My sources...

[plydogg]

How many tennis events are televised? Not many. It be like football only showing playoff games. How many golf events are on tv? The hay day of tennis has past it might come back.

A lot are if you have cable and want to watch. I have no issues watching tennis on basic channels, or Challenger events are free to watch online. You’ve moved the goalposts though, as I just showed that US tennis viewership reached an all time high last year as did youth participation. So while you may not have interest in tennis anymore (as you have every right to) you are only one person and not the entire sample size

 

[AnnapSpider]

I have a theory- yeah I know, it’s like everyone has one.
The recent surge in pickleball by older adults may actually be beneficial to
tennis, and viewership of the net game.

 

[SpiderK]

Schools need their money - so they are saying come on back to campus - even if it means you stay in your dorm and take classes from your dorm room and not the classroom. They need that tuition and they need those room and board fees. Cause they know parents are not going to be happy about paying 50K a year in tuition and look down the hall in their own house and see their kid on the laptop listening to a lecture. They won't see the 50K value in that even if its Warren Buffett speaking on the other end.
So their only option - invite them back to campus, tell them you will keep them safe and just cross your fingers their is no outbreak and you don't have to send them home.
On a smaller scale - I just heard the Catholic Diocese of Richmond is having all elementary and catholic high schools in the area back to school full time, full capacity. Like nothing happened. Everyone knows that is not safe - but why do it - they need the money more than anyone. Once again - it comes down to money. Even in a pandemic.

$72,450 +++ now to take classes online in your dorm room at UR. Princeton is offering 10% off tuition for online classes. Harvard is offering no discount and will have no in-person classes.

 

[SFspidur]

Holy crap...Stanford, yes that Stanford, is cutting 11 sports at the end of next year. They have one of the largest athletic programs in the country with 36 sports, but it's become financially unsustainable for a school with an endowment of $27 billion.

Stanford will discontinue 11 of our varsity sports programs at the conclusion of the 2020-21 academic year: men’s and women’s fencing, field hockey, lightweight rowing, men’s rowing, co-ed and women’s sailing, squash, synchronized swimming, men’s volleyball and wrestling. All of these teams will have the opportunity to compete in their upcoming 2020-21 seasons, should the circumstances surrounding COVID-19 allow it, before they are discontinued at the varsity level. Regretfully, 20 of our support staff positions are being eliminated as part of this realignment.

This is heartbreaking news to share. These 11 programs consist of more than 240 incredible student-athletes and 22 dedicated coaches. They were built by more than 4,000 alumni whose contributions led to 20 national championships, 27 Olympic medals, and an untold number of academic and professional achievements.

https://news.stanford.edu/2020/07/08/athletics/

 

[Ferrum Spider]

Holy crap...Stanford, yes that Stanford, is cutting 11 sports at the end of next year. They have one of the largest athletic programs in the country with 36 sports, but it's become financially unsustainable for a school with an endowment of $27 billion.


https://news.stanford.edu/2020/07/08/athletics/

Thats....not good

 

[SpiderTrap]

It not "unsustainable" as they have shown they have sustained that many sports for many years. But what this pandemic has given them is a cover/excuse to cut sports they wish no longer to support. It gives them the ability to focus on sports where they think they can win championships, enhance their profile, and maybe make some money. Meanwhile - cutting that many sports also allows them to cut many scholarships and get more regular students who will pay tuition at either full rate or discounted rate because of need. Again - it comes down to money with these schools. They are a business just like any other.

That squash team and all their equipment must be weighing them down.

 

[I-M-UR]

A lot are if you have cable and want to watch. I have no issues watching tennis on basic channels, or Challenger events are free to watch online. You’ve moved the goalposts though, as I just showed that US tennis viewership reached an all time high last year as did youth participation. So while you may not have interest in tennis anymore (as you have every right to) you are only one person and not the entire sample size

An all time high for one event. That’s like saying the average attendance/viewership at college football games is the FBS championship game.

 

[SFspidur]

The reason it's unsustainable is the arms race that is college athletics, as the university's subsidy of athletics had grown to $12 million a year. Covid blew it up even more to where they're projecting $25 million shortfall in best-case scenario and a total of nearly $70 million over three years.

The sports they've cut were very successful nationally, as is the case with most of their sports.

 

[SpiderTrap]

Successful in areas no one cares about. You win the squash national title or rowing - no one even knows. The only two sports on the list I might have thought twice about was Men's Volleyball and Wrestling. Just with those being olympic sports and their women's volleyball team being one of the best in the country. But might be some title IX issues with those cuts as well. Make no mistake about - COVID is going to be used as a cover by schools to make cuts they wanted to make for years but you look really bad as a school when you have billions in endowment and the economy is at its high point and you cut sports. At least now - you have an excuse few will argue with, but even then - some will have some questions - but the news will take them elsewhere.

 

[97spiderfan]

It not "unsustainable" as they have shown they have sustained that many sports for many years. But what this pandemic has given them is a cover/excuse to cut sports they wish no longer to support. It gives them the ability to focus on sports where they think they can win championships, enhance their profile, and maybe make some money. Meanwhile - cutting that many sports also allows them to cut many scholarships and get more regular students who will pay tuition at either full rate or discounted rate because of need. Again - it comes down to money with these schools. They are a business just like any other.

That squash team and all their equipment must be weighing them down.

Yep. This is an excuse to cut some costs on sports that most people don't see as important. I'm sure their will be plenty of money when it comes to resign the football coach and his staff or to redesign the football locker room so every football players has his own hot tub and TV screen at his locker.

 

[ChoppinBroccoli]

It's like an opportunity for a Sports Bankruptcy.

COVID 19, Chapter 7, Title IX

 

[PhillySpider]

This is so very not good at levls far beyond college. Make no mistake - - - this (the whole struggle to survive for Olympic sports at the collegiate level- not just the Stanford decision) is a huge set-back to our competitiveness in the Olympic sports at the International level. College provides tremendous training grounds and development opportunities that are going away. These decisions and their impact will ripple through the Athletic community for many, many years. Colleges have no obligation to support our National teams, but they in essence did for many, many sports. Those sports will suffer in a much wider sense as a result of all the sports being dropped these days. No way the USOC or any spor'ts governing body can make up for all this lost financial support. As Stanford's press release said, Stanford alumni alone won 27 Olympic medals in the sports they are dropping. I fear the future likely holds fewer medals for the US in general. And yes, I understand that other countries will be hurt too, but our system with colleges footing the bill and providing competition etc, for so many sports is somewhat unique. Hopefully these fears are are overstated!!!

 

[MolivaManiac]

Stanford's move is going to provide a lot of cover for other schools considering something similar.

 

[ur2K]

Have to imagine the set up of colleges subsidizing athletic programs by leaning on student fees isn’t going to be a very sustainable model in a virtual learning world.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna1145171

 

[MolivaManiac]

Have to imagine the set up of colleges subsidizing athletic programs by leaning on student fees isn’t going to be a very sustainable model in a virtual learning world.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna1145171

Remarkable to see two state schools as the highest two subsidized (in gross dollars) in the entire country.... with a 3rd downtown not far behind.

 

[Ferrum Spider]

Remarkable to see two state schools as the highest two subsidized (in gross dollars) in the entire country.... with a 3rd downtown not far behind.

If VMI is charging their students the most in the country for D1 athletics for those teams perhaps they should listen what FRS is always saying and join the ODAC. Over 3k a year for that ?

 

[urfan1]

Successful in areas no one cares about. You win the squash national title or rowing - no one even knows. The only two sports on the list I might have thought twice about was Men's Volleyball and Wrestling. Just with those being olympic sports and their women's volleyball team being one of the best in the country. But might be some title IX issues with those cuts as well. Make no mistake about - COVID is going to be used as a cover by schools to make cuts they wanted to make for years but you look really bad as a school when you have billions in endowment and the economy is at its high point and you cut sports. At least now - you have an excuse few will argue with, but even then - some will have some questions - but the news will take them elsewhere.

It's sad to read your words, "no one cares about". Just at Richmond, ask the former, soccer, track, swimming, diving, wrestling teams. It doesn't matter what the sport is, it's important to the people involved. Most athletes learn from their sport, pride, discipline, strength of character, only to begin -- some one cares about all of the sports.

 

[spiderman]

I'm all for providing diverse opportunities in college athletics. I'll provide equipment, transportation, and even coaches. but scholarships on top for non-rev sports never made much sense to me. of course, anyone who played a non-rev sport will have a different view.

 

[SpiderTrap]

I am not saying I don't care about those sports - I am just saying that is the general sentiment. I still don't like the fact that men's soccer and track was cut in favor of lacrosse. I think UR could have sustained all those sports with the addition of a women's sport to balance title IX.
I think it will be a sad year for college sports as I expect this Stanford move to only be the beginning. I don't think less sports is the answer - but in the world of higher education - money has become even more important as a result of this pandemic and if a school can cut a few sports, cut expenses, and make more room for paying regular students - they won't hesitate to do it.

And if the football season doesn't happen this year - it will get really bad. You will see non-rev sports get cut left and right by A LOT of schools.

 

[SFspidur]

Dartmouth cuts men's and women's swimming, men's and women's golf, and men's lightweight rowing.

https://news.dartmouth.edu/news/2020/07/dartmouth-announces-changes-varsity-athletics-program

 

[urfan1]

I've said before, we should have about 4 men;s sports, (and due to Title IX) an equivalent number of women's (may be higher due to head count.) that we fund to the max and compete at the highest level possible; all other sports are given reasonable facilities, good coaching, good training and health care so that they can compete at a reasonable participatory level.

 

[AnnapSpider]

Holy crap...Stanford, yes that Stanford, is cutting 11 sports at the end of next year. They have one of the largest athletic programs in the country with 36 sports, but it's become financially unsustainable for a school with an endowment of $27 billion.


https://news.stanford.edu/2020/07/08/athletics/

Is their endowment locked? Something doesn’t seem right.

 

[Eight Legger]

Dartmouth cuts men's and women's swimming, men's and women's golf, and men's lightweight rowing.

https://news.dartmouth.edu/news/2020/07/dartmouth-announces-changes-varsity-athletics-program

Did bantamweight rowing survive though?

 

[SFspidur]

UMES suspends women's tennis indefinitely. They say they're going to take the next three years to assess needs and fundraise to see what it would take to bring back both women's tennis and men's tennis (which was dropped a couple of years ago).

https://easternshorehawks.com/news/2020/7/21/womens-tennis-program-suspended-indefinitely.aspx

 

[SpiderRick]

Eastern Shore Hawks tennis budget:

Couple cases of balls
A case of sunscreen
Duct tape
Coupons to the Nike outlet store

That otta do it....

 

[SFspidur]

Missed this one from last Friday, and it was even in our own conference. GW cutting seven sports...men's rowing, squash, tennis, and indoor track; women's squash and water polo; and coed sailing. There was a review underway before COVID, but as with everything else, it increased the seriousness of preexisting issues and the urgency.

https://gwsports.com/news/2020/7/31/general-university-efforts-streamline-gw-athletics.aspx

 

[Eight Legger]

Who was GW playing squash against??

Also, coed sailing sounds like something I wish I had known about when applying to colleges.

 

[SFspidur]

Squash isn’t an NCAA sport, but all of the Ivies offer it except for Brown that also just dropped it, as well as Fordham, Navy, UVA, Drexel, and then a bunch of elite D-III liberal arts colleges. Georgetown also just announced in January that it was upgrading its women’s squash program to varsity.

 

[MrTbone]

Squash isn’t an NCAA sport, but all of the Ivies offer it except for Brown that also just dropped it, as well as Fordham, Navy, UVA, Drexel, and then a bunch of elite D-III liberal arts colleges. Georgetown also just announced in January that it was upgrading its women’s squash program to varsity.

Two kids from my high school were nationally ranked in squash. Both went to Harvard.

I’m trying to figure out how to get my kids to play really good squash.

 

[CarolinaSpider]

I prefer squash grilled in olive oil or lightly fried in corn meal.

 

[Ferrum Spider]

Can we please stay on topic and keep this to its original hijacking turning it into a tennis thread? After rewatching every game this year, I’m almost done evaluating our basketball team as tennis players.

 

[SpiderRick]

Maybe we can interview the tennis team about their basketball skills!

 

[coach fezz]

wnba is horrible to watch

 

[Ferrum Spider]

Maybe we can interview the tennis team about their basketball skills!

I remember a time when the tennis program was poaching our basketball players. Mooney had to fight to keep Peter Thomas from defecting. /s

 

[SFspidur]

Returning to one of the other hijacking topics from earlier in this thread, UR is getting some new blood at the top of Spider Management. UR trustee and parent of two Spider alums Will McLean is taking over as president and CIO as of January 1.

He's been CIO of Northwestern's endowment for 18 years and was at Duke before that. He's also been on the Spider Management Board for the past two years, so he's very familiar with how our endowment operates and hopefully he'll bring some fresh ideas.

https://news.richmond.edu/releases/...t-announces-new-chief-investment-officer.html

 

[SFspidur]

Iowa cuts men's and women's swimming/diving, men's gymnastics, and men's tennis.

"With the Big Ten Conference’s postponement of fall competition on Aug. 11, University of Iowa Athletics now projects lost revenue of approximately $100 million and an overall deficit between $60-75 million this fiscal year. A loss of this magnitude will take years to overcome."

https://hawkeyesports.com/news/2020...sity-of-iowa-and-hawkeye-athletics-community/

 

[9Legs]

Returning to one of the other hijacking topics from earlier in this thread, UR is getting some new blood at the top of Spider Management. UR trustee and parent of two Spider alums Will McLean is taking over as president and CIO as of January 1.

He's been CIO of Northwestern's endowment for 18 years and was at Duke before that. He's also been on the Spider Management Board for the past two years, so he's very familiar with how our endowment operates and hopefully he'll bring some fresh ideas.

https://news.richmond.edu/releases/...t-announces-new-chief-investment-officer.html

What is the current endowment value guesstimate? It seems that it should be approaching $3 bil with the professional mgmt that is on board and with the gains over the past few years.

 

[Spiders05]

What is the current endowment value guesstimate? It seems that it should be approaching $3 bil with the professional mgmt that is on board and with the gains over the past few years.

Endowment was $2.5B as of 6/30/19.

From June '18 - June '19, we DRASTICALLY underperformed our peers and effectively finished flat (93 schools in the Top 100 endowments had better results than we did). S&P was up 8.25% during the period and we had a 0.25% return.

From June '19 - June '20, S&P returned 5.4%. Not accounting for new donations, if we matched that return, it would put us at $2.65B today.

Given that we just announced a changing of the guard, my guess is we underperformed during the June '19 - June '20 period. My guess is we're well shy of the $3B mark.

FWIW, in 2010, we had the 35th largest endowment. Today, we rank #41. Our old manager, Pulavarti took UCLA from #52 to #37 and took over at Emory in July '18 and in his first year there, managed to earn the best return of any of the Top 20 Endowments...

 

[KE Spider]

Endowment was $2.5B as of 6/30/19.

From June '18 - June '19, we DRASTICALLY underperformed our peers and effectively finished flat (93 schools in the Top 100 endowments had better results than we did). S&P was up 8.25% during the period and we had a 0.25% return.

From June '19 - June '20, S&P returned 5.4%. Not accounting for new donations, if we matched that return, it would put us at $2.65B today.

Given that we just announced a changing of the guard, my guess is we underperformed during the June '19 - June '20 period. My guess is we're well shy of the $3B mark.

FWIW, in 2010, we had the 35th largest endowment. Today, we rank #41. Our old manager, Pulavarti took UCLA from #52 to #37 and took over at Emory in July '18 and in his first year there, managed to earn the best return of any of the Top 20 Endowments...

You got a number for Pulavarti?

 

[SpiderTrap]

The endowment means nothing for college athletics. It is simply a measuring stick these large schools use to rank themselves against each other. It would be like of all us getting together and putting together a ranking of who had the best 401K balance. Sure - its nice to have. But you can't really use that money today or don't want to use it today because of the penalties you incur as well as it will drop you balance lower and therefore lower in the rankings.
I raised this question with a high ranking member of the athletic department years ago when UR was raising money for the Football stadium. Because what happened at the end is that it took UR some time to raise the money to get started and by that time - the price of the stadium increased. I asked this person - why did you just take a loan out of the endowment - lets say $20 million, build the stadium on day 1 and then fund raise with that money going back to repay the endowment, even with a very low interest if needed. Response - you don't touch the endowment, because as soon as money is taken out of it and the balance goes down, our ranking gets hurt.