Yet Another Montana "Moving Up" Thread

[collegesportsinfo]

I think Montana is a WAC school. The WAC needs them, even though they probably won't admit it. 10 works best for most other sports other than football. 5/4 vs 4/5 not bad. If they WAC hated that so much they could always do 4/4 and miss a school. I'd rather just have 4/5-5/4

Depending if/when Boise St. leaves UTSA or Texas St.(if it happens before 2013 and the WAC doesn't wait around) needs to be in the WAC.

I have no clue if the WAC even wants to think about this but 12 could help a lot too. Cutting Travel costs. E/W. Conf. championship game.

I too think Montana is a WAc school. It's just a shame that Montana St. is so bad in comparison. Because I hate seeing the two split up as they are the only 2 D1 schools in the state.

[GrizFan5]

My crystal ball says.........

There is said to be a number of large potential donors that will give only if the Griz play at the higher level. The Board of Regents will not stand in Montana's way if the study says a move up would be beneficial. Two schools in the WAC are courting Montana. I think it is a done deal just not announced yet. Montana will move up because they will have an invite to the WAC after the 2011 season. The Home and Home with MSU will continue because Montana will get a waiver from the WAC to continue the series. I hope this answers all your questions.

All of the big football donors I know are NOT in favor of moving up. In fact, I don't know a single large donor that is in favor of moving up at this time. This analysis is in the early stages. The athletic department would like to have a better look at the costs and additional revenues associated with moving up. UM has done internal looks at the costs and additional revenues of moving up several times in the past 10 dasy. This time the loss of state support for the university system and the related loss of university support for the athletic department is causing the athletic department to want to look more closely at whether moving up would provide a net revenue benefit. Additionally, there is some concern that the Big Sky conference could lose some teams and be less attractive as a conference. A feasibility study may or may not be done. UM is in the process of selecting a new president, as the longtime president is done as of August, I believe. The new president will presumably be influential in this matter.

While there are more fans who favor moving up than there used to be, the vast majority of the UM fan base do not want to move up. My guess is that any feasibility study would show what the Geo. So. and UMass studies showed, and that is that the moving up is not financially feasible. Unless the new president happens to be a big athletic and I-A supporter, I doubt that he or she will want to take on the significant financial risk of moving up or run the risk of criticism if the football program declines, i.e. significantly fewer wins over some fairly short period of time. It will be much easier to just keep cutting back on the university support for the athletic department. However, if the Big Sky conference does start to decline, or the I-AA playoff system were to go away, then there would be more fan pressure to move up. Also, large donors would be more likely to consider supporting a move.

[Catattack]

I too think Montana is a WAc school. It's just a shame that Montana St. is so bad in comparison. Because I hate seeing the two split up as they are the only 2 D1 schools in the state.

Who isn't.

[GrizMadman]

I too think Montana is a WAc school. It's just a shame that Montana St. is so bad in comparison. Because I hate seeing the two split up as they are the only 2 D1 schools in the state.

Who isn't.

The UM-MSU rivalry could still go on. Maybe some day, MSU could take pride in "knocking off" a WAC opponent. I don't know the implications re: UM having to pay MSU for playing down.

[Catattack]

Who isn't.

The UM-MSU rivalry could still go on. Maybe some day, MSU could take pride in "knocking off" a WAC opponent. I don't know the implications re: UM having to pay MSU for playing down.

I guess we'll start by "knocking off" a PAC-Ten team

[putter]

The UM-MSU rivalry could still go on. Maybe some day, MSU could take pride in "knocking off" a WAC opponent. I don't know the implications re: UM having to pay MSU for playing down.

I guess we'll start by "knocking off" a PAC-Ten team

tough to "knock off" WSU....I would put you guys even right now.

[Silenoz]

The UM-MSU rivalry could still go on. Maybe some day, MSU could take pride in "knocking off" a WAC opponent. I don't know the implications re: UM having to pay MSU for playing down.

I guess we'll start by "knocking off" a PAC-Ten team

A$$holes, that should be us playing them!

[dbackjon]

I guess we'll start by "knocking off" a PAC-Ten team

A$$holes, that should be us playing them!

And give up your home game with Western State?

[Stubbins]

If they move up, I know where they can stick my tickets.

give them to me...I put in my request the day of the umass game. If you don't want em, I do, and even more so if we move up.

[mlbowl]

And give up your home game with Western State?

Um...Western New Mexico

[dbackjon]

And give up your home game with Western State?

Um...Western New Mexico

I'm not the one wanting to play Wazzou - but we are already playing Arizona State - so thanks for asking

[mlbowl]

Um...Western New Mexico

I'm not the one wanting to play Wazzou - but we are already playing Arizona State - so thanks for asking

And we'll make more money in a home game with Western St. than playing washington St. ...the difference between Montana and NAU...NAU NEEDS that FBS payday ...you're welcome!

[Catattack]

I guess enjoy those profits while you can. I don't think the Griz will be playing any DII games at home if you move up and yes I understand that your 1 play down game could be against us. The Griz would have to pay a FBS school to come to WA-Griz or even , god forbid, take the big pay-check to play at a BCS school. This is not a slam just some things I was wondering about. One other thought, is what happens to all those home and home series with ASU,McNeese, and UND. There is no way the Griz would travel to a FCS school if they moved up.

[AZGrizFan]

I guess enjoy those profits while you can. I don't think the Griz will be playing any DII games at home if you move up and yes I understand that your 1 play down game could be against us. The Griz would have to pay a FBS school to come to WA-Griz or even , god forbid, take the big pay-check to play at a BCS school. This is not a slam just some things I was wondering about. One other thought, is what happens to all those home and home series with ASU,McNeese, and UND. There is no way the Griz would travel to a FCS school if they moved up.

Probably why the Griz felt comfortable scheduling those games beginning in 2012.

[Herky]

IF the griz move up, what TWO sports are they going to add and fund? How will they stay compliant with Title IX? What strides has the U of M taken in giving more financial support to their already under-financed athletic teams i.e. tennis? Like it or not, those non-revenue producing teams still need funding that they havent been receiving for updated facilities. I beleive it wasnt more than three years ago that the tennis courts were deemed inadequate for collegiate competition.

14 current teams, need to add two more to go FBS, what will they be? If there are money issues now, how will adding two additional sports alleviate those problems?

I know, lots of questions. I just didnt read about any of these being addressed in the discussion.

[AZGrizFan]

IF the griz move up, what TWO sports are they going to add and fund? How will they stay compliant with Title IX? What strides has the U of M taken in giving more financial support to their already under-financed athletic teams i.e. tennis? Like it or not, those non-revenue producing teams still need funding that they havent been receiving for updated facilities. I beleive it wasnt more than three years ago that the tennis courts were deemed inadequate for collegiate competition.

14 current teams, need to add two more to go FBS, what will they be? If there are money issues now, how will adding two additional sports alleviate those problems?

I know, lots of questions. I just didnt read about any of these being addressed in the discussion.

Bowl payout revenue. Higher ticket prices. Stadium expansion.

[Catattack]

San Jose State’s share of the Western Athletic Conference’s BCS revenue will be approx $550,000, according to senior associate commissioner Jeff Hurd.

If neither TCU nor BSU had participated in the BCS, the Spartans would have received about $250,000. (The non-AQ conferences receive a guaranteed BCS paycheck regardless of whether they have a participant.)

If only TCU had participated, the Spartans would have received roughly $350,000 — the original 250k plus an additional 100k (same as every other school in the league).

http://blogs.mercurynews.com/collegespo ... ue-update/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Even with Boise's help, I don't think the bowl revenue would even cover the increased scholarship costs or increased coaches salaries, IMO.

[dbackjon]

IF the griz move up, what TWO sports are they going to add and fund? How will they stay compliant with Title IX? What strides has the U of M taken in giving more financial support to their already under-financed athletic teams i.e. tennis? Like it or not, those non-revenue producing teams still need funding that they havent been receiving for updated facilities. I beleive it wasnt more than three years ago that the tennis courts were deemed inadequate for collegiate competition.

14 current teams, need to add two more to go FBS, what will they be? If there are money issues now, how will adding two additional sports alleviate those problems?

I know, lots of questions. I just didnt read about any of these being addressed in the discussion.

Bowl payout revenue. Higher ticket prices. Stadium expansion.

I wouldn't count on Bowl payout revenue - especially if Boise leaves. That money should be used for special projects, upgrades (like your Stadium expansion).

Where is the stadium expansion money going to come from? How many more tickets do you think they can sell consistantly? And at what price?

[Herky]

IF the griz move up, what TWO sports are they going to add and fund? How will they stay compliant with Title IX? What strides has the U of M taken in giving more financial support to their already under-financed athletic teams i.e. tennis? Like it or not, those non-revenue producing teams still need funding that they havent been receiving for updated facilities. I beleive it wasnt more than three years ago that the tennis courts were deemed inadequate for collegiate competition.

14 current teams, need to add two more to go FBS, what will they be? If there are money issues now, how will adding two additional sports alleviate those problems?

I know, lots of questions. I just didnt read about any of these being addressed in the discussion.

Bowl payout revenue. Higher ticket prices. Stadium expansion.

What does a stadium expansion have to do with immediately funding two additional sports? How does a stadium expansion alleviate current fiscal issues? Remember, there were a few options mentioned for the program, all of which included CUTS in some way. Dropping down and/or reducing scholarships to out-of-state students.

What two sports will be added and how will UM stay Title IX compliant?

When UM goes 3-9 (don't even say they'll do better than that, look at all of the teams that have made the jump!) how will higher ticket prices help with declining support? How many FCS teams have gone to the FBS and been insatntly competitive, I bet hardly any have. It is inevetable that they will see a decline in ticket sales after a few losing seasons. The fans will start calling for the coaches head and want someone with FBS experience that is proven, that in turn will cost a pretty penny.

If anyone can actually answer these questions without mentioning a "stadium expansion" it would be much appreciated. The bowl payout revenue isnt going to solve all of the financial concerns of all UM athletics and the higher ticket prices issue was addressed above.

[Col Hogan]

Maybe they can do what KU is thinking of doing....selling "Seat Mortgages"...

At Kansas, Jayhawk fans who sign up to pay as much as $105,000 over 10 years will earn the right to buy guaranteed top seats for football over the next three decades. In return, the seats themselves will stay locked in at 2010 prices.

http://cjonline.com/sports/2010-03-30/c ... _top_seats" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I saw this story on UMass74's blog today and didn't know if I should laugh or cry...if this is where college sports is going, I can't afford to be a fan much longer...

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

Bowl payout revenue. Higher ticket prices. Stadium expansion.

I wouldn't count on Bowl payout revenue - especially if Boise leaves. That money should be used for special projects, upgrades (like your Stadium expansion).

Where is the stadium expansion money going to come from? How many more tickets do you think they can sell consistantly? And at what price?

There is a waiting list of 2-3000 right now. I don't know how much they will be able to up the prices but they will push it as far as they can. They have taken the money generated from those new seats each year and put it towards paying off the expansion in short order so there is not a lot of debt left on what is there already. I believe the newest expansion will be paid off in 2012. I'm not on board with a move up but I have a friend that is in the system that says it is pretty much already decided and they are now laying out these doomsday scenario to move the fan base in the direction that is a necessary step. That is why I when they come out with the bullshit about not recruiting out of state due to money problems I started to have the feeling that the process is starting. They may not be outright lying on the two alternatives but they are trying to paint the move up as the only option.

If they are gonna think they can keep charging a premium then I will likely give up my tickets in a few years and just go to the games and tailgate and watch the game in the motor home. There are plenty of people looking for the tickets and next year will mark my 25th year of attending every game in that stadium so I may as well give someone else a turn.

[Silenoz]

Bowl payout revenue. Higher ticket prices. Stadium expansion.

What does a stadium expansion have to do with immediately funding two additional sports? How does a stadium expansion alleviate current fiscal issues? Remember, there were a few options mentioned for the program, all of which included CUTS in some way. Dropping down and/or reducing scholarships to out-of-state students.

What two sports will be added and how will UM stay Title IX compliant?

When UM goes 3-9 (don't even say they'll do better than that, look at all of the teams that have made the jump!) how will higher ticket prices help with declining support? How many FCS teams have gone to the FBS and been insatntly competitive, I bet hardly any have. It is inevetable that they will see a decline in ticket sales after a few losing seasons. The fans will start calling for the coaches head and want someone with FBS experience that is proven, that in turn will cost a pretty penny.

If anyone can actually answer these questions without mentioning a "stadium expansion" it would be much appreciated. The bowl payout revenue isnt going to solve all of the financial concerns of all UM athletics and the higher ticket prices issue was addressed above.

South Florida
7-4
8-3
9-2

Connecticut
3-8
2-9
6-6

Central Florida
6-5
5-6
5-6

Marshall
10-3
12-1
13-0

Troy
7-4
4-8
6-6

Boise State
2-10
5-6
6-5

Idaho
6-5
5-6
9-3

Nevada
7-5
7-4
9-2

There's schools that jumped off the top of my head. I'd say instant success is hardly predictable

[Grizalltheway]

Um...Western New Mexico

I'm not the one wanting to play Wazzou - but we are already playing Arizona State - so thanks for asking

So you have two games that work against a possible (I use that term loosely) playoff birth? Congrats!

[dbackjon]

I'm not the one wanting to play Wazzou - but we are already playing Arizona State - so thanks for asking

So you have two games that work against a possible (I use that term loosely) playoff birth? Congrats!

Yup, as always. We will need to go minimum 6-2 in BSC, plus win at SUU to have a shot.

[SACCAT]

IF the griz move up, what TWO sports are they going to add and fund? How will they stay compliant with Title IX? What strides has the U of M taken in giving more financial support to their already under-financed athletic teams i.e. tennis? Like it or not, those non-revenue producing teams still need funding that they havent been receiving for updated facilities. I beleive it wasnt more than three years ago that the tennis courts were deemed inadequate for collegiate competition.

14 current teams, need to add two more to go FBS, what will they be? If there are money issues now, how will adding two additional sports alleviate those problems?

I know, lots of questions. I just didnt read about any of these being addressed in the discussion.

Bowl payout revenue. Higher ticket prices. Stadium expansion.

Wasn't there a rule that you don't get any Bowl money for the first 5-6 years after moving up?