Football could more than double UALR’s expenses for athletics
LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas at Little Rock could more than double its number of student-athletes and expenses for athletics by adding football, according to results released Tuesday of a football and marching band feasibility study.
The study was announced last summer as a joint venture conducted by Convention Sports & Leisure, Carr Sports Consulting LLC, Heery Sports and the Grant Group. The report stated the university’s preparedness for football was a significant element of the study.
According to the study, the university “makes a concerted effort to provide an array of student services but is challenged at times to meet the needs of its approximately 11,000 students, including student-athletes, due to resource constraints.”
The study indicates the addition of football, as well as 30 new female student-athletes to maintain Title IX compliance, would double the university’s number of student-athletes, which would require “proportionate growth in university and athletics support services.
“University administration has acknowledged that student services, such as dining services, the student center, and academic services are not currently equipped to accommodate a substantial infusion of new students,” the report said.
Little Rock’s expenses would increase from approximately $11 million during the 2017-18 fiscal year to $18.8 million for a program in the Football Championship Subdivision or $23.4 million in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
“Likewise, football-driven revenues are expected to increase as well, but they would not fully offset anticipated expenses,” the report said.
“The difference between UA Little Rock’s current athletics budget and the median institution’s FCS or FBS football budget accentuates the challenge of UA Little Rock’s considerations for football. In advance of a decision to sponsor football, the university should develop a sustainable funding model that identifies all revenue sources, especially allocated revenues and any philanthropic support needed to cover start-up and ongoing costs.”
The university announced plans to form a committee to interpret the results. The committee is expected to involve representatives from the university’s faculty and staff, Board of Visitors, Trojan Advisory Council, Little Rock mayor’s office and Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism.
“I appreciate the work that has been done to understand the possibilities with regard to football and a marching band at UA Little Rock,” said Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola. “I look forward to reading the information gleaned from this substantive investigation to determine next steps.”
“We are eager to look over the findings and see what the next steps in the process will be,” said Director of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism Kane Webb. “It’s always good to have an objective analysis.”
Results of the study show the addition of football would require “extensive new facilities, including space for practice, football operations, and support services.”
“The introduction of football, along with the addition of at least two more women’s sports to maintain compliance with Title IX, would further expand UA Little Rock’s student-athlete population and place additional strain on existing
facilities,” the report said.
The school last had a football program in 1955 when it was Little Rock Junior College. The program won a national title in 1949 with a 9-0 season.
The purpose of the study was to evaluate whether a football program and marching band would be a fiscal and meaningful addition to the university and the central Arkansas community.
This week’s report said sponsoring a marching band with corresponding auxiliary groups, such as a drum and bugle corps, color guard and majorettes, “requires significant institutional commitment in key areas such as academics and a sufficient allocation of resources, including dedicated, recurring funding, leadership, and facilities. Expense projections include $500,000 in start-up costs and approximately $200,000-$300,000 in annual operations.”
Convention Sports & Lei- sure, has conducted interviews and consultations during the past nine months to conduct the study.
“CSL has completed their comprehensive analysis of the feasibility of a UA Little Rock football program,” said Chancellor Andrew Rogerson. “The study data will enable stakeholders and the university to generate a collaborative data-based decision.”
The Plano, Texas, company, was paid $125,000 for the study. The university, with private funds, contributed $53,500; the city of Little Rock paid $41,500; and the state Department of Parks and Tourism paid $30,000.
The same company also con- ducted a separate $160,000 study in March on the future of War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, reporting about $17 million worth of maintenance and improvements were needed. It specifically cited 34 improvements, with “critical changes” needed within three years and “noncritical” changes within five years.
Direct management of stateowned War Memorial Stadium was transferred to the state Department of Parks and Tourism under legislation approved by lawmakers and signed into law by Gov. Asa Hutchinson in 2017.
According to the university, no timetable has been set for a final decision on whether to add football or a marching band.