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Joined: 12/16/2001
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This is tricky, tricky topic and don't think we are a Top 20 spending

baseball program on a regular basis. The year you are citing involved significant improvements to the suite areas and conversion of areas for offices and the ability for the players to eat together and also the start of the pitching lab development, as well as some other one time expenses. While I realize it says no debt payments/CAPEX stuff is included, I think those numbers are not coincidental and somehow we aren't including those as debt/CAPEX (there is a baseball support group that is similar to the football and basketball groups). All of those were privately funded by baseball supporters (completely funded). The previous year we spent $3.7M in expenses (and that was the 2022 championship year). We didn't increase our baseball budget by $2M that is for sure (not even remotely close). There are not any inherent differences in baseball and softball relative to travel advantages, quality of hotels when on the road, per diem, etc. Baseball doesn't charter flights on road trips and buses even to places like ND (like softball does), GT, etc. Think they will only fly to BC, Miami, and at times FSU. Relative to the sports peer groups (ACC), there is not any real inherent salary differences within the staffs. That is what is tricky about trying to compare the different sports within one institution. Baseball is much more expensive and it isn't a situation where you just move more money over (I know you realize that--just stating for others reading). Gameday operations alone is much more expensive as baseball plays like 32 home games to 16 or 17 for softball and has a larger operations staff. We are probably middle of the road in ACC salary expenditures. While the baseball salaries are higher than softball, they aren't relative to other baseball coaches salaries. Pete is probably closer to the top of ACC softball salaries than Szefc is (when considering all compensation). The main difference is the facility/its upkeep/improvements/enhancements. I do advocate for a new softball facility. But as far as operations dollars, we aren't spending at a clip (regularly as a Top 20 program). As far as the two programs go, softball has a better pedigree. While Scot tailed off at the end of his time here, he had still been to 8 tournament appearances (all since 2005) including a WCWS appearance but softball wasn't at the same spot as baseball when Szefc took over. When Szefc took over our climb to baseball competitiveness (don't think that is a word LOL) was much much steeper than the climb when Pete took over. Unfortunately, while I liked Pat Mason a lot on a personal level, we just weren't remotely competitive in the league. And ACC baseball is a much much deeper league in baseball than softball (and not a situation where one or two players can change the trajectory). I only post this to say that these spending numbers are not necessarily all that they appear to be. It will take several years to determine what we truly spend on any sport. But when there is a large jump from one year to the next, it usually indicates some one time expenses not normally associated with a regular operating budget.
Posted: 08/17/2024 at 03:10 PM ET
(In response to this post by VTChip)

Thread Replies (31)

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A recent report shows VT is #19 in baseball spending
VTChip 08/16/24 07:55 AM ET
Well, Whit is a baseball guy, from his time at JMU.
saret 08/16/24 09:01 AM ET
Since he's a baseball guy, why isn't he demanding better ...
Atlee Hokie 08/16/24 09:16 AM ET
That’s the question!!!**
Slider!22 08/19/24 12:09 PM ET
Excellent question!
Hockeydad 08/16/24 12:12 PM ET
His preferences don't include that dynamic. **
saret 08/16/24 09:17 AM ET
Seems VT isn't quite getting its money's worth then.**
Atlee Hokie 08/16/24 08:25 AM ET
Didn't we host a super regional in 2022?**
EvDogHokie 08/16/24 03:16 PM ET
Yes we did, but the previous NCAA BID was back in 2013
VTChip 08/17/24 09:35 AM ET
This is tricky, tricky topic and don't think we are a Top 20 spending
VTScoop 08/17/24 03:10 PM ET
To this layman, it definitely is not.
Atlee Hokie 08/17/24 12:43 PM ET
We did win the 2022 regular season. There is another post I just posted to
VTScoop 08/17/24 03:11 PM ET
Of course, some of those expenditures are offset by ticket sales.
saret 08/17/24 10:06 AM ET
:-). Yes baseball brings in a decent amount of revenue. Four suites and
VTScoop 08/17/24 03:22 PM ET
I don't think they bring in anything close to $1.5M
HokieBoy 08/25/24 10:02 PM ET
Yes, my post was not about profitability at all. Baseball is not a profit
VTScoop 08/26/24 09:09 AM ET
Thanks for the info!
HokieBoy 08/26/24 12:37 PM ET
What is NC State doing to dwarf everybody else? Also have a question on CR
Stech 08/26/24 09:28 AM ET
I don’t believe so either.
RJHokie 08/25/24 10:08 PM ET
Thanks for making the arguments for @VTChip, myself and others
saret 08/17/24 06:02 PM ET
Well, baseball does sell tickets but only to ACC games.
RJHokie 08/17/24 12:53 PM ET
I agree. @2hhoop3 talks about maximizing revenue opportunities
saret 08/17/24 01:17 PM ET
My point is and always has been.......
2hhoop3 08/17/24 01:34 PM ET
BINGO!**
NokieHokie 08/17/24 01:46 PM ET
If the new CFO is a “yes” man, you won’t see any changes.**
RJHokie 08/17/24 01:31 PM ET
Yeah, we all said that. i haven't seen anything to ascertain if he's
saret 08/17/24 01:42 PM ET
Haven’t heard anything.
RJHokie 08/17/24 01:53 PM ET
Yeah, NSA does more outreach than our AthDept.**
saret 08/17/24 02:13 PM ET
But there is really no such agency...**
astrohokiebob 08/18/24 07:09 AM ET
Good one!**
saret 08/18/24 09:54 AM ET
I didn't work there I should know.**
astrohokiebob 08/18/24 12:56 PM ET
LOL nice! :)**
NokieHokie 08/17/24 02:37 PM ET