Louisiana Tech athletics director Tommy McClelland said in an interview that athletics departments outside the Power Five conferences recognize they need to do what they can to increase revenue. Their universities — and, in some cases, state governments — are continuing to add to the amounts of money they give to athletics programs from their general funds or through student fees. But McClelland says it’s also a matter of priorities, and he insists that there is no sense of losing ground competitively even though his school spent less on sports in 2016 than any public school in Conference USA, one of the so-called Group of Five conferences.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/co...449433001/
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Not the case in VA where athletics is funded primarily through fees and donations and now the state is capping fees. Our state govt takes the attitude that if UVA and VT have everything they want then all is good.
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In Louisiana, LSU doesn't need fees so the legislature doesn't allow other schools to collect them either. TMac doesn't have Tech where we need to be, but what he and our administration do to stay competitive on the field and in the arms race is nothing short of impressive.
I just wish Tech had this kind of foresight and drive 20 years ago when we were a WBB power and a giant slayer in FB. It's better late than never, but as a Tech fan while seeing the progress after decades of stagnancy is refreshing, knowing what might have been had we not been complacent while the iron was hot is infuriating.
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Beg to differ but your info regarding student fees in Louisiana is incorrect. The legislature DOES ALLOW student athletic fees but the students must hold a referendum on and approve the matter before one can be imposed. There was a rule in place until just 3-4yrs ago that student athletic fees were not acceptable but that was changed and very little movement on the matter since that time.
I doubt, but am not sure, that a STUDENT ATHLETIC FEE proposal at La Tech would be approved at this time because the students voted just 3-4yrs ago to impose a STUDENT FACILITIES ENHANCEMENT FEE that will be charged to them over a 25yr period to cover cost of constructing their new end zone project.
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The rule change from 3 or 4 years ago (it was 2011 or 2012) that you are referencing is the use of student fees for athletic facilities only. These fees do not count against the general fund transfer for the operating budget now.
It is still the case that LA Tech or any state school could enact an athletics fee for funding of the athletic general operations, but the money would count dollar for dollar against the general fund transfer limit.
BTW, I believe your doubt is misplaced. The student facilities enhancement fee in 2012 passed with 84% in support. The "Change for Change" fee in 2007 passed with 70+%. Doesn't matter though, since it isn't going to happen.
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No, the rule change 3-4yrs ago referenced STUDENT ATHLETIC FEES and had nothing to do with athletic facilities. Prior to then a school could NOT charge a student athletic fee but can at this time if approved by student vote.
The student FACILITY ENHANCEMENT FEE, in effect for next 21yrs or so, IS reflected in the current annual operating budget. The annual payment on the bonds of about $600,000 is taken from the facility enhancement fee kitty and listed as an expense on Techs statement of revenue expenses.