Fresno State announced in a statement on Friday that the Athletic Corporation is furloughing about 55 auxiliary employees for two weeks due to losses in revenue.
“As a result of the significant financial impacts of COVID-19 and the University’s transition to virtual instruction this spring, the Athletic Corporation had to make a difficult decision to furlough approximately 55 auxiliary employees for two weeks,” the university said in a statement.
The furloughs include numerous employees in athletic training, communications, compliance, ticketing, academic support, equipment and strength and conditioning.
This was the second time the Fresno State athletic department has furloughed employees as the Fresno State athletic department furloughed 60 part-time employees for two months in late May.
It’s still unclear if college sports will come back in the fall. In a previous interview with The Collegian, Fresno State President Dr. Joseph I. Castro said he’s hopeful, but it depends on the spread of COVID-19.
“I’m still hopeful that we’ll be able to compete in the fall. It will depend on the situation with COVID. It will also depend on what Governor [Gavin] Newsom’s guidance is in this area,” Castro said. “And we’ve been in consultation with the Mountain West Conference about the plans there. I believe the Mountain West will compete this fall in athletics.”
Regarding employees in the athletic department, Castro also noted that more employees may be furloughed if competition doesn’t restart in the fall.
According to the Fresno Bee, athletics director Terry Tumey has volunteered to take a 25% cut in the portion of his salary paid by the Athletic Corporation. A source within the athletic department said to the Bee that the Bulldogs’ highest paid coaches are classified differently and unable to take a voluntary reduction.
University support accounted for almost 50 percent of the athletic budget, with nearly $20 million going toward the department.
If Fresno State can’t compete in the fall more cuts could be on the horizon for the department due to the amount of revenue lost.
“My hope is that we will be able to compete and we’re making plans to do that,” Castro said. “If we’re not able to compete, we anticipate there could be a revenue loss of up to $11 million. So that’s certainly an important factor.”