The budget troubles in California over the past year have had a direct effect on the athletic programs of the University of California and California State University systems. Not only do athletic programs take a tremendous amount of effort by the students and administration, they also are very expensive. Just as professors at colleges in California have taken a reduction in pay, so have the athletic coaches and administrators. In order to keep things going, many coaches are spending their time putting together events to raise money to support their programs. All aspects of these athletics programs are being analyzed to ensure that money is being saved wherever possible so that things run efficiently. Earlier in the year, the Cal football team decided to bus down to Los Angeles to face U.C.L.A. in a game, instead of flying. This saved them roughly $30,000. The past fiscal year has been very difficult for the California colleges athletics programs and the next fiscal year, which begins in July, is expected to be worse.
In order to avoid giving the athletic staff pay cuts, they are forcing most to take scheduled days off so that the programs can stay running. This change has forced athletic program staff at California colleges to reduce their spending and cut expenses just like many other residents of the state. The poor economic conditions and lack of spending by many consumers has also resulted in low attendance at many athletic events. Therefore the revenue generated each game is far lower than expected which, compounded with budget cuts, makes it extremely tough to keep the athletic programs running. Many are hoping that the job market will improve in 2010 along with the housing market in California, which will help shift the economy so that people start to spend more money at these college sporting events.
Tags: california, california college, california college sports, California Colleges Athletic Programs, California Universities
