OU balances athletic budget

<br>(Ardmore-AP) -- Officials with the University of Oklahoma's athletic department say they've balanced their operating budget. <br><br>Athletic Director Joe Castiglione said yesterday that

Tuesday, July 18th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Ardmore-AP) -- Officials with the University of Oklahoma's athletic department say they've balanced their operating budget.

Athletic Director Joe Castiglione said yesterday that the school's sports programs produced revenues of more than $29,490,000 during fiscal year 2000. Expenses were more than$27,365,000.

Castiglione says that means the department came out more than $125,000 in the black. Castiglione was giving the good news to O-U regents meeting in Ardmore.

University President David Boren says this is the first time in a decade that the sports department has balanced its operating budget.

Castiglione became O-U's athletic director in 1998, replacing Steve Owens. The department had an $8,000,000 deficit when Castiglione was hired.