The University of South Carolina athletics department will commit $15 million over 15 years for university academics — primarily need-based student scholarships.

University Athletics Director Eric Hyman and President Harris Pastides said Monday (Dec. 22) that the agreement, which calls for $1 million per year over the life of the contract, strengthens the ongoing partnership between athletics and academics and comes at a time when the university is facing severe budget cuts.

“This commitment gives South Carolina’s athletics department an opportunity to assist the university in maintaining its strong national and regional reputation,” Hyman said. “All of us want Carolina to remain a strong flagship university because every department, including athletics, benefits.”

Pastides said the athletics department’s latest commitment of support could not have come at a better time, given recent state budget cuts to higher education.

“The athletics department’s financial support, which will allow the university to enhance scholarship and other academic programs for students and address other institutional needs, demonstrates clearly the department’s commitment to blending seamlessly into the life and mission of our institution,” he said. “I appreciate Eric Hyman’s support and his leadership of Carolina athletics.”

The funds, which are from the 15-year ESPN/CBS all-sports broadcasting contract with the Southeastern Conference, will assist in meeting several specific needs:

University Board of Trustees Chairman Miles Loadholt commended the president and the athletics department for forging an agreement that helps to build a stronger Carolina and more opportunities for students.

“President Pastides has fostered an environment of inter-departmental cooperation within the university, and we are proud of our athletics enterprise and even more proud of its citizenship within the scope of the long-range mission of the university,” Loadholt said. “Ultimately, this will help bring many more scholarships to deserving students.”

Mike Slive, commissioner of the Southeastern Conference, said the university’s partnership is indicative of the integral link between athletics and academics in higher education.

“The Southeastern Conference’s recent contractual agreements with CBS and ESPN will help position the conference's member institutions to continue to support their broad-based athletic and academic programs, consistent with our mission,” he said.

By state law, athletics departments at public universities in South Carolina are considered auxiliary enterprises and must be self supporting. Carolina’s athletics department derives revenue from a number of non-state-appropriated sources, including ticket sales, SEC membership, broadcasting contracts and the Gamecock Club.