Harry Minium
Later this week, I will write about why Old Dominion University President John R. Broderick made the absolute right call in shutting down our fall sports teams.
For months I have long believed that college athletics should not be played in the fall. If any of you follow me on Twitter you probably gathered that a long time ago.
It's just too big of a risk with a pandemic that has killed more than 160,000 Americans still on the rampage.
But with that decision made, a more immediate issue beckons for ODU – the financial outlook for the university's athletic program, which has been hurt by the coronavirus pandemic.
Athletic Director Wood Selig has projected a large athletic deficit because of revenue that will be lost as a result of the pandemic. In addition, ODU is looking at a $2 million to $3 million loss of football revenue.
Without additional money, ODU's ability to compete may be impaired.
In order to facilitate raising badly-needed revenue, the Old Dominion Athletic Foundation has begun a 2020-21 fundraising effort to help replace the millions of dollars ODU would have received from premium seating and football ticket sales. They call it the "We Will Reign On" campaign, and their immediate goal is to raise the $4.5 million they are obligated to provide for ODU athletic scholarships.
If they raise more, the money will go to help close ODU's budget deficit.
"We appreciate our fans who have already stepped up to support our student-athletes and their programs," said Senior Associate Athletic Director Jena Virga.
"We are so grateful for their loyalty, especially during these extremely challenging times for all of us."
ODU football season ticket holders are being contacted this week and asked to select one of three options: credit their ticket and seat membership payment toward the 2021 season, transfer their payment into a tax-deductible contribution to the Old Dominion Athletic Foundation or receive a refund.
Selig is encouraging ODU fans to turn their payments into donations, or at the very least, let their payments apply to next season.
"Our fans have been so generous and loyal to us through the years," he said. "But we need their help this year more than ever."
If you're an ODAF member, you will be awarded double Priority Points on all unrestricted cash gifts through Dec. 31. Those points decide where you park for football and basketball games and other perks, such as entry into the Big Blue Room and other hospitality experiences, as well as the right to purchase tickets to a football bowl game or the NCAA basketball tournaments.
This is a good year to quickly move up that ladder.
If ticket holders donate the value of their season tickets, they will qualify for this double point promotion.
ODU football coach Ricky Rahne has made great progress in his eight months on campus. ODU's recruiting so far has been exemplary. If things hold up, five of the top seven players ever recruited to
ODU will be on campus next season, according to the 247Sports recruiting service.
"I am extremely optimistic about the future of ODU football," Rahne said.
"From our recent extensive renovation of S.B. Ballard Stadium, to significant technological upgrades to the L.R. Hill Center, to increased relationships with high school coaches and players throughout the region, I am positive that there is no better time to be a Monarch."
S.B. Ballard Stadium underwent a $67.5 million renovation in 2018-2019 that provided new, more comfortable seating for more than 16,000 fans with modern amenities. It's a beautiful stadium that unlike old Foreman Field, is a true Football Bowl Subdivision facility.
By the 2021 fall season, Rahne will have added a ton of new recruits and I expect the Monarchs will be much, much improved.
That's why if you can afford to help, we need it, even though football isn't being played this fall.
Norfolk attorney Peter G. Decker III is an old family friend and an example of someone who could afford to help the athletic program and did.
He called me about a month ago and asked whether I thought the season would be played. I told him I didn't think so but added that we're in a difficult financial situation.
If you can make your regular donation, and pay for your suite, it would help us tremendously.
"I'm going to do it right now," he said.
Other ODU donors have stepped up in a major way as well. They know this is a crucial time for ODU's athletic program.
We realize that some of you are not able to help. You may have been laid off or your business may be hurting. If so, we wish you the very best. In the meantime, we hope that President Trump and Congress put partisan bickering aside and offer you some help through a COVID relief bill.
For those who can help, we truly need it, as do the ODU athletes.
Know that your dollars will go to a good cause, to pay for scholarships for athletes in 16 sports who work long hours in the classroom and on the athletic fields. ODU's athletes had their best cumulative grade-point-average ever last spring of 3.47.
We need your help to ensure these students and athletes have the best chance of succeeding when the games resume, be it in the spring or fall.
Contact Minium: hminium@odu.edu
MINIUM: In Part Because of the Pandemic, ODU Athletics Needs Donors and Fans to Step Up
