Bollinger gives $3M to ailing department

By Raphael Goodstein and Hanna LoPatin

Daily Editors

Until the University finds another corporation to sign on in the spot that Nike left open, the athletic department stands to lose several million dollars in funds. While the prospect of a sponsor-less athletic department is unlikely, University President Lee Bollinger has expressed support for the ailing athletic department by transferring $3 million to it from the presidential gift fund.

Bollinger made his announcement Friday, the day after Nike announced that it would not renew its contract with the University.

"We are part of the one university community," Bollinger said in a written statement.

The money came from Bollinger's unrestricted gift fund, over which he has full rein. Bollinger said he transferred the funds to endorse the actions of the University and the athletic department.

"When people try to punish Michigan for acting with honor, we will stand behind those who are harmed," he said.

The athletic department was over-budget $2.8 million for the fiscal year 1999, and stands to lose more in the absence of a sponsor, but Bollinger said the size of the gift was not made with the debt in mind.

"The amount transferred does not reflect any particular estimated loss but instead is a sign of our support," he said.

Interim Athletic Director Bill Martin said he was pleased by the President's gesture.

"I thought is was a great act by Bollinger," he said.

Martin said he did not regret the actions the University took that led Nike's decision not to renew the contract.

"No one is going to determine our social conscience," he said.

While he appreciates the gift from Bollinger, Martin said he is not worried about finding another sponsor because Reebok, Adidas and Puma had all contacted the University within a day of its disassociation with Nike.

"We are part of the one university community," Bollinger said in a written statement.

The money came from Bollinger's unrestricted gift fund, over which he has full rein. Bollinger said he transferred the funds to endorse the actions of the University and the athletic department.

"When people try to punish Michigan for acting with honor, we will stand behind those who are harmed," he said.

The athletic department was over-budget $2.8 million for the fiscal year 1999, and stands to lose more in the absence of a sponsor, but Bollinger said the size of the gift was not made with the debt in mind.

"The amount transferred does not reflect any particular estimated loss but instead is a sign of our support," he said.

Interim Athletic Director Bill Martin said he was pleased by the President's gesture.

"I thought is was a great act by Bollinger," he said.

Martin said he did not regret the actions the University took that led Nike's decision not to renew the contract.

"No one is going to determine our social conscience," he said.

While he appreciates the gift from Bollinger, Martin said he is not worried about finding another sponsor because Reebok, Adidas and Puma had all contacted the University within a day of its disassociation with Nike.