Cleveland State Shifts Funding For Athletic Scholarships

  • Thursday, February 11, 2016

Cleveland State Community College renewed its membership with the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) as a Division I participant. This means the college is eligible to provide the full range of athletic scholarships available – including scholarships beyond the cost of tuition.

Cleveland State President Dr. Bill Seymour has communicated a decision to begin a process of shifting the source of athletic scholarship funds. Currently, all athletic scholarships are funded from operational dollars. Operational funds are those that come from state allocations and student tuition and fees.  When athletics started nearly 50 years ago, more than 80% of the college’s budget was provided by the state. Now, state funding makes up only 40% of the college’s budget.

Dr. Seymour says the plan is to phase in a process of shifting funding for athletic scholarships to privately raised funds. Seymour stated, “Due to many changes that have occurred over the years, it is more difficult to justify using tax-payer dollars and student tuition dollars to fund athletic scholarships.”  Currently, Cleveland State operates four sports programs including Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Baseball and Softball and has a total of 75 athletes.

Part of the justification for making this change is the continuation of tighter and tighter annual budgets.  Over time, shifting funding for athletic scholarships to private donations will save $150,000 which can be reallocated to programs that support all students. Seymour says the college hopes to complete this transition over a two year period.

The other new factor that impacts this change is the implementation of Tennessee Promise. In addition to the shift in funding for athletic scholarships, the college intends to recruit more athletes who come to play sports for what equates to a full-tuition scholarship under Tennessee Promise. Dr. Seymour said, “The shift in funding to private sources and an increase in recruitment of Tennessee Promise students is a responsible way to ensure our continuing commitment to athletics and improve the health of our annual budget.” Dr. Seymour also indicated that savings on athletics will be part of an overall budgeting plan to provide funding for initiatives within the Cleveland State 2020 Community First Plan.

A recent article in the Tennessean reported that Volunteer State plans to discontinue all athletic scholarships. That article erroneously reported that Cleveland State was making the same change.  While Volunteer State and perhaps one other Tennessee community college have decided to eliminate scholarships, Dr. Seymour said, “My concern was always about saving money. I am pleased we have found a way to maintain scholarship opportunities while eliminating the cost from our operational budget.”

Cleveland State is intent on maintaining its sports programs that have been a staple at the college for decades. Recruitment of student athletes is currently in full swing with a number of students already committed to join the Cougars this coming year. The college will celebrate its annual Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Feb. 20, at the Cleveland Country Club.

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