UW reduces Rose Bowl travel, spending

University officials are carrying out their commitment to reduce travel and expenses for the Rose Bowl this year, as detailed in a financial summary released Jan. 31.

Division of Intercollegiate Athletics officials expect that total spending will be less than they bring in from Rose Bowl proceeds and related income. Athletics spent about $1.5 million and expects revenues totaling $1.7 million.

“We’re pleased to announce today that our Rose Bowl expenses are clearly in line with our revenues, and that we’ve demonstrated the type of cost containment outlined last October in our five-year financial plan,” said Pat Richter, director of athletics.

“The university is carrying out its commitment to keep 2000 Rose Bowl spending in line with bowl revenues,” Chancellor David Ward agreed. “The Wisconsin athletics program has grown throughout the 1990s and this has been accomplished without being a burden on state taxpayers. In fact, it has been a point of pride for Wisconsin citizens and a boon to the state economy.”

A total of 714 people traveled to the bowl this year — none of them at taxpayer expense. Of that group, 591 will have their expenses covered by Rose Bowl proceeds and 123 will be covered by gift funds.

The summary will be presented Thursday, Feb. 10, to the Athletic Board. Among the details:

— Rose Bowl proceeds covered the costs of travel for players, coaches, key athletics department support staff, the band, its support staff, the spirit squad and an official university party. The athletic department received funding from the Rose Bowl specifically to cover the expense of travel, lodging and related expenses in conjunction with Wisconsin’s appearance in the Rose Bowl.

— UW–Madison students accounted for most of those who traveled this year. A total of 488 students — 112 players and 374 band members and spirit squad members — account for most of the 591 who traveled under the proceeds paid by the Rose Bowl.

— The official party totaled 51, compared to 97 last year. The official party consists of members of the UW System Board of Regents, university and system officials, members of the UW Athletic Board and authorized guests. University officials who paid their own way to the bowl are not included in this number.

— The athletics program made significant cuts in personnel and guests going to the Rose Bowl. The total was 153, compared to 246 last year.

— Spouses, guests or family of staff or officials who were authorized to travel to the Rose Bowl will be covered by private gift money or have paid their expenses themselves.

For the longer term, significant cost containment measures and specific revenue increases will enable the department to maintain successful academic, athletic and financial performance without assistance from student fees or additional support from the state.

The 2000 Rose Bowl win was the third by the Badgers in six years — and an unprecedented back-to-back title for a Big Ten School.