Stanford has one of the most successful and largest DI athletics programs in the country. The school carries 35 varsity teams and produces more than its share of Olympians (like Kerri Walsh!).
But it has not been immune to the recent economic downturn. And with a forecasted $5million in lost revenues over the next three years, the stability that may have once existed in this successful department seems to be waning. But cutting teams and coaches has been described as a last resort. Let's hope this is the case but ideas floating around, such as charging for football parking, don't seem quite solid enough to assuage fears from minor sports that always seem to be first in line at the chopping block.
AD Bob Bowlsby says there are many cost-cutting and revenue-generating possibilities that he is not at liberty to discuss yet. It looks, though, like the department will take a first step soon; a step taken in other Stanford departments already: staff layoffs.
