By Kim Billings, Media Relations

UNH Director of Athletics Marty Scarano announced today a reorganization of UNH Athletics that not only addresses an immediate and significant budget deficit, but also outlines a critical fund-raising plan going forward over the next several years.

“This is a plan that recognizes the greatness we have already achieved and the belief that we will have the means to become even greater,” Scarano said. Additional comments by Scarano.

He added that while UNH Athletics has taken aggressive steps to reduce costs and make wise investments, financial problems persist.

“The reorganization I’m announcing today saves Athletics approximately $500,000,” Scarano said. “We need to begin to raise another $500,000 in individual gifts and corporate sponsorships starting tomorrow.

“Private and corporate support is critical to the future of UNH athletics,” he continued.

Scarano projected that Athletics could have a $5 million accumulated deficit within four years if it did not immediately restructure.

Immediate changes include increases in student athletic fees and the elimination or change in status of four varsity sports. Mid- and long-range plans include aggressive annual fund-raising efforts from beefing up individual gifts, to building a robust endowment for athletic operations and capital fund-raising to address facility needs.

“The future of Division I sports in the U.S. depends on private support,” Scarano said. “Our students and the general fund are carrying the operational burden of Athletics, and we need individual and corporate donors to step up.”

Immediate Impact
The reorganization Scarano announced this morning includes the elimination or change in status of four varsity sports: men’s and women’s tennis, men’s swimming and women’s crew. This will be effective in September, 2006. The elimination or possible change in status to club sports for these four varsity teams will save Athletics approximately $500,000 per year. Each of these sports has the option to become club sports, though the reclassification does not carry any scholarship support.

Scarano promised to help student athletes who wish to transfer to other schools.

In addition, the roster size of the men’s ski team will be reduced from 27 to 12.

According to Scarano, “Skiing is the state’s official sport and we at UNH support our ski programs.”

Other elements of the restructuring include the student athletic fee being capped at five percent annually for three years and the management and operation of the indoor pool will also be transferred from Athletics to Campus Recreation.

Reorganization puts UNH in Title IX compliance
For the first time in UNH’s history, the reorganization of intercollegiate athletics brings the institution into compliance with Title IX. Title IX is the 1972 federal legislation that mandates men and women have equal access to educational programs, including intercollegiate athletics.

“As difficult as today’s announcement is, I’m pretty proud of that,” Scarano said.

Scarano noted he has worked with his senior leadership team on the restructuring plan for more than a year. The plan has the support of President Ann Weaver Hart and the Executive Committee of the USNH Board of Trustees.

Input from both outside consultants and core values developed by the UNH Athletic Advisory Committee (AAC) informed the outcome of the Athletics’ review.

It involved the examination of the structure and viability of the current UNH intercollegiate athletic program, including the role of competitive sports across the spectrum; from varsity to club sports. For example, the average number of varsity sports in our conference is 20; prior to the reorganization, UNH had 24.

Scarano added that savings in the Athletics operating budget are completely separate from any capital funds that might be raised for any new or improved athletic facilities.

He estimates a new stadium and other athletic facilities will cost between $25-$35 million. Scarano said he is encouraged about conversations he has had with prospects, “but our financial needs go well beyond a gift for the physical plant – we need to be able to support upkeep and maintenance on a new field and facilities as well.”

If fund-raising goals are not met, Scarano warned he could announce more cuts in three years.

“If I could convert student athlete enthusiasm, commitment and success to dollars, I would not be standing here today,” he said. “We would be one of the wealthiest athletic departments in the country.”