The decision to add men’s soccer and women’s water polo as the 24th and 25th sports came in 1999, and Michigan — like a lot of schools — hasn’t promoted any to the varsity level since, as Martin instead focused on improving the facilities and the bottom line.
More than a decade later, the aging facilities have gotten a serious facelift and the department — Brandon officially took over the AD post a year ago next week — is running an annual surplus, projected at nearly $5 million for the 2011 fiscal year.
In the interim, Paul and others were busy building a foundation themselves, raising money — Paul landed his first six-figure donor for the lacrosse club program about five years ago — and raising standards. Especially in terms of recruiting, where Paul manages to land some Division I-caliber talent.
A long-awaited decision to elevate lacrosse to varsity status at the university — once a pipe dream — now seems certain, with the full support of athletic director David Brandon.
And although Brandon and Paul insist it’s too early to celebrate, with necessary financial commitments yet to be secured, an announcement could come next month.
Varsity lacrosse beginning in the spring of 2013?
“It’s exciting and I’m hopeful, but it’s not a done deal yet,” Brandon said. “We have to finish the task, and that is to get the resources we need to make it happen.”
Now the team plays in — and dominates — the 25-team Central Collegiate Lacrosse Association, winning 10 of the last 12 titles. And Michigan, with a cash budget of close to $600,000 these days, thanks in large part to Paul’s tireless fundraising push, has become the gold standard in the Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association, a collection of more than 200 “virtual varsity” teams in 10 conferences nationwide. Michigan, which boasts a 65-1 record since 2008, is the three-time defending MCLA champion.
Throw in the sponsor support of adidas — part of Michigan’s eight-year, $60 million apparel deal — as well as Warrior and Riddell (yes, winged helmets), and Paul’s team doesn’t just act like a Division I-caliber program, it looks the part, too.
Minus the scholarships, that is. Players pay $3,500 in annual dues to play for Michigan, rather than getting a discount on tuition, room and board, as they would with a partial scholarship as a varsity athlete.
“Varsity-level resources, because we’ve been able to fund those resources ourselves, is what has transformed our program,” Paul said. “We always said we were kind of like a varsity program. Now we really are one, with what we require of the guys and what they expect from us, too.”
From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20110325/OPINION03/103250339/Michigan-lacrosse-is-set-to-net-big-reward#ixzz1HcVXJok8
laxbuzz
