Damon Evans gets new five-year contract, big raise (UPDATED)
Athens — A new contract for athletics director Damon Evans. A facelift for Stegeman Coliseum. And a new plaza for Sanford Stadium.
Those will be the results of actions taken Wednesday by the board of directors of the University of Georgia Athletic Association.
The board, at its regular quarterly meeting, voted to give Evans a new five-year contract with a big boost in pay and to spend $21.3 million on new construction projects.
The details:
– In executive session with Evans out of the room, the board approved a new contract that will mean a $110,000 raise for Evans effective July 1 — from his current $440,000 salary to $550,000. The contract calls for Evans to receive additional $20,000 raises in each subsequent year, putting his salary at $630,000 in the final year of the deal. Also, he will receive a $250,000 longevity bonus if he remains in the job when the contract expires on July 1, 2015.
– The board voted to proceed with a project that will renovate and widen the concourses of Stegeman Coliseum, adding restrooms and concessions stands and giving the 46-year-old building a modern glass facade on two sides.
– And the board voted to create a 45,000-square-foot entry plaza in the Reed Alley area behind the north stands of Sanford Stadium — a project designed to add amenities on football game days and enhance that part of campus year-round.
While approving the $21.3-million expenditure on the two construction projects, the board did not decide how to pay for them. The board’s finance committee will weigh whether to pay for the projects from the Athletic Association’s cash reserves, which are projected to reach $60 million by the end of this fiscal year, or to seek financing at attractive interest rates.
“The great thing is, we can move forward because we know we have the money there, $60 million sitting in that reserve fund,” Evans said.
The action on a new contract for Evans came with 17 months remaining on his current deal.
“I’m touched deeply by it,” Evans told the board after it emerged from executive session.
The new contract will replace the final year of the old deal, which was to have raised Evans’ salary to $460,000 on July 1. On that date, he will receive a $100,000 longevity bonus due under the old contract.
Evans, who grew up in Gainesville and played football at Georgia, has been UGA’s athletics director since July 1, 2004.
“He’s already become a nationally recognized figure in athletics, and we are fortunate to have him,” UGA President Michael Adams said Wednesday.
“I think he’s done an extraordinary job. … And there’s not been a whiff of impropriety during that six-year period. If you’re the president of an institution, that means a whole lot.”
Adams said the average salary of athletics directors in the SEC last year was $532,000.
Evans, 40, exuded enthusiasm about the new contract.
“We’ve got a lot left to do,” he said. “I want to see us grow in so many different phases. … I want to see us recognized as the elite program, and I sincerely mean that.
“I’m fortunate,” Evans added. “Who wouldn’t want to be the athletic director at the University of Georgia? … An old country guy from Gainesville, Georgia — who would have ever thought? It is just a blessing.”
Evans also was pleased by the board’s vote on the construction projects, which he said are designed to enhance the fan experience at events. Neither will add seats.
University architects said the plaza will be completed by the start of the 2010 football season and the coliseum renovation by the start of the 2010-11 basketball and gymnastics seasons.
The coliseum will look significantly different on the north and south sides. The outer walls will be moved out as far as the roof overhangs the current structure, adding more than 10,000 square feet of concourse space. The glass-clad exterior “will have a dramatic effect,” UGA campus architect Danny Sniff said.
The Reed Alley plaza is designed to be part of Sanford Stadium on game days, adding restrooms and concessions stands, but also to be left open to campus on other days.
“It’s a combination,” Evans said, “of something that is good for the university throughout the entire year and for those six or seven Saturdays will give our patrons a better experience.”
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114 comments Add your comment
Carnac
February 4th, 2010
5:14 pm
Hey Gdawg
do you have a clue as to what type of facilites are being built for Athletics right now? There is a 40 million dollar state of the art expansion going over at Butts-mehre right now. what do you think that is for? do you not think it may be to attract high school seniors? Did you know it had a state of the art rehab facility in it like not other in the state of Georgia? did you know it had a small inddor practice area in it? It’s small, but it’s something. Richt was given the choice of Indoor faciluty or Butts-mehre expansion. he took Butts mehre expansion. it has a new 12,000 sq.ft. weight room. it has everything that can be used a lot more effectively than an indoor facility.
And as far as you people complaining about money being spent, why don’t you go and ask the hundreds of local workers over there that now have a guarenteed job for the next 2 years how they feel about the millions of dollars being spent. Everyone wants to complain about the economy and how they are having to sacrifice becasue of their job cuts but yet when your brother or neighbor is getting a job becasue of the athletic associateion you want to complain about that too. Go learn how to dig a ditch, weld a pipe or lay a brick if you are jealous of the money being spent. Do you think that those workers go out and buy lunch or buy gas in Athens, or Madison, or Watkinsville, or Comer? YES. Do you think that those contractors are buying local goods and services? YES.
UGA is actually SAVING, yes I said saving, millions of dollars becasue they are doing this work in a tight economy. To anyone that went out and bought a new car in the last year because they were on sell or refinanced a home due to a down economy, you are a hypocite. you did the same thing UGA is doing.
People just like to complain sometimes.
........
February 4th, 2010
5:20 pm
wow.
Can't beat the Gators, but get a big raise...
February 4th, 2010
6:44 pm
Just saying
Steve
February 4th, 2010
8:51 pm
Do like the gov. if you have it spend and if you don’t have it spend it anyway. Heck it’s just money and everyone has plenty. Raise the price of tickets and do the right thing spend and borrow from China and Japan to pay no body is looking.
Money talks and BS walks
February 5th, 2010
10:43 am
For all of you bloggers on this and any sports site that bad mouth UGA, you now have a good reason. JEALOUSY. UGA is a RICH PROGRAM and Money Talks and BS Walks. See? Even in Obama’s recession, the University is dropping some major $$$ cash on our alma mater.
The GRADS drive this excitement. Win, lose or draw, WE feel that UGA is THE PLACE. So do tons and tons and tons of students with big time SAT scores, that are trying to get in the University from all over the USA. A college is MORE than football. You dig??? It is about tradition. Sports is only secondary, even though we still drop major money on our beloved ala mater at 8-5 or not. See???
Money Talks and BS Walks.
We ( GRADS ) love the University and this is only more good news about our fabulous University and at UGA, it keeps on keeping on.
Flo-Ri-Duh!
February 5th, 2010
12:06 pm
Circus Act- Evans is probably over paid but you are the clown.
UGA student
February 5th, 2010
12:17 pm
Thanks for you insight into what it will be like in the real world without the help of my parents. Since I am a non-traditional student, single parent and have put myself through school. I am quite aware of what is expected of students who earn scholarships. And I am more than well aware of what the “real world” is like – since I am employed full time and I also know that there are no guarantees – I have worked both a full time and am enrolled as a full time student and have no complaints about being both. I don’t expect anything – I work hard to achieve what I am getting – if I get a better paying job after I have earned my degree – it will be because I have busted my tail to EARN it – nothing to do with entitlement! Trust me I know first hand what life is all about. I also know what every student goes through and has to face while trying to get through school.
As far as “trying to make everyone feel bad” on Damon’s job responsibilities – that wasn’t my intention – my intention was to inform people that there is more to being an AD than the football program. Believe or like it or not – Damon Evans is one of the biggest reasons that we have one of the most profitable Athletic Associations in the country.
hardworking
February 5th, 2010
3:18 pm
the athletic dept does give to UGA but to a academic fund controlled by Adams, with the huge profits and revenue they make they should be made to give much more and also give to the general fund. whatever the circumstances adams and the athletic board have delivered a serious slap in the face to all hardworking faculty and staff. its disgusting to hear about all the money athletics has got to throw around and to know none of it can ever be used for raises for the real hardworking folks…
Kutngo
February 9th, 2010
5:25 am
How does another person’s salary affect you? It doesn’t, so let it go. By the way, if D was here in DC, his salary would be doubled….. It’s done, get on with YOUR lives…
KUTNGO
GaScholar
February 17th, 2010
5:41 pm
Man of integrity…NOT!!! Tell Evans stop cheating on his wife….
Smith
February 26th, 2010
1:07 pm
WOW! If I was a white boy you no one would have much to say. Go Damon!
hellraiser
July 1st, 2010
11:44 am
What is going to happen to his job now he has a DUI?????????????? He is now a criminal…… What? Do they think they are above the law? DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE…Stupid!!!
hellraiser
July 1st, 2010
11:47 am
Ohhhh, and what about the girlfriend in the car with him???? Soooo. Let me get this straight… UGA Atheletic dept. Hires drunks and cheaters… Sounds like a great program for our boys!!!
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