While cutting other areas and laying some staff off, Eastern Michigan University’s Board of Regents announced an increase in the Athletics budget for next year including its final update on the NCAA athletics certification program and statistics on team progress.
In a meeting yesterday the Board stated the department will experience an increase of $182,000 to last year’s amount of $1.4 million. A total of $10.1 million is allowed for expenditures, which are based on costs estimated this year. All numbers are reflected in the university budget.
Robert Murphy, the new men’s basketball coach, signed a five-year contract and will earn an annual salary of $210,000 plus an automobile stipend and TV appearance compensations. Former head Coach Charles Ramsey and assistant head coaches Derrick McDowell, Carl Thomas and Andrew Moore make up this year’s 12 athletic staff separations and retirements.
The NCAA athletics certification program was also discussed. The Board announced it has a total of 17 plans for improvement and 12 maintenance plans for five areas of focus. Academic integrity, one of the five, has no plans for improvement and no maintenance plans.
“Our students are doing the right thing,” Athletic Director Derrick L. Gragg said.
On April 29, the NCAA announced reports from the Athletics Department were to be submitted by May 13. On May 13, the final report posted on the EMU NCAA certification website. The Board said it heard back from the NCAA with some minor points it wants the university to address and that the Board is reviewing documents.
Gender issues the Board plans to tackle include building larger, updated locker rooms for the women’s gymnastics, soccer and track and field teams; however, construction will not begin immediately. Establishing a permanent Gender Equity Committee for equal clerical support, awards, etc. was also mentioned.
“We need to stay on top of it and figure out how we get these things done,” Regent Mike Morris said.
Gragg continued the meeting by bringing up the university’s team progress. EMU has won 19 Mid-American Conference (MAC) Championships during past five years. In total, 21 EMU coaches have been recognized as MAC Coaches of the Year (during 2010-2011: John Goodridge, Sue Parks and Sandy Wagner) and during the past academic year 30 athletes were named Student-Athletes of the Week.
“We have the most programs in the conference, so we need to stay consistent,” Gragg said. Concerning the football team’s progress he added: “We’re looking to do much better next year.”
He has asked all coaches to submit improvement plans including immediate team goals that can be reached in the upcoming year.
EMU’s football team has won a total of five MAC seasons (none since 1995). It is the only MAC team that has not played in a bowl game during past decade as well as the only MAC team that has never defeated a BCS opponent in football.
Gragg said he was very pleased with the Women’s Basketball team; to count, the team has broken 36 school records.
Before the meeting was adjourned he ended with more good news stating fundraising is up 172 percent from last year, amounting to over $663,000. It has experienced a growth of $584,000 over the past five years.
