K-State athletics breaks donations record, increases budget for upcoming fiscal year

The Kansas State athletic department will increase its budget by $8.6 million this upcoming fiscal year, bringing the total to $82.1 million.

K-State announced those numbers on Tuesday on the heels of a record year in terms of athletic donations. The Wildcats received cash gifts in the amount of $30.9 million, of which a record $18.9 million was designated for the Ahearn Fund annual giving program.

“We are very appreciative of the loyalty and dedication of the K-State Nation as we continue to provide our coaches and student-athletes with the necessary resources to compete for and win Big 12 Championships,” K-State athletic director Gene Taylor said in a statement. “The grassroots support of our fans through ticket purchases and Ahearn Fund gifts continues to be the lifeblood of our department, and we are grateful for their continued support.”

Those gifts helped K-State achieve a balanced budget for the ninth consecutive fiscal year. The Wildcats operate a self-supporting athletic department that does not rely on money from public taxes or tuition dollars.

The majority of K-State’s athletic revenue is expected to come from Ahearn Fund donations ($34 million) and Big 12/NCAA revenue shares ($38 million) in the upcoming fiscal year.

K-State is also expecting additional expenses in 2019. They include more money for its student-athlete support line, an increase of $4 million in operating/recruiting costs and $700,000 in scholarship funds. K-State will also need to pay an extra $770,000, in accordance with new tax laws, because it pays basketball coach Bruce Weber and football coach Bill Snyder more than $1 million each year.

This story was originally published July 10, 2018 at 1:49 PM.