*Rumored Lamar to FBS discussion*

[TexGator]

If you read my post a few days ago in the Kampus Korner section I talk about our fundraising capabilities. Dr. Simmons says we haven't scratched the surface of potential large donations to LU. You're post makes it seem Like LU was scrapping together cash just to get the current program off the ground. That's not my understanding.

 

So no it's not the Golden Triangle that needs to be willing to open up their wallets for a big project, it would be rich alums who are scattered all over the Nation. Just look at the current Advisory Board for the College of Engineering.

 

I trust your view, as someone who has been on campus and involved in a lot of activities in the LU community. But, there are two reasons I have apprehension about Lamar being able to "go back to the well", so to speak on a bigger fundraising goal than the last project:

(1) I remember how far behind Lamar was for about 20 years (mid-80's through mid-00's) when it came to capital improvements. So, any time I hear that Lamar has a big fundraising project, I have apprehensions until I hear people say they're pretty close to the goal.

(2) I see enrollment leveling off (and possibly slipping slightly). The majority of Lamar's enrollment growth the last 4 years was related to the Academic Partnership program, with about 500 new M.Ed. candidates enrolling every 6 weeks for the first 3 years, but I think the carrying capacity of masters candidates in Texas has been reached with Lamar (and UT-Arlington riding the coat-tails as a Johnny-come-lately) creating the market and saturating it before most colleges knew what hit them. (and these new alums are less likely to give than traditional students who are a part of the campus community since they don't connect with the school by it being an online program)

 

So, it's not that I don't think it can (or will) happen, but I'm leery- not too leery to write a check, though.

[Guest CardAmbassador]

If you read my post a few days ago in the Kampus Korner section I talk about our fundraising capabilities. Dr. Simmons says we haven't scratched the surface of potential large donations to LU. You're post makes it seem Like LU was scrapping together cash just to get the current program off the ground. That's not my understanding.

 

So no it's not the Golden Triangle that needs to be willing to open up their wallets for a big project, it would be rich alums who are scattered all over the Nation. Just look at the current Advisory Board for the College of Engineering.

 

I trust your view, as someone who has been on campus and involved in a lot of activities in the LU community. But, there are two reasons I have apprehension about Lamar being able to "go back to the well", so to speak on a bigger fundraising goal than the last project:

(1) I remember how far behind Lamar was for about 20 years (mid-80's through mid-00's) when it came to capital improvements. So, any time I hear that Lamar has a big fundraising project, I have apprehensions until I hear people say they're pretty close to the goal.

(2) I see enrollment leveling off (and possibly slipping slightly). The majority of Lamar's enrollment growth the last 4 years was related to the Academic Partnership program, with about 500 new M.Ed. candidates enrolling every 6 weeks for the first 3 years, but I think the carrying capacity of masters candidates in Texas has been reached with Lamar (and UT-Arlington riding the coat-tails as a Johnny-come-lately) creating the market and saturating it before most colleges knew what hit them. (and these new alums are less likely to give than traditional students who are a part of the campus community since they don't connect with the school by it being an online program)

 

So, it's not that I don't think it can (or will) happen, but I'm leery- not too leery to write a check, though.

 

You're very right but now Lamar is benefiting from proper management (due to Dr. Simmons) and the construction projects planned are already funded, many of them through Tuition Revenue Bonds or other State money. We're being funded at exactly the same rate as all the other university campuses now.

 

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE BUILDING $18,323,457 $18,323,457 $18,323,457

ART BUILDING RENOVATION $13,969,319 $13,969,319 $13,969,319

BROOKS-SHIVERS RENOVATION $28,525,559 $28,525,559 $28,525,559

CAMPUS INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADE $4,277,850 $4,277,850 $4,277,850

CHERRY ENGINEERING ADDITION II $16,541,020 $16,541,020 $16,541,020

CHERRY ENGINEERING COMPUTER CENTER

RENOVATION $1,006,543 $1,006,543 $1,006,543

CLASSROOM UPGRADES $2,000,000 $2,000,000 $2,000,000

FACILITIES MANAGEMENT COMPLEX $27,485,186 $27,485,186 $27,485,186

HAYES BIOLOGY BUILDING $8,622,229 $8,622,229 $8,622,229

HEALTH & HUMAN PERF COMPLEX A RENOVATION $10,251,414 $10,251,414 $10,251,414

MAES BLDG RENOVATION $22,193,953 $22,193,953 $22,193,953

NEW ALUMNI CENTER $3,298,222 $3,298,222 $3,298,222

NEW PERFORMING ARTS CENTER $29,802,355 $14,901,177 $14,901,177 $29,802,355

NEW RESEARCH BLDG $25,667,100 $12,833,552 $12,833,550 $25,667,100

NEW SCIENCE BUILDING $32,083,875 $25,000,000 $7,083,875 $32,083,875

RENOVATION OF SETZER CENTER $8,413,105 $8,413,105 $8,413,105

ROOF REPLACEMENTS (4 remaining) $1,607,200 $1,607,200 $1,607,200

SECURITY AND COMPUTING CENTER $9,981,650 $9,981,650 $9,981,650

SPEECH & HEARING BUILDING RENOV. & ADDITION $10,440,606 $10,440,606 $10,440,606

THEATRE RENOVATION $3,065,792 $3,065,792 $3,065,792

UNIVERSITY-WIDE FIRE CODE CORRECTIONS $750,000 $750,000 $750,000

VINCENT BECK STADIUM RENOVATION $5,000,000 $5,000,000 $5,000,000

 

LINK: http://www.shsu.edu/~slo_stdss/documents/May%2019%20-20%20boardbook-1.pdf

 

Before revisions which will be made in August, LU is squeezing $280 million dollars in three years into the campus. That total can be viewed in the above link. You have to go to that Lamar University Projects Summary Page.

 

You're right about the enrollment, I see the total possibly dipping slightly, but the on campus enrollment is currently 1,300 students ahead of last year so it's very possible that we see an increase over last year.

 

Here is my source for that:

http://bigredinsider.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=21&id=17202&Itemid=169

 

Basically what I'm saying is if LU needed a stadium expansion done quickly there are several donors LU has already been in contact with that could be called upon. It would likely be funded by 4 or 5 people instead of some giant fundraising drive.

[jdcurran235]

Re: Conference Madness heating up???

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/colleg ... g-had_.ece

 

Rick Perry on A&M to SEC rumors: 'Conversations are being had'

 

By CHUCK CARLTON

Staff Writer

 

ccarlton@dallasnews.com

Published 10 August 2011 04:53 PM

 

Gov. Rick Perry provided interesting insight Wednesday into the rumors that have Texas A&M eventually leaving the Big 12 for the Southeastern Conference.

 

Asked by The Dallas Morning News ’ statehouse reporters about SEC speculation regarding A&M, Perry responded: "I'll be real honest with you. I just read about it the same time as y'all did. ... As far as I know, conversations are being had. That's frankly all I know. I just refer you to the university and the decision makers over there."

 

The key phrase is “As far as I know, conversations are being had.” The response by the governor, a former Aggie yell leader and likely future presidential candidate, went beyond the Twitter and message board speculation that erupted in the last 48 hours.

 

Perry didn’t say if the conversations were strictly internal at this point or involved direct discussions with the Southeastern Conference.

 

A&M has made clear its displeasure with Texas’ Longhorn Network and its possible impact on the league’s stability. Even though Big 12 athletic directors and board of directors approved a one-year moratorium on the broadcast of high schools on the network last week, the anxiety has continued among the fan base. Among the concern is the possibility of a second football game on the network involving a conference foe.

 

“Both of those we believe provide a great deal of uncertainty right now for us and the conference,” A&M president R. Bowen Loftin told the San Antonio Express-News following a board of regents meeting last month.

 

A&M had serious talks with the SEC a year ago when the Big 12 seemed about to fracture. After the Big 12 survived as a 10-team conference, Loftin said that an SEC invitation was only one phone call away. Whether an invite remains that close now is unclear.

 

Staff writer Robert T. Garrett contributed to this report.

[jdcurran235]

If Tamu goes to the SEC how will this effect realignment (which is seeming more likely).

[TexGator]

If you read my post a few days ago in the Kampus Korner section I talk about our fundraising capabilities. Dr. Simmons says we haven't scratched the surface of potential large donations to LU. You're post makes it seem Like LU was scrapping together cash just to get the current program off the ground. That's not my understanding.

 

So no it's not the Golden Triangle that needs to be willing to open up their wallets for a big project, it would be rich alums who are scattered all over the Nation. Just look at the current Advisory Board for the College of Engineering.

 

I trust your view, as someone who has been on campus and involved in a lot of activities in the LU community. But, there are two reasons I have apprehension about Lamar being able to "go back to the well", so to speak on a bigger fundraising goal than the last project:

(1) I remember how far behind Lamar was for about 20 years (mid-80's through mid-00's) when it came to capital improvements. So, any time I hear that Lamar has a big fundraising project, I have apprehensions until I hear people say they're pretty close to the goal.

(2) I see enrollment leveling off (and possibly slipping slightly). The majority of Lamar's enrollment growth the last 4 years was related to the Academic Partnership program, with about 500 new M.Ed. candidates enrolling every 6 weeks for the first 3 years, but I think the carrying capacity of masters candidates in Texas has been reached with Lamar (and UT-Arlington riding the coat-tails as a Johnny-come-lately) creating the market and saturating it before most colleges knew what hit them. (and these new alums are less likely to give than traditional students who are a part of the campus community since they don't connect with the school by it being an online program)

 

So, it's not that I don't think it can (or will) happen, but I'm leery- not too leery to write a check, though.

 

You're very right but now Lamar is benefiting from proper management (due to Dr. Simmons) and the construction projects planned are already funded, many of them through Tuition Revenue Bonds or other State money. We're being funded at exactly the same rate as all the other university campuses now.

 

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE BUILDING $18,323,457 $18,323,457 $18,323,457

ART BUILDING RENOVATION $13,969,319 $13,969,319 $13,969,319

BROOKS-SHIVERS RENOVATION $28,525,559 $28,525,559 $28,525,559

CAMPUS INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADE $4,277,850 $4,277,850 $4,277,850

CHERRY ENGINEERING ADDITION II $16,541,020 $16,541,020 $16,541,020

CHERRY ENGINEERING COMPUTER CENTER

RENOVATION $1,006,543 $1,006,543 $1,006,543

CLASSROOM UPGRADES $2,000,000 $2,000,000 $2,000,000

FACILITIES MANAGEMENT COMPLEX $27,485,186 $27,485,186 $27,485,186

HAYES BIOLOGY BUILDING $8,622,229 $8,622,229 $8,622,229

HEALTH & HUMAN PERF COMPLEX A RENOVATION $10,251,414 $10,251,414 $10,251,414

MAES BLDG RENOVATION $22,193,953 $22,193,953 $22,193,953

NEW ALUMNI CENTER $3,298,222 $3,298,222 $3,298,222

NEW PERFORMING ARTS CENTER $29,802,355 $14,901,177 $14,901,177 $29,802,355

NEW RESEARCH BLDG $25,667,100 $12,833,552 $12,833,550 $25,667,100

NEW SCIENCE BUILDING $32,083,875 $25,000,000 $7,083,875 $32,083,875

RENOVATION OF SETZER CENTER $8,413,105 $8,413,105 $8,413,105

ROOF REPLACEMENTS (4 remaining) $1,607,200 $1,607,200 $1,607,200

SECURITY AND COMPUTING CENTER $9,981,650 $9,981,650 $9,981,650

SPEECH & HEARING BUILDING RENOV. & ADDITION $10,440,606 $10,440,606 $10,440,606

THEATRE RENOVATION $3,065,792 $3,065,792 $3,065,792

UNIVERSITY-WIDE FIRE CODE CORRECTIONS $750,000 $750,000 $750,000

VINCENT BECK STADIUM RENOVATION $5,000,000 $5,000,000 $5,000,000

 

LINK: http://www.shsu.edu/~slo_stdss/documents/May%2019%20-20%20boardbook-1.pdf

 

Before revisions which will be made in August, LU is squeezing $280 million dollars in three years into the campus. That total can be viewed in the above link. You have to go to that Lamar University Projects Summary Page.

 

You're right about the enrollment, I see the total possibly dipping slightly, but the on campus enrollment is currently 1,300 students ahead of last year so it's very possible that we see an increase over last year.

 

Here is my source for that:

http://bigredinsider.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=21&id=17202&Itemid=169

 

Basically what I'm saying is if LU needed a stadium expansion done quickly there are several donors LU has already been in contact with that could be called upon. It would likely be funded by 4 or 5 people instead of some giant fundraising drive.

 

I like the idea of bringing in the big guns. There are some easy quid pro quo (upgraded boxes they get for 20 years, names on stuff, etc). But, those decisions are things the Development Office can arrange better than us lay men.

[TexGator]

If Tamu goes to the SEC how will this effect realignment (which is seeming more likely).

 

The only way TAMU leaving the Big XII could help the Cards is if it leads to UT and OU starting a new conference and stealing some of the stronger schools from around the region- leading to a chain reaction, though some of the cookies that would have to break are tough (like the SEC and Big 10).

[Cplatt]

I looked at UNT's stadium and WOW, we have the potential to expand it like they did but they have an enrollment on 36,000 and ours will be under 14,000. For us to go to the WAC we need to expand the stadium ASAP and prove that we can fill. This season if they see people standing on the back of trucks just to watch the game because thier is no room, they might see money. I would expand to as much as possible, if we win they will come. Also enrollment needs to expand. LU is known around the country as a Engineering and Nursing school but yet i see no Master;s degree in Engineering online. That would honelstly add alot of value and enrollment.

Cplatt

[Guest CardAmbassador]

I looked at UNT's stadium and WOW, we have the potential to expand it like they did but they have an enrollment on 36,000 and ours will be under 14,000. For us to go to the WAC we need to expand the stadium ASAP and prove that we can fill. This season if they see people standing on the back of trucks just to watch the game because thier is no room, they might see money. I would expand to as much as possible, if we win they will come. Also enrollment needs to expand. LU is known around the country as a Engineering and Nursing school but yet i see no Master;s degree in Engineering online. That would honelstly add alot of value and enrollment.

Cplatt

 

I couldn't agree more, we need to try to sell out the stadium again this year. That starts with all of us, invite friends, relatives, even people you don't like out to Provost Umphrey this year and we will sell out. If we all take that mentality into this season, and get even more people fired up about Lamar football good things will happen.

 

And Cplatt from my last conversation with Dr. Simmons I found that they are going to emphasize undergraduate programs more than graduate in the next few years. Specifically in the science/technology/engineering/math (STEM) areas, that will be the big push in the coming decade. Dr. Simmons says it's too hard to get THECB approval for graduate programs without a larger enrollment, that is why the Energy Engineering Ph.D. program failed.

[Cplatt]

Great info. I did the Industrial Tech degree online and it was a great program and im gonna wwait for them to roll out a MS program but i guess it will be a while. I am a Lamar die hard and do not want to give my money to any other school so i will wait it out and just donate it back to the school anyway i can.

[Guest CardAmbassador]

Great info. I did the Industrial Tech degree online and it was a great program and im gonna wwait for them to roll out a MS program but i guess it will be a while. I am a Lamar die hard and do not want to give my money to any other school so i will wait it out and just donate it back to the school anyway i can.

 

I would expect existing programs to get their classes online. I know that Lamar has a contract with the Army to provide online Masters Degrees in Industrial Engineering to Army Engineers in Texarkana. I'm not sure that is what you're waiting for but if it is they have it. Currently it is only for the military from my understanding.

[TexGator]

Grad school and/or online enrollment doesn't really increase attendance at football and basketball. Two things increase attendance: undergrads (preferably those living on-campus) and winning.

 

And Lamar has pretty much saturated the Golden Triangle- yes, they could get more students from around the area, but I doubt Lamar could increase their undergrad enrollment to 25,000 even with a strong foothold into Houston.

 

So, I guess that means winning.

[Guest CardAmbassador]

Grad school and/or online enrollment doesn't really increase attendance at football and basketball. Two things increase attendance: undergrads (preferably those living on-campus) and winning.

 

And Lamar has pretty much saturated the Golden Triangle- yes, they could get more students from around the area, but I doubt Lamar could increase their undergrad enrollment to 25,000 even with a strong foothold into Houston.

 

So, I guess that means winning.

 

That may be a good thing because undergrad hours will definitely be up this fall. Like I said Lamar was over 1000 students ahead of pace for on campus enrollment a few weeks ago.

 

That will also help athletics in another way. Online masters students did't pay the athletic fee. So while we may be losing their numbers for our official enrollment our athletic programs will still be seeing a boost in funding this fall. Can't wait till the 20th class day rolls are announced. I still think there is a chance we see a record enrollment.

[jdcurran235]

Anybody watching what happened with Tamu today

[Guest CardAmbassador]

Anybody watching what happened with Tamu today

 

Are you talking about the regent meeting they rescheduled?

 

There is a post about it in the college sports forum.

 

I think this may be what causes USU to leave the WAC and open future doors for Lamar to move to either the Sun Belt or the WAC.

[TexGator]

Grad school and/or online enrollment doesn't really increase attendance at football and basketball. Two things increase attendance: undergrads (preferably those living on-campus) and winning.

 

And Lamar has pretty much saturated the Golden Triangle- yes, they could get more students from around the area, but I doubt Lamar could increase their undergrad enrollment to 25,000 even with a strong foothold into Houston.

 

So, I guess that means winning.

 

That may be a good thing because undergrad hours will definitely be up this fall. Like I said Lamar was over 1000 students ahead of pace for on campus enrollment a few weeks ago.

 

That will also help athletics in another way. Online masters students did't pay the athletic fee. So while we may be losing their numbers for our official enrollment our athletic programs will still be seeing a boost in funding this fall. Can't wait till the 20th class day rolls are announced. I still think there is a chance we see a record enrollment.

 

I like those words "record enrollment"... and you're absolutely right. I only paid into the tuition pot with my masters- no campus, student, or athletic fees. Here's to hoping that pot has grown enough that it will be sustainable at the current level (good for P.R.).

[TexGator]

Anybody watching what happened with Tamu today

 

Are you talking about the regent meeting they rescheduled?

 

There is a post about it in the college sports forum.

 

I think this may be what causes USU to leave the WAC and open future doors for Lamar to move to either the Sun Belt or the WAC.

 

I don't follow your train of thought. State your case.

[Guest CardAmbassador]

Anybody watching what happened with Tamu today

 

Are you talking about the regent meeting they rescheduled?

 

There is a post about it in the college sports forum.

 

I think this may be what causes USU to leave the WAC and open future doors for Lamar to move to either the Sun Belt or the WAC.

 

I don't follow your train of thought. State your case.

 

Trickle down. Big XII might replace A&M. If they do it will likely be from a Non AQ C-USA or MWC. The two previously mentioned Non AQ's will back fill from other Non-AQ conferences.

 

Also. A&M may go alone to the SEC for now but not for long. Other schools will be poached maybe FSU from the ACC. In which case they will back fill, likely from C-USA. That will cause C-USA to back fill.

 

This is why people keep referring to expansion dominoes.

 

Just on opinion of what is possible.

[TexGator]

Anybody watching what happened with Tamu today

 

Are you talking about the regent meeting they rescheduled?

 

There is a post about it in the college sports forum.

 

I think this may be what causes USU to leave the WAC and open future doors for Lamar to move to either the Sun Belt or the WAC.

 

I don't follow your train of thought. State your case.

 

Trickle down. Big XII might replace A&M. If they do it will likely be from a Non AQ C-USA or MWC. The two previously mentioned Non AQ's will back fill from other Non-AQ conferences.

 

Also. A&M may go alone to the SEC for now but not for long. Other schools will be poached maybe FSU from the ACC. In which case they will back fill, likely from C-USA. That will cause C-USA to back fill.

 

This is why people keep referring to expansion dominoes.

 

Just on opinion of what is possible.

 

I can understand that theory and accept it. While I'd agree with other moves being big dominoes, here's how I see it going if TAMU makes the move that it looks like it inevitable:

Florida St. OR Virginia Tech get the call to the SEC and take it

Louisville or West Virginia replace the loss in the ACC

 

But, I don't see the 3rd domino falling since TCU moves to the Big East in time to stop them from needing a new team. But, I could be wrong.

[Guest CardAmbassador]

One thing to remember, if SEC goes the super conference route, so will PAC and Big 10. That's alot more schools vacating the likes of C-USA type conferences.

[jdcurran235]

I see UH to the Big 12. This is also what Tamu people are saying on their board. if that happens this year then dominoes will fall very quickly after that. I am not sure if CUSA grabs from SBC or the WAC. I am also not sure where that would put us.

[jdcurran235]

I don't see the super conference thing happening that quickly. I think the only other move you may see is FSU to the SEC and maybe UH to the big 12.

 

What happens at the mid major level is to unpredictable.

[coachacola]

Texas A&M to the SEC makes sense to me. It gives the SEC a presence in Texas and Texas A&M and just seems like a SEC-type of school.

 

Florida State to the SEC seems natural to me because they are more of a football school than a basketball school. Then Louisville could move over to the ACC from the Big East. I always thought it was odd that they were in the Big East. TCU is already headed to the Big East so they really don't have to add anyone else.

 

The rumors have Houston replacing Texas A&M in the Big 12. Who else could the Big 12 get? Their choices are limited. Taking Houston could trickle down to the WAC as others here have pointed out.

 

The WAC still may not be able to get either Montana or Montana State and from what I've been reading no California schools are ready to go FBS. The WAC would almost have to invite Lamar at that point.

[jdcurran235]

The next three weeks will be telling. We will see how the other conferences are going to react. I am not sure if LaTech is going to be the one picked by CUSA. Call me crazy, but I would not be surprised by either UTSA or UNT getting an invite. LaTech is not as good as everyone makes them out to be and UTSA's potential is limitless. They already have 10K season tickets sold and they have never played a down of football. Also, UNT is in dallas. I dont see MTSU being invited but I could be wrong. Honestly I think CUSA could surprise everyone with who they invite. They might even pick up an FCS, I am not sure who that would be though.

[TexGator]

One thing to remember, if SEC goes the super conference route, so will PAC and Big 10. That's alot more schools vacating the likes of C-USA type conferences.

 

By "super conference", are you implying they'll go up to 16, or that the those conferences will just go with 14? To me, if schools go "super conference", we're talking 16 team conferences that will mean fewer opportunities for schools since most bowls would prefer "SEC-#9" to "WAC-#3" (and sometimes #2).

 

I've attended multiple bowl games here in Houston and, while Houstonians have rallied behind having a bowl here in town, there's a definite difference between having a school like Southern Miss in the game (or even the early 2000's version of TCU) and having a BCS Conference school.

 

Seeing the difference between a BCS and non-BCS conference school in a 2nd/3rd-tier game (the old Houston Bowl with its 3 different names and was 3rd-tier, whereas the the Texas Bowl is first-class all the way and is outdrawing 2/3 of the games), I see FBS as a less-lucrative deal for schools (even current FBS members) because not having the backing of BCS conference schools could quickly become a death sentence for bowls and the number of bowls drops significantly.

 

Bowls that have C-USA, Sun Belt, or WAC schools are pretty much going to struggle since we have created a culture where, once a school becomes a football asset, they're game to be plucked away by whichever conference is looking for a new dance partner.

[TexGator]

I haven't heard too many people outside of Houston trumpet U of H as a possible Big XII member. Plus, I think Bleachergate is still fresh in the memories of many (even though it was a decade ago), especially at UT. Notice that the Horns don't really play U of H in ANY sport (even baseball or softball)?... and it's not because they were trying to get revenge against Tom Penders.