planet2county

If it happens, let us know.

I appreciate that. Participation in sports is trending lower in areas along with attendance at high school and college by younger adults. I just think the idea of redistributing savings to other programs, isn't going to be a magical solution. If Idaho had real financial commitment to their football program they would continue to be FBS. It easy to point fingers at adminstration. Somehow, I do not think OSU football boosters always needs the right administration to make things happen.

There is also more cost, so it is relative. It is also one thing to project and another to have money in hand. Also, I would be disappointed if football didn't have a large number of boosters based on the number of participants and the number of years it has been played. I am also smart enough to know football isn't going be chopped anytime soon. I enjoy UND football. But I doubt when sports were introduced at UND in the early years, they were projecting national championships. I also see what is going around at all levels of college sports, sometimes egos, presumed status are drivers in athletic decisions and financials are an afterthought.

So are you basing financials on NDSU and Montana? Where are they at now? I am strictly talking financials? What is it going cost to get there? Are commitments from boosters in place?

What are the numbers for football? Have they made money or lost money? Have contributions covered the cost of moving up? What is the realistic top end financially for football based on other programs? To give you an idea on volleyball, Minnesota played in Wisconsin to a sold out crowd of about 5,400. Top end at Nebraska is 10,0000.

I remember when the U of Minnesota had separate departments for men's and women's athletics. The argument for merging is that it would enhance the football program. Sometimes things do not work like we expect them to. The new football stadium was the next big thing to push Gopher football to the top. I guess now it is going to be the new practice facility. For info purposes, I remember the boathouse ordeal at the U of M. The estimated cost was 4.6 million.

I am male and will be following women's hockey game tonight. I wish the coaching staff and players well. One of the best hockey games I have ever seen was the Women's World Cup Final between US and Canada. I have been fortunate enough to attend Men's Final 4, Women's Final 4, WCHA Final 5, US Junior "A" Finals, US Junior "B" Finals, Men's World Cup Semi-Finals with Finland and USA, WHL playoffs, and NHL games in Colorado, Chicago, Minnesota, and Winnipeg. I was at the Holy Cross game, six rows up from where the puck sat in the crease and have saw Jake spike the eye. I have sat through plenty of men's clutch and grab snooze fests. I appreciate the differences and enjoy good competitive matches in all sporting events.

I do not know about that. Some Texas high school football teams may have a bigger budget than UND. Now whether you think that is good or not, that is up to each individual. I just don't know if if the projected financial upside to some legacy sports is as high as some think and needs to be examined.

All sports should be looked at in regards to the budget. If it is about national championships, there are only 3 current sports that have a realistic chance to attain them. What was the impact of NDSU's run in basketball? I am talking in regards to financials? How about the runs SDSU and USD made in the WBB tournaments? What is the financial impact? What is the trend regarding Montana Grizzly basketball attendance? How many sports do Wyoming and Idaho offer? How is that working for them? How many lacrosse programs have revenues exceed expenses? At much as I like sports, I have a hard time seeing justifications for expensive lounge areas and other ancillary services for athletes. With the cost of education, I have no problem with students attending for the sole purpose to see if they won a tuition drawing. To me that is a better reason than to make decision to attend events on whether booze is served or not.