Press Box

Here’s a story for a class we had at the Kinnick Stadium press box this week.

IOWA CITY,IA-For those out there wondering whether or not their taxes are paying for all of the University of Iowa athletic renovations, they can rest in peace because in fact, the University does not draw funds from taxes or even state money. Everything is funded from donations and the revenue that the football program brings in annually. All sports but men’s basketball is exclusively funded by football.

“80 percent of the Paul W. Brechler Press box is tax deductable,” Associate Athletic Director Mark Jennings said. “We have over 130 indoor club seats and they are $5,000 per seat, per season, so that helps pay for things.”

The press box also contains 46 private suites that run from $45,000- $60,000 a year, which in turn creates no problem for athletics to fund all the renovations in years past. Just recently the McCord family donated $1 million to the football facilities.

“Athletics are pretty damn important to the University,” Sports Information Director Phil Haddy said, “What other way is better to get your name in the headlines then winning a BCS bowl game or going to the Final Four?”

The athletics department at the UI fully supports the University. Many of the renovations that have been taking place were much needed, such as Iowa is the only Big Ten School without a basketball practice facility, and the Fieldhouse swimming pool may have been one of the oldest in the nation.

A great University must have a great athletics program, with that they need great facilities. “We have a great staff, coaches, and players,” Jennings said, “But number one, we have the best fans. We take them into great consideration.”

Without fans, athletics can’t succeed; they bring in tons of revenue whether it is from tickets, memorabilia, concessions or parking. They fuel the process of renovations.
Haddy put athletics in to great context, “Much more important than just a game, Athletics are the front porch of the University of Iowa.”