(10-27-2015 01:41 PM)Michael in Raleigh Wrote: (10-27-2015 01:28 PM)Georgia_Power_Company Wrote: (10-27-2015 01:10 PM)Michael in Raleigh Wrote: Is there anything outside this message board that indicates UTA is even considering adding football? I googled it and all I found was that there was a student petition back two or three years ago that came up 90% short of the signatures the group had hoped to get. Nothing more came of it.
UTA posters keep saying it is in the long term plan but I don't know if anything is official. It seems strange they would move to two different FBS conferences (especially since the WAC is still a viable basketball conference) without that being a consideration.
UTA, Texas State, and fans of other ex-SLC teams would know better than I would, but I think the Southland is one of the weakest basketball leagues (Stephen F. Austin's NCAA run a couple years ago notwithstanding). The WAC was a big step up, but then when the WAC started losing more and more teams, they needed a league that was (1) more regionally-friendly and (2) not bleeding schools.
Michael, you have to go back far beyond two years for anything. This has been a process that really began last century:
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/proposa...9f31c.html
In 2004, the most public details available happened with a student vote, passed overwhelmingly with a far higher turnout than is usual for a UTA vote, over 10%:
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/voters-...136d8.html
Ultimately, it was the resignation of the President who formulated the plans that cause the plan to get sidetracked. New President James Spaniolo looked at our facilities, especially basketball and said wow, that has got to change. I was upset at the time, but looking back, I think it was the right call. Texas Hall is a great theater, and absolutely one POS basketball arena:
https://www.google.com/search?site=imghp...pYW6zxKA-0
College Park Center is an absolute beauty. Anyone who hasn't checked it out is doing themselves a disservice. The arena and game presentation are totally worth it.
Anyway, CPC is used by more than just the athletic department. In the end, that alone brings something to the table. Now, on top of things, a WNBA team is relocating and calling it home. Had we pursued the football route, we'd have a program but still be in the SLC.
But, the President did commission a study on the feasibility of the program. I question some of the numbers, but ultimately thought it did a decent job of breaking it down. Here it is in its entirety.
http://www.uta.edu/sportsexpansion/sports_expansion.pdf
In the report, as well as statements made here and there that when taken solo, make you go huh... But when taken all together, add up to more (see this thread for some examples,
http://utamavericks.forumer.com/topic/12...jGQeivPKSo)
Heck, our AD was found when the President who spearheaded College Park Center was down in Austin asking about football. That in and of itself is telling.
The report about sport expansion lays out the blueprint, but isn't the final say. The informal plan as I know it is basically upgrade existing facilities and get every sport on DI-quality standards, look at adding the two women's sports, add football. The biggest obstacle that has been relayed to me is Maverick Stadium is viewed as showing its age. I think it is fine and needs some upgrades along with an expansion, but that is another topic.
As for that petition, it was an independent student not in any way affiliated with getting an actual program who thought it would be neat to do. The number of signatures means nothing as it was nothing more than a sign deal with no ramifications. The most outspoken the students have been was that vote I linked to earlier when a record two-day turnout when UTA had 1/3 to 1/2 less students enrolled then than now voted overwhelmingly in favor.
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Will Sun Belt become 10 school all sports league?
