(09-15-2014 08:47 AM)emu79 Wrote: (09-15-2014 08:44 AM)emu steve Wrote: (09-15-2014 08:38 AM)emu79 Wrote: I think you'll see EMU attempt to fix all those things outlined by Steve and give Creighton probably another 5 years. Having said that if CC doesn't succeed I was told that the Regents would take a very close look at the football program and its future, no I don't know what that means, a drop in class perhaps to FCS? CC will get the time to build the program.
By the way since its MSU and EMU week Tim Staudt the guru of the mid Michigan sports scene also thinks EMU football on the field is below the level of Div II power Grand Valley.
As mentioned in my previous posts and by others these payday games are going away slowly but surely.
Without getting into details, I have met Heather, Chris (the assoc A/D), etc. etc. and I can tell you those folks did not come to EMU to watch our athletics slide into the sunset.
One can't buy success on the gridiron or basketball court, but if $ and facilities can pave the way for success, we'll succeed in the years to come.
I'm very optimistic about our athletic department and what they're trying to do. (I've heard good things about the folks that Heather has brought in).
They'll raise monies plus the windfall from ESPN & College Football Playoff system we won't be penny pinching forever.
And I do hope that we can put some $ into women's soccer. Kind of like the financial 'field of dreams' - win and the money will flow to the program.
That's good part of it is $$$$, but you agree is easier when you see light at the end of the tunnel ie winning or encouraging signs.
Agree, but it is the old question which will come first: Facilities or Victories?
As I suggested above, it isn't either or, but BOTH.
We have the worst lighting in the MAC.
We have the worst scoreboard in the MAC (and light years behind say Toledo).
We do have one of the best FieldTurfs in the MAC (I love the gray).
We have one of the worst football buildings.
We have one of the worst, if not the worst, press boxes in the MAC.
We need to be at least 'mid-MAC' in terms of facilities. We can't have losing records and bad facilities. Why would a prospect choose us over CMU or WMU or UT or NIU or BSU (our MAC West competition)?
As I have posted above, I've been to Akron's stadium (not many years old and beautiful) and ODU's (not new but very nice venue) this summer/fall.
Those two stadiums could be reference points for where we need to be.
I do know that the senior athletic staff is traveling to road games and 'taking a look' and will see what other G5 schools have done.