Des Moines Register
05-12-07
ISU panel backs sports/gambling ties
In contrast, U of I moved to end such relationships
By TOM WITOSKY
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
Iowa State University's athletic faculty advisory board wants the ISU athletic
department to maintain its promotional ties with the Iowa Lottery and allow
advertising by casinos, with certain restrictions, on radio and television
broadcasts of ISU games.
John Schuh, chairman of the ISU Athletic Council and a professor of
education, said, "The context here is that the lottery is ... part of state
government. As a state agency, the lottery should have sponsorship
opportunities, including radio, television, game program advertising, signs at
athletic venues, public address announcements, raffles and giveaway items."
The ISU Athletic Council's recommendation contrasts with the position taken by
the University of Iowa faculty athletic advisory board.
Last month, the U of I's Presidential Committee on Athletics voted 12-2 that
lottery promotions should no longer be tied to U of I athletics.
Schuh said that the ISU Athletic Council also has recommended that casino
advertising be permitted on radio and television broadcasts, provided the
advertising is not included on signs in athletics facilities or in game programs.
The ISU athletic department has not received any casino advertising since 2002.
"The athletics council believes casino advertising should be restricted in the
same way we limit alcohol advertising in our athletics program," Schuh said.
Final decisions on whether to permit casino advertising and maintain promotional
relationships with the lottery will be made by ISU athletic director Jamie Pollard in
consultation with university President Gregory Geoffroy.
Pollard supports the council's recommendations, said Steve Malchow, senior
associate athletic director.
Gary Steinke, executive director of the Iowa Board of Regents, said there would
be no effort made by the regents to have one uniform policy regarding gambling
advertising at athletic events at the U of I, Iowa State or the University of
Northern Iowa.
"Traditionally, the regents have given each university the authority to oversee
their athletic departments as they see fit," Steinke said. "This is an area that
while some regents may have opinions, they will let each school make its own
decisions."
The U of I faculty board approved the recommendation to discontinue the
promotional ties between the Iowa City school and the lottery in the wake of
controversy that arose over an Iowa Lottery television commercial.
The controversy was touched off by an advertising promotion that used a car with
Hawkeye logos and colors. The car was featured in a commercial that included a
parody of the "Iowa Fight Song" - in apparent infringement of the copyright on the
song that is held by the widow of its composer, Iowa native Meredith Willson.
Lottery records show the agency has spent $348,232 since 2004 on advertising
and promotions tied to Iowa's four National Collegiate Athletic Association
Division I athletic departments - at the U of I, Iowa State, Northern Iowa and
Drake University.
ISU officials said the athletic department received $40,000 from lottery
sponsorships in the 2006-07 school year.
Those who favor the U of I severing ties with the lottery also point out that the
NCAA strongly frowns upon such advertising relationships between NCAA
athletic departments and gambling interests, such as casinos and lotteries.
But Schuh, the ISU Athletic Council official, said the council believes that
appropriate supervision and review of all lottery advertising promotions is
sufficient protection for Iowa State.
ISU guidelines require the athletic department to review and approve all
advertising by the Iowa Lottery in support of Iowa State athletics.
The athletics council also supports maintaining the policy that allows casino
advertising only with restrictions.
Schuh also said that the recommendation was philosophical and not about
generating money for the athletic department.
"I think it is entirely philosophical," he said. "The lottery has been and is
supportive of education on a lot of levels," he said. "Those in charge of the
oversight of the lottery money could put the money someplace else, but they
have placed it in education, and we believe that should be supported."
Reporter Tom Witosky can be reached at (515) 284-8522 or
twitosky@dmreg.com