TCU athletic director confident ‘highest priorities’ won’t be affected amid budget cuts
TCU is slashing its 2021 operating budget by 20% across all units, including athletics.
Athletic director Jeremiah Donati felt the decision was “appropriate” by university officials given the financial uncertainty colleges face amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are confident we can make these cuts without affecting areas that are our highest priority: the student-athlete experience, our fan experience and maintaining our incredible staff,” Donati said.
It’s unclear what sort of measures TCU will take to reduce costs, but there’s a number of options such as scheduling more regionally-based nonconference games.
UTA athletic director Jim Baker told the Star-Telegram that the Sun Belt Conference is exploring possibilities such as doubleheaders for baseball and softball to reduce travel expenses.
The Big 12 could consider something along those lines, too, but the league hasn’t had those discussions yet.
While TCU announced budget cuts on Thursday, it provided positive news on the football front with plans to return to campus this fall. That’s the first step necessary in terms of playing a football season in the fall.
Schools could not have student-athletes on campus and practicing if the rest of the student body couldn’t be on campus.
Donati and coach Gary Patterson have both said this week that they’re optimistic a football season will be played.
This story was originally published April 30, 2020 at 8:39 PM.
