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Olson, Livengood receive contact extensions and pay increases

Arizona Summer Wildcat

Raises to be funded through profits from UA athletics

With Lute Olson and Jim Livengood both receiving contract extensions from the Arizona Board of Regents last Friday, the UA athletics department is proving its stability.

"It's really important that the recruits know (Olson is) going to be here," said Livengood, University of Arizona athletic director.

While Olson - entering his 18th year at the UA - is already the highest paid state employee in Arizona, this pay increase will bring him to $613,475 a year, and the extension keeps him at the UA through April 30, 2000.

The terms of the contract state that "Olson's salary for duties related specifically to coaching basketball will be $160,573 per year."

In addition to that base salary, Olson is to be paid $452,902 for television programs, advertising, public relations, fundraising and other activities; a $40,000 increase from last year.

The increase will not be paid from state allocated funds, but from the athletic department, therefore not adding additional pressure to the UA's already strained budget.

"There was no opposition," said Regent Christ Herstam. "They're the two most important individuals to the university's athletics."

Only two of the UA's athletic programs earn a profit - men's basketball and football - which then pay for the rest of the university's sports.

In the contract extensions, there are monetary incentives pending the academic success of their student athletes.

"The reason they're here, and it's my responsibility, is so that they get a degree," Livengood said. "We're going to do the very best job to raise graduation rates."

Ryan Gabrielson can be reached at Ryan.Gabrielson@wildcat.arizona.edu.