OT - Mason Annual Fundraising Spikes

[MasonSAE4]

You seem to have missed my point. If there has been squat done for a Final 4 program, then why does anyone think millions will be raised for FCS football? Two half assed commitments get you two half assed programs. Get the hoops fixed.

I'm not disagreeing that basketball needs fixing first. I'd prefer to see a practice facility and new arena before any discussion of football. But I also think people don't seem to attribute the lack of athletic progress after the final to O Connor and Merten as much as they should. I think the new AD/press could do quite a bit more towards football. The money's out there in this area, until this point we never wanted to get it.

Also, I'm not sure why FCS keeps getting kicked around. They've already said if they do it it's gonna be FBS. I doubt we will ever get a program but if we do its not gonna be FCS.

 

[GSII]

What do they do with 98 million bucks? If they invest it and make 8% thats almost 8 million per yeAr???

 

[MasonSAE4]

What do they do with 98 million bucks? If they invest it and make 8% thats almost 8 million per yeAr???

Well they're bound by what the can use it on. I would assume most of it isn't donations to the general fund that can be invested. A third of that is the law school donation which goes towards scholarships, another ten million is for the policy school to set up an election polling center. Assuming half of that 98 is general fund (and I highly doubt there were that many unspecified donations) you're down to four million. Sounds like a lot until you put it against the yearly budget.

 

[Pikapppatri8]

Well they're bound by what the can use it on. I would assume most of it isn't donations to the general fund that can be invested. A third of that is the law school donation which goes towards scholarships, another ten million is for the policy school to set up an election polling center. Assuming half of that 98 is general fund (and I highly doubt there were that many unspecified donations) you're down to four million. Sounds like a lot until you put it against the yearly budget.

What I am more interested in is if they can keep donations per year to around $80 million - that would be impressive and provide for follow-on support for things we want. We are looking at this as one pot of money - we need to see a yearly annuity.

 

[MasonSAE4]

What I am more interested in is if they can keep donations per year to around $80 million - that would be impressive and provide for follow-on support for things we want. We are looking at this as one pot of money - we need to see a yearly annuity.

I think local businesses and corporations will determine that. How much are these companies willing to donate to try and keep talent in the area and create a top tier university in their backyard? There are a lot of students like me that came to Mason from elsewhere and stayed in the area post-grad. I now pay my taxes in Fairfax and spend my money here. City of Fairfax should really be the ones stepping up and pushing for more town/gown stuff though.

 

[GSII]

Corporations will donate bc Darrel Green will make them!How can you turn him down?

 

[jmckend1]

So, football is not happening for decades, so don't get your hopes up. However, if you think you gotta go big for FBS, just look at ODU who has a tiny stadium but has a reasonable game day; Fairfax could handle a bigger stadium. I have a feeling it would look like Dukes stadium where it's a multipurpose field but done nicely, could build up around current soccer stadium. Also, there's a lot of great coaching candidates in the area. I say all of this only to say again that it won't be seen for decades.

 

[MasonSAE4]

So, football is not happening for decades, so don't get your hopes up. However, if you think you gotta go big for FBS, just look at ODU who has a tiny stadium but has a reasonable game day; Fairfax could handle a bigger stadium. I have a feeling it would look like Dukes stadium where it's a multipurpose field but done nicely, could build up around current soccer stadium. Also, there's a lot of great coaching candidates in the area. I say all of this only to say again that it won't be seen for decades.

Looks like soccer is shifting down the complex and track is retaining Mason Stadium so that's probably out. But I think you're spot on with everything else.

 

[Falco]

So, football is not happening for decades, so don't get your hopes up. However, if you think you gotta go big for FBS, just look at ODU who has a tiny stadium but has a reasonable game day; Fairfax could handle a bigger stadium. I have a feeling it would look like Dukes stadium where it's a multipurpose field but done nicely, could build up around current soccer stadium. Also, there's a lot of great coaching candidates in the area. I say all of this only to say again that it won't be seen for decades.

Yeah I think ODU only took 2 years before they went FBS.

 

[GSII]

In 1997 they told us Mason is 20 years away from football. We are still 20 years away.

 

[GiantKiller_Co]

In 1997 they told us Mason is 20 years away from football. We are still 20 years away.

Because Football spending is ridiculous.

 

[Falco]

Because Football spending is ridiculous.

Sports such as women's tennis do not make any money but still require a budget for scholarships, equipment, tournament fees and other expenses

 

[Falco]

Sports such as women's tennis do not make any money but still require a budget for scholarships, equipment, tournament fees and other expenses

Meanwhile schools with successful football programs are well-known around the country. Enrollment applications increase significantly following successful football seasons, and schools with a tradition of success always have a surplus of applicants. Because of this, a school's academic programs can be more selective in choosing which students to accept, and its academic reputation can be enhanced. Merchandise with the school's logo is sold nationwide, increasing its profile and popularity.

 

[psyclone]

Sports such as women's tennis do not make any money but still require a budget for scholarships, equipment, tournament fees and other expenses

You're not actually comparing the costs of women's tennis and football are you?! Football has more full-time coaches than women's tennis has scholarship athletes!

As to your second point, building a "successful football program" that has the favorable outcomes you mention is not a sure thing. Even building a mediocre football program is very costly--note the well-documented financial issues that Maryland athletics has.

 

[Falco]

You're not actually comparing the costs of women's tennis and football are you?! Football has more full-time coaches than women's tennis has scholarship athletes!

As to your second point, building a "successful football program" that has the favorable outcomes you mention is not a sure thing. Even building a mediocre football program is very costly--note the well-documented financial issues that Maryland athletics has.

Well since this is on fundraising forum, I will point to ODU. In 2003 ODU's endowment was 100 million. They voted on a football team in 2005. Their first game was in 2009. By 2010, their endowment had grown to 144 million.

But yeah keep pointing to "studies" conducted by academics who are pissed off football gets more attention then their research departments.

 

[Cedric Dempsey]

Sports such as women's tennis do not make any money but still require a budget for scholarships, equipment, tournament fees and other expenses

Perfect analogy. Women's tennis and college football comparison. Also, think student infirmary and university hospital.

 

[Vurbel]

In 1997 they told us Mason is 20 years away from football. We are still 20 years away.

You can't accuse us of not being consistent!

 

[Pikapppatri8]

You can't accuse us of not being consistent!

To be honest - while I supported that effort in 1997 - it was really too soon to discuss. Mason is in a very very different position now. I still think we need to invest in what we have then think of football.

 

[MasonSAE4]

In terms of the finances, could the stadium be used off season to make money? Like if Mason was smart about it I feel like they could make some serious cash towards football by having an outdoor concert venue.

 

[Pikapppatri8]

In terms of the finances, could the stadium be used off season to make money? Like if Mason was smart about it I feel like they could make some serious cash towards football by having an outdoor concert venue.

Hello Partnership with Redskins, SYA Football and CYA Football