Task Force Hears Land Development Proposal

As it begins the transition from the information-gathering phase to the solutions and recommendations phase, the Cal State Northridge Task Force on Intercollegiate Athletics heard several fund-raising suggestions Monday night from the university’s vice president of administration and finance.

Dr. Art Elbert identified a plan to develop three parcels of campus land, revenues from which could be used to upgrade the university’s athletic programs and facilities.

“The investments on that land and return on those investments could be applied to the problem of athletics facilities,” Elbert said.

Elbert noted that one parcel is reserved for the school’s bio-technical programs, such as engineering, science and math.

Another parcel has been designated for entertainment industry tenants, Eldbert said.

“The third parcel is reserved for athletic facilities--a football field, a multi-purpose facility or whatever the final determination is,” he said. “It’s pretty clear that the relationship between high-quality teams and a winning program is facilities.”

Elbert also noted that, by raising the $62 fee students currently pay annually for athletics by approximately $50 next year, $1.5 million could be generated for the athletic department.

Elbert estimated that a 15,000-seat stadium would cost approximately $1,000 per seat, or $15 million.

Members of the Northridge Student Athletic Council were also given an opportunity to share their feelings with the task-force committee. Council President Chad Strickland, who is a member of the CSUN men’s volleyball team that is on the budget chopping block, claimed that the university’s athletes view themselves as a single unit, not separate entities. “It’s obvious this doesn’t just affect the four sports [which have been scheduled to be eliminated]. It affects everybody,” Strickland said.