July 12, 1978

OSU Scalps Its Own Football Tickets

Scalpers of the world, unite!

Ohio State University has developed the part-time art of hiking football tickets into a full-time science, and there is no room for penny-ante dealers.

These observations are brought on, of course, by the new OSU policy of selling two season tickets only to those first making a $500 "contribution" to its Buckeye Club.  There is a grandfather provision that exempts fans who have been continuous purchasers for the past 15 years, but ultimately the gig will prevail.

Well-heeled benefactors have been pleased to learn that the overcharge is tax deductible.

Anyone so emotionally deprived that he is willing to kick in a half grand over and above the going rate for a pair of tickets to a half-dozen football games ought to be allowed the privilege.

I rise in protest, however, when I am forced to subsidize another man's jollies through my federal income taxes and state educational taxes.

Hugh Hindman, OSU athletic director, says the blackmail is the only way he can meet this year's $8.1 million budget for varsity athletics.  "The glory days when our athletic program could be self supporting are over."

He points out that football and basketball - the only money makers - must also pay for 28 other sports, including golf and hockey.

The golf and hockey bring up big questions of value.  Links and rinks are extremely expensive- to build and maintain, and they benefit only a few.  They could be great for a richly endowed private school, but constitute a frill for a land-grant, tax-supported college.

Hindman complains of the escalating costs of a full-fledged athletic program.  "Most of the problems facing athletics today are those involving finance.  Spiraling costs, inflation, the Title IX provisions for women's sports are staggering."

Women's athletics in 1972 - before government intervention - cost OSU $45,000.  This year the total has reached $750,000 and is still climbing.

Hindman says the university will need $550,000 in addition to admissions to balance its budget.  He proudly admits that the Buckeye Club contributions have already passed the minimum goal and now is building up a surplus for next season.

Contributions to the club may be made in cash, securities, or corporate gifts, thank you, and the National Collegiate Athletic Association approves.  Club revenue is earmarked for "educational" purposes while the salaries of athletes - oops, I mean scholarships - come from admissions.  Presumably the grants-in-aid now can be hefted inasmuch as that portion of income which used to go for books, room, and board now will be replaced with tax-loophole funds.

The Buckeye Club is a last-ditch measure to preserve the illusion of amateur athletics.  College football and basketball are big business, in reality farm teams for professional sports.  College players now have lawyers and agents and are more interested in their performance on the field than in the class room.

And why not?  A few good runs down the gridiron or court mean a million dollars upon graduation.  A 4.0 academic average delights only Mom and Dad.

All of which says something about our culture.  Entertainers get rich overnight on small talents.  Searchers for basis truths of life struggle in dim niches.

We sympathize with Hindman's plight, and that of other big college athletic directors.  Annual budgets and gates of 8 million dollars are big time.  They are the foundation of a national athletic program the envy of all other nations except Russia.

The Soviets are a bit more straight forward.  National prestige is greatly enhanced by accomplished sports stars and, therefore, is a legitimate expense of the national treasury.

Tax-deductible foundations may hold back the clock for a little longer.  Soon, however, university regents will be faced with the necessity of following the lead of small colleges and falling back on - you'll pardon the expression - intramural sports.

Already, several prestigious colleges have abolished inter-collegiate sports.  No more super-jocks, pom-pom girls, half-time musical extravaganzas, nostalgic homecomings and bonfire rallies.

It is an era that is drawing to a close.  It is exciting and colorful, a vicarious outlet for competitive instincts.  One wonders what will replace it of equal value.  Sports can not exist as we know it on the generosity of a few dedicated, and rich, patrons.  Opera, maybe, but not sports.

As a former sports writer, I would like to see the world of sports as I knew it continue.  The big business, show business, win-at-all-costs sports - perpetuated with tax loop holes and high pressure salesmanship - is depressing.

Football and basketball has outgrown the halls of ivy.  Perhaps the time has come for the professional football and basketball clubs to set up farm systems like baseball and turn the colleges back to students and teachers.

Author: Lindsey Williams