In the eyes of some faculty members, UNC doesn’t need 28 varsity sports.
Outgoing athletic director Dick Baddour appeared Wednesday before a small group of faculty concerned with the University’s financial priority on athletic success.
“It has caused a diversion of important University resources,” said Dr. Lewis Margolis, an associate professor of maternal and child health during a Campus Y forum.
The event — which was intended to allow faculty members the chance to learn about Baddour’s administrative role — transformed into a discussion about how faculty feel they lack a voice in deciding the direction of University funds.
Several faculty members asked for a justification of financing 28 varsity sports when academic departments have experienced severe budget cuts and faculty have forgone pay raises.
Baddour was joined by Lissa Broome, law professor and faculty athletics representative, and Steve Reznick, psychology professor and chairman of the faculty athletics committee.
Several faculty argued that the University should de-emphasize athletics, particularly football, and return to the University’s intellectual core.
Baddour said UNC has increased financial emphasis on the football program because the revenue funds other sports.
“The University of North Carolina has decided that football is important, and it wants to excel, and it wants to do it right,” Baddour said.