Published Friday, July 03, 2009 6:05 AM
A&M cuts athletics positions
By LARRY BOWEN
larry.bowen@theeagle.com
Two of the longest-tenured members of the Texas A&M University athletics department lost their jobs Thursday in a budget-cutting move that eliminated 17 positions from the department.
Billy Pickard and Jim Kotch have a combined 73 years of service in the department. They were casualties of what athletics director Bill Byrne called a reduction in force that was required to complete a $4.5 million budget cut.
Byrne said in a statement that the athletics department had to eliminate the positions because A&M officials could make only $3.5 million in cuts without reducing personnel.
"Our goal was to make spending cuts that would not impact the competitiveness of our teams and to ensure that our student-athletes have a good experience here," Byrne said. "The cuts came across the entire spectrum of the athletic department. This difficult decision came after an exhaustive review of the entire program and with great reluctance."
A&M's athletics department must begin to repay a $16 million loan from the university in November.
Pickard, the director of facilities, is 75 and has worked for the athletics department since 1965. As a student, Pickard worked under legendary football coach Paul "Bear" Bryant.
Kotch, 55, served as A&M's athletics ticket manager from 1980 until 2003, when Byrne reassigned him to the position of property and inventory supervisor.
"To me it wasn't a job, it was a love," Kotch said. "I've got a wife and three kids, and we've got six different degrees from this university. It makes it a little bit tough."
Kotch and his wife, who is undergoing cancer treatments, attended a 30-minute meeting with A&M human resources personnel Thursday afternoon at Reed Arena. Six other employees who were laid off were at the meeting, including assistant media relations director Chris Harrell and Janie Elias, senior office assistant for women's athletics.
According to Kotch, those cut include Byron Smith, senior athletics assistant with men's basketball, who served as an assistant coach two years ago; Joe Powell, senior associate athletics director and athletics CFO; and Ron Robertson, computer systems manager.
Athletics department assistants who were laid off include Beth Berend (Letterman's Association), Katheryne McGilvray, Kevin Richardson (soccer) and Ryan Gowens (equipment).
Associate athletics director Dave South said officials granted his previous request to make him a part-time employee of the athletics department so he could receive teacher retirement benefits. South, 63, will continue to serve as the radio broadcaster of Aggie sports, a job for which he is paid by Texas A&M Sports Properties through a deal with Learfield Sports.
"It worked out well for them, and it worked out well for me," South said.
The employees who were terminated will lose their jobs immediately but will be paid through Aug. 31. They were given 60 days' notice because state law does not allow severance pay to those who are laid off.
"Our job during that time is to find another job," Kotch said. "That's what they told us in the meeting."
Kotch and Harrell were told that they had been laid off in meetings Thursday morning with their supervisors and Byrne.
Harrell, 33, graduated from A&M Consolidated High School and the University of Texas-El Paso. He spent 10 years as a full-time employee of the media relations department, serving as the primary contact for the women's swimming and equestrian programs while earning several national awards for his publications.
"It's obviously disappointing," Harrell said. "I don't feel like I did anything wrong. It's just one of those deals. The decision I'll have to make over the next couple of weeks is, do I want to get out of my field and stay here, or do I want to stay in my field and leave?"
Rumors about the impending cuts spread through the athletics department early in the week. When the layoffs became official Thursday, A&M Interim President R. Bowen Loftin discussed the terminations and asked for cost-reduction ideas in an e-mail to faculty and staff members.
"As you may recall from last week, I directed our executive leadership team -- vice presidents, deans and directors -- to seek strategic approaches to reducing expenditures while fine-tuning their budgets, with a clear directive that we must not lower the quality of our programs," Loftin wrote. "My pledge to you is that decisions of this magnitude will not be made in haste, and we will employ the principle of shared governance as we move forward.
"Let me be clear that Texas A&M's core missions -- teaching, research and service -- will not be diminished by any expense-reduction measures. The road ahead may be difficult at times but, with your support, I remain confident that Texas A&M can and will emerge stronger."
Four years ago, former A&M President Robert Gates and Byrne agreed that the athletics department would receive a $16 million line of credit from university funds for coaches' salaries and new facilities. The deal allowed the department access to the credit for four years, with 10 years to repay the money without interest. The first quarterly payment is due Nov. 30.
The line of credit was revealed last month in a self-critique of former A&M President Elsa Murano.
"The athletics department has been operating in a deficit situation for several years," Murano wrote. "It is imperative that a business plan now be developed and implemented by athletics, to ensure that expenditures are kept in check and that strict adherence to the budget is realized."
Comments
[comment]
25 comment(s) found!
Posted by:
On:
Saturday, July 11, 2009 9:05 PM
Comment Title:
Maybe Sherman should have asked for donations from his coaches and himself. One million is nothing. He voluntarily gave that much up at the beginning so he could use the money to hire better coaches. He dropped his salary from 2.0 to 1.8 million per year. Some of the other sports coaches could have contributed as well. Even if it saved these 13 families for only an additional year it would have been a great gesture. Another year to at least get their lives in order instead of the short notice of termination. We talk of the Aggie Family only when it strokes our own ego. Not like he is really earning it either based on what was expected in performance and recruiting. Franchione contributed a million for facilities improvements. It is reported that Sherman is financially secure for life which is very believable considering the money alredy made and future earnings. When Sherman needs all the people in his camp he can get right now, what a statement this would have made. He probably would have doubled his investment.
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Posted by:
On:
Wednesday, July 08, 2009 7:46 AM
Comment Title:
I'm not in the least bit surprised someone was fired who has a wife undergoing cancer treatment. I've seen similar treatment in other departments, where employees are tossed aside with no thought knowing the hardships it would create. By now it should be readily obvious: A&M doesn't give a damn for it's students or employees. It's all about the money and power. Now would be a wonderful opportunity to go ahead and dismantle the entire athletics department and concentrate on what this school was originally created for: education. If someone wouldn't come here without a big football team, then they're not the kind of student we'd want anyway. And for those old Ags who would stop contributing without football, well, that's what you get by letting narrow minded self-centered jerks like that into the university in the first place.
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Posted by:
Fundamentally Immoral On:
Monday, July 06, 2009 8:51 PM
Comment Title:
"Kotch and his wife, who is undergoing cancer treatments, attended a 30-minute meeting... " ---------------------------------------- So $Bill fired an employee of 29 years whose wife is being treated for cancer?!? How absolutely stone cold. If he isn't able to find work before his medical insurance runs out, the Athletic Department need to make sure that she continues to receive treatment!
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Posted by:
On:
Monday, July 06, 2009 5:58 PM
Comment Title:
"Any dufus who would take away some Boy Scouts tickets cause he could ring a few more $$ out of the public is worthless." ----------------------------------- AMEN! He also did away with Little League day at Olsen Field. $Bill doesn't seem to realize that his mission is to serve the people of the State of Texas.
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Posted by:
dial tone On:
Sunday, July 05, 2009 8:41 PM
Comment Title: to answer 'facts' a couple of posts earlier
one word----ability! I don't think A&M is having to pay anyone extra or even the big bucks they already get.....for fear of some other schools calling them and snatching them away.....I will always think "notre dame wanting to 'talk' to fran" was just a ploy for him to get more money.....man! that Cotton Bowl loss was embarrassing even in my own living room.....that was one of the worst defeats.....oh wait, we cannot overlook 77-0.....I just hope that is one record that is not broken in my lifetime.....but, hey, give that guy a raise!!!
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Posted by:
If a coach's salary is cut then what's to stop them... On:
Saturday, July 04, 2009 2:39 PM
Comment Title:
I don't know of a coach at TAMU right off hand that is deserving of the exorbitant salary they are receiving. Sixteen million dollars in the hole? For what? Is athletics an academic draw? I doubt it.
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Posted by:
On:
Saturday, July 04, 2009 10:58 AM
Comment Title: facts
people should only comment on things when they know all the facts. It's apparent that most here do not.... including the author of the article. its unfortunate this has happened but I'm sure that these cut were necessary. If a coach's salary is cut then what's to stop them from going elsewhere that still has competitive pay???
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Posted by:
On:
Saturday, July 04, 2009 9:39 AM
Comment Title: Sign of things to come?
Do cuts start in the Athletic Department and move into research positions? Will positions be consolidated? Look out professors, your squawking might put you on hit lists. McKinney will be right behind you at the unemployment office. He has cooked his goose. He is so far into survival mode it is beyond pathetic. All of you screaming for his head do not need to say a word. Just let the man talk; McKinney says all that he needs to say without your help. Pass him the butter, he is toast.
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Posted by:
On:
Saturday, July 04, 2009 6:54 AM
Comment Title: Am I My Brother's Keeper?
People will forget what you said, People will forget what you did, But people will never forget how you made them feel, Live simply, Love generously, Care deeply, Speak kindly, Leave the rest to God. And everyone on this Blog said "Amen"
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Posted by:
YouWantedChange,,,HereYouAre...HappyNow??? On:
Saturday, July 04, 2009 12:34 AM
Comment Title: They know not what they do ... ... ...
If you have to wonder why either Kotch or Pickard were employed in the department for such an undue long time, you probably haven't been an Aggie very long, or haven't heard any stories from Aggies who've been around for a long time. Its not unlike the adage about Harley Davidsons. " If I have to explain, you wouldn't understand ... " ----They are to the athletic department as Bonfire was to the entire University, past & present... ... ... AND I couldn't agree more with the previous poster that pointed out Penny Kings useless position and wasteful spending thats costing the department BIG bucks for near ZERO payback... ...Dont get me started 'bout Byrne... ...
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Posted by:
Maybe BISD can learn something from all this. On:
Friday, July 03, 2009 10:02 PM
Comment Title:
Why such a narrow focus? Why are you so childish as to limit it to BISD. Is BISD the only taxpayer supported entity you visit that wastes funds on perks? How about any and every government entity. Appears as though the City of College Station is in a slight bind. I suspect any entity funded by the taxpayer needs to cut back on the perks for the so called upper echelon.
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Posted by:
On:
Friday, July 03, 2009 9:18 PM
Comment Title: Better Marketing
Try marketing the 12th Man slogan. Interesting that TAMU could "only cut" $3.5 million without gutting assistants and others.
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Posted by:
Alex On:
Friday, July 03, 2009 6:35 PM
Comment Title: Layoffs
Maybe BISD can learn something from all this. Get rid of the personal secretaries for each person that has an office in that building. If these highly paid people can't write their own letters, make phone calls or manage their own schedules, let the secretaries have their jobs.
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Posted by:
Yellow Kid On:
Friday, July 03, 2009 5:03 PM
Comment Title: Fat
Fat should definitely be cut from the fat heads in the top positions of the athletic dept. Any dufus who would take away some Boy Scouts tickets cause he could ring a few more $$ out of the public is worthless. Let him give back some of his salary.
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Posted by:
Pitbull Realist On:
Friday, July 03, 2009 1:11 PM
Comment Title: Remember Mark Johnson
This is $Bill's management method. Just remember how he notified Coach Mark Johnson of his impending departure. How is this the Aggie Way?
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Posted by:
On:
Friday, July 03, 2009 10:59 AM
Comment Title: typical big business
not surprised they made cuts at the lowest level just like all big business. how about cutting some of the fat at the top i.e. byrne's salary and expense account, and his sidekick penny king and her ridiculous salary. they waste more money than some of these people make. maybe if we mix in a win or two, the dept can get back in the black, of course mr. bryne may be in the way of that happening.
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Posted by:
Eric On:
Friday, July 03, 2009 10:35 AM
Comment Title:
Pretty sure you can't just make cuts on salaries which are set in a contract... ie: head coaches.
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Posted by:
On:
Friday, July 03, 2009 10:34 AM
Comment Title: Pickard 75
I'm sorry but why was he still here at age 75 as a full time employee. Facilities manager? What is that and what did he do. He has been here for over fifty years and it was time for him to retire years ago. The problem with university and state jobs in general is that people like Mr. Pickard who work for 30 plus years even with just cost of living increases and benefits end up getting salaries that are way above the job description. At the same time I agree cuts should affect everyone from the top down and if Bill Byrne and Mike Sherman didn't take a cut then then something is wrong here.
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Posted by:
Loser Police On:
Friday, July 03, 2009 10:27 AM
Comment Title:
Let's go ahead and just cut the entire athletic department while we're at it.
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Posted by:
On:
Friday, July 03, 2009 10:01 AM
Comment Title:
The Athletic Department has borrowed millions it can't afford to pay back..so let's take 2 of the most tenured staff members that have given most of their lives to A&M and sweep them out the door. Shame, Shame, Shame. Take a look at Bill Byrne's salary..raises these past few years when the department is in debt? I don't see him relinquishing any of his salary. Unbelievable.
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Posted by:
Darrell R. Pickard On:
Friday, July 03, 2009 9:31 AM
Comment Title: Respect, Dignity...shame on the Athletic Department.
I too realize that cuts have to be made in hard economic times and that the Athletic Department has a budget that must be met. The way in which you communicate and execute the cutting of individuals, especially those that have given most of their lives to the department and university is paramount. My uncle, Billy Pickard has given every ounce of his sweat, love and life to A&M athletics since 1965. A&M is his life. At 75 years old, he's brought into a room and told he's got 60 days left. Professionalism, and common courtesy and respect calls for talking to individuals prior to these events and allowing them to announce retirement or at least giving them prior warning so they can begin to plan for the care of their families, like Mr. Kotch's. I'm not questioning the need for budget cuts, but I'm so very disappointed in the Athletic Department and the manner in which my uncle was let go. This does not reflect well upon the department and the university as a whole. Billy Pickard and those that have given so much of their lives to A&M deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Professionalism and respect...you would hope it would still be alive and well at Aggieland where I was taught to be a "Soldier, Statesman and Knightly Gentleman"...and to treat others with respect, always. My thoughts and prayers are with you Uncle Billy. So many of us out here love you, greatly respect the time and years you have given of your life to Texas A&M. Respectfully, Darrell R. Pickard Class of 1985
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Posted by:
On:
Friday, July 03, 2009 9:11 AM
Comment Title:
I understand that cuts must be made, but some of these were not handled appropriately. Mr Pickard and Mr Kotch should have been afforded the dignity of announcing their retirement if infact they accepted this move as it has been stated elsewhere. In an article on espn.com Mr Byrne's salary is .999% of the budget. Did he give back any of is $300000 raise for the good of the program. Were in individuals let go asked to take a salary reduction to stay? How much money is being saved by these cuts, if it is less than half a million, werent there other things that could have been cut for the good of employees and their families.
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Posted by:
On:
Friday, July 03, 2009 8:58 AM
Comment Title:
Not sure this was about the Trans Dept but they also have a carwash, a buswash and ten carwash porters. I agree, they need to cutback on spending there.
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Posted by:
On:
Friday, July 03, 2009 8:43 AM
Comment Title: Over spending needs to be checked!!!!!!!!!
They need to look at the spending at the Transportation Services department!!! They have recently paid for more buses then they need, and never use all of them. They have installed cameras to watch a parking lot, and even cameras pointed at employees who are just working. They have had a new parking lot put in!!! They remodled the entrance, just for looks! The spending over there is just insane and not necessary. They need a budget cut pronto! They also need to get rid of the dead wood managers who are just collecting a paycheck!! Someone needs to look into everything they are buying and the results would be Galactic spending!!!!
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Posted by:
On:
Friday, July 03, 2009 7:23 AM
Comment Title: Why do they always cut from the bottom?
A cut of 10% of the top-salaried positions at A&M could have saved these jobs. Eg. 10% of Frangione, Sherman, or Turgeon each would have saved $150,000. Or 3 lower paying jobs. . . . a shame.
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