The Board of Supervisors voted June 5 to give contract raises to the University’s two head basketball coaches.
Seventh year men’s head coach John Brady will receive a pay increase to $675,000 annually while women’s coach Sue Gunter’s salary will rise to $260,000
The raise moves Brady from the position of lowest paid SEC head basketball coach, a position he held for most of last year, into the middle tier of salaries.
The Tigers have been to two NCAA tournament appearances under Brady, including the 2000 season when the program was on probation.
Last season the Tigers went 21-11 and currently are ranked in the top five of most recruiting publications.
Gunter’s salary has risen 92.5 percent in the past three years, including the June increase from $210,000 to $260,000.
Gunter also received a contract extension that will keep her coaching the Lady Tigers until the 2005-2006 season.
“I certainly think it shows the support of our Athletic Administration,” Gunter said about the raise.
Gunter, Lady Tigers head coach for the past 21 years, ended this year with the best season in the school’s history and came within one game of reaching the Final Four.
Gunter’s 2002-2003 squad went 30-4, including an SEC Tournament championship.
While Gunter was appreciative of the pay increase, she said it still does not reflect the staff pay in other SEC women’s basketball programs.
Gunter said the University’s support through promotions and marketing has helped boost attendance at Lady Tigers’ games.
Charles Weems, Board of Supervisors committee member, said the Board looks at more than just wins and losses in deciding a pay increase.
Weems said the board looked at how the two coaches have represented the University and how they conduct business.
The board also proposed amendments to increase the price of tickets for both men’s and women’s basketball games.
If the amendment passes, the men’s team would see an increase of $2 a game for SEC opponents and games Skip Bertman, athletics director, considers premium.
Women’s basketball would see prices in lower level and middle level seating rise to $7. Upper level seats will rise to $5 for adults and $3 for children.
The board plans to vote on the amendments at next months meeting. 0