BG Football: FCS or FBS, discuss...

[PGY Tiercel]

I'm more shocked by the number of people who validate their own lives with what level of football BG plays. Pathetic. I'd support BG no matter what level. I a graduate of the University of KY, and a scientist at the University of Michigan. Why the hell should I even follow BG as a D1 program of either basketball or Football. How many ways are we not on the same level? But I'm a BG first. Its not because of the level, but because of the influence and experiences I had a BGSU and the fun of seeing my girls want to go there (which BTW, wouldn't change if BG was FCS).

[Flipper]

Jeez...some of you need to calm down. We're spitballing the idea of dropping down to a lower rung of Dvision one football...

....And those who were should be slapped upside the head for even wanting to discussing it. How about we "waste" our time by talking about how to move up to the BCS level instead of how to drop down to the FCS. Jeez.....

Given the number of threads you start after every loss vs the number you start after every win...who are you to lecture anyone about being a fan?

[It's the Journey...]

Jeez...some of you need to calm down. We're spitballing the idea of dropping down to a lower rung of Dvision one football...

....And those who were should be slapped upside the head for even wanting to discussing it. How about we "waste" our time by talking about how to move up to the BCS level instead of how to drop down to the FCS. Jeez.....

So instead of just slapping others around why don't you take your own suggestion?? How, in your opinion, do we move up the ladder? Can it be done as a member of the MAC? How will the rest of the department be affected? I started this thread to bounce around ideas. Trust me this site is monitored by people inside BGSU. Maybe we will throw out an idea here that hasn't been thought of. I hope recruits are reading this board. They will see a fan base that is always challenging the department to improve and look at what is in its best interests. We do not want to be a complacent department.

Maybe you could throw out your own ideas on how to improve out situation and not questions others loyalty. the other option is quit reading this thread and GFY!

[hammb]

Jeez...some of you need to calm down. We're spitballing the idea of dropping down to a lower rung of Dvision one football...

....And those who were should be slapped upside the head for even wanting to discussing it. How about we "waste" our time by talking about how to move up to the BCS level instead of how to drop down to the FCS. Jeez.....

You can discuss whatever the hell you want, but the fact is that our football program is bleeding money like mad just to remain a mediocre presence in one of the worst leagues in D1A. It is also a fact that even regaining our position at the TOP of that league would result in the program being a drain on the budget of the athletic department.

It is also a fact that in the most recent data I could find ('09-'10 academic year) our athletic department needed $9.5 million in student fees to balance the books. I couldn't find any recent data, but in '04-'05 our football program ran at a $1.3 million deficit. That doesn't include a sizable chunk of "non-program specific" money that you know a large part of was supporting the football program.

I don't think it's that insane to talk about dropping to a lower level of college football when it is adamantly clear that fielding a Division 1A football team is costing this athletic department, and the school in general, a LOT of money. I am REALLY starting to question the point of saying we compete in 1A when a large part of the college football landscape doesn't even realize that we ARE 1A. It is very near 100% of the time that when I tell somebody my favorite college football team is BG they immediately ask who my "Real" team is.

The bottom line is that the MAC as a whole is not competitive at the 1A level. The MAC is a joke among a majority of college football fans, and nothing more than a creampuff easy win among most college football conferences. Nobody watches the TV games, and attendance is abysmal across the board as well. At this point I think the conference would be FAR better served to drop to 1AA and try to become a basketball first conference.

I LOVE BG football, but that doesn't mean that I can't step back and look at it objectively and see that the program, as is, makes almost NO fiscal sense.

[Globetrotter]

Jeez...some of you need to calm down. We're spitballing the idea of dropping down to a lower rung of Dvision one football...

....And those who were should be slapped upside the head for even wanting to discussing it. How about we "waste" our time by talking about how to move up to the BCS level instead of how to drop down to the FCS. Jeez.....

You can discuss whatever the hell you want, but the fact is that our football program is bleeding money like mad just to remain a mediocre presence in one of the worst leagues in D1A. It is also a fact that even regaining our position at the TOP of that league would result in the program being a drain on the budget of the athletic department.

It is also a fact that in the most recent data I could find ('09-'10 academic year) our athletic department needed $9.5 million in student fees to balance the books. I couldn't find any recent data, but in '04-'05 our football program ran at a $1.3 million deficit. That doesn't include a sizable chunk of "non-program specific" money that you know a large part of was supporting the football program.

I don't think it's that insane to talk about dropping to a lower level of college football when it is adamantly clear that fielding a Division 1A football team is costing this athletic department, and the school in general, a LOT of money. I am REALLY starting to question the point of saying we compete in 1A when a large part of the college football landscape doesn't even realize that we ARE 1A. It is very near 100% of the time that when I tell somebody my favorite college football team is BG they immediately ask who my "Real" team is.

The bottom line is that the MAC as a whole is not competitive at the 1A level. The MAC is a joke among a majority of college football fans, and nothing more than a creampuff easy win among most college football conferences. Nobody watches the TV games, and attendance is abysmal across the board as well. At this point I think the conference would be FAR better served to drop to 1AA and try to become a basketball first conference.

I LOVE BG football, but that doesn't mean that I can't step back and look at it objectively and see that the program, as is, makes almost NO fiscal sense.

I am not saying any of this is wrong, however.
1. I would nearly lose all interest in the program if this happened and would not watch it anymore. Not because I have anything against dropping down specifically but the product is bad now and would be even worse should we drop down, it's just not a smart idea.
2. We play a ton of fun out of conference games that would not fly if we all dropped down. We would be playing a schedule full of the crappy out of conference games we have now when we need a home game just to balance our schedule. The quality of our play would fall down to their level eventually.

It might not be feasible to stay in Div 1. Until it is 100% obvious I would stay in division 1. The argument that these FCS have more fans doesnt hold a ton of water for me because I really doubt we get more interest by moving down. If the landscape stays the same I think that we inevitably won't be able to afford it

[Flipper]

As has been pointed out...FCS is still division 1.

I don't care if we're NAIA...as PGY pointed out, I root for BGSU not a division.

[Globetrotter]

As has been pointed out...FCS is still division 1.

Don't Care...everyone knows what we mean.

As I move further and further away from BG, if the product becomes closer to a High school program then a major college program I will be less and less likely to follow. I am not saying it to nock on BG but they don't have some unbreakable hall pass for my time, money and interest just because I went to the school. If it's not interesting I simply will stop following. Not as a protest, it just will naturally and gradually occur and I certainly noticed this being the case this year. And I won't pick another school unless it's one I work at or live near. It won't be a cognizant choice. The great thing about OSU is that when students go there they are connected to the school because of the experiences they had at the football games. Going to an OSU game is an event. You have to find a way to make the football game a hot ticket. I think that means engaging the local rural communities who love high school football but don't see the connection to head to BG for a game. Getting the guys who tailgate at Fremont Ross, Ayersville, Perrysburg games to realize that they can have even more fun at BG tailgating...then getting these same people to form an attachment is the key for me. As someone else said you can give away tickets to a bad product and you are not getting people to come back. They need to find ways to make the 6 days of BG football a year things that not only the die hards look forward to.

[footballguy51]

Rather than discuss moving down, but I completely disagree that moving down is a good decision at all, I have a few ideas on how to move up, but it will take a few donors and the commitment of a good coach. Some of this, mind you, is built off Clawson being that coach (which I think he is).

1. Sign Clawson to an extension that brings his contract up to at least the top of the MAC, but more preferably, the top of the Mid-Major ranks. This may take the work of a donor or two to kick in the funds.

2. Put out a quality product year-in and year-out. That all starts this next year, where I expect to finish anywhere from 7-5 to 9-3. I see our OOC schedule being either 2-2 or 3-1 (it's a stretch to beat Va Tech or Florida). Eventually, we should consistently put up double digit wins every season.

3. With our program at the top of the MAC, even before going 10+ wins in a season, we can start to bring in the even higher caliber recruits. Clawson is bringing in excellent recruits as it is, and working wonders with what is there. When we're on top, student athletes will want to play for us over the other MAC schools, and perhaps over the lower tier BCS schools (especially if they're going to ride the bench the entire time, or be forced to play a different position, like Harris and Jacobs).

4. Stay a consistent force. If we are on top for a consistent amount of time, we will be noticed. A conference like the Big East could come calling, even if it's for football only. If nothing else, we could perhaps get invited to a more prestigious non-BCS conference, where if we continued our winning ways, would make us the prime pick-up for a BCS conference.

I know this all sounds like pie in the sky, and I agree that it does. However, shouldn't our goal be to excel, not accept defeat and mope? Besides, has anybody looked into what conferences there are at the FCS level and if any of them would accept us? Or, would we be an independent in the FCS? Have any other schools demoted themselves?

I also would like to advocate something to help us build which most people would denounce. We need to play a second money game every season. I know we are making a killing off the Florida game next year, but what are we making off the Va Tech game? Yes, it may be two guaranteed losses every year for the first few years, but it will also give the department the funds it would need to operate properly. Plus, we could potentially win one of those games (how many times have we almost won against Ohio State?) and that would only serve to further our agenda as a top team.

As one final point, I would like to support the notion of hiring a top Minor League Baseball marketing guru. In the Minor Leagues, the crowd shows up for only a few reasons:

1. To see baseball from a good seat for a reasonable price.
2. To watch players that once played in the Majors and are either on rehab or have been relegated to the Minors.
3. To bring their kids to something fun and entertaining.
4. To have a low cost, fun atmosphere.
5. They really love the team.

#5 is last for a reason, because not too many people say, "I'm a huge fan of the ______ and always will be." Usually, the people that attend Mud Hens games do so because the price is set for a good night/afternoon out, sometimes a Detroit Tiger will be on rehab assignment so they can watch Major League talent at Minor League prices, and the entertainment, specials, and giveaways are enticing enough to draw the teenage couple, the family, and the local youth group or summer camp. A Minor League Baseball promoter might have some ideas on ways to bring in some of those groups that don't normally attend a football game. We already do a few fun things during TV timeouts, but we could do more.

[Globetrotter]

I agree with almost everything in the above. However, as far as Clawson goes why would paying him more now make him better? I think that paying a coach a competitive wage is very very important, however, I don't think paying Clawson a competitive wage now is very important. If he should have success and be lured away then pay him to stay. The reality is Clawson has no ties to BG. I think thats why I always drop BG guys for possibilties for the next HC. You could see Durkin or Stud staying a bit longer because they love BG. i think that the key is nabbing a guy like that and rewarding him when he has success. (Keep in mind I have no idea what kinds of coaches these guys really are) I, and likely everyone here, have spent more time at BG then Clawson has.

I think it comes down to being a consistent winner with a fun offense that people get excited about. More athletes and less ground and pound. More "you have to see this guy" Type of players. People come out to see Josh Harrises, Omar Jacobses, Freddie Barneses...I am not sure we have had a guy like that since Barnes and he was to a lesser extent for sure. Samuel might just be that guy .

[footballguy51]

I agree with almost everything in the above. However, as far as Clawson goes why would paying him more now make him better? I think that paying a coach a competitive wage is very very important, however, I don't think paying Clawson a competitive wage now is very important. If he should have success and be lured away then pay him to stay. The reality is Clawson has no ties to BG. I think thats why I always drop BG guys for possibilties for the next HC. You could see Durkin or Stud staying a bit longer because they love BG. i think that the key is nabbing a guy like that and rewarding him when he has success. (Keep in mind I have no idea what kinds of coaches these guys really are) I, and likely everyone here, have spent more time at BG then Clawson has.

I think it comes down to being a consistent winner with a fun offense that people get excited about. More athletes and less ground and pound. More "you have to see this guy" Type of players. People come out to see Josh Harris's, Omar Jacobs's, Freddie Barnes...when was the last guy we had like that. Samuel might just be that guy .

If we get a dominant RB, it would still put us up there as having a star quality player. Look at Michael Turner or Garrett Wolfe.

Also, I agree with what you said about Clawson. I guess I'm jumping the gun a little bit, and I should have put in there that we should sign him to a competitive extension if the team progresses again next year. When does his current contract expire?

[kdog27]

Think he is on a 5 year contract.

[Globetrotter]

FWIW I have nothing against Clawson, I just think football is all about Momentum and using upswings to build relationships with fans and donors that keep that momentum heading upward. I see this team as ho hum and stagnant. They certainly have the peices at RB (Samuel) and Defense (Jones, Gates and Woods) that can create those splash plays people love. Hopefully we see more of them and Clawson stays forever and they build a stadium named after him.

[h2oville rocket]

People come out to see Josh Harris's, Omar Jacobs's, Freddie Barnes...when was the last guy we had like that. Samuel might just be that guy .

Well, two years ago you had Freddie Barnes- he was a lot like Freddie Barnes.

[Globetrotter]

People come out to see Josh Harris's, Omar Jacobs's, Freddie Barnes...when was the last guy we had like that. Samuel might just be that guy .

Well, two years ago you had Freddie Barnes- he was a lot like Freddie Barnes.

LOL-I Added him in and should have reworded it. You nailed me on that one. Good show!

[Lord_Byron]

People come out to see Josh Harris's, Omar Jacobs's, Freddie Barnes...when was the last guy we had like that. Samuel might just be that guy .

While their wive's might want to, I have absolutely no desire to see either Josh Harris's or Omar Jacobs's.