The Case Against Football at College of DuPage

In the mid-1990s, then-COD President Michael Murphy eliminated the college's football program. He cited the college's mission, "serving the needs of the community."

In 1992, 71% of football players were from out-of-district. By 1996, that had grown to 85%.

Murphy cited "inadequate support for students living away from home," including both housing and transportation. He cited the expenditures on football, including:

Compensation - $99,858
Contractual Services - 15,658
Materials/Supplies - 35,751
Travel - 21,292
Insurance - 10,666
Indirect Cost - 22,640 ($12,000 on Grounds alone)

For a total expenditure of $205,865. According to Murphy, "declines in locally available competition would raise cost."

The poor academic performance of football players was also cited by Murphy. According to statistics he presented to the board:

• 48% of players had a quarterly GPA below 2.0
• 20% of players had a quarterly GPA below 1.0
• 33% of players had a cumulative GPA below 2.0
• Football players dropped more than 1 of every 3 classes taken (37%), whereas the college-wide drop rate was 13%.
• 45% of football players at this time were on financial aid (the college's tuition wasn't even $30 per hour - it stands at more than $100 per hour in 2008)

Current Board of Trustees Chairman Micheal McKinnon wrote in rebuttal, "As a college, we should feel good about the fact that 45% of student athletes in football are on financial aid." [For the record, several years later McKinnon started a company named College Financial Planners of America.]

The football team was reinstated, over Murphy's objections. In recent years, the football coach's position went from being part-time [a full-time PE faculty member with added responsibility] to being a full-time position. Yes, College of DuPage has a full-time football coach. For the 2006-2007 academic year, Coach Fred Fimbres was paid a base salary of $71,000. That's a far cry from the $8,000 the football assignment paid during Murphy's time. Why does a community college need a full-time football coach?

The out-of-district players are back in force. The football roster numbered 85 total players in 2005, of which 22 were from in-district [see the Courier, May 9, 2008, page 29]. In 2007, out of 104 total players, only 33 were from in-district. Rumor has it more than 80% of the students on the current roster are from out-of-district.

Another COD administrator stepping down

By Catherine Edman Daily Herald Staff
Published: 9/26/2008 3:36 PM

The College of DuPage is losing another administrator. Vice President of Academic Affairs Christopher Picard recently submitted a request that trustees granted allowing him to return to the faculty. Starting next semester, he'll work in the English department.

"He requested the opportunity to return to teaching," COD Interim President Harold McAninch said.

No further explanation was given. Picard did not return calls.

The transfer includes a step-down in salary. Picard's current salary for leading the Glen Ellyn-based school's academic department is $139,860, college spokesman Bill Troller said. When he transfers to the faculty Jan. 12, he'll be paid $91,400 a year.

Picard's department was under the spotlight earlier this year when a proposal though the continuing education department was presented to trustees about opening a satellite campus in Costa Rica. After news of the plan sparked strong public criticism, the plan was withdrawn for administrative review and was not presented again.

McAninch said if Picard works through the summer semester and picks up more than the standard course load, he could return to within about $15,000 of his original pay. Full-time faculty who teach English composition must carry 12 credit hours, while those who teach literature must teach 15 credit hours.

Picard started as the head of the academic department in 2001 and previously served in a similar role at North Central Michigan College. According to his curriculum vitae, he last taught English in 1992 when he worked as a part-time instructor at Troy State University.

He'll be replaced in January by Joseph Collins, who is now the COD associate vice president for academic planning and assessment.

This is the second top-level change in the past six months. In May, trustees removed President Sunil Chand from his job, transferring him to the role of president emeritus. McAninch, brought in to serve on an interim basis while trustees search for a new president, said he's reviewing the overall structure and organization of the school and plans to recommend changes to trustees this fall.