Boise State University is shifting millions of dollars into its athletics programs to protect a “truly global” brand, President David Hahn says.
The funding shift could also allow Boise State to ride through a turbulent time in college sports — where schools can now spend up to $21.6 million in “revenue sharing” payments to student athletes.
“The landscape has changed so rapidly,” Hahn said in the latest edition of The EdNews Show. “It’s an arms race.”
The State Board of Education is allowing Boise State to use reserves to cover up to $18 million in athletics deficits. Hahn hopes the short-term plan will buy Boise State some “stability,” as Congress considers an overhaul of college athletics.
Meanwhile, he’s hoping to preserve Boise State’s athletics brand — which introduces Boise State to prospective applicants and donors.
“Brands take decades and years to build, and they can be lost very quickly,” he said. “That brand has value far beyond the number of tickets we sell on a Saturday afternoon.”
Hahn discussed several other topics in the EdNews interview. Here are a couple of quick highlights:
Enrollment. Boise State’s fall student numbers are up, slightly. But with Idaho’s college-aged population likely to grow in future years — and with other states bracing for a population decrease — Boise State will face increased competition to recruit and retain in-state students. Boise State’s affordability and campus environment — and its athletics brand — are all potential selling points. “(We need to) be all we can be,” Hahn said.
The political climate. Hahn, hired on July 1, said he is encouraged by his early conversations with legislators. The relationship between Boise State and the Legislature has been contentious for several years — resulting in budget cuts driven by skepticism about the university’s social justice agenda. But Hahn said the university is poised to capitalize on growth in Idaho, and especially in the Treasure Valley.
“It’s our moment … and my job is to build the relationships, find that common ground. And it’s been going well.”
This edition of the EdNews Show — and all previous episodes — are available on YouTube, Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
