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Post by inhusker on May 5, 2009 17:14:03 GMT -5
The volleyball program at Nebraska generates $1,000,000 in revenue per year and has expenses of $1,250,000. If Cook would coach for free, the program would break even. The overall athletic budget for next year is $72,000,000, none of which comes from student fees or taxation. I believe basketball is about break even, and the football team carries the load for everything else. I believe it's one of only 5-6 profitable athletic departments in the NCAA.
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Post by pogoball on May 5, 2009 23:47:12 GMT -5
Wow, I post something with nothing but positives, and get attacked by all the regulars. Pretty disappointing.
When I was a teenager, an exchange student from Germany stayed with my family. We took him to a Wrigley field day baseball game -- doesn't get any better -- and he was bored to tears. He simply didn't understand the sport.
I've had long conversations with people from other countries about American football, which appears to them like a bunch of men falling down on the ground.
Many people can't stand to watch hockey because they don't know who has the puck. Many Americans think soccer/football is the most boring sport on the planet.
My original post was not meant to put down any sports, but simply to try to illustrate why beach volleyball appeals to those of us who enjoy it.
Many of you acted with the same ignorance I get when I talk to people about why I enjoy INDOOR volleyball.
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Post by mikegarrison on May 6, 2009 0:30:16 GMT -5
Many of you acted with the same ignorance I get when I talk to people about why I enjoy INDOOR volleyball. I always find it hilarious when people immediately assume that because other people do not agree with them that the other people must not have understood what they said or else must be ignorant/stupid/misled/etc. Ever consider that maybe we just have a different opinion?
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Post by davegymnastics on May 12, 2009 8:38:12 GMT -5
I don't post here often especially since the season wrapped up but just a few thoughts. The QU case is now taking testimony, there are articles all over the web about it now. I'm not sure how it'll pan out. It's a sad situation. I'm also sad to see Maine go. I really think it's tough that these programs are getting cut.
As for Beach Volleyball, I'm not really pro or con either way on the sport in general but if they're hoping that it gains fans purely on the basis of olympic popularity or even the pro tour it may or may not. As was mentioned with swimming, popular Olympic sports do have trouble gaining popularity. Gymnastics is the same way, personally I see both Volleyball and Gymnastics as sports more people should be checking out, but both get very little attendance (at least in my neck of the woods.) This may be a way some see to cut expenses and add a sport, but I'm not sure where it will go.
Plus the thing is, fans only have so much time on their hands. College Baseball and Hockey (both major sports) do not often get that much attendance at many schools (the major powers excepted). It's easy I think for some administrators to look at attendance numbers and lack of revenue and see the sports as expendable. Though the bigger issue is almost no sport is revenue generating so really it's Football, Basketball they make money. Outside of that, everything will be a loss. It's surprising that so many schools offer athletics in the first place. Then the question asked is, why do they offer athletics (outside of revenue generating.) Obviously some intrinsic value is seen in it.
I'm still surprised at volleyball cuts. I was under the impression that it's a relatively cheap sport to fund.
It's such an odd paradox when it comes to college athletics, I worry that some day they'll wake up and 50 programs will disappear. It happened in Gymnastics, if Volleyball is perceived similarly someday it could happen which would suck royally.
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Post by playvb on May 12, 2009 11:44:56 GMT -5
What is the value of athletics in a college/university setting:
competition overcoming adversity team work leadership development humility physiological development exercise emotional / mental development overall esprit de corps
A follow up is this: Does the athletic experience in college require NCAA/NAIA or other governing oversight in order to be legitimate? Can the values listed above be acquired via college intramural/club leagues? We all probably know excellent student-athletes who choose, for various reasons, to retire from highly organized competition before going to college. I have lots of respect for student-athletes who choose to focus on an education and put sports in what they believe is its rightful place.
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Post by davegymnastics on May 12, 2009 12:13:41 GMT -5
What is the value of athletics in a college/university setting: competition overcoming adversity team work leadership development humility physiological development exercise emotional / mental development overall esprit de corps I couldn't agree more with these points. That's why I'm so supportive of collegiate athletics even with the charges that are made that it detracts from academics (Which I do not agree with) I believe it enhances academics. I'm on a convert too, I went to maybe 2 sporting events during my eight years at Connecticut, and have gone to dozens since graduating. At the time I wasn't sure it wasn't detracting either, but I got turned around. As for club sports. I agree maybe it can work though I wonder if athletes will have access to the training they need, medical help, facilities to perform and practice, et cetera. It certainly struggles as a spectator sport, though maybe it doesn't need to be, but it's nice when it is. I think fans can learn a lot from sports too. I'm a supporter of club sports and I donate to a club team to help them as well.
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Post by donnyg on May 12, 2009 13:24:12 GMT -5
After reading some of the articles I have to wonder even if they end up keeping the program what the relationship will be between Sparks and the AD after accusing manipulation. Thats close to accusing someone of lying or cheating.
Also have to wonder how long those girls who really want to play will be in limbo over this and if they end up dropping it they've wasted time that they could have put into finding a position at another school.
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Post by davegymnastics on May 12, 2009 14:55:34 GMT -5
After reading some of the articles I have to wonder even if they end up keeping the program what the relationship will be between Sparks and the AD after accusing manipulation. Thats close to accusing someone of lying or cheating. Also have to wonder how long those girls who really want to play will be in limbo over this and if they end up dropping it they've wasted time that they could have put into finding a position at another school. According to the latest news the AD admitted some of his coaches did it too, naturally that's not going to go over well. It's a really sad situation. Maybe there will be other opportunities.
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Post by paloalto on May 13, 2009 10:56:18 GMT -5
It is difficult to see sand volleyball starting at California public colleges in the next few years.
The state is on the verge of a fiscal implosion. Next week there are propositions on the ballet originally designed to close the deficit. Now the projections are that even if all the propositions pass, there will still be a $15 billion deficit. And all the polls indicate none of these propositions have a chance of passing.
The politicians are delusional right now about the state budget and have no solution. There is an increasing resignation among political leaders that the only answer is a federal bailout. Although I am a California resident, I think this would not be fair to the other states and would set a bad precedent.
Next year there will be cuts announced in many sports at California public universities. It will come down to dropping course offerings or cutting back on activities like sports. This is unavoidable and there will also be a fiscal spillover effect on private schools.
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Post by mikegarrison on May 13, 2009 21:27:16 GMT -5
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Post by runvb on May 13, 2009 21:35:24 GMT -5
It is difficult to see sand volleyball starting at California public colleges in the next few years. The state is on the verge of a fiscal implosion. Next week there are propositions on the ballet originally designed to close the deficit. Now the projections are that even if all the propositions pass, there will still be a $15 billion deficit. And all the polls indicate none of these propositions have a chance of passing. The politicians are delusional right now about the state budget and have no solution. There is an increasing resignation among political leaders that the only answer is a federal bailout. Although I am a California resident, I think this would not be fair to the other states and would set a bad precedent. Next year there will be cuts announced in many sports at California public universities. It will come down to dropping course offerings or cutting back on activities like sports. This is unavoidable and there will also be a fiscal spillover effect on private schools. If they made some effort to curb the financial drain illegal immigration causes this problem would be solved. But then again, illegals in California out-number volleyball fans and so the politicians will prostitute themselves to gain a voting block. What would be so bad about mowing your own lawn and being able to order at fast food restaurants and having the order taker and you speaking the same language? There is no will to fix problems in this country unless it enables a career politician to remain in office. This cuts across party lines. Does it sicken anyone?
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Post by Phaedrus on May 13, 2009 21:35:49 GMT -5
Mike, how much was Willingham's buyout?
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Post by mikegarrison on May 13, 2009 22:00:58 GMT -5
Mike, how much was Willingham's buyout? Seattle Times blogger says it was $1M lump sum. Entire Swimming program was $1.2M, according to this article. Bet that makes those swimmers a little annoyed.
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Post by lovaza on May 13, 2009 22:38:30 GMT -5
Mike, how much was Willingham's buyout? Willingham! Please...what did Neuheisel cost? How about Hedges? What did she cost??? Hate to pile on but geez.
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Post by hochee on May 14, 2009 1:22:25 GMT -5
Whatever. Volleyball is minor sport. Love it, but it's minor.
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