USU may raise student athletic fees

LOGAN, Utah — Students at Utah State University could soon pay a lot more to support the school's athletics department.

Students will vote this week whether to raise their annual athletics fees to $243, up from $113. The Utah State Board of Regents would also need to OK the increase.

The proposal is intended to help pull the athletics department out of the red. It is currently operating with an annual $2.3 million deficit.

Utah State Athletics Director Scott Barnes says all the school's sports are in financial crisis because the school didn't budget enough money for the transition to Western Athletic Conference membership four years ago.