ISU President says Athletic Department is fine for at least two years

Iowa State University president Gregory Geoffroy says the Cyclones’ athletic department budget should be o-k for the next two years. I-S-U cut men’s swimming and baseball last spring to cover a budget shortfall. He says they’re trying to do their best with future predictions, but he says a lot depends on the success of the athletic teams, especially football.Geoffroy’s predecessor, Martin Jischke, was a staunch supporter of I-S-U athletic programs, as he tied the prestige of the university to success on the gridiron and on the hardwood. Geoffroy says he, too, considers athletics to be an important part of the university. He says it’s not the prestige of the university linked to athletics, but the overall reputation, and visibility are highly correlated to the success. He says it’s also important to play by the rules and have high integrity.Geoffroy made his comments on Iowa Public Television’s “Iowa Press” program.