NIC ATHLETICS: Decision needs to based on data

At the June 7 NIC Board meeting Todd Banducci admitted he is the primary person pushing to change NIC’s athletic conference. As usual, he didn’t provide reasons. He did, however, stress that the change in conference needs to include increases in spending to cover more athletic scholarships, increases in coach salaries, increases in travel expenses, resources to assure athletes attain academic success and new facilities and equipment to meet training, practice and competition needs. This will be much more expensive than the current expenditure for NIC athletics.

What warrants such a huge portion of NIC’s strained budget? How will this solve the need for increased enrollment? How would it contribute to the success of all NIC students? How would it protect NIC’s accreditation? Community college athletics is much different than university athletics. It is not supported nearly as much by students, and it does not generate any meaningful revenue. Nationally recognized athletics, such as NIC wrestling, has not and will not solve NIC’s bigger problems.

Such a big decision should be based on pertinent data, including national and local surveys and studies. Trustee Banducci’s dreams of athletic glory are insufficient justification for wasting money that could be used for new programs and resources. More tutors and more advisers could monitor and support the success of all students. NIC’s ability to provide pertinent programs, quality education, and assured success will attract and serve many more students than competitive athletic programs ever could.

No more mistakes. Please.

GARY COFFMAN

Coeur d’Alene