CULLOWHEE — The new leader of Western Carolina University said Monday he is committed to turning around the school's losing football program.
“I know that the football program has been struggling here in recent years,” he said. “I am fully committed to working as hard as I can to do whatever I can to help that program turn around.”
Belcher said a strong athletics program is important to keeping students “grounded” to WCU. He said studies have shown that students grounded in an institution mean better graduation rates.
He also said strong athletics attracts new students and means more private donations.
“We need to do what we can within the limited resources and within the strategic budgeting process of the university to support adequately our athletics programs so that they can compete in what is really a very good athletics conference,” he said.
WCU spent less money — $8.3 million — on its athletic programs than any other school in the league in 2009, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
Let's hope the new chancellor helps right the ship in Cullowhee.
Former ASU Chancellor Frank Borkowski, also a music major, made numerous comments about how important athletics are to a university and even took credit for starting USF's football program. He then proceeded to do everything but support the program and set it back 10 years. A lot of new chancellors say the right things when standing before certain groups, but the proof is in the pudding and it will be interesting to see what happens in Cullowhee.
perhaps he can play the organ at the baseball games.....as a music major i bet he has played with numerous organs in his time.
"Duty is the sublimest word in the English Language"
"Save in defense of my native State I hope to never again draw my sword"
Genl Robert E. Lee
Confederate States of America
