looking to see what it
will take to sustain and build our revenues to meet our needs in the
future.
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