Humphries says FAMU's cash woes could be fixed

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M could begin to put a dent into its nagging athletic budget deficit in a short time if the Marching 100 band and the football program are given top priority, Frederick Humphries said Friday at the 220 Quarterback Club's luncheon.

But Humphries, president at FAMU from 1985 to 2001, said such a strategy would only work if alumni return to supporting the university the way they did during the 16 years that he served.

Their support helped his administration turn around an athletic department that was also struggling with a financial shortfall when he became president, he said.

Humphries left FAMU with a $3 million surplus in its athletic budget.

"The best indicators for black colleges; two things give the greatest visibility that they have," he said. "It's the athletic program and the marching band.

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