Trustees informed of IU promotions

The IU board of trustees met with representatives from the IU Varsity Club and IU Alumni Association to discuss new strategies and programs for promotion Friday on the IU-Purdue University at Indianapolis campus.\nAthletics Director Terry Clapacs and IU Varsity Club Director Scott Dolson spoke about some changes that are being made in the Varsity Club, which collects money for scholarships for student-athletes and improving athletic facilities.. \nClapacs said there is a constant need for improving facilities and purchasing new equipment. \n"Almost every sport needs something," Clapacs said. "As much as basketball brings in, football drives the budget."\nClapacs also said there is a need to change the stadium in order to give it "character."\nDolson said the Varsity Club has had difficulty managing funding during the athletic department's budget deficit since sports such as women's water polo, women's field hockey and women's rowing have been recent additions to IU's varsity sports. \nIn the last two years, 42 scholarships have been added to accommodate athletes. Because these sports are not common in Indiana high schools, almost all of the athletes are given out-of-state scholarships. \nDolson said the Varsity Club has been cutting operating expenses so they can "do more with less." In addition, they have adopted an aggressive strategy toward finding new donors and retaining current donors. \n"We've got to be ready for that next generation," Dolson said. "We're getting out there in a fevered pitch."\nThe trustees also heard from Ken Beckley, president of the IUAA, which will celebrate 150 years of service to the IU community next year. \nBeckley said the year-long celebration will begin Friday. There will be a gala event at the Westin Hotel in Indianapolis to celebrate the history of the IUAA. The gala is chaired by IUAA Board Member Sandy Obremsky. \nBeckley said he will contact the mayors of all the major cities in Indiana asking them to declare Aug. 2, 2004 "IUAA Day."\n-- Contact staff writer James Klaunig at jklaunig@indiana.edu.