Campus Chronicle Column

The follow appeared in the Jan. 25, 2007 Campus Chronicle:

Bryan A. Rothamel

Staff Writer

It is intriguing that we are trying to make the best university possible without the sport that is most associated with college life.  We are in the midst of a $225 million transformation to improve facilities, academics and student life.  All too often I hear the one thing we need to improve student life is a football program.

I know if I go into the caf and ask any student about football, 90 percent of you probably would not mind a football team and would be willing to be a fan of one.  But are you really ready for that?

I think High Point University does NOT need a football team because it will be financially strapping.  Most students support adding a football team but would not be willing to raise student fees $100 or more.  You might think that sporting events are “free” but you are paying for them through student fees.

Winthrop University has published research about adding a football team to its athletic program.  WU estimates $1.68 million in start-up costs.  That includes minimal facilities upgrade, uniforms and equipment, band, 30 scholarships, coaches and support personnel.  That first year is deceiving, though.

The way Title IX works is a college needs be equal in both men’s and women’s sports.  Football adds 50+ male athletes, and no female sport can accommodate 50+ women.  Some colleges resort to adding multiple female sports.  That adds multiple facilities and more expenses.  Suddenly $1.68 million can easily double.

WU estimates that it costs $2.4 million annually to operate a full football program.  That includes 53 scholarships (at $16,000 a piece, while our tuition and fees are almost double), band, coaches and support staff.  WU also estimates a Big South school will make $500,000 in potential home and away game revenues.  WU calculates it will operate at a net loss of $1.9 million each year.  That is a lot of revenue that needs to be produced through other avenues.

Football is costly!  Winthrop also projects it will cost $16.6 million to build an 8,000 seat stadium and football field house.  Our soccer stadium is too small at 1,100 seats.  The football stadium at the High Point Athletic Center holds 10,000 needs renovation to be to standards.

Are we really ready for this burden?  Let’s focus on our current sports before we beg the administration to add another sport.  Make the current 16 varsity sports the “high point” of the Big South!

We do not need football to have the same atmosphere.  How great was it beating Winthrop?  It was amazing.  Bring that atmosphere to countless home athletic events instead of maybe six home football games.  I’m not trying to crush your hopes and dreams; I’m just trying to raise the bar.