Vanguard

Issue date: 10/8/07 Section: News

The Vanguard: Where exactly does the University stand on NCAA Football at this point in time?

President Moulton: We are in a fact-finding stage, which I have indicated to the board of trustees. The board of trustees has an ad-hoc committee that Mr. Yance is chairing that has had one discussion at the most recent board meeting. We indicated that we need to touch several basis and come back to the board with an indication of student interest, interest of people in the community, the city, the county, the faculty of the University. We need to get in front of all of our constituents. That is what we have been doing. We have not made the full circuit yet. Really, we have spent a lot of time talking with you guys, the students and several trustee members.

V: At this point in time, what does it look like is going to have to happen to make NCAA Football happen at the University? Is there a definite plan?

M: I want to clarify something: We will have a very definite plan before we proceed. I will hope to [have a definite plan of action] by early January or the end of this year. That will include issues like additional budgets, arrangements potentially with the city of Mobile for Ladd Stadium, schedules, all those kinds of things will have to be considered.
The critical issues, I think, are student fees,[which are an] indication from the students that they, number one, support football, [and] number two, are willing to pay a certain level of fees. That gives you a major component of the budget. So, that has to be in place.
Number two: board of trustee endorsement. The board of trustees has to be convinced that this is in the best interest of the University. So, that has to happen.
Number three: indication from key supporters in the community relative to fundraising ability and our ticket sales. That has to occur. I already mentioned the city and county. So, I think, whenever we can have all of those items in place, then I am willing to recommend to the board that we proceed.

V: It may be a little early to tell for definite, but does indications from those certain key constituents look positive at this point in time?
M: Yes. I have not spoke with anyone about this so far that I have not received an overall positive response from. Now, the one group that I failed to mention that I certainly should have is the faculty. The University Athletic Council will meet Wednesday. We will have a lengthy discussion about this. That council is made up of faculty members, administrators, folks from the department of athletics and so on. Hopefully, just prior or just after or simultaneously, I will meet with the faculty senate executive committee to get their input. So, I will know a little bit more after that.

Continued...

Page 1 of 3 next >

Article Tools