Contact: Larry Cox ,
(818) 677-2130
larry.cox@csun.edu

Valleyites Overwhelmingly Support New CSUN Multi-Purpose Stadium; CSUN Appeals for Financial Support of Sports Program

"Respondents favor the proposed stadium by a four-to-one margin," said pollster Arnold Steinberg. "Without any explanatory information, a substantial plurality favor the stadium - 36 percent to about 10 percent opposition. However, that support dramatically increases once residents understand the stadium could be financed by CSUN student fees and private donations - and not by local taxpayers."

Steinberg said the survey shows that about four in five respondents believe that athletic competition is important to CSUN students. Most respondents say they are sports fans and nearly one in five say they have attended a CSUN sports event.

"Now that the people of the Valley have spoken, CSUN has a strong endorsement to go forward," said Sam Jankovich, interim athletic director. "I personally want to thank all those who voted in favor of building the on-campus stadium for their moral and vocal support. But before we contemplate the next steps toward building the stadium, we need to address an even more pressing issue:

"We urgently need the financial support of the community if we are to continue offering intercollegiate athletics as part of the educational experience at CSUN. We need a great deal of money and we need it now."

Jankovich said CSUN needs about $9 million to sustain its Div. I intercollegiate athletics program in the 1999-2000 school year. That program includes 22 women's and men's sports. He said CSUN's athletic budget was only $6.8 million this past year, of which about one-third ($2.2 million) was funded by student fees, with an additional $2.7 million coming from the general fund. Outside funding, including game guarantees, sponsorships and donations accounted for about $1.1 million, while the budget included another $218,000 in one-time carry-over money from last year.

"But to compete in Div. I and the Big Sky, we need to invest in our athletic program," Jankovich said. "With the exception of our basketball gymnasium, most of our sports facilities are in dire need of repair or upgrading.

"We immediately need about $1.1 million to repair and upgrade our locker room facilities, weight training room football coaches' office and baseball diamond. That's separate and apart from the estimated $8.5 million it will take to build the new on-campus multi-purpose stadium," he continued.

"That means we need local businesses, sports enthusiasts and philanthropists to chip in more than $1.5 million each year. We need to start raising the money now for this season, and for the foreseeable future," he said.

Jankovich said he was encouraged because the survey revealed there's strong support of CSUN athletics in the San Fernando Valley. "Most said they were sports fans and about 86 percent said they thought it was important that the new facility would include state-of-the-art ergonomic design, lighting and sound technology to minimize disruption to neighbors.

"And, almost 88 percent thought it important that the facility would be used not only for CSUN football and soccer, but for high school football championships and community events such as the Easter sunrise and July 4 celebrations. In addition, about 79 percent thought the size of the stadium (8,500 seats), with improved facilities for teams, officials and the press, was important."

The survey was conducted March 13-18 by the independent firm of Steinberg & Associates of Calabasas. The poll also measured local residents' recognition and appreciation of CSUN and how they make decisions in choosing a college for themselves or their children.

Jankovich said the strong showing of CSUN women's and men's basketball teams this past season are proof that "our athletes have been competing brilliantly and courageously." The women's team took first place in the Big Sky Conference with a league mark of 13-3 and 21-8 overall record. Meanwhile, the men's basketball team finished third in the Big Sky with a 9-7 conference and 17-12 overall record.

"Our athletes have been doing well under tough circumstances - with substandard training facilities and budgets. And, our students and the university have been paying their share to support CSUN athletics. Now, we need the community to do its part and support our programs," he said.