Steve Erban, the incoming president of the Golden Dunkers, says it's appropriate that boosters be allowed to reward success. Maybe it's Minnesota basketball, maybe IBM, maybe 3M, maybe a small-business person. Once we lose the climate of people working together for success, then we're no more than numbers in a computer. Rotenberg says if the policy is adopted by Yudof, it will lead to closer scrutiny of booster-club expenditures. Erban says clarifying the rules will help prevent misunderstandings, but he does not expect it to have much effect on the Golden Dunkers.
Most booster clubs provide help on a much smaller scale.
Fast Lane Fans helps with some equipment purchases but also provides home-cooked meals to athletes when swim meets occur while campus dining halls are closed. Martin Zielinski says the club can adjust to the new policy is necessary. Some of the expenditures we have are not large. It is additional paperwork, but if it keeps everybody honest and happy, it's not like it's an insurmountable obstacle. It's certainly something that can be managed.