Some notes from this afternoons meeting.
- first he stressed the importance of operating as one university
- provided update on Gateway project. They’re finalizing deal with construction manager and are wrapping up conceptual phase, will move to schematic phase next. We’ll know a lot more in the next 4-6 months. He stressed that the renovations will be multi-use with a key athletics component. Mid-fall is the target for accurate, visual details to be released. Construction will be done in phases. Won’t cost university anything. Athletics will take out a loan.
- next talked about financial structure. Talked about Ohio St, Arizona, Iowa, Mizzou, Washington athletic departments all borrowing millions from the host institution to offset losses from Covid. KU didn’t have to do that. We borrowed 1.2m last year which was lowest in Big 12. Said it was mostly for NCAA compliance costs
- said previously the structure for which athletics and endowment worked together wasn’t ideal but has been improved
- basketball and football ticket prices will increase this year. Noted coach Self fells great and is as energetic as he’s seen him since he started 2 years ago.
- talked about academics next. New non-COVID record for the department in the fall. Football, women’s tennis, and women’s golf set program records. Had 5 academic AA this fall. We hadn’t had a single one since 2018
- was asked about NIL. He said they spent first year making sure the right foundation was put in place. The last 6 months they’ve taken great steps in educating fans in engaging with NIL. He says KU is not a leader in dollars but is in robust support. There will be an NIL foundations class offered to students this fall
- was asked about conference realignment. Said Big 12 is the most stable and has the highest potential of any conference outside Big 10 and SEC. Said they are exploring expansion at this moment and Yormark is leading that
- first he stressed the importance of operating as one university
- provided update on Gateway project. They’re finalizing deal with construction manager and are wrapping up conceptual phase, will move to schematic phase next. We’ll know a lot more in the next 4-6 months. He stressed that the renovations will be multi-use with a key athletics component. Mid-fall is the target for accurate, visual details to be released. Construction will be done in phases. Won’t cost university anything. Athletics will take out a loan.
- next talked about financial structure. Talked about Ohio St, Arizona, Iowa, Mizzou, Washington athletic departments all borrowing millions from the host institution to offset losses from Covid. KU didn’t have to do that. We borrowed 1.2m last year which was lowest in Big 12. Said it was mostly for NCAA compliance costs
- said previously the structure for which athletics and endowment worked together wasn’t ideal but has been improved
- basketball and football ticket prices will increase this year. Noted coach Self fells great and is as energetic as he’s seen him since he started 2 years ago.
- talked about academics next. New non-COVID record for the department in the fall. Football, women’s tennis, and women’s golf set program records. Had 5 academic AA this fall. We hadn’t had a single one since 2018
- was asked about NIL. He said they spent first year making sure the right foundation was put in place. The last 6 months they’ve taken great steps in educating fans in engaging with NIL. He says KU is not a leader in dollars but is in robust support. There will be an NIL foundations class offered to students this fall
- was asked about conference realignment. Said Big 12 is the most stable and has the highest potential of any conference outside Big 10 and SEC. Said they are exploring expansion at this moment and Yormark is leading that
