OUR VIEWS Consensus Opinion

For some time, the Tech community has been aware of the Athletic Association (AA)'s dire financial situation. The AA has been accruing debt to the tune of $3 million a year, and Director of Athletics Dan Radakovich has started to take steps to remedy the situation. Starting next year, season ticket holders will have to make a donation to the Tech Fund under the AA. Just as the flat fee increase was the better solution for the mandatory student athletic fee, this choice is better for season ticket holders than a flat ticket price increase would be, as the donation is tax-deductible.

While this decision may upset season ticket holders, it will be good for Tech in the long run as it helps keep the AA financially afloat. Currently, long-term donors keep prime season ticket seats without further donations, and it is difficult for the AA to get additional income through them. This way, the AA will have a constant source of annual income. At the same time, the AA should be careful to not alienate the alumni fan-base, as it may keep them from purchasing season tickets in the future. After all, there is a fine line between maintaining financial stability and keeping fans happy.

While the student fans may not be happy with their recent fee increase, at least this move will leave them feeling reassured that the students are not the only fans the AA is asking for money. The AA is sending a clear message that raising the student fee was not a quick fix but rather part of a larger, long-term solution.

Increasing costs for alumni and student fans is not the only solution the AA is investigating, however. They have brought up the possibility of finding a new sponsor for the Alexander Memorial Coliseum. Retaining the Coliseum's name as a tribute to the great coach of the 1920s to '40s is important. Still, the AA needs the money badly enough to seriously consider adding a new sponsor's name to the Coliseum.

If the AA could find such a sponsor, they would have to donate much more than the previous $5.5 million McDonalds donated over 10 years, because the AA is obviously desperate for money-Radakovich leases out his personal box, which is meant to be used to entertain possible donors, for most football games at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Such extreme measures may serve only to further worry an already wavering fan-base.

Tech's fan-base is often fickle, but instead of condemning the AA for its attempts to bring the budget back into the black, it should support them in their efforts. Perhaps this year's excellent recruiting class will give fans even more cause to support Tech athletics.