Ron Kantowski on Chancellor Jim Rogers’ latest letter on athletics at UNLV

Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2006 | 7:11 a.m.

You know it's going to be an interesting week when you arrive at the office Monday morning and find a memo with the words "From the Desk of Jim Rogers" on the letterhead in your "In" box.

But to the higher-ups who sit in the swivel chairs at UNLV, this is probably akin to showing up to work, only to find a film crew from "60 Minutes" camped out in the foyer.

It was three weeks to the day that Chancellor Rogers, one of the athletic program's chief benefactors, fired off a missive to the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents asking for an audit of the Rebels' athletic program to discover why it isn't more competitive in football and, to a lesser extent, basketball.

On Monday, it was "take another letter, Maria." This one was addressed to UNLV President David Ashley. It listed five talking points in regard to the future funding of the UNLV athletic program.

Rogers was succinct in getting to the crux of the matter. He believes UNLV should no longer depend on handouts from the state Legislature and non-UNLV sports monies raised by its own Thomas & Mack Center to fund its athletic programs. And that those programs become self-sufficient by raising an additional $5 million per year, minimum, over the next 10 years from boosters.

That's a lot of crux.

Rogers said he and his wife, Beverly, would write the first check for $50,000 - provided Ashley can entice 99 others to do the same.

"There's not a lot to add," Rogers said Monday, speaking of the memo, not the UNLV athletic coffers, where he believes there is a lot to add if UNLV is to become competitive again on a national level.

"I think it's time that somebody took some affirmative action - good, bad or indifferent. I'm just trying to get the pump primed."

This is how UNLV's most vocal plumber put it to Ashley in the memo. Rogers believes that:

1. The goal at UNLV should be total independence from state financial support other than tuition and fee waivers for student athletes. The amount already invested by the state in bricks and mortar, land and related assets should be an adequate investment by the state in supporting the value sports bring to the college and the community.

2. UNLV students should not be taxed for sports programs in the form of fees or other general charges. Student support should be limited to the amounts students pay for tickets to the games.

3. The programs, including all of the operating funds above those generated by ticket sales, should be financed by fans who attend the games. A great deal of capital investment should also be made by donors who support the various programs.

4. Any additional funding should also be supplied by major donors who love these sports and whose businesses are enhanced by the revenue that comes from being in a city that has major college sports programs.

5. The minor sports programs should be supported by revenue from the major sports programs.

Rogers went on to compare UNLV's relatively puny athletic budget of about $22 million to the massive $75 million-plus sports gold mines at places such as Notre Dame, Michigan, Texas, Ohio State and Southern Cal.

He added that while raising an additional $5 million per year will offset the annual $4.2 million stipend from the state, it really won't help UNLV level the playing field against the blue bloods of college sports. He believes it will take $10 million to $15 million in annual donor contributions over the next decade just to enable UNLV to line up against Michigan or Duke without Lee Corso or Dick Vitale snickering at the thought. In that case, Rogers would be willing to put up even more of his own money to prime the pump.

"I tried to be very positive," Rogers said of Monday's memo. "Maybe there are some wild ideas in there but I think it can be done. We just need to start thinking about raising a lot of money."

Ashley said he hadn't had time to digest Rogers' memo when asked to comment on it.

"The way I interpret it is that Jim Rogers has a great affinity for UNLV and would like its athletic teams to be successful," said the UNLV president, adding that it was clear that Rogers believes funding for sports should come from sources outside of Carson City.

But, Ashley said, "I'd like to explore what level of support typically is provided to (athletic) programs elsewhere."

At least the UNLV bean counters know - or should know - where to look for financial aid from the private sector. They need only follow the neon. Or head out to the putting green.

Based on what it costs for a round of golf at one of our emerald green country clubs, there are beaucoup bucks in this town, not nearly enough of which are earmarked as tax-deductible contributions to the UNLV athletic program.

At least that's the way it seems in Mister Rogers' neighborhood.

But it might take only half a beaucoup to start beating the pants off Wyoming and New Mexico.