$162 miliion budget for 2023 approved by UGAAA Board of Directors

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart during an interview with ESPN after the College Football Playoff National Championship in Indianapolis, Ind., on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. (Photo by Tony Walsh)

Greensboro Ga. —— The fiscal year 2023 budget of $162,278,743 was unanimously approved by the University of Georgia Athletic Association Board of Directors at its annual two-day spring meeting, which concluded on Friday at Reynolds-Lake Oconee.

The budget projection for 2023 represents nearly an eight percent increase from the 2022 budget. 

“This (2023 budget) is a look back to pre-Covid numbers,” UGA athletic director Josh Brooks said.  “Last year there was a lot of uncertainty as we began to return to normal. This year is a return to normal projections as you look at budgets when you talk about travel and recruiting.  So it’s more of a return to normal. We hope and project it to be a more ‘normal’ year and it’s reflected in the projected budget.”

Day Two agenda items included reports from student representatives Meg Kowalski (Tennis), Josh Stinson (Baseball) about initiatives by the Georgia Way program.

Also, student body representative Brennan Cox proposed a series of changes to the student ticket policy for the 2023 school year, which were unanimously approved by the board.

The Student Wellness Committee, represented by Faculty Athletics Representative David Shipley, reported on further programs to enhance the mental well-being of UGA student-athletes. 

UGA Vice President for Finance Ryan Nesbit also presented the Treasurer's Report for the 2022 and 2023 fiscal years.

The increased emphasis on student-athlete mental health programs was reflected in the 2023 budget projections. 

“I think we’re seeing it on a national level.  It’s not just college athletes; it’s college students in general,” Brooks said.  “We recognize that.  We’re dealing with a lot of high-performing student-athletes that put a lot of pressure on themselves.  We’re learning that the support we give them in that area goes a long way.  They’ve embraced it.  So we want to support them on the court, on the field, in the classroom.”

The tenures of all three student representatives expired at the end of the 2022 academic year. 

Student-athlete reps on the Board for 2023 will be Jaiden Fields (Softball) and sprinter Caleb Cavanaugh (Track & Field).

The student body representative for 2023 was voted on Thursday by the Board and will be announced at a later date.