College football fans across the state were sent into a frenzy last week after a Louisiana Regent suggested that the UL System should consider moving ULL, ULM and Louisiana Tech down from the FBS to the FCS. UL System president Rick Gallot says that comment was not a directive, but the system will have to consider all cost-cutting measures as it looks to correct athletics deficits.
“No successful business can ever function or operate by continuing to exceed revenue by a significant amount of expenses,” Gallot noted.
Gallot said universities around the country are experiencing the same budget concerns.
Each university’s athletics department is 10s of millions of dollars in the red. Gallot says the system commissioned a report from Deloitte to evaluate its athletics departments and develop a path to sustainability. He says that report is expected by the end of the year and will be used to inform his recommendation.
“Once we can get past the emotional and impassioned part of evaluating this, the data and the analysis is going to be critical in whatever decisions the system will ultimately have to make,” Gallot explained.
While Gallot wants to remain data-driven, that does not mean the UL System will be ignoring the opinions of its universities. He says the system plans to solicit input from each of their campus communities.
“We need everyone to feel like they’ve had a voice and the opportunity to be heard in making what could very well be some tough decisions,” Gallot said.
Gallot was not surprised by public backlash to the idea but says it is important to remember their primary mission is the education of students. He says that does not mean athletics and education cannot coexist.
