Skip to content
Chancellor's Blog
Menu
  • Chancellor Home
  • SIU.edu
Menu

Athletics, finances and the Saluki experience

Posted on February 20, 2018January 28, 2019 by Carlo Montemagno

Saluki Stadium

As you may know, our athletics program has been facing financial challenges that have grown in recent years for a number of reasons – including enrollment declines affecting the athletics fee and state budget challenges.

We are not alone: very few athletics programs across the country are self-supporting.

Since arriving in August, I have been closely looking at the very challenging and complex financial situation facing Saluki athletics. The deficit has greatly increased over the last five years, and answers to stemming the tide are difficult to find.

The bottom line is the funding model is not sustainable.  The university must take an in-depth review of Saluki athletics to create a plan that will first lead to realizing a balanced budget on an annual basis and then address the significant long-term deficit position while maintaining our position as a competitive NCAA Division I program.

The value of athletics

Even as we study athletics finances, we must remain aware that our student athletes excel in the classroom while adding vibrancy and excitement to our campus life.  Intercollegiate athletics at a comprehensive research institution like SIU Carbondale is a critical component of our community engagement and an attraction for students.

Athletics generates spirit, pride and loyalty among our students, alumni and community.

Athletics provides a window into SIU for people who would not be engaged with us otherwise. It creates awareness that extends beyond sports and provides a platform to talk about who we are as an academic institution.

Athletics helps attract visitors who support the local economy – hotels, restaurants and more. Athletics fans from near and far support the vitality of our community and region.

The Saluki experience

Much like the arts and other cultural activities, athletics contributes to the entire Saluki experience. It’s part of who we are as a university.

Athletics recruits good students to be part of that experience for all students. The academic success of our student athletes — which exceeds that of the overall student body in terms of both grade-point-average and graduation rates — contributes to the overall academic reputation of the university.

Athletics also generates financial support, sometimes for the campus as a whole, as when donors support both athletics and academics, and sometimes to support specific opportunities for student athletes.

Following up on a recent gift by alumnus Tilden Parks, we will soon be announcing a major donation from another long-time athletics fan who wants to help students succeed.

Support our student athletes

In a recent blog post, I encouraged attendance as our basketball teams close out the season and head to the Missouri Valley Conference championship. I repeat this request here: our student athletes, like all of our students, deserve our support.

Meanwhile, I am working diligently to develop a sustainable funding model that supports our NCAA Division I programs as we work together to progressively advance the entirety of our extraordinary institution.

Subscribe

Receive the Chancellor's Blog in your email.

Name

Email


Contact the Chancellor

Share your feedback and questions.

Categories

  • Academic excellence
  • Alumni, friends and community
  • Campus Life
  • Chancellor Carlo Montemagno
  • Chancellor John M Dunn
  • Higher education
  • Kudos
  • Recruitment and retention
  • Saluki students
  • Statements
  • Uncategorized
  • Vision 2025

Archives

  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • May 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018

RSS SIU News

  • SIU students will commemorate MLK Day with community service
  • International Criminal Court work highlighted in upcoming virtual lecture
  • SIU research discovers new, dominant variant of U.S. COVID-19 virus
  • SIU’s Conference and Scheduling Services offers virtual educational options and event support
  • SIU’s Community Dental Center serving public with monthly specials in 2021

CONTACT US
Southern Illinois University Carbondale, IL 62901 | P: 618-453-2518 | E: universitycommunications@siu.edu

©2021 Chancellor's Blog | Built using WordPress and Responsive Blogily theme by Superb