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Mizzou ranks among few universities profiting from athletics
Photo by Shane Epping
College sports across the country have been hit hard by the economic recession, leaving many programs in difficult financial situations. In fiscal year 2009 only 14 of the 120 schools in the Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly known as Division 1) turned profits from college athletics, down from 25 in the previous year, according to a new study.
The good news is that Mizzou is among the select few.
“These are tough financial times for all of us and particularly in higher education,” Athletic Director Mike Alden says. “We hope to be able to continue to do our part for all of us at Mizzou.”
The athletic department has made a concerted effort in recent years to curtail spending where possible and has planned to transition from receiving money from the university to becoming a fully self-sustaining unit.
The study, done by Dan Fulks at Transylvania University, suggests that next year’s numbers could be even worse. The athletic department at Mizzou is cognizant of the economic conditions but wants to continue forging ahead with universities such as Texas, Florida and Ohio State.
“We must remember this is a one-year result, and it will be tough to continue on this path,” Alden says. “But that’s our hope and what we’ll all continue to work hard to achieve.”
