While the Ohio track and field team heads to the Hillsdale Relays this Thursday, they began the season already trailing their conference foes.
The Ohio track and field team's budget pales in comparison to other Mid-American Conference schools. Both the men and women receive the lowest funding in the conference, leading to numerous challenges that the team tries to offset.
It's challenging for a lot of sports here
coach Clay Calkins said. There is a direct correlation between recruiting and what you can offer the kids.
We do fundraising Calkins said. We don't do drastic fundraising but we do what we can through program sales
split the pot and the Green & White tailgate.
The men's team receives the lowest amount of money in the conference, both in dollars and in the percentage of the operating budget allocated to the sport. According to the U.S. Department of Education's Equity in Athletics Disclosure Web site, Ohio men received $37,765. That number includes indoor track, outdoor track and cross country funding. In contrast, Kent's men were allocated more than $100,000, while Akron and Miami each got more than $80,000. The men's team next closest to Ohio in funding, Eastern Michigan, receives more than $59,000.
Ohio women also significantly lag behind conference foes. Bobcat women receive $32,170, which is also the lowest in the MAC. Toledo is the second lowest in the conference, and their program receives more than $60,000. The top spenders on women's track are Kent State and Miami, both of which funnel more than $100,000 to their respective women's programs.
I think you have to compare apples to apples
Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt said. We are committed to sponsoring a broad-based athletic program. We have maintained our commitment to broad sponsorship.
However, both Miami and Buffalo spend a considerable amount more on track than Ohio, even though all three support the same number of sports. Buffalo allocates 7.48 percent, $149,574, of its total operating budget to track, and Miami allocates 7.40 percent, $184,365. Ohio gives 5.43 percent or $69,935. Eastern Michigan, who supports 19 teams, gives a comparable percentage of 5.69 to track.
There are six women's teams and three men's teams in the conference that receive more than Ohio's entire track budget combined.
In addition to funding, Ohio is one of only four MAC schools without the use of indoor facilities for the track team.
Not having an indoor facility is a really big disadvantage because of getting used to the tight turns and obviously weather
standout sprinter Dan Bailey said. When it is poor weather
we really don't have anywhere to practice. We try to practice in The Convocation Center
but than that just leads to more problems with injuries because we're running on concrete.
In the past five years, the men's outdoor champions have been: Eastern Michigan in both 2001 and 2002; Central Michigan in both 2003 and 2005; and Kent State in 2004. The women's champions have been: Ball State in 2001; Kent State in 2002 and 2005; Eastern Michigan in 2003; and Central Michigan in 2004. All of these teams have indoor facilities. The Ohio women last won an outdoor MAC championship in 1994. The Ohio men have not won a team title since 1947, according to the MAC Web site.
While Ohio's track budget is comparatively low, Bobcat athletics does sponsor 18 teams, which is tied with Miami and Buffalo for second most in the conference.
Last year's overall operating budget was set before Hocutt arrived. Next year's budget doesn't look promising for Ohio teams seeking more money, Hocutt said.
We're facing a significant decrease in our operational funds next year
he said. It's not likely that we will be in a position to increase our operational budget in any of our sports.
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