JD sent out an e-mail to staff and coaches about “belt tightening”, saying:
“Our (income) numbers have softened up from about Nov. 1st on and we’re looking at ways we can achieve some savings.” (HA)
About how he isn’t considering cutting any of their 19 sports, any aid to athletes, or any coaches’ positions, JD said:
“When it comes down to it, we’re here for the student-athlete. Making cuts in those areas can have a detrimental impact for years to come.” (HA)
However, JD added that in the current tough economy:
“we will be looking at a number of areas and we could possibly look at staff, but it is way to early to talk about that. We wouldn’t make that kind of a determination until mid-to-late spring.” (HA)
HA Note: “UH’s $29.5 million budget is being affected by what is expected to be, when final returns are in, a 15-percent drop in football attendance and an 8-percent slide in women’s volleyball crowds. Men’s basketball, which had its poorest ticket revenue in more than five years last season, and women’s basketball, which may be headed to its worst figures since moving to the Stan Sheriff Center in 1994, are also trending downward, officials acknowledged.”
Expecting budget cuts, one UH coach said:
“I can’t believe it will be too long before the (budget) cuts start coming.” (HA)
HA Note: “Donovan inherited an accumulated deficit of more than $4.4 million upon replacing Herman Frazier in March. Donovan said the administration is allowing athletics to run a $1.8 million deficit in the current fiscal year, which means it must still generate approximately $27.7 million through ticket sales and other income. Right now, Donovan estimated, UH is projecting to come in at “$26.5 million to $27 million” in revenue.”
JD said that the decline in ticket sales came:
“in the second half of the (football and women’s volleyball seasons). The two rainy football games really hit us hard. I knew the economy was impacting us when we were playing the 13th-ranked team in the country (Cincinnati) on a sunny day, had just clinched a bowl berth and only (35,309) showed up.” (HA)
HA Note:”In addition, stock-based endowments have taken “major hits” and contributions have slowed, Donovan said.”
About how their staff isn’t to blame, JD said:
“This has nothing to do with our workers. I couldn’t be happier with the effort our staff has been making or with the coaches and student-athletes.” (HA)
