thanks for the information - I think we agree there’s a lot to learn from our competitors about how to improve the experience.

sounds like Rocko was scared or knew Sac would end up FBS and we’d be perpetually FCS.

Ideally, we SHOULD have moved to the Pac# or MWC as a package. Probably would’ve been cheaper for both schools AND ultimately generated a lot more revenue for both with the whole region behind it.

Great for SACST to move to the MAC. I wish them well. However, none of SACST has anything to do with the future of UC Davis sports. Nothing.

UC Davis is moving slowly on purpose. There is no need to rush to FBS. When we move it will be on our timeline not anything SACST or other school decides to do.

Looking forward to the next season!!

+1. Sac has to fund $23M plus for a no-name FBS league 2,000 miles away, and fund Cal Expo field, grandstand remodel, temporary structures and possibly temporary stands - any pro's here w an idea of that cost?

Some things I left out, due to length:

When the news about UCD being invited to join the Mountain West, broke, it surprised everyone - to put it mildly. But conference commissioners, university chancellors and athletic directors don't do this kind of thing spontaneously - especially in the current realignment-driven environment of college athletics. These are lengthy, give and take discussions. We all, or most of us, thought joining the MW for all spots it sponsored, except football was a great move. And the option for football, as explained then, was also seen as a great move. One we all agreed was played exceedingly close to the vest by Rocko DeLucca and Gary May.

The MW announcement was followed by the unveiling of a five-year facilities plan designed to boost several sports. Again, it seems well-thought out, and was well-received on this site.

Since then, Sac State continued to look for a way into FBS, and they finally found a will buyer. Not a big surprise, since Dr. Wood was committed to living or dying (Keeping or losing his job?) on fulfilling that promise. NDSU is also making the jump to FBS by joining the same conference we're soon to be a member of. Not really surprised after Coach Polasek signed a lengthy contract extension, and then explained his decisions he did. Then Tim Plough ALSO signed an extension here at UCD.

Do we really think Plough signs that extension if he was unhappy with the decision-making or the university's commitment to his vision for the football program? I don't.

Do we think that Plough is excluded from the room when those decisions are going down? I don't.

Do we think that Plough, DeLucca and May were all clueless about either the Sac State - MAC negotiations or the NDSU - MW negotiations? I don't. Certainly, there were legalities that ensured UCD was in the loop about NDSU - MW.

If Sac is willing to pay $18M for the MAC, it stands to reason they pitched the same to MW. MW saying no is saying they already have their Sac metro area team. UCD will be FBS by ‘30-‘31 and playing in the MW.
Sac St went FCS first and spent the better part of two decades floundering around. I was at UMass when they joined MAC and they were far better positioned than Sac is.

The proposed suites are a totally different product. Expect they will provide buffet/bar access to some of the box seat holders between the 40s for a fee, which is a good idea. What I’m referencing are the new sections designed for a more social experience. Like, I went to this great outdoor bar and grill and a football game broke out in the background. That product helps to capture the local Cal/Oregon/SC/9ers fan in a way that the current options do not and you can put a more premium price tag on this compared to just some end zone beer garden. Kind of like SJSU on the east side or Poly’s north end zone. Boise is reconfiguring one of its end zone sections to do the same.

Plough also wasn’t about to sign up for the postseason ban during the transition since that’s getting waived when espn and Fox make their deal on league 1. Spend that 15m on the football program over the next 4 years and things will be in good shape.

Agreed.

There's a reason why Plough is a D! HC, Delucca is a D! AD and Gary May is a UC chancellor, while we're all blogging and second-guessing them on AST. :rofl:

Like everyone, they'll make mistakes that provide grist for our word mill, but overall I think they do an excellent job.

This has been posted on other threads but can a potential stadium renovation please include something like this?

An Endzone bar area like Colorado St or San Jose Soccer. How about the Mondavi/Sierra Nevada Endzone Porch?

It seems like something the UC Regents wouldn't like but come on, this would be great.

edit- tech fail- looks like my image didn't work but here's a link

https://freeimage.host/i/screenshot-141.qJDFTvf

We ain't buildin' nothin' yet. Stick around a while (20+ years) and you'll see how long this stuff takes at Davis....They've only just asked us to pay for it.

Sac may be excited today, but they've placed the entire cart in front of the horse. At least Davis is smart enough to not do that.
Sac is waaaaay overextended the way they've gone about this. Hey, they did say "FBS or bust." Hopefully they can make it work.

Wasn't it the plan to get the renovation done in the next 5 years?

That would be amazing. I'm looking forward to when all the money comes in to get started.