AD: Villanova Pondering FBS Move
by Chris Lane on Sep 10, 2010 10:26 AM EDT
in Big East Expansion
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PrintNot that this is news to anyone who actually follows the school's athletic programs, but this is the first time that anyone relevant from the school has actually come out and admitted that this is a real possibility -- and I see that as only a good thing.
While we all knew there were some talks that were on-going, it's been very odd that nobody has come out and given a 'Yes, we're thinking about it.' That's no longer the case. Athletic Director Vince Nicastro had this to say:
"The Big East very recently communicated its interest in adding Villanova as a football member," AD Vince Nicastro told the Daily News on Thursday. "As a result, we have decided to embark on an in-depth evaluation of this opportunity."
As the article continues to suggest, the biggest hurdle is the increased funding that this will cost. The stadium needs an upgrade, and we'd need to fund more scholarships in not only football, but in women's sports as well to meet Title IX requirements (don't get me started on that, please).
Our own Jamie Poster thinks this idea is an apocalypse waiting to happen, but how can you not get excited?
Bottom line, this is exciting news. There's tons of alumni support for this and according to all the chatter on the internet, this IS a very real possibility.
Also make sure to check out Voodoo 5's thoughts on the move (what a surprise, they would welcome it). Collin does a great job breaking down the obstacles and the benefits of the move.
And oh my lord, Boston College thinks it's a good idea too!
Let's hear your thoughts on the possible move up to the BIG EAST...
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Our own Jamie Poster thinks this idea is an apocalypse waiting to happen, but how can you not get excited?
Why?
Good talk.
Casual Hoya
Financial concerns...
He went real in-depth and reviewed our financial statements and he sees no way in which this doesn’t end in us canceling football in 10 years.
My father was a military man. Guess I wasn't such a 'good soldier.' Anyways, when I was 35 he attempted to give me a crew-cut while I was asleep. I woke up, broke his arm, haven't seen him since.
I wonder how fast
you’d offset the costs of scholarships with the BCS/bowl money? Seems like a safe bet especially if the Big East is planning on making additional moves to encourage a full 12 team conference.
I’d say the big negative is the huge risk of the Big 10/ACC expanding in the event of Super Conferences. Who would be left over from the Big East? Would the conference still garner a BCS berth?
I write stuff From the Rumble Seat.
Super Conference...
Big concern, you are right — not sure who would want us…we could be moving right back to FCS…
But I’ve heard the BIG EAST is ready to step up and help us out financially with a lot of what we need to get this done, and yeah, with the rev-share that would come from being a part of the conference I think we’ll be more than happy that we did this.
My father was a military man. Guess I wasn't such a 'good soldier.' Anyways, when I was 35 he attempted to give me a crew-cut while I was asleep. I woke up, broke his arm, haven't seen him since.
Little chance....
that the BE would move to 12 teams, unless ND or Penn State was interested. There’s just not a school out there that would be able to bring in the revenues to offset the cost of splitting the pot with 2 or 3 more teams.
The Big East is already way behind the other conferences in revenues. Even adding Nova will cost the other teams some money. I just can’t see them doing that 2 or 3 more times to get up to 12 teams. A Conference Championship isn’t going to be lucrative enough to offset the additions.
This is a bad...
bad idea. I can’t see this working out money wise in the long run.
If only I had an enemy bigger than my apathy. . .
by Esteban d' Amur on Sep 10, 2010 12:47 PM EDT reply actions
Go on...finish your thought...
Explanation required.
My father was a military man. Guess I wasn't such a 'good soldier.' Anyways, when I was 35 he attempted to give me a crew-cut while I was asleep. I woke up, broke his arm, haven't seen him since.
The schools that really make money...
at this are large state universities (PSU, Texas, etc.) with huge alumni bases. Does anyone go to our football games? I live 5 miles from the Stadium and I don’t go now. I won’t go if they have an off campus site. Yeah, we’ll get some BCS payout money, but we have to increase scholarships, women’s atheltics, new football facilities. We can compete and win championships at this level. We won’t at the next level.
What is the benefit?
Just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand.
by Esteban d' Amur on Sep 10, 2010 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions
We aren't exactly 'making money' where we are now
I’m pretty sure above all else that we would make money with the move-up..plus, I know that myself and all my friends (09 grads) would be at every home football game if we were playing Pitt, UCONN, West Virigina, Syracuse, etc. instead of Lehigh, William & Mary and Towson.
I think most people feel the same way.
My father was a military man. Guess I wasn't such a 'good soldier.' Anyways, when I was 35 he attempted to give me a crew-cut while I was asleep. I woke up, broke his arm, haven't seen him since.
I'm an 02 grad...
we had B. West, I worked concessions, and nobody went. How many went to the Temple game? Our school is not the darling of the city. Most people who aren’t associated with the school won’t care. The likes of Pitt, UCONN, WVU, ‘Cuse don’t excite me on the football level. Plus, what are they going to do with the stadium? Build a new one? Renovate?
Just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand.
by Esteban d' Amur on Sep 10, 2010 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Actually...
We had a pretty damn good crowd last week…you’re wrong there.
My father was a military man. Guess I wasn't such a 'good soldier.' Anyways, when I was 35 he attempted to give me a crew-cut while I was asleep. I woke up, broke his arm, haven't seen him since.
Pretty good crowd is how many?
10K? We would need to up that alot at the next level. How many were Temple folk?
Where would ’Nova play their home games as a Div. I school?
Just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand.
by Esteban d' Amur on Sep 10, 2010 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions
I forget the exact figures but from the people who were there
It was about 35-40,000 people and it was 60-40 in favor of Temple. And apparently mostly all the student body was there and they were raucous — better than any basketball game according to witnesses.
My father was a military man. Guess I wasn't such a 'good soldier.' Anyways, when I was 35 he attempted to give me a crew-cut while I was asleep. I woke up, broke his arm, haven't seen him since.
The Fact Is
That if a super conference situation were to happen, we’d be very attractive to said conference because of our basketball team and media market.
What Would Matt Szczur Do?
This guy gets it...
*
My father was a military man. Guess I wasn't such a 'good soldier.' Anyways, when I was 35 he attempted to give me a crew-cut while I was asleep. I woke up, broke his arm, haven't seen him since.
I would agree as respects Bball team..
but the Football team not so much. Penn State and Notre Dame’s popularity lessen any impact Nova Football would have on TV ratings in Philadelphia.
Just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand.
by Esteban d' Amur on Sep 10, 2010 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Except that Philly could have a team to call their own.
Other than that, you’re right, nothing at all to get excited about?
My father was a military man. Guess I wasn't such a 'good soldier.' Anyways, when I was 35 he attempted to give me a crew-cut while I was asleep. I woke up, broke his arm, haven't seen him since.
Temple isn't that team?
My biggest concern is that ‘Nova makes the jump, joins the Big East and then the Big East loses it’s AQ status in the BCS. That would be a disaster.
Just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand.
by Esteban d' Amur on Sep 11, 2010 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions
The Big East...
….isn’t going to lose their BCS auto-bid. They were well above the minimums set by the BCS committee to keep their status.
The problem for ’Nova is that multiple teams leave the Big East and you are left with a football conference of Louisville, Cincy, S Florida and a bunch of mid-majors.
Football FBS yes!!
I have been a 33 year season ticket holder for Nova Basketball and Football, an active giving alumnus, and an avid Philadelphia sports fan. This doesn’t make me an expert but you can’t get any “closer” to the pulse of Nova athletics.
We NEED to move up to FBS. That’s right NEED to. Top reason? say goodbye to Big time B-Ball when the football powers get their way. Then play JMU, Delaware,W&M in B-Ball. Why do you think Jay Wright is so into Nova football?
*Myth #1. Attendance. Attendance is a problem for three reason. Poor stadium, poor parking with minimal tailgating and a perceived second tier status some just will not support. 32,000 at the Linc at 5 pm!!!!! on labor day weekend with the Phillies playing is not bad at all. The Union soccer team with it’s small but loyal fans are selling out. Good stadium and good fans. Play Rutgers, Boston College, Temple, West Virginia, Uconn at a good stadium! Sell out- Sell out -SRO! By the way to those saying we can’t draw. It’s only 5 home games. 5. Five!! I went to Rutgers to watch UConn and there were aroung 5 thousand fans from UConn there. These schools all travel well so the opposing fans alone would put 5-10,00 people in the stands!!
*Myth #2. WE ARE ALREADY LOSING 4 MILLION A YEAR!!! What’s going to happen we move up and lose 4 million?!! The best we can do is is improve attendance at the FCS level and win another National Championship. Maybe lose 3 mill. With the new TV contract coming in the Big East, the bowl money directly and shared we will only lose less. (in a worse case scenario)
*Myth 3 The small group of avid Nova fans want this. Wrong. Moving up to the FBS just for the hell of it is stupid. The Big East is what makes it attractive and with the Basketball influence they will grant us favors to make it happen. This will preserve our other sports especially B-Ball in the future. It will improve our “national university goals”. Anyone read the master plan for Villnaova???
*Myth 4 Fans in Philly are not there. People this is NOT 1980 when there was no ESPN, Comcast, Fox, etc. TV drives the attendance. Put our football on national TV people will come and let’s not forget the large Catholic population here that would love to see a NOVA go big time. I hear it all the time.
*Myth 5. the current FCS is “good for us” I actually think it works against us overall. look at the negative remarks by Nova “fans”-some fans!! negativism about the stadium, the opposition, the attendance. it’s like a collective ’we suck" mentality. By the way when Nova was ranked #1 in 1997 with B-West etc the attendance was very good. People want a good product.
*Myth 6. If it doesn’t work we are “screwed”. REALLY? how is that. WE go back to FCS lose money and return to our little cold stadium. the CAA would take us back in a heartbeat!
***Myth 7. Competitive. This is were I can’t compromise. This team is already really good. FBS would provide only a few more recruits needed to quickly be very competitive. Hey put Rutgers right now at a neutral site and i would say game on. We lost to Temple because our field goal kicker had a bad day. JMU beat Virginia Tech over the weekend. The CAA is already a mid-major!!! Three schools beat FBS schools last year all on the road!
So we can compete, we can draw fans, there is no major downside, and the upside is enormous. I’ve got check book in hand waiting to sign. Who’s in?
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