The finances of Division I college athletics never cease to amaze. Take, for example, guarantees, those checks (often hundreds of thousands of dollars) that schools either cut to attract big-name opponents for home games, or receive to play on the road.

University officials say the Fresno State football team in 2008 will get $400,000 to play at Rutgers, $250,000 at Toledo and $450,000 at UCLA.

Big 10 Conference powerhouse Wisconsin is getting $350,000 to come to Bulldog Stadium.

That's a net to Fresno State of $750,000 in guarantees. Fresno State also is pocketing a $250,000 buyout from Kansas State because the Wildcats wanted out of a scheduled game in September at Kansas State.

Fresno State men's basketball is a different story. University officials say the Bulldogs will pay $205,000 in guarantees this season, but receive no cash guarantees.

University officials note that Fresno State is paying to get into the Las Vegas Classic basketball tournament. Fresno State then gets two home games for its participation, they said.

These details were revealed at the June 25 meeting of the Fresno State Athletic Corp. board. Board members and university officials did not reveal the tournament's cost or the Bulldogs' opponents in those two home games.

But board members were unanimous on one point: Paying to get into someone else’s tournament, then landing some home games in return, is unusual.