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UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA CEDAR FALLS, IA THURSDAY, APRIL 5 VOLUME 114, ISSUE 42
CEDAR FALLS, IA
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2025
VOLUME 122, ISSUE 13
IN THIS ISSUE
NEWS
Meet Ana Chavez a first-year student at UNI majoring in both finance and accounting.
See ANA, page 3
Courtesy Photo/UNI Athletics The FY 2025 report shows that several high-profile sports outperformed revenue expectations, including UNI football.
UNI Athletics posted $3.2M loss in FY 2025, Regents report shows
By Lily Munnik News Editor The University of Northern Iowa’s athletics program overspent its budget by more than $3.2 million in the last fiscal year, according to new financial reports released last week by the Iowa Board of Regents. For the year ending June 30, 2025, total athletics expenses exceeded the original budget by $3,236,113 — a 22% overrun. UNI allocated an additional $963,645 in institutional support to help cover the shortfall driven by rising expenditures and revenue gaps. According to the report, “New leadership in athletics with many staff changes in FY 2025 continues to review the budget in order to maxi-
mize revenue-generation opportunities and limit expenses to work toward a sustainable balanced budget.” UNI made a similar pledge “to work toward a sustainable balanced budget” in athletics in its FY 2024 report, FY 2023 report, FY 2022 report and FY 2021 report. The report shows that several high-profile sports outperformed expectations. Ticket sales, concessions, game guarantees, foundation contributions and postseason payouts pushed revenues for wrestling, men’s and women’s basketball, football, women’s volleyball and other women’s programs above budget, contributing to roughly $500,000 in additional income.
Overall, athletics revenues actually finished $300,000 above the budget. However, the boost was tempered by declines in other areas, notably alumni/foundation support and NCAA revenue distributions, which prevented the department from closing the gap amid rising expenses. The cost overruns were driven largely by team operational expenses running higher than planned across both men’s and women’s sports. According to the Regents’ report, postseason travel, a byproduct of competitive success, also contributed to rising costs. A significant portion of the excess spending stemmed
from unbudgeted personnel expenses, including bonuses awarded under coaching contracts in volleyball, wrestling, men’s track and field and men’s and women’s basketball. Overall, UNI Athletics received $5,447,481 in general university support, along with $1,793,176 in student fee revenue. The Board of Regents has not yet indicated whether additional oversight or financial requirements will be imposed, but the fiscal pressure highlights the growing complexity of funding college athletics in an era of rising costs and evolving NCAA structures.
OPINION
As fall break approaches, managing editor Jenna Westendorf writes about the long stretch since Labor Day and the much needed week off.
See BREAK, page 5
Zury’s Taco Bar on the Hill to close doors Competition, high prices, employee shortage are factors
By Estelle Johnson Executive Editor After a year and a half of serving customers on the Hill, Zury’s Taco Bar has announced that the restaurant will permanently close its doors next week. The business had just celebrated its first year in June — marked with a ribbon cutting in front of the restaurant. Before the opening of their restaurant on the Hill, Zury’s operated as a food truck, called Zury’s Cuisine and Tacos. Owner Itzury “Zuri” Arestegui had found success in the food truck world — and
with an empty space on the Hill, thought that owning a restaurant was worth a try. The restaurant space on the Hill had remained empty since the Other Place closed in 2021. Three years later, the building became the home of Zury’s Taco Bar. After countless hours and dollars spent on this business, Arestegui has decided to find a new dream. This comes after the restaurant closed briefly a year ago — due to their negative financial
standing. “The economy is tough right now, and that’s the honest truth,” Arestegui said. “Everything keeps getting more expensive, and with so many Mexican restaurants everywhere, it feels harder and harder to keep going.” Amigos, Los Cabos and Pablo’s are three of the eight Mexican restaurants in Cedar Falls alone. Amigos and Carlos O’ Kelley’s are by College Square Mall, within two miles of Zury’s.
See ZURY’S, page 2
SPORTS
UNI men’s basketball defeated the Furman Paladins on Friday, Nov. 14, in a 70-54 victory.
See BASKETBALL, page 11