While the exact implications of the struggling economy and budget deficit are still a virtual unknown, athletic director Dan Harris feels certain the athletic department will be affected.

“I don’t have any definitive information that has been distributed by the institution,” he said. “I think they’re still trying to resolve some current issues. All I can comment on is rumor and conjecture at this point.”

Cutbacks driven by frugality have dominated nearly the entire Baker landscape for the past several months, but it has been the university’s goal to minimize the changes that are visible to the student population.

“I’ve heard some of the faculty wants to make some cutbacks in sports,” junior Nick Peterson said. “I think that isn’t right considering how much money sports bring to the university.”

Harris said he doesn’t anticipate the changes in the sports budget to be too dramatic, however. 

“My gut feeling is that we’re going to have some freezes on budgets that do not include what we need to run the program,” he said. “We need to be cautious that we only freeze things that do not directly affect performance.”

This will likely include perks like new uniforms, gear and equipment. The basic expenditures – such as travel, officials and coaching salaries – are not expected to be modified in the coming year. 

Perhaps the most ironic aspect of the budget concerns as they relate to the athletic department is the timing of everything. Last fall – just as economic awareness became magnified – every Baker squad competed in postseason play, including two trips to the national tournament.

“It’s the most money we’ve ever spent for the postseason,” Harris said. “As an AD, that’s what you dream for. But it’s important to realize that with that success comes a cost.”

If the teams find the same success next year, alumni and fundraising most likely will be relied upon to help ease some of the financial constraints.

University President Pat Long said more details on the cutbacks in the sports department will be divulged following the upcoming meeting with the Baker University Board of Trustees.

“The final decisions will be made May 1,” Long said. “We’re going to have a budget workshop this week where we will give everyone their budgets. Everyone’s budget will have a little bit of a reduction in it.”

Harris said he hopes athletes will be understanding of the savings efforts.

“They have to realize this institution will find a way to fund their success,” he said.