The SLC exit fee was around $250,000 when UTSA and TxSt left. Don't know if the fee requirements have changed since then.

 

Looked up articles about UTA's departure also. Based on the linked article from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, their exit fee may have been a litle higher.

 

"...UTA could be subject to a $300,000 exit fee for leaving the Southland, and entry fee for joining the WAC is $600,000..."

 

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/07/14/3222927/ut-arlington-moving-to-wac-but.html#storylink=cpy

So LU will probably need to come up with about $550,000 to leave the SLC and join the SBC. Then they'll need to raise money to expand the stadium. Probably the cheapest option would be to add about 8K of seats in the southern endzone in front of the athletic complex. i wonder if Jason Henderson has called up Mr. Umphrey and asked "hey, you happen to have a few extra million laying around?"

I think Dr.Simmons probably has already discussed this with Lamar's wealthy donors. I'm guessing when bringing football was in it's earliest stages they probably had these conversations. Billy Tubbs and Dr. Simmons never had the intention for us to stay FCS. I think Lamar's leadership have already had discussions on who they can count on to give.

Looking at some recent stadium expansions, Montana State just completed one adding 7,200 endzone seats. The total cost was $10,000,000, but a lot of that money was for work already done at Provost-Umphrey. 7,200 would get us to 23,000 +

 

Looks like the MSU project included demolition of parts of the existing stadium, enhancements to the stadium to meet ADA requirements, and some other work that wouldn't be required at least to the extent that the MSU project required.

 

They added a new scoreboard. DONE (Ours is bigger) :)

Upgraded their restrooms. DONE

Dressing Room enhancements DONE

ADA enhancements DONE (with the recent renovations)

Demolition of existing seating Not needed or minimal requirements to tie in.

 

A lot of the work required for an expansion has already been taken care of at LU.

 

Do we have any civil engineers or construction folks available that could provide a "back of the envelope" type of estimate? :D

It has to be a local civil that knows material cost in the area. I use Alaska estimates it will be about double the cost.

Georgia Southern is adding 6,000 seats to their stadium for $2.5 million. Maybe their going with the erector set style. I doubt we would do anything like that. I think we would do an expansion with concrete. Just a guess by me, $5-6 million for 6-8k seats.

Hudspeth, Malzahn, Willie Taggart, Blakely, etc...

 

Woodard? :o

 

I have heard several comments about Woodard getting an extention because of the impending invite to join the SBC. This confuses me because I do not think he fits in the mold of SBC successful coaches.

 

The Sunbelt Member schools are spending major bucks on coaches; Malzahn 1M, Hud 800K (with impending raises based on 2nd Bowl appearence in 2 years) not sure what Willie is making, but I bet it is at least 600-700K.

 

What I am saying is that I think an upgrade in football coaching staff might be needed to get the Cards on the road to being competitive in FBS. A Pat Knight type hire for football might be in order. This will be a painful move up, despite what some FCS schools say about how close they are to FBS, but in the long run it could pay off big.

 

Also, one other fact (caution); the fans of the older SBC schools are a little weary of taking move-ups so I would not be surprised if some on the SBC forums do not welcome the Cardinals with open arms. This will be temperary though.. SBC schools tend to be close knit (or so it seemed until the defections)

About 3-4 of the regulars on the Sun Belt board absolutely despise us Liberty guys. They hold a rather superior attitude. It is what it is.

 

Keep in mind that you guy are talking essentially about start-up costs to get you into the Sun Belt. It is the ongoing operational expenses that have eaten the lunches of some schools. Fundraising needs to be an ongoing part of the future on your campus.

About 3-4 of the regulars on the Sun Belt board absolutely despise us Liberty guys. They hold a rather superior attitude. It is what it is.

 

Keep in mind that you guy are talking essentially about start-up costs to get you into the Sun Belt. It is the ongoing operational expenses that have eaten the lunches of some schools. Fundraising needs to be an ongoing part of the future on your campus.

 

its gonna be a long couple of weeks for us realignment watchdoggers.

About 3-4 of the regulars on the Sun Belt board absolutely despise us Liberty guys. They hold a rather superior attitude. It is what it is.

 

Keep in mind that you guy are talking essentially about start-up costs to get you into the Sun Belt. It is the ongoing operational expenses that have eaten the lunches of some schools. Fundraising needs to be an ongoing part of the future on your campus.

 

its gonna be a long couple of weeks for us realignment watchdoggers.

Yes it is.

Jack ‏@WACJack 10M buyout for the Belt coming. I don't think Bobcat Stadium's naming rights are worth that much.

 

Adam Sparks ‏@AdamSparks Sources: #MTSU's hand forced in making early CUSA announcement because Sun Belt called meeting last Wed to increase exit fee to $10 million

 

Adam Sparks ‏@AdamSparks

When #MTSU was forced to immediately declare intent to go to C-USA, Sun Belt meeting to increase exit fee to $10 mill was cancelled

Why worry about Sun Belt lets try joining the Big 12.

It looks as though the SBC might be imploding as we speak. If so, Benson should get some kind "Conference Killer" designation. :o

It looks as though the SBC might be imploding as we speak. If so, Benson should get some kind "Conference Killer" designation. :o

 

The Sun Belt message board says that WKU is very unhappy that MTSU left and they want to follow them. Other posters are saying Arkansas State is unhappy and are looking at their options, same with ULL. Unlike the WAC the Sun Belt has teams like Lamar, Georgia Southern, App State, Liberty and a few others they could bring in. Not really Benson's fault, schools want to follow the money and the Sun Belt has the least amount of it on the FBS level.

Surprised how little we have heard this week

The problem the SBC is facing is possibly not having enough incumbent members to maintain a football conference. I have heard several scenarios that will crash the SBC. I belive that C-USA is not finished expanding and I belive there could be more defections. I have it on good authority that the Cajuns have support from La Tech and Rice for a possible C-USA membership. I suspect ASU and WKU are working on deals with C-USA, The MAC, or the MWC as well. I think there is a good chance that the SBC is going the way of the WAC...

 

Schools that may be left from the original conference members; Troy, USA, ULM, UALR (non-football member). Newbes GSU, Texas State, and UTA would not count becuse they have not yet started playing.