The Univ. of South Carolina yesterday announced "voluntary 10 percent pay reductions" beginning July 1 for FY '20-21. In Birmingham, Mark Heim notes those "volunteering for the reduction include" football coach Will Muschamp, who earned $4.4M last year, men’s basketball coach Frank Martin and women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley. South Carolina AD Ray Tanner also is "taking the pay cut" (BIRMINGHAM NEWS, 5/20). Meanwhile, Eastern Michigan Univ. football coach Chris Creighton, men's basketball coach Rob Murphy and women's basketball coach Fred Castro will each "take 7% salary reductions." EMU AD Scott Wetherbee "already had taken" a 7% pay cut (DETROIT NEWS, 5/20).
CHIPPEWAS COULD BE IN TROUBLE: In Detroit, Evan Petzold reports Central Michigan football's status as an FBS program "could be in jeopardy after the removal of its men's track and field programs." The NCAA requires FBS athletic departments to field at least 16 programs across various sports, including six men's programs. Though CMU now has 16 total programs, it has "just five men's sports." CMU AD Michael Alford said, "There’s a plan that would allow us to work through a waiver period as we continue to research and return the department to full compliance" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 5/20).
HOCKEY TEAMS REDUCE FOOTPRINT: In North Dakota, Brad Elliott Schlossman notes college hockey teams already are "starting to call off nonconference road trips that require airplane flights because of anticipated budget crunches due to the coronavirus pandemic." College hockey conferences have "started creating alternative schedules in case the season does not start on time." The team in the "most unique spot is Arizona State," the only independent of 60 D-I men's college hockey teams. It "relies solely on nonconference airplane trips to fill out its schedule" (GRAND FORKS HERALD, 5/20).
