LUSportsFan Posted May 7, 2011 Posted May 7, 2011 Question for the local LU guys in the know. I saw the following response by Texas Terror on the AnyGivenSaturday board in reference to a question concerning FBS move up. SHSU and Lamar are not ready financially while both schools need football facelifts. SHSU and Lamar both plan to have $15M budgets by '13 - which would likely increase through some of the increased revenues available in FBS to $17M (if you had to ask me). As far as football, Lamar's stadium barely meets the FBS minimums, but would need some more sprucing up while SHSU is building an 'Event Center' adjacent to the football stadium. Trying to figure out if that includes a club level viewing for the football stadium or not. SHSU has 'room to grow' with grassy berms on each side of the current seating with the availability of horse-shoeing the end zone or building a second tier of seating on the 'visitor side'. Here's the link ... http://www.anygivensaturday.com/showthread.php?84057-Four-Ready-to-Accept-WAC-Invite Just wondering, other than possible seating additions to meet the demand, what "sprucing up" is he referring to? I recently did a drive around the stadium (about a month ago) and it looks like new and is in a lot better condition than some of the BCS stadiums I have been in; just not as big. I can understand possible capacity increases, but I wouldn't consider that as "sprucing up". Also, I thought PUS has grassy berms that would provide room to grow if required.
Guest CardAmbassador Posted May 7, 2011 Posted May 7, 2011 There are berms and room for expansion. To view photos follow this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provost_Umphrey_Stadium Terror always colors his words in a way that are favorable to SHSU. At the same time he slights any other school, mainly TxSt-SM and LU, whenever he gets a chance. If you view the photos you will see that there is no sprucing up required the entire facility is like new.
Guest LU4LIFE Posted May 7, 2011 Posted May 7, 2011 The area between the field and the athletic complex has room for future expasion but the area between the field and the Montagne Center is limited, and even at that the Morgan Suites are there. If Lamar can double deck the stands oppisite of the press box and bowl off the athletic complex side that would push are seating capacity even with FBS schools stadium.
TexasTerror Posted May 7, 2011 Posted May 7, 2011 Just wondering, other than possible seating additions to meet the demand, what "sprucing up" is he referring to? You could ask, eh? I was referring to adding more stadium size. An upgrade at baseball is needed as is the construction of a softball field.
Guest CardAmbassador Posted May 7, 2011 Posted May 7, 2011 Just wondering, other than possible seating additions to meet the demand, what "sprucing up" is he referring to? You could ask, eh? I was referring to adding more stadium size. An upgrade at baseball is needed as is the construction of a softball field. Sprucing up doesn't make it sound like seating you are referring to but rather the quality of the facilities themselves.
BigRedTrack Posted May 7, 2011 Posted May 7, 2011 [i [attachment=7]LUExpandedStadium.jpg[/attachment] This is one proposed idea for expansion. There is another with an upper deck on the east side.
Guest LU4LIFE Posted May 7, 2011 Posted May 7, 2011 According to Karl Benson, the WAC might be expanding by 4 schools on June 14th. He is not releasing any specifics on the schools, meaning it is unknown if the potential invites would be football or non-football schools. Lamar is the only football school that has not flat-out rejected the WAC thus far. An early target, Montana, passed on the WAC already. Other schools expressing interest in FBS football are Jacksonville St. and Appalachian St. But neither school has even finalized plans to upgrade. Western located FCS football schools such as Sacramento St., Cal Poly, UC Davis and Portland St. have also opted to remain in FCS at this time. So unless something drastic has changed with those FCS schools, Lamar remains the only real option as a potential football member. It’s just as likely that the WAC will opt to invite non-football members to help stabilize the conferences footprint. Schools considered on the WAC radar include Seattle, Utah Valley, and Cal St. Bakersfield. With the recent push into Texas with UTSA and Texas St., it’s also possible that non-football Southland schools such as Texas-Arlington could be considered. Great West members Houston Baptist and Texas-Pan American as well. If four schools are indeed invited, all signs point to the possibility of them being: 1) Lamar: will add an 8th football school and 9th all-sports member 2) Seattle: would be the 10th member but without football; Would provide some access to the Seattle market; close to WAC member Idaho 3) Utah Valley: would be the 12th member, without football. A travel partner for Utah St. 4) CSU Bakersfield: would be the 11th member, without football; Located close enough to SJSU http://collegesportsinfo.com/2011/05/06/wac-commish-talks-expansion/
Guest CardAmbassador Posted May 7, 2011 Posted May 7, 2011 According to Karl Benson, the WAC might be expanding by 4 schools on June 14th. He is not releasing any specifics on the schools, meaning it is unknown if the potential invites would be football or non-football schools. Lamar is the only football school that has not flat-out rejected the WAC thus far. An early target, Montana, passed on the WAC already. Other schools expressing interest in FBS football are Jacksonville St. and Appalachian St. But neither school has even finalized plans to upgrade. Western located FCS football schools such as Sacramento St., Cal Poly, UC Davis and Portland St. have also opted to remain in FCS at this time. So unless something drastic has changed with those FCS schools, Lamar remains the only real option as a potential football member. It’s just as likely that the WAC will opt to invite non-football members to help stabilize the conferences footprint. Schools considered on the WAC radar include Seattle, Utah Valley, and Cal St. Bakersfield. With the recent push into Texas with UTSA and Texas St., it’s also possible that non-football Southland schools such as Texas-Arlington could be considered. Great West members Houston Baptist and Texas-Pan American as well. If four schools are indeed invited, all signs point to the possibility of them being: 1) Lamar: will add an 8th football school and 9th all-sports member 2) Seattle: would be the 10th member but without football; Would provide some access to the Seattle market; close to WAC member Idaho 3) Utah Valley: would be the 12th member, without football. A travel partner for Utah St. 4) CSU Bakersfield: would be the 11th member, without football; Located close enough to SJSU http://collegesportsinfo.com/2011/05/06/wac-commish-talks-expansion/ That is very encouraging. I agree with alot of this article until he starts talking about non-football schools in Texas. Lets step back and think for a minute? Lamar wants to go FBS, maybe not in 2012 but we at least know it is an aspiration. Why hasn't Lamar been invited already then? I know we aren't the most attractive candidate but we are positioned better than some. The most unattractive part of inviting LU is location. The WAC would prefer FBS first, but if they start looking at FCS candidates they immediately turn west. Why? Because the members the WAC needs to be most worried about appeasing are in the west (other than of course La Tech) Now to suggest that UTA, HBU or UTPA would get an invite to the WAC before LU is absurd. You can make a case for UTA since they might potentially bring a DFW market but Seattle U would get in before UTA for the non-football spot. HBU? Seriously? The WAC would be VERY desperate to add them. Same goes for UTPA.
TexasTerror Posted May 7, 2011 Posted May 7, 2011 CA - FYI - here is the real source of Matt Peloquin's information... Dan McCarney was ahead of Matt Peloquin on this one - http://www.mysanantonio.com/default/article/UTSA-Beat-WAC-discussing-expansion-options-1368213.php
jdcurran235 Posted May 7, 2011 Posted May 7, 2011 It is a hard argument to say that UTA may bring in the DFW. They have a lot of students but that is the only redeeming quality.
Guest CardAmbassador Posted May 7, 2011 Posted May 7, 2011 It is a hard argument to say that UTA may bring in the DFW. They have a lot of students but that is the only redeeming quality. I agree, I'm saying, schools located in Metros can be said to bring at least a share of the market they are in. I don't think UTA would draw well for their first several years in any larger conference.
LUSportsFan Posted May 7, 2011 Posted May 7, 2011 If attendance is any factor, I checked the basketball attendance for HBU, UTPA, and UTA. I couldn't find any attendance figures for HBU, but the capacity of their home arena, Sharp Gym, is 1,500. UTPA averaged 729 based on 14 games UTA averaged 811 over 13 games Compare that with LU's average attendance of 3,176 based on 13 games. Here's the source from the NCAA.org website. http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/bdf2030046a3609298bddcc110a6426c/2011_NCAA_mens_basketball_attendance.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=bdf2030046a3609298bddcc110a6426c
Guest CardAmbassador Posted May 7, 2011 Posted May 7, 2011 Just think what our attendance could be next year with Knight if he turns this ship around? I could see some very large crowds in the Montagne.
LUSportsFan Posted May 7, 2011 Posted May 7, 2011 That would be nice. The Montagne really gets loud with 8,000 or 9,000 there. It would be really nice to see all 10,080 seats filled!!!
Guest LU4LIFE Posted May 7, 2011 Posted May 7, 2011 If we could get 10,080 in the Montagne Center that place would be ROCKIN!
TexGator Posted May 7, 2011 Posted May 7, 2011 If attendance is any factor, I checked the basketball attendance for HBU, UTPA, and UTA. I couldn't find any attendance figures for HBU, but the capacity of their home arena, Sharp Gym, is 1,500. UTPA averaged 729 based on 14 games UTA averaged 811 over 13 games Compare that with LU's average attendance of 3,176 based on 13 games. Here's the source from the NCAA.org website. http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/bdf2030046a3609298bddcc110a6426c/2011_NCAA_mens_basketball_attendance.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=bdf2030046a3609298bddcc110a6426c Lamar pretty much laps everyone in Texas, except for the Big XII, in basketball attendance. UH, with all their basketball tradition and being located in the middle of a 4th largest city in America, struggles to pull for their games... and we know that attendance at Rice games is less than what many HS games pull in.
TexasTerror Posted May 7, 2011 Posted May 7, 2011 Everyone mentions non-football schools - but what's the point? If you need to reach an NCAA minimum quick, fine - however, you are likely stuck with said schools, since they do not move from league-to-league as easily as a football program. If the WAC brings in three non-football schools, they will have four in the league. That does not provide the necessary flexibility should they require more football schools. It surely does not work well for the Big East in non-football sports, since they are about to have what - 18 schools in most sports? That's a bit too big.
Guest bigredfan2 Posted May 7, 2011 Posted May 7, 2011 That would be nice. The Montagne really gets loud with 8,000 or 9,000 there. It would be really nice to see all 10,080 seats filled!!! This is what 8,338 looks like and it is bone chilling exciting.
Guest CardAmbassador Posted May 7, 2011 Posted May 7, 2011 I agree with you Terror, I don't see the point in adding that many non football schools. I think the argument most people have made for the non-football schools is that they will bring a certain metro DMA. Seattle likely would get a portion of that DMA, but I don't think it would be significant. The PAC 12 has much more control of Seattle. Seattle U would only be relevant for basketball season which is three months long. Now you take Beaumont, our DMA does cover the Big XII, but LU gets quite a bit of coverage on the nightly news. If LU were FBS, that coverage would increase significantly IMO. So we can say we solidly bring a DMA of around 400k while Seattle will barely scratch the surface of the PAC12 saturated Seattle market.
TexGator Posted May 7, 2011 Posted May 7, 2011 Now that I've had time to read over the article and let it stew for a while, I'm going to chime in. UTPA and HBU are not viable options for any serious conference. UTPA left the Sun Belt because of financial reasons. While that school is probably doing better than it was, it's still not exactly well-endowed. HBU hasn't established itself as a legit NCAA school yet. They were NAIA dominant back in the late-90's in basketball. But, as has been mentioned, Sharp Gym is microscopic. Their only draw to a conference is that (a) they're private, so they can create a veil of secrecy on info for the whole conference, and (b) they're in Houston. But, as I've witnessed during my 15 years in Houston, they get less coverage in the Chronicle than does SHSU. Neither school raises the profile of any conference, which is why I don't even think the Southland would take them unless they had to scramble to get back to 8 schools... but I think ACU, Central Oklahoma, and UT-Tyler would be invited before either UTPA or HBU. At least those schools bring in the focus of a MSA that has shown to support programs.
BigRedTrack Posted May 7, 2011 Posted May 7, 2011 Now that I've had time to read over the article and let it stew for a while, I'm going to chime in. UTPA and HBU are not viable options for any serious conference. UTPA left the Sun Belt because of financial reasons. While that school is probably doing better than it was, it's still not exactly well-endowed. HBU hasn't established itself as a legit NCAA school yet. They were NAIA dominant back in the late-90's in basketball. But, as has been mentioned, Sharp Gym is microscopic. Their only draw to a conference is that (a) they're private, so they can create a veil of secrecy on info for the whole conference, and (b) they're in Houston. But, as I've witnessed during my 15 years in Houston, they get less coverage in the Chronicle than does SHSU. Neither school raises the profile of any conference, which is why I don't even think the Southland would take them unless they had to scramble to get back to 8 schools... but I think ACU, Central Oklahoma, and UT-Tyler would be invited before either UTPA or HBU. At least those schools bring in the focus of a MSA that has shown to support programs. I agree with TexGator. UT-Tyler would be my choice before HBU, that school is growing leaps and bounds and doing it right.
Guest CardAmbassador Posted May 8, 2011 Posted May 8, 2011 In Case you guys didn't see this in the Above the Rim section - Per Bob West: Never underestimate the Southland Conference’s penchant for doing something stupid. With all signs pointing to the SLC moving its basketball tournament from never-never land in Katy to Ford Park in Beaumont for the next three years, conference ADs voted overwhelming to keep the poorly attended event in Katy. It won’t be official until school presidents sign off on the recommendation, but that’s a mere formality. Considering the total disinterest in SLC basketball in Roger Clemens’ home town, and Beaumont’s enthusiasm about hosting, it’s a move that is disturbingly dumb. It also smacks of paranoia about giving Lamar some sort of edge, and beyond that it’s a statement of disrespect for former Cardinal coach and AD Billy Tubbs who has pushed hard for Lamar to join the Western Athletic Conference. http://panews.com/sportsbobwest/x340278971/Todd-Dodge-back-in-Texas-looking-for-quarterbacks
Guest CardAmbassador Posted May 9, 2011 Posted May 9, 2011 Just a hunch, but I think things are about to get interesting. ;)
Guest LU4LIFE Posted May 9, 2011 Posted May 9, 2011 Just a hunch, but I think things are about to get interesting. ;) Have you heard something that gave you this hunch?
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