G05 What many seem to forget is that Miami is 1st and foremost an academic institution. YES it raises millions each year but the vast majority $$$ of it goes to supporting the University's academic & research side. That is standard operating procedure at most other institutions of higher learning. The University President is responsible for overlooking and budgeting for 80 plus departments, programs and interdisciplinary studies including the Athletic Dept.
Universities do not exist to support football & sports. Sports are considered extra-curricular. Most Universities provide the basics are far as facilities go. Things like the IPF are generally outside of the budget and require funding from outside sources. The football program, similar to most other programs, is responsible for raising its own money above and beyond its normal allocation from the University.
Not even the universities that are regarded as football factories DO NOT generally allocate huge sums/ or %'s to their sports department above and beyond its other departments and programs in the University. They get their extra $$ for additional facilities from alums and outside donors. Schools like Bama, UF, FSU, Clemson and OSU receive large blocks of State funding that dwarf the amounts Miami is able to generate, combined with what they receive from far larger alumni base. In addition, they have innumerable fans most of whom NEVER attended the University that donate to the athletic program. So they have a two-fold advantage. Freeloaders are a dime a dozen...fans go to games, and cotribute something however small to the Sports program. The Bama fans that never attended the University that do contribute are actual parts of the program. They have a vested interest in its success.
For Miami to compete on a long term sustainable basis without state funding, and without a large alumni base, Miami MUST ALSO be able to get $$$ from its fans & donors who never attended the University. Just like these larger Universities. Can't afford to give anything now, fine, it gets tight sometimes...but when someone tries to discourage others from giving, no real fan would ever do that. So when I hear someone say..Contribute $ to Miami? F@ck that!! They are basically saying F@ck the Miami Hurricanes.
