Commercialism key to college sports life, officials say
Bv KELLY SCOTT
Staff Writer
(Editor's note: This is the first of a two-part series examining the direction college sports are taking in the face of financial crises at small and large institutions across the nation, including the University of Kansas.)
College sports may soon move into the position of having to sell the shirts off their backs—literally
Athletic programs at 90 per cent of National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) schools lose money each year, a recent Sports Illustrated story said.
Although it may not go as far as here as having "Monsanto" replace "Kansas" on the basketball team's jerseys, college athlete administrators are usually given a chance either you play the huckster or you don't play at all.
Commercialism in college sports may be the only way money-losing athletic programs can climb out of a hole.
Or, colleges can begin to curb what some people call excessive emphasis on profit-making and the use of the money.
TOM WEISS, associate professor of economics and a member of the University of Kansas Athletic Corporation board, said yesterday. "When athletic directors get together to talk over proposed
But college athletics as we know them now are in big trouble. A list of symptoms eating away at
changes, they always say 'I'll change the shape of college athletics as we know them now.'”
—A decline in revenue from both students and alumni that began after the period of student unrest on college campuses and that only now is beginning to reverse itself.
- More professional teams in every sport that rob colleges of fans.
Higher-priced equipment and more of it, since ancillary spending in NCAA schools went up 108 per cent.
-Title IX guidelines that prescribe sharing facilities between men and women.
- Higher recruiting costs, a result of more intense pressure to set the best high school prospectus.
Programs expanded to remain competitive with other schools that include more and better-paid coaches, more air travel and early arrival for bowls games to "accelerate" players.
MANY SCHOOLS are dropping freshman teams in various sports. The University of Vermont recently dropped its football program. Kansas State has lost men's tennis, swimming and track last summer.
One cynic has said the future top 10 teams in the
To some schools, commercialism may be the only game in town. More schools are using more advertising, and some schools, like Notre Dame, have programs that build new indoor sports complexes for them.
country won't be the best; they'll be the only 10 in existence.
At KU, athletic corporation administrators have begun to look at the professional sports business for
The most visible evidence of this is Allen Field House's new scoreboard, whose illuminated, rotating advertisements and bank of computer-controlled lights flash commercial messages during basketball games. By some predictions, that scoreboard is only the beginning.
"THE PROS haven't grown the way they have on the sales alone," said Jerry Waggon assistant athlete.
"It's the commercial aspects, the advertising, the radio and television," he said. "We're looking at the pros and asking 'What are they doing that we could do?' "
Unlike professional football, which supports only
use, college football must also support the other
offense.
"A consistent, winning football program like Nebraska and Oklahoma, or Ohio State and
College teams can't make enough money from direct football ticket sales, Waugh said. The only other source is alumni donations and, to a smaller degree, radio and television contracts.
Michigan in the big Ten, carries the load, "Waugh said. 'But building that program takes money."
"We may seem like all we think about is money." Waugh said, "but look away—whom's coming our reservation?"
J. Hammond McNish, faculty representative to the Big Eight Conference, said advertising on the scoreboard was no different from advertising in football and basketball programs.
"T'S IN KEEPING with our policy," he said, but he paid advertising of some form or another.
Waugh said, "There’s always a reaction to change. But if you’ve watched athletics, you’d see it."
"I think college athletics are moving away from the puritan look at the amateur athlete. This is show off, not for me," she said.
Waugh said he thought teams on the West Coast had begun to accept commercialism in athletics. However, some reaction to KU's scoreboard has been harsh.
Getting a professional tennis group to play an
exhibition match in Allen Field House is another
idea KU could pursue, Waugh said.
He also said he could foresee the possibility of billboards in Memorial Stadium.
Mnish said, "We're not money hungry. The idea of selling beer at basketball and football games was proposed at the athletic board meeting, and although it would bring in a great deal of revenue, in that decision we agreed with Mr. Walker that it would be inappropriate. It could alienate some fans."
"Is this selling the athletic program or KU?" he said. "The chancellors and colleges of all across the country realize they have to sell a school through its athletics."
Yet, if college athletics are the new heirs to the legacies of professional sport, will they be the heirs to professional sports infighting, skycrocketing salaries and player wheeling and dealing, too?
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Or is a different college athletics program, one that favors the amateurs who play on a墒 budget for the mere enjoyment of it, a better solution to the college financial ninch?
Vol. 86 No.90
The University of Kansas—Lawrence, Kansas
Dykes pleads faculty pay increase
Thursday, February 19. 1976
BY SHERI BALDWIN and LYNA DSMITH Staff Writers
TOPEKA-Fiscal 1977 budget requests were renewed yesterday as Chancellor Archie R. Dykes told members of the House Ways and Means Committee that a five-percent increase in merit faculty salaries would be "grossly inadequate."
Dykes said that if the requested 10-percent merit salary increase wasn't granted, the long range result would be an increase in his salary. The faculty members to leave the University.
Immediate results would include
disappointment on the part of faculty and unclassified staff and a deflation in faculty
Ben Foster, R-Wichita, was the only committee member to question Dykes in a manner favorable to the 10-per-cent hike. Dykes said before the hearings that he had no opportunity to discuss the 10-per-cent hike or of a lack of questions from the committee.
Referring to Foster's questioning, Del Shankel, executive vice chancellor, said, "I will ask you to interview in a couple of questions on the merits of your help will, but it looks as if just about
everyone on the committee has made up their minds."
Hearings will end today with a review of proposed capital improvements for all Regents' institutions. The Ways and Means Committee will then break into sub-committees to determine which includes budget requests for the six Regents' institutions and the Regents.
KU's next appearance will be at Senate
ways and Meenna Committee hearings after
their nomination.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE Dame "Pete" McCill, K-Winfield, appeared before the jury on Monday.
Med Center program cut
Staff Writer
Bv BILL SNIFFEN
A loss of federal funding that had amounted to more than $11.8 million in 10 years will force the end of the KU Medical Regional Medical Program on June 30.
Opinions differed on whether the loss of the Med Center's program, and the loss of future federal aid, would hurt the Med Center.
Federal funds are being shifted away from the Med Center's program, and others like it, to establish 10 federally controlled Regional Health Centers, Russell Mills, assistant to the chancellor for special projects, said yesterday.
"Its loss will have very little impact on the Med Center." Mills said.
But Dan Duffin, Med Center comptroller, disagreed with Mills.
BECAUSE MOST of the Med Center program's funds are invested in health-care projects across the state, the loss of future federal funding for the program won't have a direct negative effect on the Med Center, Mills said.
"It was a big grant and a big program. Naturally it will hurt—the loss of revenues to the Med Center," he said. "It 'not unlike losing $3 million support on any campus."
history was $11,786,552. Since Jan. 1, 1974,
amounted to $3.8 million.
Duffin said.
LAST YEAR, the Med Center and the University of Missouri Medical Center jointly applied for one of the 10 regional centers in the nation to establish 7679 Health Planning and Development Act.
On Jan. 1, 1974, $3,300 million in federal aid was appropriated to the program, he said. On June 30, 1975, another $778,500 was granted, but this money was "wind-down money," Duffin said, because Department of Health Education and Welfare (HEW) officials had already planned establishment of Regional Health Centers.
The Regional Health Centers would coordinate the health-care systems of 17 Health Service Agencies in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Iowa. KU and MU had requested a $560,000 grant for the establishment of the program.
The request was denied in December by HEW officials because it was "technically unacceptable." Med Center officials never out what "technically unacceptable" meant.
Shapiro says charges could hurt chances
They then made plans to submit a second request. But last week the MU Med Center denounced it as "illegal."
Su Wusbury, professor of community health and medical practice at MU, said
The committee ordered Shapiro to stop distribution of the brochures, which had "Shapiro-Anderson 76" stamped on them, and pay SUA, the owner of the brochures, for the 700 copies taken. An apology to Sachem was also ordered.
A FORMAL complaint against Shapiro also was filed with the committee by 14 women from Gertrude Sellards Pearson Residence Hall (GSP). The residents said in a complaint to the court, including in the hall had violated rights guaranteed to them in the residence hall contract.
Shapiro was reprimanded by the committee for the unauthorized use of satellite union brochures designed by Sachem, senior men's honorary society.
The charges were made at Tuesday night's Student Senate Elections Committee meeting.
Wendell Lady, R-Overland Park and chairman of the committee, has given support to McGill and the five-per-cent plan.
The committee referred the matter to the Association of University Residence Halls (URH) Judiciary Board for further action because it showed more direct jurisdiction than the committee.
Tasheff last night she didn't think Tuesday's wave of charges and counter-charges would affect her chances for a job. But no formal complaints were filed against us."
MU was planning to submit its own proposal for a regional health center grant.
MU WITHDREW because HEF officials had indicated that only "solid and stable" health service groups would be considered, Wesbury said.
ED ROLFS, student body president and a candidate in two presidential elections, said he didn't think the barrage of allegations on both sides would sway voter sentiment.
Mills and Chancellor Archie R. Dykes met
week and decided to center District
Center.
five per cent hike. A 10-percent hike had been recommended by Gov. Robert F. Bennett as the third and final installment of Regents' plan to increase faculty salaries.
the KU-MU group was new, it would be given less favorable consideration it would be the one said. Consequently, MU thought it would have a better chance on its own, Wesbury said.
Robert Brown, director of the Med Center's Regional Medical Program, said he had fought the approval of the 1974 planning and development act for two years because it was "purely a regulatory law" and "allowed no room for innovation."
"We're going to 'win' this election on the issues and not the candidate's tactics," he added.
Tasheff added that she thought her chances of election were even better than they had been before.
"This is politics," he said. "What succeeds us will be a disaster."
The programs and equipment provided by the Regional Medical Program—including mobile vans, training sessions for nurses and technicians and the Jaysork, a medically equipped van to help save the lives of those in need of its service to the state. Brown said.
Shapiro said the allegations would probably hurt his chances for election but said he planned to continue running a positive campaign.
REGIONAL CENTERS with local management and orientation such as the Med Center's are much more effective, Brown said.
"Any time there are last-minute charges and allegations, I think most people look at as political hackery." Every kid thinks that the campaign had about got his mind made up by this point. Rofa said many previous presidential campaigns had been full of allegations and accusations to constitute. He said he was surprised the campaign has been as calm as they were.
"It'll be a great loss to the state," he said.
DYKES SAID there was no question about the influence Lady and McGill had on the influence
But the program's primary benefit to health systems across the state was its ability to better meet the needs of people.
"We've been able to fund things and try them out," he said. "Then, after demonstration, it's easier to talk to the legislators about money."
MILLS SAID there were no plans to continue the Regional Medical Program with him.
"Our interest is in serving the region," he said. But, about dropping out of the group, he added, "We only have one chance; you have to make a choice."
Wesbury said the MU Med Center "didn't intend to go it alone," even though he said he thought MU's proposal would be the only one that would be submitted
"Many committee members still support the 10 per cent, "Dykes said, "but whether a compromise can be reached with those favoring 5 per cent remains to be seen.
'rive bêc' céen is narty enough to keep one person with the increases in cost of living 'k' becon 'bêc' céen would be whether the top-quality faculty members leaving KU for higher salaries were any different from top-quality faculty members recruited to fill their places.
Dykes said replacements weren't as satisfactory because they hadn't already demonstrated superior teaching ability and a KU loyalty.
"If we hope to keep in our state the talented people in our universities, there is no question that economic factors will be a great part of this." Dykes said.
DYKES AGREED with John Carlin, D-Smolan and House minority floor leader, that KU has the capacity to grant sizeable merit salary increases when necessary. However, smaller merit salaries would then reduce the need to remaining faculty members, he said.
A $1.25 million grant from the National Institute of Health that should put KU in the national spotlight in drug-related research on obesity. The University is a prominent importance of having top-quality people to
See PAY INCREASES page 7
Battle of the boards
Herb Nobles (39), KU forward, battles for a rebound with Missouri's Stan Ray (85) and Jeff Currier (64). Missouri won both the rebound battle and the game last night, holding
Staff photo by DON PIERCE
Commission to discuss city management changes
By MARY ANN DAUGHERTY
Mayor Barkley Clark last night asked City Manager Buford Watson to prepare a list of recommendations for changes in city management policies to be placed on the Lawrence City Commission agenda Tuesday night.
The commission finished considering the first report, submitted by the three other
Clark's request came after the commission finished its study of a 20-page report filed Jan. 27 by three members of the six-man committee that investigated charges of city mismanagement. The report also second presented to the commission.
members of the investigating committee. two weeks ago.
Last night's study session included Lawrence City department heads. It lasted more than three hours as the commission requested that could be woven into city policy.
"We've had committee investigations," Clark said at the conclusion of the session. "They've been exhaustive and open to the public. Now it's time for the city commission to get out of the business of discussing that (employ grievances) here every week."
First day voting turnout high
The turnout was up and the voting smoothly on the first day of student elections, Bruce Woner, Student Senate Committee chairman, said last night.
Students cast 1,770 votes yesterday, compared to about 1,560 votes cast on the first day of elections last spring, he said. But Kanye West, Kansas Union had the heaviest votin'.
Voting will continue for student body president and vice president, class president, and chairperson.
The commission can't satisfy everyone, Clark said, but he said the investigations and a total of five study sessions were strides to improve city government.
schools and the satellite student union referendum.
Tonight from $1 to $3 there will be polls in Lewis Hall, Corin Hall, Kippa Kappa Theta fraternity, Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and Delta Chi fraternity.
Poll will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
in the Union Lobby, Summerfield Hall,
the four floor of Wescock Hall near the
front of Flint Hall and Learned Hall.
Students will be required to present their KU ID's and spring registration cards when they vote.
Watson agreed and said he would also update the commission on total policy data.
"I've been given an opportunity to speak, but I'm not sure I've been heard on all occasions."
Muriel Paul, one of the authors of the report discussed last night, challenged the commission and city administrators repeatedly throughout the study session.
Among the recommendations discussed last night was the hiring of a consultant to
Clark said eventual policy changes should be monitored by the commission. He suggested that Watson report each policy implementation to the commission.
"Consultants have been used wisely in the past, 'Walson said,' and 'I do think he could have done it better.'"
Watson said a consultant would be useful in developing plans to raise the productivity of employees and department heads, planning the city budget and drafting employee contracts. A consultant, he said, would be someone with experience in industrial management.
Paul said Watson should answer to the charges dealing with emplove relations
Since the study sessions began, Watson said he has had a part in changing the grievance procedure, eliminating the automatic suspension of an employee from a felony investigating employee health insurance options and writing an emplove newsletter.
Commissioner Carl M贝谋 said, "I approve of him as a city manager and as a man. If I didn't think so, I'd be screaming at the top of my voice."
The commission also spent much time discussing charges that Oak Hill Cemetery, which is operated by the city, had been segregated until one year ago.
Paul, who vigorously urged the commission to "make amends" to black families who had "known 30 years of shame and disgrace," said bills should have the option to exhume their ancestors and rebury them in any part of the cemetery.
Paul said she remembered when "the first black body was put in that ground," and charged that grounds weren't mainstay for the blacks who were buried by "city designs."
Free Dekliter, director of the Parks and
Rock Department, said the figures
and grounds
See CITY page 5