Post by wrestlingpublicist on Sept 24, 2007 1:45:29 GMT -5
Oregon's current wrestling budget is $629,000, according to press reports. By contrast, most Division 1-A baseball budgets run in the neighborhood of $1.5 million, with the University of Texas topping out at $2.3 million annually--according to research I'm currently conducting.
Supposedly, the group that convinced Oregon to resurrect its baseball program cobbled together a consortium of donors who pledged to make up the deficit between expenses and gate receipts. Others, and I'm really curious to know how many, had been long-time donors who suspended their giving in protest of the decision to drop baseball in 1981. Some of these prodigal sons, supposedly, have promised to redirect their dollars back home.
That's why baseball, which has the potential to drown in a river of red ink, also has stoked the hopes of athletic department management to open up a new stream of Duck Athletic Fund members. Wrestling folks, I suppose, aren't as well known for their generosity.
Obviously, Oregon wrestling needs to find several large donors. We plebeians, however, need to pitch in and do our part. We need to attend home meets, organize a boosters club, and donate on a regular leval in amounts we can afford. Wrestling alumni aren't known for their wealth, but in 53 years the program has produced its share of doctors, lawyers, and business owners. Is there anyone who cannot afford $10 per month?
Such giving must be convenient. The Pay Pal site only accepts one-time donations. I'm told that such regular giving can be enhanced by certification of Save Oregon Wrestling as an IRS 501 (c) (3) fund, which Finley has already applied for--but which sometimes takes a while.
Five thousand donors at $10 each, by my mathematics, covers the annual wrestling budget. No, it doesn't solve the other problems (wrestling room, Title IX), but let's concentrate on one thing at a time.
The question is: If made painless from an administrative standpoint, would you sign up for regular monthly donations of a small amount from your checking account or credit card?
Supposedly, the group that convinced Oregon to resurrect its baseball program cobbled together a consortium of donors who pledged to make up the deficit between expenses and gate receipts. Others, and I'm really curious to know how many, had been long-time donors who suspended their giving in protest of the decision to drop baseball in 1981. Some of these prodigal sons, supposedly, have promised to redirect their dollars back home.
That's why baseball, which has the potential to drown in a river of red ink, also has stoked the hopes of athletic department management to open up a new stream of Duck Athletic Fund members. Wrestling folks, I suppose, aren't as well known for their generosity.
Obviously, Oregon wrestling needs to find several large donors. We plebeians, however, need to pitch in and do our part. We need to attend home meets, organize a boosters club, and donate on a regular leval in amounts we can afford. Wrestling alumni aren't known for their wealth, but in 53 years the program has produced its share of doctors, lawyers, and business owners. Is there anyone who cannot afford $10 per month?
Such giving must be convenient. The Pay Pal site only accepts one-time donations. I'm told that such regular giving can be enhanced by certification of Save Oregon Wrestling as an IRS 501 (c) (3) fund, which Finley has already applied for--but which sometimes takes a while.
Five thousand donors at $10 each, by my mathematics, covers the annual wrestling budget. No, it doesn't solve the other problems (wrestling room, Title IX), but let's concentrate on one thing at a time.
The question is: If made painless from an administrative standpoint, would you sign up for regular monthly donations of a small amount from your checking account or credit card?
