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WVSPORTS.COM Brown: Travel concerns not as daunting in football
- By Vernon
- Mountaineer Message Board
- 0 Replies
Brown: Travel concerns not as daunting in football
Spending the last decade as the eastern-most member in the Big 12 can present some issues for some sports.
WVSPORTS.COM Brown: Travel concerns not as daunting in football
- By Vernon
- The Blue Lot
- 0 Replies
Brown: Travel concerns not as daunting in football
Spending the last decade as the eastern-most member in the Big 12 can present some issues for some sports.
“There are only two options: Make progress or make excuses” ~ Tony Robins
- Mountaineer Message Board
- 46 Replies
you and several others are going to be cranky for a long time
At West Virginia, we run an efficient operation and do more with less than probably any other Power 4 school. We do not have an expense problem, we have a revenue problem, and identifying ways to increase revenue is going to become even more of a priority in the next year.
Many of you are already aware of the House vs. NCAA class action lawsuit with the proposed settlement allowing for upward of $22 million in revenue sharing to be provided to student-athletes. Finding and adding $22 million to our annual budget is not an easy exercise. My senior leadership team and I have spent months scenario-planning for what we need to do, what we can do and focusing on what we can control. Make no mistake, I support sharing revenue with our student-athletes, but we must do it in a fiscally responsible manner that lessens any impact on what we offer all of our student-athletes.
Among other aspects of the House vs. NCAA proposed settlement are back damage payments to former student-athletes and caps on roster sizes of teams with unlimited scholarships up to that number. We are deep into our planning with a goal of maintaining our current 18 varsity sports. What we have not yet finalized is the ongoing level of support we will be able to offer each program.
I know that the Mountaineers mean too much to the state of West Virginia, the University, the region and the local community for us not to be highly competitive and nationally relevant. We have work to do. Our current budget is among the bottom third of all Power 4 institutions and near the bottom of the Big 12. Collectively, we must find a way to do more in order to remain competitive and compete for championships.
We are incredibly grateful for the financial support our fans provide us through the Mountaineer Athletic Club, the Country Roads Trust, purchasing season tickets and our wonderful corporate partners. We value your generosity and we will continue to be good stewards of your investments in WVU Athletics.
One Final Thought…
West Virginia prides itself on the conviction that hard work, grit and determination lead to results. Despite the efforts our football coaches and student-athletes have put forth this season, the results of a tough early schedule are not what we all expected. No one is more disappointed than our coaches and student-athletes, and I have full confidence they are doing everything possible to turn this season around. Your fan support at Milan Puskar Stadium this season has been tremendous, and with five games left, including two at home, I encourage you to continue to support our football team. Our student-athletes need us! I am grateful for each and every one of you and honored to be a Mountaineer and your director of athletics.
Hail West Virginia!
Wren Baker
Vice President and Director of Athletics
#HailWV
I know WVU will likely be stuck with Brown for another season. The issue is whether or not he should and the objective answer is no. He never should have been extended the first time, much less TWICE, due to meager improvements from 5-7.
But you are right. It will be easier for you to get your bottom turned out and find pillow for your seat than for WVU to correct the huge mistake of extending Brown.