With current budget issues, the future of many programs at ETSU has been brought into question. Sports programs are no exception.
An informal poll of ETSU students reveals that most students are supportive of the programs and feel they are an asset to ETSU, but are not likely to attend the games.
Students who did attend games were more likely to support the Buccaneer football and basketball teams, and, on average, attended about 10 games per year. However, the majority of students polled did not attend any games at all.
“I attend because I am a big football and basketball fan,” said Lance Sells, a senior psychology major who attends about 15 games a year.
“I think school spirit and support of our athletes is important.”
Average attendance for 2002 home football games was approximately 6,000, while the highest attendance figure of just over 8,000 came when the Bucs played Appalachian State on Oct. 5.
The all-time attendance record for Memorial Center was set in November 1996, when 13,131 fans came to see the Bucs take on Marshall’s Thundering Herd.
Despite low attendance figures, most ETSU students are not ready to see the programs go.
“I think it would be detrimental to the school’s image to not have a complete and full program,” said Kellie Ross, a senior journalism major.
However, most students did admit that it would not affect them personally if the sports programs were cut.
Most of the students polled were unsure of where athletics funding currently comes from, but do not feel it is the students’ responsibility to keep sports programs afloat.
The proposed athletice fee was just a suggestion for a money-saving idea for the university. The fee would cost each ETSU student about $105. This idea was propsed at a recent TBR meeting.
Of the students surveyed, only one was in favor of the proposed fee. However, he felt the cost to each student should be smaller.
Others feel that students should not have to fund the programs. “I would not be in favor of it because some students are not interested in sports,” Sells said.
“However, students who want to contribute should be able to.”
Matt Smith, a junior majoring in social work, opposed any extra fees. “I do not play, so I would not want to pay a fee so someone else can get a free ride through college,” he said. “I can barely afford to get myself through.”
Sarah Bledsoe, a senior Spanish major, agreed with Smith. “I would feel like I was being punished and taken advantage of for someone else’s accounting mistakes –Nashville’s and ETSU’s. I would feel like protesting or chaining myself to Dr. Stanton’s desk.
“([Athletics funding) should come from alumni, the state of Tennessee, fund-raisers by the athletes, and businesses and individuals interested in building the infrastructure of the community,” she said.
While Sells feels budget woes have already had a negative impact on ETSU sports, he continues to support them. “I feel that we are behind somewhat due to lack of funding, but to be competitive as we are under those limited funds is impressive,” he said.

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