Opinion
 

Athletics debt only makes sense

by Meghan Dalton

What is the one thing that can get anyone out of debt? A budget, you say? But that takes money. I assume the Athletics Department, which is in debt, works the same way as the rest of the world. Now where should Athletics Director Dave Maggard, who was dropped into the middle of a huge deficit ($10.8 million to be exact), proceed to get the funds necessary to reduce the unbelievable debt? Well, Athletics is a part of the University; therefore entitled access to the student fees.

Many students seem to be under the impression that if student fees are used for Athletics, then the students should get to use its weight room. This is a logical argument coming from their point of view. Yet, I have to ask, do you really want to have to wait in line while more than 100 huge, irritable, exhausted, sweaty guys are pushed to their max? I was a walk-on for the women's soccer team for two years, and I'd rather just catch a shuttle and head to the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center -- where people actually use a towel to wipe the sweat off the bench. I think the larger variety of machines, the strategically placed televisions, the music I can hear and the normal temperature make working out a much more pleasant experience.

Somehow it seems that each student knows exactly what to expect from his or her fee bill when it comes each semester -- an increase. We all know it's coming, yet no one quite understands why or where the money goes. This seems to further frustrate the students who have the idea that if anything, Athletics should bring money to the University, not use up its funds. I agree, but unfortunately, there is a vicious cycle that we cannot get out of.

To make money in entertainment, including sports at the college level, you must have spectators. Look at all of our sports' statistics. Have you kept up with, or even just glanced at how our teams are actually doing? We are a Conference USA, NCAA Division I-A university. If you are still saying we need better teams before you give your support and step into a stadium, think about steps to improving the teams. Is it new coaches? Better recruits? All of these things cost money.

We have discovered in the real world, "it takes money to make money." We can't win without a good team, can't improve our teams without recruits, can't get recruits without scholarships, can't give scholarships without money, can't earn money without fans ... Do you see the cycle?

Maggard isn't a crazy, selfish old man. He does know what he is doing, and does have a plan. It's all logical, reasonable and within existing University policies. Maggard might be asking for more money -- in fact, he is asking for the maximum percentage of the student fees that he can -- but he is also reaching for the ultimate goal of lowering school debts, while continuing to improve our school's athletics, reputation and spirit.

It's a sticky situation and there is a lot of money involved. Yet, could we please think before we verbalize our narrow-minded criticisms and judgments, to prevent us from all sounding utterly ignorant? People in positions of authority are usually there for a reason, and they do know what they are doing. We may not know or see all angles. We need to realize that we are not always right, and shockingly, they are not always wrong. Let's try to remember that we actually do attend a reputable institution. Let's show our support by attending something other than a classroom on exam days. 

Dalton, an exercise science junior, 
can be reached via dccampus@mail.uh.edu.