Curious, what is your background in fundraising or marketing?

Wasn't Emil Mrak a member of the Bohemian Grove?

I thought this discussion brought up some fundamental and germane issues with conference re-alignment. They start with Sac State and NDSU but also move on to analogous cases at higher levels. A much more thoughtful discussion than say the Big Mountain podcast guys who just generally parrot what biased sources tell them - not dissing them for that as they just need content without needing to do much of any research, other then beer, given their budget.

One interesting highlight discussed is that Nebraska may be the only fan base that has retained its allegiance and dedication to football, due to long-established culture, after joining the big-10 and losing some former rivalries and dropping precipitously in winning percentage.

10 year goal?

I like that rendition.

From Reddit

We Are Now 6 Teams Away From The Amount It Was When D1 Split Into FBS and FCS In 1977.
Could We See Another Split?

When D1 football split into two divisions (FBS and
FCS) there were 144 teams. We are now back up to 138 teams in FBS. Could we possibly see another split within the FBS to where we could see 3 separate divisions in D1 in the next 10 years or less?

CFB/s/R9dxu7UtAF

Told ya. Huge changes are coming. Hold onto you butts!

AI: "Rutgers Athletics is facing a record $78 million operating deficit for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, bringing its total accumulated deficit to over $500 million since joining the Big Ten in 2014. Despite record revenue from the conference, expenses have soared to roughly $193.8 million, driven by high coaching salaries, support staff, and rising operational costs."

Yahoo Sports: Rutgers Athletics Budget Deficit Tops 70 Million for Third Time in Five Years

https://www.onthebanks.com/rutgers-university-news/50785/rutgers-athletics-budget-deficit-tops-70-million-for-third-time-in-five-years

Like it, where's the press box/suites with that picture?

West side of stadium?

I was looking at the other thread right after I asked Jdur the question, the thread with the stadium pics and would guess that it would end-up similar to Utah State or SIU. Those stadium pics are a good reference. The Alabama State stadium essentially combines Jdur's mock-up with a press box/suite area on our current visitor side. If I know how to slap pictures onto this thread I'd do it :grin:

Looking at the comments, one would think the posters took a "spin-the-narrative" course from Dr. Luke Wood. No wonder so many American households carry staggering amounts of debt.

These schools need to stop over-paying for under-performance. My bet is we'll see a "coming back to earth" of coaching salaries in the near future.

Have you guys seen what Mike Bibby is getting paid to lead a terrible Hornets bball team?

I'd like to think so, but if those commenting on the Rutgers article are typical of that fan base, I'm not too optimistic. There seems to be a mindset that no amount of debt justifies rethinking Rutgers being in the Big 10.

The current perception seems to be that colleges and universities exist in order to field football and basketball (primarily men's) teams. Education seems secondary to most fans anymore. How often do university presidents get in the news about something other than athletics? Even the governor of Louisiana got involved in the Brian Kelly - Lane Kiffin mess. His involvement forced the AD at LSU out...so the well-being of an entire state is now dependent on getting the right football coach?

As my Boston-Irish grandmother would have said, "Jesus wept!" (her ultimate go-to when exasperated or angry).

I suppose every conference needs some punching bags or everyone would go .500

Maybe if it's Northwestern, a founding member of the conference, it's difficult to envision leaving, even if you seldom do well. But Rutgers left the Big East, believing that joining the Big 10 would be "better." If the reality is being one of the conference punching bags, that's not better.

Somebody once said that doing the same thing over and over, but expecting a different result is insanity. Unfortunately, Indiana's recent football success is making every Big 10 punching bag think, "Why not us?" So the insanity will continue.

Hopefully, UCD moving to the MW will work out better than moving to the Big 10 has worked for Rutgers, Syracuse, Maryland, etc.

Rutgers went 7-6 in 2023 and 2024. That is about all they can aspire to at best. Personally, I would hate to work/play in a world where the best you can expect is just above .500 every year.

Not sure what I'd prefer......potentially being a top FCS program every year, or toiling around .500 and having some really fun winning years every decade in the FBS. I lived the toiling .500 experience as a Cal fan growing up. It had its charm.

Winning a lot in the FCS is currently very fun.

I think NDSU is going to prove that there is a path for much greater success than .500 in the MWC, even for UCD when/if that happens. Pundits have NDSU middle of the pack, but their brand of football is going to be an awakening for these MWC programs. And we're all accustomed to NDSU in a world with less scholarships to go around.. Will be interesting.

NDSU will open a lot of eyes in the FBS world

I would love to see 4-5 more years in FCS, build-up the facilities and raise the money to make the leap. If I were betting, I would put it on Plough & Co. to be able to bring home the national championship in that window.

Then, fully armed, make the jump and see what you can do.

I agree with and , NDSU is going to be an instant headache. Hard to play against.

“ Have you guys seen what Mike Bibby is getting paid to lead a terrible Hornets bball team?”

I had to look it up. $521,000! Holy smoke. Are these guys printing their own money? I wonder what Tim’s contract extension is worth?

I can’t find anything too recent on Les but there was a 2023 list showing $350k (plus annual retention bonus of $50k). That’s about $700k LESS than the average of MWC coaches according to recent Reno Newspaoer article.

https://nevadasportsnet.com/news/reporters/how-much-every-mountain-west-mens-basketball-coach-will-make-in-2025-26

Odin went from about $250k at UCSD to $1.2M at New Mexico!

I also expect NDSU to be better than middle of the pack. I’m surprised they didn’t bring in a bigger recruiting class this year although I’m not sure how their losses compares with MW schools that brought in more players..
If we’re spending a few years getting ready to move, one aspect of that is building FBS level depth, so I hope the Big Sky removes the scholarship limit. Last year showed lack depth, when they didn’t have enough players to make up the usual travel or playoff squads.

What I respect about UCD's approach, is once you start shelling out the big bucks, there's no going back. It's kind of like cooking your food. Once it's burned, you can't "un-burn" it, but you can always let it cook longer if you have the time and patience.

Luckily, Shaq is an unpaid volunteer, or they'd be extra toast. As long as being a volunteer gets your kid on the team, I guess..

I for one am hoping we go into the MW without Les. He’s a good coach but new blood would be nice for the new competition

Scanned the article, Sac is dilusional.

I think I question our commitment to winning at the FBS level once we get there. We coasted for 18 or so years after the D1 move before Building Edwards / Biggs and getting serious. I'd guess we could fall into that again. But who knows.