WE WANT FOOTBALL

[Falco]

The return of football at ETSU has had a significant economic impact on both the school and the region. With the enrollment of approximately 400 additional students, a research study placed the overall impact of football at the university at more than $22 million a year. Both the number of contributors and the amount of money given to the school’s Excellence Fund have doubled, and ETSU officially began construction of its new $26 million football stadium at the end of 2015.

‘To be perfectly honest, it couldn’t have gone any better from that standpoint,” ETSU athletics director Dr. Richard Sander told WJHL in Johnson City, Tenn. “When we restarted football, clearly a lot of people said ‘We’ll support you’ and I think that’s easy to say, but I think people actually got out and reached into their pockets and really did support us, so I feel really good about that.”

Other schools have seen long-term benefits from adding football programs. Campbell University in North Carolina has seen increases in enrollment and donations since adding football in 2008. The school regularly draws more than 5,000 fans to its games, and administrators have credited football with raising Campbell’s national profile.

http://www.footballfoundation.org/t...ng-Football-Reaches-All-Time-High-of-774.aspx

 

[MasonSAE4]

Oh boy. Here we go.

 

[masonjoe]

The school regularly draws more than 5,000 fans to its games, and administrators have credited football with raising Campbell’s national profile.

Mason, who doesn't even draw this for an average most seasons for a men's basketball team with a final four banner, will somehow support a football program...

 

[MasonFanatic]

Boondogglesburg, population: you.

Show me a school in a large metropolitan market with many other competing professional and college sports attractions who was successful in starting football and then maybe I'll believe it. It's easy to do it when you're instantly the biggest fish in a small pond (ODU football and vcu hoops are great examples), but that's not us. Not to mention that our athletic department is 10-20 years away from an economic standpoint, and by then the barriers to entry will undoubtedly have increased. I think the fact is that Mason as an institution is 50 years late to the party. The price would be to cut sports and drop down a level or two in conferences, and drastically raise our student fees (the state legislature would have a stroke...). Maybe we could join the Socon?

I'd rather be good at some sports and have no football than be bad in all sports and have football.

 

[MasonFanatic]

That may have been a little harsh. But we're nothing like ETSU or Campbell, and our market is nothing like their markets. I wouldn't be surprised if ETSU had more donors than us pre-football.

 

[Falco]

Boondogglesburg, population: you.

Show me a school in a large metropolitan market with many other competing professional and college sports attractions who was successful in starting football and then maybe I'll believe it. It's easy to do it when you're instantly the biggest fish in a small pond (ODU football and vcu hoops are great examples), but that's not us. Not to mention that our athletic department is 10-20 years away from an economic standpoint, and by then the barriers to entry will undoubtedly have increased. I think the fact is that Mason as an institution is 50 years late to the party. The price would be to cut sports and drop down a level or two in conferences, and drastically raise our student fees (the state legislature would have a stroke...). Maybe we could join the Socon?

I'd rather be good at some sports and have no football than be bad in all sports and have football.

Kennesaw State University, experienced a number of successes on and off the field during their inaugural seasons. Kennesaw State sold out all six of its home games and attracted an average of 8,820 fans per game to Fifth Third Bank Stadium, which was ranked No. 10 in the FCS in game day atmosphere by StadiumJourney.com.

If you don't know, Kennesaw State University is located in Kennesaw Georgia about 20 miles northwest of Atlanta. Lots of completion for Pro and collegiate athletics

 

[GMU92]

I was part of the group that pushed for football for years. Attended the pep rallies to add football back in my freshman year (1988/89), which were held in SUB 1. Attended varsity club football games. Participated in fundraisers to promote the sport. Tried to speak my mind when it came to a vote of the BOV. I've come to realize that, even though the current administration is a little more open minded (more so than Merten, who was quoted in a Techway article saying that we will never have football), we are light years away from getting football. Realistically, I would like to see the following things soon: 1. Proper facilities for basketball to compete well in the A10. 2. A nice stadium with lights for baseball. (think the facility they have at UVa.) 3. Continue to promote and support the sport of wrestling, which has been cut at so many schools.

 

[Falco]

I was part of the group that pushed for football for years. Attended the pep rallies to add football back in my freshman year (1988/89), which were held in SUB 1. Attended varsity club football games. Participated in fundraisers to promote the sport. Tried to speak my mind when it came to a vote of the BOV. I've come to realize that, even though the current administration is a little more open minded (more so than Merten, who was quoted in a Techway article saying that we will never have football), we are light years away from getting football. Realistically, I would like to see the following things soon: 1. Proper facilities for basketball to compete well in the A10. 2. A nice stadium with lights for baseball. (think the facility they have at UVa.) 3. Continue to promote and support the sport of wrestling, which has been cut at so many schools.

Why keep wrestling? Do you know the team is only 31-71 since Joe Russle was named the head coach?

With a record like that, its apparent the university doesn't care about the program and neither should you.

 

[Falco]

In the past four seasons alone (2011-15), 36 football programs have been added at NCAA, NAIA or independent institutions. Only 10 football programs have been dropped in that same span, including two at schools that closed and the University of Alabama at Birmingham, which will return to the gridiron in 2017.
Despite what Research Scholars tell you about Football. Football brings in MONEY!!!

36 Universities approved to fund football for a reason. Since 1978 when the NCAA changed its method for tracking attendance figures, the number of schools playing NCAA football (FBS, FCS, DII and DII) has steadily increased by 179 schools from 484 in 1978 to a record high of 666 in 2015, or an average increase of 4.9 schools per year.

 

[Falco]

Everyone stop saying we are competing with the Redskins, because that is simply not true. The Redskins continue to remove seats from their stadium because it a poor football experience. People who once loved going to Redskins games, would be delighted there is another football option.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/spor...5299d6-088a-11e5-a7ad-b430fc1d3f5c_story.html

 

[MasonSAE4]

Football and basketball are apples and oranges. I realize this is a hoops forum but people need to realize football is an experience that basketball isn't. Saying we can't break 5,000 in the arena doesn't mean we wouldn't break 10,000 in a stadium on a nice fall day. We certainly wouldn't be filling the Big House, but a football program would do alright for itself from an attendance point of view I think.

That said I totally agree the finances aren't even close to being there and would require one hell of a generous sugar daddy. I'd rather us right the ship in basketball and build that Patriot Park facility before discussing football.

 

[Falco]

Football and basketball are apples and oranges. I realize this is a hoops forum but people need to realize football is an experience that basketball isn't. Saying we can't break 5,000 in the arena doesn't mean we wouldn't break 10,000 in a stadium on a nice fall day. We certainly wouldn't be filling the Big House, but a football program would do alright for itself from an attendance point of view I think.

That said I totally agree the finances aren't even close to being there and would require one hell of a generous sugar daddy. I'd rather us right the ship in basketball and build that Patriot Park facility before discussing football.

I mostly agree with your post. However, funding a program is possible. in 2013 ETSU approved to increase student fees by only $125. This proved to be a worthy investment when you see an immediate increase in student applications.

 

[The Great PATSby]

We would need to cut some men's programs and add women's. Not sure about the exact numbers to add/rid off but as a starter, I'd get rid of some of the lower performing programs like Men's Tennis, Golf, and Wrestling and maybe Men's Swimming and add Woman's field hockey.

Fundraising is obviously the biggest factor. We'd have to rely heavily on corporate donations. It also doesn't help that our Alumni Base as a whole is pretty young and living in one of the highest cost of living areas in the country. Alumni just don't have to major bucks yet to throw around. Maybe in 20 years from now when a majority of our alumni base is in the retirement age range will we see big number donations coming into the Patriot Club.

 

[The Great PATSby]

I want football more than ever. Could Mason feasibly start a football program within the next 5 years...No. But that doesn't mean Mason should start preparing now.

Mason does need to be proactive. They need to publicize that they WOULD start a program if X amount of dollars were raised. I bet it would take 5-10 years minimum to raise the funds. They should start a general football fund for people to start donating as early as possible so they can earn interest and have the fund grow. I absolutely believe in the "Field of Dreams" approach.

 

[MasonSAE4]

I mostly agree with your post. However, funding a program is possible. in 2013 ETSU approved to increase student fees by only $125. This proved to be a worthy investment when you see an immediate increase in student applications.

But what's the size of stadium? Mason has already stated that if they ever do it they're going to do it big. Now we can debate the wisdom of starting FCS vs. FBS but a stadium at even $100 million is a huge ask.

 

[mkaufman1]

Well its good we've covered all the offseason deadhorses, no video scoreboard, no practice facility and no Mason sports hall of fame and now we covered the deadhorse of football.

I'm ready for the season to begin now!

 

[Patriot8]

But what's the size of stadium? Mason has already stated that if they ever do it they're going to do it big. Now we can debate the wisdom of starting FCS vs. FBS but a stadium at even $100 million is a huge ask.

I really believe that "going big" would be a mistake. The CAA is an outstanding FCS football conference. While I was happy to see ODU take their chance and move to FBS, I think we would be better served at the FCS level, developing rivalries with Delaware and Richmond, and kicking the shit out of Georgetown like everyone else does. I was at the Richmond game this past Saturday and their stadium is gorgeous. We don't need anything bigger than 10,000 seats. If football progresses and there is enough ticket demand, they can always expand.

All that said, football is a pipe dream that is at least a decade away from serious consideration. Focus support on upgrading facilities for basketball, soccer and baseball.

 

[MasonSAE4]

I really believe that "going big" would be a mistake. The CAA is an outstanding FCS football conference. While I was happy to see ODU take their chance and move to FBS, I think we would be better served at the FCS level, developing rivalries with Delaware and Richmond, and kicking the shit out of Georgetown like everyone else does. I was at the Richmond game this past Saturday and their stadium is gorgeous. We don't need anything bigger than 10,000 seats. If football progresses and there is enough ticket demand, they can always expand.

All that said, football is a pipe dream that is at least a decade away from serious consideration. Focus support on upgrading facilities for basketball, soccer and baseball.

I'm also fine with FCS but I'd prefer to go a bit larger than 10k. I think (and I can't believe I'm saying this) JMU is a decent program to emulate. Nice stadium, nothing way over the top and competitive in FCS.

I grew up down the street from UNH which is in the CAA and they just redid their stadium to about 15,000 people and can pretty much pack it. I'm sure we could come close.

 

[GMUSig03]

I'm also fine with FCS but I'd prefer to go a bit larger than 10k. I think (and I can't believe I'm saying this) JMU is a decent program to emulate. Nice stadium, nothing way over the top and competitive in FCS.

I grew up down the street from UNH which is in the CAA and they just redid their stadium to about 15,000 people and can pretty much pack it. I'm sure we could come close.

It's hard for me to figure out how excited I would be about an FCS program since I grew up a Miami fan and already have an FBS team that I root for and follow, but SAE's comment made me wonder: If we are able to get 10-15K to come to football games - how much of that would spill over into basketball attendance?

 

[MasonSAE4]

It's hard for me to figure out how excited I would be about an FCS program since I grew up a Miami fan and already have an FBS team that I root for and follow, but SAE's comment made me wonder: If we are able to get 10-15K to come to football games - how much of that would spill over into basketball attendance?

Hard to say, depends on if we stay put in conference, ect, ect. I'm semi-convinced that low attendance is in part due to lack of exciting opponents and that when big name teams come to town it gets more hype. Hell, soccer packed the hell out of Mason Stadium when we played UVA (in no way am I saying we should move conferences, we're in the right place). Obviously the other factor being how garbage we've been recently on the court.

The one common theme you hear again and again from schools like ODU that start football is the spirit it raises on campus. Perhaps some of that would carry over into the winter. Even if the football wasn't great it would get people going in the fall and transition nicely into bball season.