quote:

Originally posted by ZOO:
I just wish folks were as passionate about supporting academics as they are about supporting athletics.....

Athletics helps to support the rest of the school

http://money.cnn.com/2004/03/18/news/companies/ncaa_profits/

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - The big winner of this year's NCAA men's basketball tournament will be the University of Louisville.

Forget the seedings, the scores, the wins and losses. In the measure that matters most -- to this Web site, anyway -- Louisville is already champion. It has the most profitable basketball program of all the teams in the tournament.

Louisville had revenue of $14.6 million, according to figures compiled by the Department of Education for the 2002-03 school year. That was more than $10 million better than the average of the other 64 schools invited to the Dance. The University of Arizona was No. 2, with revenue of $14.2 million.

In terms of profitability, Louisville outdistances the field by even more -- $11.2 million went to the bottom line. Again, Arizona was second, with a profit of $9.9 million. Income at both schools dwarfed the $2.3 million the average participating program earned.

How about U of L build themselves an arena if they need one, they wouldn't have to share and they would have a facility for both the men and womans programs and probably include volleyball and be able to support other indoor sporting activities.

That way the city, county and state take care of their elementary, middle and high schools where a lot of focus is needed right now.

my daughter took a french class, but the books were not llowed to leave the classroom. Homework had to be done from memory, there wasnt even enough money to run copies of the text to share with all the students. How can we possibly afford a new stadium when basic education is in the crapper?
Id almost bet that if someone micromanaged the money, there would be enough for a stadium AND some books!

Many of you are acting as if there's one big pot that all public money goes into. There is not. Gas tax revenues go toward roads and the Federal government often funds a major portion of interstate construction and bridges. Capital projects such as state government building and arenas are usually funded with state-backed bonds paid off with future taxes and/or revenues. And no, there is not enough money to do every thing if it is only ‘managed’ right. I'm surprised someone hasn't asked yet where all that lottery money is going to. Let's obfuscate the debate by questioning some other expenditure rather than discussing the merits of an arena.

if you look at all the kickbacks that paul patton got over the highways built by elmo greer in eastern ky, which just happens to be paul pattons home, that arent even needed because the population is so sparse out there, then you would know that ALL aspects of government need to be scrutinized. (that means looked at carefully twocats, you moron)