Balancing the Books: The Financial Landscape of CMU Athletics
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — At Central Michigan University (CMU), athletics play a pivotal role in campus culture, supported by a substantial budget of over $20 million. This significant investment raises questions about its impact on student life and academic funding. As Sarina Lee Childers, a sophomore majoring in Sales and Marketing, observes, “I think anything that they're throwing 20 million worth into is a priority.” However, she also emphasizes the need to consider the broader context, “If you look at the bigger picture, it probably isn’t as huge compared to the money they spend for everything else like academics.”
According to CMU's 2024-25 Operating Budget, athletics operate as a subsidized auxiliary center, with general fund support totaling $20,133,554. This financial commitment underscores the university's dedication to its athletic programs. Childers understands this necessity, stating, “It makes a lot of sense that a lot of athletes come to Central on scholarships.” The budget reveals that 45 percent of the subsidy is allocated to debt service and scholarships, highlighting the investment in student-athletes.
Central’s scholarship budget stands at $7,034,688, with a total allocation of 232.36 awards. “It was an interesting fact to learn about,” Childers says, referring to how some sports allow for fractional scholarship awards while others are based on full awards. This scholarship funding plays a crucial role in attracting talent to the university.
The university generates a total revenue of $7,066,251 from ticket sales, fundraising, and other sources. Key income streams include ticket sales from popular sports like football and basketball. Childers points out the social importance of these events, noting, “Football is definitely a big portion of school events that students go to, whether it’s tailgating or going to the game.” This sentiment illustrates how athletics foster community engagement among students.
However, the budget report indicates that the athletics program at CMU operates at a loss. Total expenditures for athletics amount to approximately $27.2 million, while total revenue generated is around $7.1 million. Childers questions the value of such investment, saying, “I’m not sure if it’s 20 mil worth.” She adds humorously, “If part of that 20 mil is going to the pretzels they're selling at the football games, I’m a happy camper.”
The general fund subsidy has implications for student tuition as well. As the university allocates a significant portion of its budget to athletics, it may need to increase tuition rates to cover these costs. Childers believes that academics should take precedence in funding decisions. “Academics should be more prioritized than athletic funding for the majority,” she states.
Furthermore, the operating budget mentions funding for gender equity initiatives, reflecting CMU’s commitment to fairness in athletics. This focus aligns with student perspectives, as many advocate for equitable distribution of resources across all sports and academic programs. Childers talks about how it makes sense and there should be funding toward it, because it is a big part of what the school stands for, and it’s important to have gender equity in sports.
