Soon, all Utah taxpayers will be Utah State Aggie boosters.
Utah State University's efforts to recruit football players, basketball players and other athletes are getting a $1.5 million infusion from taxpayers under language included in the newly approved state budget by Senate Budget Chairman Lyle Hillyard, R-Logan.
Hillyard made his pitch for the funding, arguing that, due to a recent NCAA rule change, college athletics programs across the country were beginning to pay athletes a stipend, in addition to the traditional tuition and housing that is covered in scholarships.
A contending Aggies team is good for Logan's economy, since people travel to the games, filling hotels and restaurants. But to compete for recruits, Utah State needed to be able to pay stipends to its players, too, and needed the state support to do so.
http://www.sltrib.com/news/2279640-155/legislature-puts-15-million-in-public
Utah State University's efforts to recruit football players, basketball players and other athletes are getting a $1.5 million infusion from taxpayers under language included in the newly approved state budget by Senate Budget Chairman Lyle Hillyard, R-Logan.
Hillyard made his pitch for the funding, arguing that, due to a recent NCAA rule change, college athletics programs across the country were beginning to pay athletes a stipend, in addition to the traditional tuition and housing that is covered in scholarships.
A contending Aggies team is good for Logan's economy, since people travel to the games, filling hotels and restaurants. But to compete for recruits, Utah State needed to be able to pay stipends to its players, too, and needed the state support to do so.
http://www.sltrib.com/news/2279640-155/legislature-puts-15-million-in-public
