2008 Woodie Awards
NCAA Football is an 'exciting' prospect
Jon Garcia
Contributing Writer
Issue date: 11/12/07 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
There are just a few things that I would like to throw out there to help clear the air and provide some food for thought for those few in the camp that aren't so sure about the prospects of NCAA Football at South Alabama.
First, it is often mentioned that many football programs take losses on their operating budget. While this holds true for some programs, simply looking at it from a football dollar-and-cents perspective is somewhat misleading. One would assume that the football budget is just that, a football budget. It is comparing football revenues to football expenses. Does it take into account the increase in alumni donations and involvement throughout the University? Does it include the increase in enrollment and subsequent increase in institutional funds? Does it calculate the overall positive cumulative effect that is had on the University and community that is so often mentioned by universities that have recently instituted football, i.e., "the front porch effect"? One could logically conclude that with proper marketing and Alumni Association involvement, donations and charitable contributions (along with the increase in enrollment and subsequent increase in university funds) would help offset any loss that a football program might endure in its early years.
Second, I think most people realize this, but a newly created football program will take some years to develop into a well-oiled machine. Like the old saying goes: "You have to crawl before you can walk." Scholarship limitations alone limit the level as to which a football team can play. A newly-developed football program is not allowed to reach the full scholarship level until a few years of existence, per the NCAA. This doesn't mean that a team cannot be competitive from the get go, though. It simply means that while the team is building, we would play similarly talented teams until we reach full scholarship level. By year five, we could possibly be playing a mix of Div. 1AA and Div. 1A teams, with the possibility of playing an all-out conference schedule and full Div. 1A membership!
Lastly, even with the athletic fee increase of $100 to $150 per semester, USA will still be below what other universities charge their students for tuition and fees. South Alabama will still be one of the best "bargains" around, especially given that we will FINALLY have a NCAA-sanctioned football team!
It's exciting that we, current students and alumni, will be able to come back to our alma mater with our families to watch the University of South Alabama play football for years to come. It's exciting that the local community and their families will FINALLY have a local college football team to root for and cheer on. It's exciting to think of the ways that South Alabama will undoubtedly grow and prosper. It is exciting to think of the national recognition that this will help bring to the University of South Alabama. GO JAGS, AND BLEED IT RED!
First, it is often mentioned that many football programs take losses on their operating budget. While this holds true for some programs, simply looking at it from a football dollar-and-cents perspective is somewhat misleading. One would assume that the football budget is just that, a football budget. It is comparing football revenues to football expenses. Does it take into account the increase in alumni donations and involvement throughout the University? Does it include the increase in enrollment and subsequent increase in institutional funds? Does it calculate the overall positive cumulative effect that is had on the University and community that is so often mentioned by universities that have recently instituted football, i.e., "the front porch effect"? One could logically conclude that with proper marketing and Alumni Association involvement, donations and charitable contributions (along with the increase in enrollment and subsequent increase in university funds) would help offset any loss that a football program might endure in its early years.
Second, I think most people realize this, but a newly created football program will take some years to develop into a well-oiled machine. Like the old saying goes: "You have to crawl before you can walk." Scholarship limitations alone limit the level as to which a football team can play. A newly-developed football program is not allowed to reach the full scholarship level until a few years of existence, per the NCAA. This doesn't mean that a team cannot be competitive from the get go, though. It simply means that while the team is building, we would play similarly talented teams until we reach full scholarship level. By year five, we could possibly be playing a mix of Div. 1AA and Div. 1A teams, with the possibility of playing an all-out conference schedule and full Div. 1A membership!
Lastly, even with the athletic fee increase of $100 to $150 per semester, USA will still be below what other universities charge their students for tuition and fees. South Alabama will still be one of the best "bargains" around, especially given that we will FINALLY have a NCAA-sanctioned football team!
It's exciting that we, current students and alumni, will be able to come back to our alma mater with our families to watch the University of South Alabama play football for years to come. It's exciting that the local community and their families will FINALLY have a local college football team to root for and cheer on. It's exciting to think of the ways that South Alabama will undoubtedly grow and prosper. It is exciting to think of the national recognition that this will help bring to the University of South Alabama. GO JAGS, AND BLEED IT RED!
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