GENERAL: Division II Programs Balance Cutting Costs, Health Of Student-Athletes And Competition

Grand Rapids Press sports writer Howie Beardsley developed an article that discusses several key issues of concern to coaches and athletic administrators around the country in these challenging economic times.

Budgets are being slashed and athletic programs are already bending over backward looking for ways to raise funding to meet the demands of high-level competition. Universities are taking some major steps toward cutting costs and bring budgets back under some form of control. Ferris recently announced that it would cease printing its traditional media guides and will instead work to drive fans and media to its Web site for that same information and more in a world that is becoming increasingly paperless (ask some in the newspaper business).

Beyond the budget issues, a growing number of people are of the belief that seasons are getting longer (mostly at the Division I levels where extra football games can generate, in some cases, millions of dollars) and taking a toll on student-athletes.

Here is an excerpt from the article:

"Division I seasons are getting longer and longer, including a 12th game during its football (regular) seasons," (Grand Valley State University Athletics Director Tim) Selgo said. "Division II is saying it's time to reduce for the betterment of our student-athletes and because of the economy. We want to make sure our programs are economically sustainable."

The proposal calls for Division II to begin its fall seasons, and consequently, the fall sports' preseason camps one week later. It also would back up all Division II fall playoffs. For football, the national championship game, which GVSU has won four times, would be held Dec. 19 this year in Florence, Ala., rather than Dec. 12.

"By pushing back fall sports, we'll save tens of thousands of dollars by not bringing our fall student-athletes in for a week when we aren't in school, and while having to feed and house them during their fall camps," said Ferris State athletic director Tom Kirinovic (pictured). "Multiple that by a few hundred Division II schools across the country, and that's a huge savings."

Ferris State University football coach Jeff Pierce said delaying his season by a week isn't a major issue.

"There's been a lot of changes the last few years with our football camps, including not having consecutive practice days in exchange for more meetings and film time, and we've all adjusted," Pierce said.

Check out Howie's article and learn how some of the proposals could impact a number of sports beyond football. In spite of the other sports involved, however, football will be one of the more controversial aspects of the proposals as it could push back the season one week (including the start of training camp which is a major cost for athletics departments).