(04-22-2020 05:38 PM)DoubleRSU Wrote: (04-22-2020 02:04 PM)DavidSt Wrote: (04-21-2020 09:13 PM)wisdomgymrat Wrote: Lamar would go with HBU and Louisiana schools
Lamar wants FBS for some years now. If the WAC invited them with the other Texas schools in 2010-2113 time period? Lamar might be in SBC or independent right now, and Tarleton State may have gotten their spot in the Southland.
The talk is that Lamar, Sam Houston State, SFAU and Incarnate Word wants FBS, and could join New Mexico State in the WAC to restart WAC FBS. UTRGV wants to restart football to go FBS. West Texas A&M (former FBS independent) do have access to an FBS size stadium could be one to look at. Midwestern State does have a stadium close to 15,000 could be a future member. As 20 members in Lone Star Conference with UTD looking to move up from D3 to D2, I could see more Texas schools making a jump to D1. Any conferences with more than 16 gets a little too much, and egos get in the way.
Please post a recent article stating that Lamar “wants FBS”. While you’re at it, please post articles for Sam Houston, Stephen F Austin, and Incarnate Word “wanting FBS” as well. UIW had less than 3,000 fans at their last home game and plays in a 6,000 seat stadium, but yeah they want FBS football. Okay Dave
I haven't seen any FBS articles about Lamar in several years, but below is another 2010 article expressing an interest to move up. At the time, the goal was within 5 years which would have been from 2010 to 2015. During that 5 year period, the WAC football possibility disappeared. The Sun Belt went with East Coast schools with the exception of Texas State and non-football Texas-Arlington from the WAC. While I haven't seen anything recently, I have no doubt that Lamar still has the same aspiration expressed in the linked article if the right opportunity were to appear.
2010 article - Deals could mean bigger things for LU athletics
Lamar has had several athletic directors since Billy Tubbs (quoted in the article linked above). The current athletic director, Marco Born, doesn't sound like someone who is satisfied with the status quo. His expertise is in fund raising and facility upgrades.
2018 artcile - New LU atheltics director
Already in good shape, Lamar has continued upgrades to its athletics facilities including renovated dressing rooms at the Montagne Center, the 10,080 seat on-campus basketball arena. The arena also has new center court video boards, a new sound system, ribbon video boards, and other enhancements. The floor and basketball goals were replaced or refurbished in recent years. The baseball stadium has a new Hellas Matrix turf, new dugouts, new drainage system, and other improvements. Around $5 million remains in money originally budgeted for baseball stadium renovations so there should be more on the way.
A lot of the money for any move has already been invested. The football stadium already has a 16,000 seat permanent seating capacity. Capacity is actually around 18,000-20,000 if Lamar included berm seating in the official seating capacity as other schools do. The stadium was completely renovated in 2009-10 including modifications for full ADA compliance, new concessions, new restroooms, new scoreboard, a new 54,000 sq ft athletics complex, a renovated and enlarged press box, as well as new VIP seating. The football stadium renovation included support work setting the stadium up for future expansion up to a 28,000 seat capacity so future costs should be much less than expansions at other schools.
