Torchbearer: Spring 1998

Teamwork: Athletics Aids Academics

UT's athletic program is "sharing the wealth."

The men 's athletic department recently gave $1 million to the campus academic program to buy instructional equipment. The gift is the largest of several athletics has made to academics. It is over and above the department 's ongoing contributions, which for the 1996-97 fiscal year, amounted to approximately $6.5 million.

The UTK men 's athletic department receives no state funding.

President Joe Johnson says athletics ' support of academics is exemplary.

"UT sets the example across the nation of how academics and athletics can work together for the betterment of the institution. Historically, under the leadership of Athletic Director Doug Dickey, the men's athletic department has made significant gifts to the library, scholarships, and the Pride of the Southland Band.

"In this decade alone, individual athletic contributions have ranged from a $200,000 gift to the library endowment in 1990 to $700,000 for the band, library, and scholarships in 1996."

Another example of academic/athletic cooperation is the season football tickets made available for purchase by contributors to UT's academic programs. About 16,000 season tickets are offered to academic contributors. At most universities only donors to the athletic department receive ticket priority.

Dickey says the size of UT's facilities and the success of its teams give the university an edge.

"We sell more tickets than any other university in the nation. In 1999, we will play seven home games, which will provide an above average revenue stream."

"We are proud of our success. We are even happier when the athletic department's success allows us to assist other programs within the institution."

UTK Chancellor Bill Snyder says all of the campus academic colleges get money from the equipment fund. Specific projects include:

equipment for a computerized classroom in the College of Education

laboratory equipment for electrical and computer engineering

microscopes for departments in the College of Arts and Sciences

media center laboratory equipment in the Art and Architecture Building.

Return to Spring 1998 table of contents.





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