Eastern Michigan University should not be listed in Division I football. Suggesting the solution, a 30-page report analysis on the history and current budget of the university is presented by the faculty union.
According to the faculty member, Howard Bunsis, he's skeptical whether EMU football will succeed in terms of financial and attendance. Bunsis prepared a presentation report along with the other members to the Board of Regents. The report stated that the school fails to raise money for the sports. The low attendance worsens the situation.
The Sporting News mentioned a data from USA Today on the university expense. It is said that the athletics department spent $33.9 million. It came from institutional support and students tuition.
On the quality of the coach and athletes on the field, EMU has qualified people in the team along with well-experienced and professional coaches. However, the team is in a battle that they can never win. Assessing the details, Division I football is not a low-cost sports. It is reported that students are in huge debts as they are required to pay $917 from their budget; just to supports the EMU athletics.
The Fox Sports described the report as fascinating given to the contrast between the public views of big-time college sports and the internal financial-draining problem. The report also said that university should not drown students with unnecessary debts such as athletics programs, which do not add value to the education sector. In the report, the idea to drop the sports is not supported by the school since it is one of the financial resources for the EMU. It could move the campus away from important values such as discipline and teamwork.
The discussion debuted in HBO Real Sports after the channel featured the Eastern athletics departments. Currently, EMU is in Football Bowl Subdivision. The report suggests that EMU should join Horizon League as it does not require football. Or, Eastern could play football in Division II or the non-scholarship option as in Division III.
In the attempt to spend less on sports budget, the report also explains the benefit of getting in Horizon League. EMU athletes can still compete in Olympic for Division I plus many other sports that are 'non-revenue'.
