By Michael Kennedy
In light of the impending budget crunch the University of Louisville finds itself in, it found some relief from an unlikely source – athletics.
During athletic department budget preparations on Feb. 5, Tom Jurich, U of L Athletic Director, requested that $250,000 be allocated to U of L’s general fund. This money will be transferred on July 1, at the start of the new fiscal year.
“We’re all the same people. It’s not athletics and the university – we’re part of the university,” Kevin Miller, Senior Associate Athletic Director, said.
However, not all students were as enthusiastic about the donation. Some wondered about this donation in light of the compulsory $50 athletics fee all students must pay.
“It’s nice that they’re giving back, but there’s a reason that we’re paying the $50 in the first place – for [athletics],” said Henry Barragan, a freshman business administration major.
A source close to the university explained that a larger-than-anticipated freshman class has left athletics with additional revenue from the student athletic fee they had not anticipated, which could explain why they’ve given some back to the university.
Though, according to Miller, athletics has implemented the same cuts, and they are under the same hiring freeze as the rest of the university, except to replace coaches. Miller said that athletics would try to continue assisting the university annually as long as it needs it.
The expansion of Papa John’s Cardinal stadium will continue as planned because its funding is tied to donations, and not state allocations said Miller.
