Interesting thread going on over on RBF. Looks like if they move, they want to move up to the MAC.
http://redbirdfan.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4898
http://redbirdfan.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4898
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Illinois State fans want to move up to FBS
- Thread starter Jason Svoboda
- Start date
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new sycamore fan
The All-MVC Level
They've been barking about that for a couple of years. Their original stadium plan was to seat over 20K, but now they are down due to costs. Supposedly, future add ons to the stadium can bring it to a capacity of 50,000. They have built their program pretty fast as well, and the playoff win over Appy State gave them some cred but moving up will be costly and not sure if it makes sense.
Yeah, I just don't understand the "all in" movement right now with all of the uncertainty. Was it 15k capacity that they're supposed to have once done?
It's now down to about 13,000.
agrinut
The All-MVC Level
Talked to our AD today and he said that thief fundraising campaign fell well short. They have twice now scaled back the stadium build and are no longer adding suites. I doubt they go anywhere soon.
To fall short in that city, with all that money floating around, doesn't speak too highly of their chances...
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bent20
The Odum Level
Who cares what the capacity is if you can't come close to filling it. Makes no sense to me why you'd move up when you have a fairly disinterested fan base, even when your decent. No different than ours, but we aren't crazy enough to talk about such a thing.
Agreed. I just don't understand a lot of the moves up right now with the uncertainty. I understand the BCS conferences moving about, even the Big East split, but don't understand Georgia Southern and App State moving up, for example.
I don't understand the desire to never have a chance to compete for titles for moving to the Sun Belt. First, only 8 total athletic programs didn't operate at a subsidy, so to be eliminated before the season even starts would annoy the shit out of me as a fan, especially when the "riches" aren't really riches.
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I thought in oder to be FBS you had to average a minimum number of fans in attendance and the minimum number was higher than 13k. They might have changed that though.
bent20
The Odum Level
Considering that most of those schools can't meet that average, I would guess it's changed or is not strictly enforced.
Bally #50
The JSW Level
Obviously they don't ENFORCE it. Most of the Mid-American Conference has failed to meet the attendance requirements for as long as I can remember (I may be old but I STILL have a good memory). I believe 7 or 8 of the bottom 10 in FBS attendance are from the MAC. If they would face reality, and drop back to FCS, we have a tailor-made conference that could get us out of the MVC and put us with schools that are not only similar, that compete in ALL sports and are in close proximity.
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Sycamore Proud
The Nicks Level
Rumor has it that "supporters" buy out the necessary tickets to keep the ticket police happy.
Bally #50
The JSW Level
SP. I have heard that too, but the numbers published are clearly not reflecting those "buy out" numbers, therefore they are EXPOSED.
bent20
The Odum Level
Even then I wouldn't trust the attendance numbers. Other schools in the Valley cheat their attendance figures all of the time. I'm sure they do at the FBS level as well.
Bally #50
The JSW Level
Bent, good point. Since I have been around ISU, they have ALWAYS counted tickets SOLD, not who came thru the turnstiles! There is nothing illegal about it but as I had said earlier, the Mid-American released those numbers and bottom line, they (the NCAA) are sadly lacking what is allegedly required by the NCAA. They just choose to ignore it.
bent20
The Odum Level
And I don't even have a problem with that. I just highly doubt that when I went to the WIU game last year (for example) they sold as many tickets as they claimed. Same for Illinois State the year before. Maybe they count up the attendance for all athletic events that week, or something.
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agrinut
The All-MVC Level
The biggest reason for the push is the new million dollar payout per school. The other reason is the fact that FCS football may cease to exists in the near future. The FCS national championship is worth nothing, no one knows who wins it on a national scale, I'm not saying people remember the loves truck stop bowl just that is more prestigious than a "Div 2" national title. Just yesterday the Sunbelt reported that Indiana State has contacted them. I think it is ignorant not to look to move up. Cause the FCS of today may be gone tomorrow.
That's the first I've heard of us contacting them. I just talked to someone in the athletic offices and it was the first they had heard, too. Where did you hear that at?
agrinut
The All-MVC Level
Ill see if I can find the link,
@SunBeltInsider: Jacksonville St, Delaware, Townson, UTC, Lamar, Indiana St, Illinois St, Missouri St and SHSU and Richmond have all been in contact with SBC
That payout is quickly negated when you figure in 22 additional scholarships, additional salaries for coaches, travel and the other costs that go with it. Then with the 22 additional scholarships, you then have to add 22 more female scholarships which usually means picking up another sport, adding additional coaches and the costs associated with fielding another sport. If the conference you go to doesn't have a sweet media deal, a la the Big Ten, you're likely going to end up losing money, especially when you can't meet attendance figures. Don't even get started on Bowl Games as most lower level teams LOSE money the day they accept the invite because they're required (in most cases) to purchase a split of the tickets.
As for FCS being "gone tomorrow", that's a nice scare tactic, but bullshit. This isn't like Obama and just printing money -- most schools that have their heads on straight can't do it. Do many on the national scale know who wins the FCS title? Nope. But they also don't know any of the teams or who wins any of the Bowls outside of the BCS bowls in most cases. Further, I'd be willing to bet a fan base would be more excited about their team winning a "Division 2" national title over beating a 5-7 Idaho State team in the Love's Bowl. No thanks.