If Butler and Gonzaga Can Do It, BOWLING GREEN CAN DO IT!

[MacGuy]

Butler and Gonzaga are private, small schools that aren't being dragged down (financially) by football. No comparison.

[FalconTurf]

Butler and Gonzaga are private, small schools that aren't being dragged down (financially) by football. No comparison.

And now back to normal negativity? Thanks, we were getting far too optimistic.

[brownnorangewokfu]

Not negativity, just an honest observation.

[TG1996]

I'll admit I don't know how the economics of it all works, but I'd have to imagine a $10M endowment takes a lot of the effect of a football program off of the AD's budget.

I would also have to think having that funding in your pocket has to make it a lot easier to keep things rolling along when success comes.

[Hdog]

What is the argument then that this money won't put our program in with elite mid-major programs?? [I don't see how BG's football program would impact this at all]

[brownnorangewokfu]

Hdog - I think that some of our concerns revolve around the example of State government - you get lottery money to help the schools, so what do you do? Instead of just further enhancing the schools, you take the opportunity to move some of that original school money to other portions of the budget, therefore leaving the schools in almost the same condition that you started. The use of that trust money will be critical, but if we really looked at a detailed breakout of the overall Athletic Department budget, I think that we would find that football certainly takes the lion share of it. Granted, they also bring in the largest share of ticket sales, but in a budget situation where tickets sales is definitely not your largest revenue driver, putting your emphasis on football - if you think you are more likely to compete at the national level with either a hockey or basketball team - is something that I think some of us feel should be closely looked at. Instead of being negative, I think a number of folks are just hungry to compete at the national level in something regularly - like a Gonzaga.

[Hdog]

brownnorangewokfu, I understand, thanks, and it is very simple math to see the choices that have to be made.

I trust that the spirit of Mr. Frack's gift, having an elite mid-major basketball program, will be carried out as time goes on.

IMO I think it would be easier to have an elite basketball program than football. Less players = less overall money to get to the elite level. I love college basketball and college football equally [and coach youth tackle football], but I really think the smart choice is to "fully fund" a Division I basketball program.