
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, April 30, 1990                   TAG: 9004300393
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B4   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: D.W. PAGE Associated Press Writer
DATELINE: NORFOLK                                LENGTH: Medium

ODU STRUGGLING TO MAKE REFUNDS

Old Dominion University is trying to tackle the job of refunding about $1.5 million for its abandoned attempt to start a football program, only to find the expensive process blocked by red tape.

"There was a very strong sentiment on the board to have football if there was any way we possibly could. We just can't figure out a way to do it that is financially responsible," said Richard F. Barry III, rector of Old Dominion's governing board.

When the board of visitors chose last November to give up on a football program, it ordered the money returned. About $1.5 million came from student activities fees and another $145,000 came from donations and advance ticket sales.

Richard Staneski, the school's vice president of resource management, said the university has no legal obligation to refund the money.

The school has considered a football team since the late 1940s. In 1986, the board of visitors began the first serious study. At that time, the board voted to start the football fund, with the understanding the money would be returned if the school chose not to have a team.

A report last year found that football would lose millions, costing students between $73 and $175 a year to support a team at the Division I level.

Returning the money has become a complex process.

The problem is finding out whether the people who paid want a refund or are willing to donate the money to the university.

Staneski estimated it could easily cost the school $100,000 to process all of the refunds.

Most of the money raised through advance ticket sales and donations has been returned, according to James Jarrett, the school's athletic director.

by CNB