Here's a podcast interview with Panthers AD Charlie Cobbs


blogtalkradio.com/gstateben/2016/04/28/catching-up-with-charlie-cobb

Here are what I thought were some interesting tidbits...


-Talked about their new basketball/volley practice facility and the various setbacks the project took on (the site of the new facility had previously been their aquatic center and they actually filled the Olympic size pool in with concrete)
-The next big facilities project for Georgia State is the Turner Field project; however with much more litigation and various other meetings still ahead it’s too soon to speculate what or when anything could be discussed in terms of timeline on the project.
-Was asked in regards to further meet Title XIIII Requirements if they were planning on adding an additional women’s sports squad; Cobbs mentioned Lacrosse and Bowling as forefronts (also mentioned diving would be another solid addition although GSU lacks the facilities) Also mentioned he feels that competitive cheerleading should be added as a NCAA sanctioned sport.
-With the news of Idaho dropping to FCS Cobbs was asked if this was an indication that there are too many teams in the FBS; Cobbs said in Idaho’s case it was more geographic than anything else and in the long run being in the Big Sky with similar peer institutes will be better for the Vandals. In Georgia State’s case, being an FCS member in a large city like Atlanta wouldn’t work. Cobbs went on to say GSU is competitive in terms of their athletic budgets with the other sunbelt and g5 schools and as long as they can “fill that niche” they’ll certainly remain in FBS.
-Despite the achievements the football program had this past season, Cobbs stated he felt that 10 years needs to pass fully before reviewing and making a decision in terms of the success the program has had; with that said, he remarks with recent fan caravans they’ve hosted there has been a “growth in its attendance” and said both he and coach Miles remarked it’s nice to finally have a “football team.”


-Cobbs also talked about a little bit about “non-revenue sports” and the importance it plays on making students and the athletes on its teams into better individuals, as well as about Georgia State players in the NFL Draft.

Georgia State is in no danger of moving back to the FCS. For that to happen, GaSt would have to be bad for a long time (which they are trending upward ever so slowly) and an inquiry into how much the athletic department spends on sports versus the net profits like what is happening at EMU along with student and faculty opposition to athletics which could be a possibility if Georgia State's new perimeter college students don't want to be forced to pay an athletic fee for a team they don't want to see.

Cobb is right that even though they might not have the facilities or the talent yet, they definitely have the money and right now that might be all they need.

Neither the question not the response were specifically directed towards whether GSU could survive in FBS. It was really whether Idaho represented a bellwether for the number of schools in FBS. The answer is obviously no.

(05-03-2016 02:21 PM)panama Wrote:  Neither the question not the response were specifically directed towards whether GSU could survive in FBS. It was really whether Idaho represented a bellwether for the number of schools in FBS. The answer is obviously no.

Agree. Ga State and Idaho are apples to oranges.

That point about Title IX compliance is interesting.

Does that mean Georgia State is still lacking women's scholarships to match up with the full allotment for FBS football? Is the football team running at a scholarship deficit to compensate until they can figure out an additional sport?

(05-04-2016 08:15 AM)eaglewraith Wrote:  That point about Title IX compliance is interesting.

Does that mean Georgia State is still lacking women's scholarships to match up with the full allotment for FBS football? Is the football team running at a scholarship deficit to compensate until they can figure out an additional sport?

Yes and No

We need to add a women's sport. We are running at full allotment for football.

Not surprising at all to see Cobb shorting the women's sports in favor of football. Not his first time.

(05-04-2016 10:57 AM)bigCasu_ Wrote:  Not surprising at all to see Cobb shorting the women's sports in favor of football. Not his first time.

Stop being butthurt. Things were in motion well before he arrived last year.