If Texas men's AD Steve Patterson "gets his wish," the school will "secure enough endowments" to cover each of its 260.2 athletic scholarships, according to Mike Finger of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE. But it is not "even close" to that goal. Although UT's athletic department generates more revenue -- $165.7M last year -- than "any program in the country and contributes millions of dollars per year to the university, its endowments aren't as robust." According to the athletic department's fundraising arm, the Longhorn Foundation, UT's endowments are "valued at" $17M , with about $9M more in pledges. To endow "all of its athletic scholarships," UT estimates it needs almost $200M. Nationally, UT is "well behind Stanford," which with more than $450M has its "entire program endowed." UT also trails Texas A&M ($70M) and fellow Big 12 members West Virginia ($31M) and Oklahoma ($30M). Patterson said, "I don't think we should be third in the conference. I don't think we should be second in the state." Patterson has "made a push in recent months to steer donors in the direction of endowing scholarships." But the plea is "not directed for alumni light in the wallet," as UT's "minimum endowed gift is $25,000, and it costs $770,000 to fund one endowed scholarship." Longhorn Foundation Senior Associate AD/Development David Onion said, "Historically, we've not been focused on endowments. We've been focused on facilities. I think the University of Texas is one of the few schools that can do both." Patterson: "We need to find a way to make every sport self-sustaining. I like having the rowing coach worried only about rowing, and not worried about how much money they need from the football team" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 5/18).
STATING THEIR CASE: The AP's Aaron Beard reported a North Carolina union for public workers will "allow scholarship student-athletes at public universities to join as state employees." The State Employees Association of North Carolina's governing board voted Friday to "open the group's membership to athletes at the state's 17 public campuses." The North Carolina union's decision would "not require a team vote and is based on an individual athlete's choice on whether to join." To join, the athlete would pay the $9 monthly membership dues "paid by teachers, corrections officers, health care workers and others working for state agencies." SEANC BOG member Charles Johnson said the idea "is in its infancy." He added that the group is "only now developing specific ways to help athletes as it would other state workers" (AP, 5/19).
