Athletics' Five-Year Plan Aimed at Fiscal Stability, Growth


by Steve Jones

A five-year financial plan unveiled this month by the 
athletic department will lead to fiscal stability and growth, 
said athletic director Gene Smith.

The plan lays out a model to help the athletic department 
keep its current sports and add women's soccer, ensure a 
balanced budget and meet gender equity goals.

By following the plan, the athletic department will meet its 
expenses, erase a $391,000 FY94 deficit and begin building a 
small cash reserve for capital investments, including 
deferred maintenance needs at Cyclone Stadium.

The plan calls for ISU to have a $15.8 million sports budget 
by FY2000, a 27 percent increase over the current $12.4 
million budget. Revenue projections are based on income 
history, conservative estimates of ticket sales growth, 
anticipated revenue increases from the Big 12 Conference and 
additional support from student fees and private donors.

Revenue increases will provide additional funds for team 
operating budgets and support areas such as athletic 
training, media relations, marketing and equipment 
management. A major focus will be improving academic 
services, including expanding the summer school program and 
adding tutorial services.

Under the plan, ISU will field one of the most broad-based 
programs in the Big 12, Smith said. With the addition of 
women's soccer this fall, ISU will sponsor 20 intercollegiate 
athletic teams.

Smith said the plan ensures that funds are available for 
gender equity efforts, including recruitment, facility 
improvements and support services. Earlier this year, ISU and 
the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights 
agreed on a timeline for ISU to comply with Title IX, a 
federal law that forbids sex discrimination at educational 
institutions that receive federal aid.

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contact:  Steve Jones, (515) 294-4778
updated:  5-26-95