A-10 cost ignites student fee debate
Lauryn Klingler
Issue date: 5/1/09 Section: News
While 14 percent of the student body consists of student-athletes who would directly benefit from the increase, Watson said he believes the university's athletic experience positively impacts the entire student body.
"We're competing at a high level, the students have not paid for tickets, they get great seats in the Reilly Center for men's and women's basketball," he said. "All of our sports are competitive and I think all of our students benefit from either competing or watching some good athletics."
Watson said the fee increase will allow the university to maintain its high quality and quantity of student participation in athletic events.
"I never want to have a student go into their pocket to pay for a ticket to get access to a basketball game," Watson said. "I think that's part of our history. You show your ID at the door and you come in and watch the games."
Although he understands not every student is involved or interested in student athletics, Watson said he recognizes the large number of students who are.
"I would be foolish to believe everyone is involved in athletics either as a student-athlete or a fan," Watson said. "But, a good number of our students are involved and support it in a lot of different ways."
Watson said the athletics department is serious about recognizing the passion of the student body and is doing everything in its power to support the students.
"We want to recognize the students for the support they're providing to the athletics programs," Watson said. "As a result, we're going to treat the SGA like one of our corporate sponsors … to fit the need of the students."
Maddeaux said because the fee hasn't increased since 2005, SGA's funding hasn't been able to adjust to changing scenarios.
"Our funding hasn't gone up with inflation, it hasn't really gone up with the number of students to serve," Maddeaux said. "So this will really bring our budget to the appropriate amount it should be for modern times."
"We're competing at a high level, the students have not paid for tickets, they get great seats in the Reilly Center for men's and women's basketball," he said. "All of our sports are competitive and I think all of our students benefit from either competing or watching some good athletics."
Watson said the fee increase will allow the university to maintain its high quality and quantity of student participation in athletic events.
"I never want to have a student go into their pocket to pay for a ticket to get access to a basketball game," Watson said. "I think that's part of our history. You show your ID at the door and you come in and watch the games."
Although he understands not every student is involved or interested in student athletics, Watson said he recognizes the large number of students who are.
"I would be foolish to believe everyone is involved in athletics either as a student-athlete or a fan," Watson said. "But, a good number of our students are involved and support it in a lot of different ways."
Watson said the athletics department is serious about recognizing the passion of the student body and is doing everything in its power to support the students.
"We want to recognize the students for the support they're providing to the athletics programs," Watson said. "As a result, we're going to treat the SGA like one of our corporate sponsors … to fit the need of the students."
Maddeaux said because the fee hasn't increased since 2005, SGA's funding hasn't been able to adjust to changing scenarios.
"Our funding hasn't gone up with inflation, it hasn't really gone up with the number of students to serve," Maddeaux said. "So this will really bring our budget to the appropriate amount it should be for modern times."
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