| OPINION
| april 16, 2004
Editorial/Our View
Vote ‘yes’ on 04-01
Football will be great if it works,
if not, it won’t cost students
For the past few weeks, a continuous debate
has raged on whether the student body should support reviving the
university football program. We say yes, because of the potential
benefits if the attempt succeeds. And if it fails, students won’t
pay a penny.
The referendum asks students to approve a $2-per-credit-hour increase
in the athletic fee to fund the renewal of football and add women’s
soccer and golf. But this proposal is different in that the fee
increase will not go into effect until the start-up costs, approximated
at $2 million to $3 million, are donated by alumni and other supporters.
Student Congress President Josh Warren, one of the referendum’s
sponsors, said several alumni have told him they would contribute
more to the university if it had football and that this proposal
is their chance “to put their money where their mouth is.”
Further, if this effort to secure community funding does not succeed,
students will never have to pay, so they have nothing to lose at
this point.
The surrounding community would also benefit from the football program.
Games would bring visitors who need places to stay, places to eat
and other attractions to keep them entertained. A successful football
program may also attract new businesses to the area.
Opponents have argued that reviving football would divert money
from elsewhere on campus. However, both President James Spaniolo
and Athletic Director Pete Carlon have said money would not be diverted
from existing academic or athletic programs. The athletic department
has never taken money from the general university account, so no
programs would be negatively affected.
Many administrators here came to UTA when it didn’t have a
football program and will not abandon academics to support athletics.
Football would be an addition to the university’s diverse
programs, not detract from them.
Still, the university should move carefully to ensure that its long-term
focus does not change and that student support for the program can
be maintained. Otherwise, the program will meet the same fate it
met in 1986. Supporters have indicated that student support is likely,
often citing the fact that more than 5,000 students will be living
on campus in fall 2005. This is impressive, but only time will tell
whether games will fill the seats of Maverick Stadium.
Though there are uncertainties associated with this referendum,
reviving the football program could be the boost UTA needs to add
prestige and to gain revenue for more growth. For these and other
reasons, students should vote in favor of the referendum April 19
and 20.
CORRECTION
In this editorial, a statement should be clarified,
stating the athletic department has never taken money from designated
tuition.
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Editorial
round-up
The issue: Students will vote on the
referendum to revive the UTA football program, add women’s
soccer and golf, April 19-20.
We suggest: The proposal is a reasonable
one, and because of the potential benefits, students
should take a chance and vote “yes” on it.
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