Ticket sales to Weber State University basketball and football games brought in thousands of dollars less than expected despite increased attendance.
Attendance at WSU football games more than doubled, and basketball crowds increased by 1,900 per game. But the university lost at least $57,000 hosting the Big Sky Conference playoffs and made just $9,000 by participating in the NCAA basketball tournament.As a result, officials anticipate athletics will end the school year with an estimated $130,000 shortfall, according to a copyright story published in Sunday's Standard-Examiner.
"There will be cuts in athletics," said WSU Academic Services Vice President Allen Simkins, who oversees athletics.
Because of financial problems last year, WSU considered cutting its football program, the largest sport receiving the highest subsidy - $800,000 in 1993 and about $650,000 in 1994.
One of the criteria for saving the program was increasing attendance and revenue.
Simkins declined to specify what cuts officials may consider this year, saying details have yet to be discussed with coaches. But he did say the shortfall could be met with money from a $200,000 reserve fund athletics has accumulated.
Record-setting attendance failed to translate into profits primarily because free tickets were plentiful, promotions were costly and revenue goals were ambitious, officials said.
Most additional people at basketball games were non-paying WSU students and children belonging to the Junior Wildcat Club.
"We ended up with almost 1,000 kids per game," said Mike Hogan, who oversees athletics promotions and marketing. Hundreds more WSU students also attended than in previous years.
Besides lower revenues, a subsidy the athletics department receives from the university will be cut by an additional $240,000 in 1995-96, Simkins said.
This year, athletics received a $2.5 million subsidy, made up primarily of taxpayer dollars and student fees. The school also is trying to find money to comply with Title IX, a federal law requiring equal athletic opportunities for women and men.
"The thing the fans in the area have to understand is that we need high attendance, but we also need them paying," said Tom Stewart, who recently resigned at WSU's athletics director.
"It does not do any good to have great attendance figures if we are not increasing the dollars. That is not going to pay the bills," he said.
This year, an average of 7,076 people attended each home basketball game, compared to 5,160 in 1994. But ticket sales increased just $10,000, to $336,530. Tickets sales were budgeted to bring in $382,000.
Football attendance averaged about 12,853 per game, compared to 4,812 in 1993. Ticket sales brought in $216,000 - a $134,000 increase - but $22,000 less than what was projected.