Coach's salary hike funded by donors
Sept 14, 2008 10:47:41 GMT -5
Post by Raider Country on Sept 14, 2008 10:47:41 GMT -5
Coach's salary hike funded by donors
Whitney Wetsig
9/10/08
Retention doesn't apply just to students.
Basketball coach retention is a concern in the case of Coach Brad Brownell's raise to $365,000.
Brownell's raise is part of a new six-year contract announced on July 24. During his two years at Wright State, he's received several offers from top universities.
"He's a very talented coach and we wanted to keep him here," said President David Hopkins. "Offering him a competitive salary is one way to avoid another institution stealing him away from us."
Hopkins also said the university wouldn't have raised Brownell's salary to $365,000, an increase of $65,000, without donor funds.
Funds include $50,000 from donors and $15,000 from the university, said Dan Abrahamowicz, vice president of student affairs.
The university's part of the money comes from the general fund where all salaries are pulled, said Abrahamowicz. The general fund uses state money to pay for those salaries.
"Donors will fund as much as possible on an annual basis," said Bob Grant, athletic director, "My hope is that the entire amount of the "new" raise will be covered when I am done working with our donors who to this point seem enthusiastic about supporting this effort."
They foresee realizing that goal with the help of a new level of donation worth $7,500 called Coaches Corner, specifically created for the basketball coach's salary, said Grant.
"When Wright State made a brief NCAA tournament appearance in 2007, the university had national exposure. Alums called us swelling with pride and the university shined in a positive light," said Grant. "You can't put a price tag on that kind of exposure and publicity."
"Dayton Daily News didn't mention in their article where the money was coming from - donors," said Hopkins. "It makes us look like our priorities are out of whack and they are certainly not," he said.
This is a common practice; Hopkins said donors also support salaries and research of top faculty and professors.
A study done by USA Today last year put average salaries of college basketball coaches of teams outside the six power conferences in the 2006 NCAA tournament at $400,000.
The study also noted larger schools often pay coaches up to three times this figure.
Men's basketball ticket sales generated $224,984 in the 2006-2007 school year. Royalties, licensing, advertising and sponsorship brought in another $247,813.
Grant said athletics average $1 million in donations each year for the past 5 years.
Brownell, who will start his third season coaching at WSU this year, made $222,000 in his first year and was making $300,000 last season.
The university paid the initial $220,000 salary and donors covered the $80,000 increase.
"I was excited about the new offer and plan on being here a long while," said Brownell. "I'm happy here. I like Wright State and my team of players."
Brownell also recieves additional benefits including the use of an athletic department car and a membership to Country Club of the North.
The club membership is free as part of their community outreach program.
The athletic department cars are also loaned by area dealers in exchange for free advertising.
Wright State hired Brownell from North Carolina -Wilmington where his team boasted two NCAA tournament appearances.
Brownell's two seasons at WSU have led to a 44-20 record with one Horizon League Championship and one NCAA appearance.
The Wright State chapter of the American Association of University Professors will meet on Friday to discuss Brownell's recent salary.
media.www.theguardianonline.com/media/storage/paper373/news/2008/09/10/News/Coachs.Salary.Hike.Funded.By.Donors-3421980.shtml
Whitney Wetsig
9/10/08
Retention doesn't apply just to students.
Basketball coach retention is a concern in the case of Coach Brad Brownell's raise to $365,000.
Brownell's raise is part of a new six-year contract announced on July 24. During his two years at Wright State, he's received several offers from top universities.
"He's a very talented coach and we wanted to keep him here," said President David Hopkins. "Offering him a competitive salary is one way to avoid another institution stealing him away from us."
Hopkins also said the university wouldn't have raised Brownell's salary to $365,000, an increase of $65,000, without donor funds.
Funds include $50,000 from donors and $15,000 from the university, said Dan Abrahamowicz, vice president of student affairs.
The university's part of the money comes from the general fund where all salaries are pulled, said Abrahamowicz. The general fund uses state money to pay for those salaries.
"Donors will fund as much as possible on an annual basis," said Bob Grant, athletic director, "My hope is that the entire amount of the "new" raise will be covered when I am done working with our donors who to this point seem enthusiastic about supporting this effort."
They foresee realizing that goal with the help of a new level of donation worth $7,500 called Coaches Corner, specifically created for the basketball coach's salary, said Grant.
"When Wright State made a brief NCAA tournament appearance in 2007, the university had national exposure. Alums called us swelling with pride and the university shined in a positive light," said Grant. "You can't put a price tag on that kind of exposure and publicity."
"Dayton Daily News didn't mention in their article where the money was coming from - donors," said Hopkins. "It makes us look like our priorities are out of whack and they are certainly not," he said.
This is a common practice; Hopkins said donors also support salaries and research of top faculty and professors.
A study done by USA Today last year put average salaries of college basketball coaches of teams outside the six power conferences in the 2006 NCAA tournament at $400,000.
The study also noted larger schools often pay coaches up to three times this figure.
Men's basketball ticket sales generated $224,984 in the 2006-2007 school year. Royalties, licensing, advertising and sponsorship brought in another $247,813.
Grant said athletics average $1 million in donations each year for the past 5 years.
Brownell, who will start his third season coaching at WSU this year, made $222,000 in his first year and was making $300,000 last season.
The university paid the initial $220,000 salary and donors covered the $80,000 increase.
"I was excited about the new offer and plan on being here a long while," said Brownell. "I'm happy here. I like Wright State and my team of players."
Brownell also recieves additional benefits including the use of an athletic department car and a membership to Country Club of the North.
The club membership is free as part of their community outreach program.
The athletic department cars are also loaned by area dealers in exchange for free advertising.
Wright State hired Brownell from North Carolina -Wilmington where his team boasted two NCAA tournament appearances.
Brownell's two seasons at WSU have led to a 44-20 record with one Horizon League Championship and one NCAA appearance.
The Wright State chapter of the American Association of University Professors will meet on Friday to discuss Brownell's recent salary.
media.www.theguardianonline.com/media/storage/paper373/news/2008/09/10/News/Coachs.Salary.Hike.Funded.By.Donors-3421980.shtml
