Congratulations to the women's basketball coach Tracy Roller on a successful season and contract extension. Tom Collins, director of Intercollegiate Athletics, made the right decision in keeping Roller, as she has built a strong foundation for the basketball program. Under Roller's guidance, there is little doubt that the women's team will take the next step in becoming a perennial Mid-Major force.
With that said, the amount of money coaches make per season is ridiculous. Roller, who is paid $181,000 per year, is the third highest Ball State University employee behind President Jo Ann Gora ($295,000) and Tom Kinghorn, vice president for Business Affairs and treasurer, ($198,000), according to the Star Press. Additionally, men's basketball coach Ronny Thompson and football coach Brady Hoke are in the same general tax bracket with Roller.
The notion that Ball State values athletics over academics is being sent to the community. This message isn't unique to Ball State either, which is evident through the actions of other schools and especially salaries for professional athletes. Obviously, the university is forced to pay coaches on a competitive basis within the Mid-American Conference. However, don't priorities seem a bit out of place when there is a substantial difference between professors' salaries and athletic coaches? Although Roller and other coaches deserve to be paid similar to their peers, are athletic coaches really worth that much money?
Athletics teach life lessons that are seldom learned through the traditional classroom. For example, sports teach and encourage life skills like teamwork, perseverance and integrity. Yet, these important lessons only reach the ears of the individual athletes. On the other hand, teachers do the same thing and more.
Professors clearly reach more people through class lectures, office hours and by writing textbooks. Teachers also develop and nurture life skills through varied forms of assessment while simultaneously educating students in a chosen field of study. Professors equip students with the necessary life tools to find a job and become successful after graduation.
Undoubtedly, at Division I schools coaches will be paid more on the basis of the revenue brought in through season ticket holders, merchandise sales and for the overall attention brought to the university. I can't recall the last time a professor filled an arena with thousands of people eagerly waiting to hear the lecture on business ethics. Nonetheless, educators of all levels impact the lives of more people, but are continually underappreciated.
Professors are the backbone and key to a respected academic institution. Essentially, Ball State is in the business of education, not professional sports. Substantial increases in salaries for professors would show the Ball State community a commitment to the foundation of the university. From an outsider's perspective, it seems like the school pays professors an average rate while additionally treating them below average.
This is not just a Ball State problem either. Rather, the large differences between athletes and the average worker on the whole scale are insane. For example, Alex Rodriguez makes $25 million per season playing for the New York Yankees to entertain people. The average salary for a police officer is between $34,000 and $56,000 per year to protect society. Though the officer has more responsibility and purpose, the entertainer receives more money because consumers are willing to pay.
In the end, the correlation between salaries and occupation is one inequity tolerated by many. Salaries dismally display the priorities of the people calling the shots. Action needs to be taken - well, only if it's not another Bolshevik Revolution.
Write to Travis at tjoneill@bsu.edu
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