ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, February 6, 1997 TAG: 9702060048
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: What's On Your Mind?
SOURCE: RAY REED
Q: The news media have reported Virginia Tech spent $1.2 million taking the football team to the Orange Bowl. How can it possibly be that high? How many people traveled? How was it spent? E.M., Pearisburg
A: Tech's bowl budget totaled $1.23 million, according to Jeff Bourne, associate athletic director for administration.
The big expense was travel, budgeted at $770,000. That included air transportation and 150 hotel rooms for six days to house 92 players and 208 staff and coaches.
Also in the budget was $181,000 in bonuses for head coach Frank Beamer and his assistants. That's equal to two months' salary.
The third-largest category, $87,000, was listed as awards - watches and rings for each player.
Here are some further breakdowns in that sizable travel category:
The university band was given $250,000 to make the trip, and 400 people went. They traveled by bus, reached Miami in time for the Orange Bowl parade on Saturday night, and stayed through the game on Tuesday night.
For the team and staff, two planes were chartered. Charter costs can vary considerably, but $50,000 per plane is a likely figure from Roanoke to Miami.
Tech used 150 rooms in the Eden Roc hotel for six nights. The cost was $150 per room at a group rate, so Tech paid about $152,000 for lodging, with Florida tax included.
This week, the hotel was quoting $195 a night for its cheapest room on a holiday weekend; an oceanfront room goes for $325.
Meals were $38 per person each day, for a total meal allowance of $68,400.
Apparently there was $200,000 in other travel costs.
Those are big-time expenses. Major bowl games are played in resort cities, so Tech's figures probably are typical.
Tech's bowl revenues will pay these expenses and more, so taxpayers needn't gnash their teeth. Its share of the Orange Bowl proceeds is $3.981 million.
After spending $1.23 million on the trip, Tech has $2.75 million for investment in the university's sports and other programs.
Credit hassles
Q: I have been told there are three major credit reporting agencies in the United States. I wonder if all three agencies have credit reports on individuals. I've been working to straighten out a lot of mistakes on my credit report locally. Do the others have a report on me that may be right or wrong? B.P., Roanoke
A: Do all three have a report on you? Probably so.
Are the reports accurate? The only way to make sure is to get a copy of your credit file from them.
Call the following numbers. They'll tell you how to order your credit reports by mail.
Experian (formerly TRW and soon to become CCN under a buyout), (800)392-1122. This outfit provides one free copy per year.
Equifax, (800)685-1111. Charge is $8 by credit card or check, unless you've been denied credit recently.
Trans Union, (216)779-2378. Charge is $8 (or $16 for couples).
Got a question about something that might affect other people, too? Something you've come across and wondered about? Call us at 981-3118. Or, e-mail RayR@Roanoke.Infi.Net. Maybe we can find the answer.
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