Cat79

[quote name="JJWooten" post="987779" timestamp="1300993311"] [quote author=Cat79 link=topic=81226.msg987704#msg987704 date=1300982890] Card Fans: We should hear something soon about Lamar.  I went back and read several prior newspaper articles on WAC expansion and Benson was the person who initiated the April 1st date for an expansion announcement.  I have to believe he will announce Lamar and Seattle will join the WAC. [/quote] And then later that night, they'll announce it's an April Fool's Day joke.  ;D ;D [/quote] That was the Sam Houston Invite.  Ha Ha Ha!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have seen talk on the anygivensaturday board about adding Abilene Christian and possibly Texas A & M Commerce.  Out of state candidates mentioned were Delta State, Central Oklahoma and Northern Alabama.

Card Fans: We should hear something soon about Lamar.  I went back and read several prior newspaper articles on WAC expansion and Benson was the person who initiated the April 1st date for an expansion announcement.  I have to believe he will announce Lamar and Seattle will join the WAC.

[quote name="NorthoftheBorder" post="981326" timestamp="1299877276"] [quote author=Cat79 link=topic=81226.msg981214#msg981214 date=1299866680] [quote author=bigred360 link=topic=81226.msg980309#msg980309 date=1299722283] I support a move to a FBS conference if we have the money and resources to be competitive in all the sports in which we compete. I'll reframe for any other comments because I'm sure a lot of people will disagree and I honestly don't have the time for a debate. [/quote] I hope you guys are in the WAC. Here is what the Texas State 2012 schedule will look like: @Houston 9/2012 Rumored to be our home opener-Texas Tech  or Missouri 9/2012 Nevada in San Marcos 9/2012 UTSA La Tech San Jose State UTAH St Idaho New Mexico State @Navy  11/2012 Still have 2 dates to fill-Lamar could be one of them [/quote] I'd say that is a pretty strong schedule! [/quote] Texas Tech has been confirmed to open the Expanded Bobcat Stadium in 2012

[quote name="bigred360" post="980309" timestamp="1299722283"] I support a move to a FBS conference if we have the money and resources to be competitive in all the sports in which we compete. I'll reframe for any other comments because I'm sure a lot of people will disagree and I honestly don't have the time for a debate. [/quote] I hope you guys are in the WAC. Here is what the Texas State 2012 schedule will look like: @Houston 9/1/2012 Rumored to be our home opener-Texas Tech or TCU 9/8/2012 Nevada in San Marcos 9/27/2012 UTSA La Tech San Jose State UTAH St Idaho New Mexico State @Navy  11/2012 @ New Mexico  11/2012 Still have 1 date to fill-Lamar could be the last spot

[quote name="JJWooten" post="980099" timestamp="1299692076"] [quote author=Cat79 link=topic=81226.msg979956#msg979956 date=1299680578] This message is clear to me.  The invites will go to Lamar and either Seattle or Cal St-B.  This is what the WAC needs to get to 8 football playing universities and one non-football team for each division.  This is the path to add western football universities to the west division at the next expansion time.   There has been interest by ULL but their UNT and Ark St brethern seem to be trying to persuade them not to leave the SBC for the WAC.  ULL fans have stated on one of their fan sites that the WAC is a better basketball conference than the SBC.  WAC baseball is even with the SBC but note that Fresno won the CWS a few years back which did not ever happen in the SBC. ULL fans see football as a push between the WAC and SBC. [/quote] WAC basketball is only better than the Sunbelt because of Utah State, take them out, and they're really not that much different. [/quote] JJWooten, Are you hearing anything out of Sam?  Another Bearkat poster stated that Sam is coming to the WAC also.

This message is clear to me.  The invites will go to Lamar and either Seattle or Cal St-B.  This is what the WAC needs to get to 8 football playing universities and one non-football team for each division.  This is the path to add western football universities to the west division at the next expansion time.   There has been interest by ULL but their UNT and Ark St brethern seem to be trying to persuade them not to leave the SBC for the WAC.  ULL fans have stated on one of their fan sites that the WAC is a better basketball conference than the SBC.  WAC baseball is even with the SBC but note that Fresno won the CWS a few years back which did not ever happen in the SBC. ULL fans see football as a push between the WAC and SBC.

[quote name="JJWooten" post="970012" timestamp="1298393700"] [quote author=Cat79 link=topic=80295.msg969946#msg969946 date=1298386887] Lamar will have a better chance of defeating SFA this year.  They will lose to Texas St.  SFA will be lucky to go 6-5 this year with an inexperienced QB [/quote] Most of SFA's core is still there, with Attaway having a year to sit and watch one of the best SLC passes of all time. His receiving group is still in tact, and they've picked up a stud RB to help in the run game. They've lost 2 key players on defense, but as a whole, the majority of the group is still there. I'm not saying SFA hands70+ on them, but they do beat them thoroughly. As for Sam, only lost 3 SLC games by a combined 11 points, and against two of three teams finished 1st and 2nd. We have a QB and RB that will be even more comfortable in the backfield, and defense picked up some key needs to address the secondary. Lamar's defense hasn't improved nearly as much as their offense, but Tim Flanders will still have a beastly day come next year. SHSU should pick up this win, especially since it will be an AWAY game for the Cards. As for Texas State, Coach Fran is still Coach Fran. Just because he comes in this year, he's still got last years recruits, a team that 1-6 in the SLC. Are you guys improved? I hope so, but every team can't improve and be better, someone's got to be worse. SFA will lose more than 1 game, and I think you guys will be at the bottom again, even though it doesn't really matter whether you guys win or lose. At the end of the day, Lamar only won 2 of their 6 Division 1 games. I don't see them being really competitive until Year 3 of this program, which is still a heck of a job considering they've been dormant for 10+ years. [/quote] Spin it any way you want but I am telling you now that Sam Houston is going to lose to Texas State.  SFA is going to go through what we went through last year lucky to win conference games due to an inexperienced QB.  I was at the Sam-Texas State game and you should not feel good about going to San Marcos.  Your RB is good but not enough to carry you in San Marcos,

[quote name="JJWooten" post="966883" timestamp="1297827785"] [quote author=bigred360 link=topic=80295.msg966696#msg966696 date=1297819033] The only way you can't see us going 8-3 JJ is because you don't think we can beat SHSU, right? Otherwise, these are the W's I think we "can" have. [b]Langston University [/b] WIN at South Alabama LOSS [b]Incarnate Word [/b] WIN at Southeastern La* WIN [b]Northwestern St[/b].* WIN at Texas St. LOSS [b]C. Arkansas[/b]* WIN at Sam Houston St.* WIN [b]Stephen F. Austin[/b]* LOSS at Nicholls St.* WIN [b]McNeese St[/b].* WIN I'm not saying we will win all these games but I do think it is possible.   [/quote] No, I don't think you'll beat us, I was just trying to pick a third loss for Puddin. [/quote] Lamar will have a better chance of defeating SFA this year.  They will lose to Texas St.  SFA will be lucky to go 6-5 this year with an inexperienced QB

[quote name="JJWooten" post="966479" timestamp="1297800362"] If I had to make a prediction: Langston University WIN at South Alabama LOSS Incarnate Word WIN at Southeastern La* WIN Northwestern St.* LOSS at Texas St. WIN C. Arkansas* WIN at Sam Houston St.* LOSS Stephen F. Austin* LOSS at Nicholls St.* LOSS McNeese St.* LOSS That puts you at...... 5-6, maybe you can beat USA, but I dunno. I'm going with my gut  since it's your 1st away game, and Langston isn't really a great warm-up game. Not going to happen Wooten with Fran as our coach.  Expect Sammy to lose also. [/quote]

A WAC official told a source last week that the conference is looking to add Lamar, Seattle and Utah Valley St. in another wave of expansion. Also told Montana wants to join the WAC but Montana St. not interested and that would have to be a package deal. BTW, BYU has recently joined the WAC for softball.

[quote name="coachacola" post="963524" timestamp="1297269021"] I don't think going to the WAC is a no-brainer, there are risks involved.  In all probability Lamar will have the lowest budget in the WAC.  I think Simmons and Tidwell are hoping for an opening in the Sun Belt to open up so they can get back into that conference.  I bet Lamar is still trying to determine if it's worth jumping to the WAC.  I don't think it's a lock that Lamar will be going to the WAC but I hope they do.  I think it's a risk they have to take. [/quote] coachacola: I believe Lamar has a better chance of getting into the WAC.  Lamar has some support for WAC membership.  The Sunbelt would be very doubtful with UNT blocking Texas Universities from entry.  I will to say Lamar has an invite by April 2011.

[quote name="bigred360" post="957286" timestamp="1296325416"] That sounds really nice but for $17 million it better.  8) Off the subject, I read a little on Coach Fran's coaching staff and they sound really good. Congratulations! [/quote] Thanks,  Fran has managed to put together an amazing group of coaches.  They have a lot of energy and knowledge.  Three of them were coaches for him when at TCU and New Mexico.  This staff has really recruited well in the short period of time at Texas State.  We have many 2 & 3 star recruits. I have been around since 1975 watching Bobcat football. I had really enjoyed our teams in 1991 & 92 when Fran arrived at SWT.  We were not as talented as other teams in the SLC but aggressive on defense.  He won two years and was offered the New Mexico job.  Rudy Davalos was the AD at New Mexico at the time.  Rudy was voted All American in baskeball while at SWT.

[quote name="bigred360" post="957272" timestamp="1296323560"] Lamar had suites this year built onto the Montagne Center and they were sold for $25,000 with a 3 year commitment. [Hidden Content] [/quote] That is a good revenue stream. We have field boxes and suites.  I have a close friend that has a field box.  They are very nice and look similar to what the Houston Texans field level offers with bars, LCD TV's, couches and plush chairs.  They can have a mixed drink at their level for $3-4.  Food can be ordered to their seats. Here is information about suites and club seats (I call these field boxes). The Jerry D. and Linda Gregg Fields Bobcat Stadium West Side Complex includes the addition of a Legacy Suite Level and Champions Club Level with a total cost of $17 million. The architect-engineering firm for the expansion is O'Connell Robertson and Associates, the contractor is Austin Commercial and the project manager is Broaddus and Associates. The Legacy Suite Level includes 15 suites. Each of the suites feature 12 permanent seats and four bar stools. Amenities include season tickets to home games, full kitchenettes, refrigerators and cabinets, a flat-screen television, operable windows that open and close for climate-controlled comfort, four VIP parking passes, and a suite attendant to ensure that Bobcat fans and their guests have the experience of a lifetime. Each suite also contains an elegant plaque that recognizes the contributions to the Bobcat football program. The Champions Club Level features 450 club seats. The club level includes covered, outdoor seating and also an indoor banquet-style area with tables and additional seating. Packages include pre-game food and game tickets with pricing tied to seat location.

[quote name="NorthoftheBorder" post="957270" timestamp="1296323444"] I am pretty sure you can have a small bowl on both ends of the stadium, but it would obstruct the view of the Athletic Complex, but if seating is necessary, you have to do what you have to do.  I don't see PU ever being much more than 30-32K with the Athlectic complex being so close on the south end and the Montagne on the North end.  Hopefully any final expansion includes the suites that you mentioned 360! [/quote] Actually, you could add upper decks like the plan Texas State is using.  The issue is parking and parking garages would need to be included in future expansion.   We are going to see an increase in our ticket prices but will still be more affordable than what University of Texas or Texas A & M charge.  I see our tickets having to go to similar pricing to what Rice and Houston charge

[quote name="bigred360" post="957264" timestamp="1296322851"] Problem for Lamar expanding Provost-Umphrey is we have the Montagne Center on one end and the athletic complex on the other. Then one side of the stadium is within 500-1000 feet of the feeder road to MLK. IMO, I would change the feeder road and make it one exit to the Athletic Complex. Then I would close the road from there to the Montagne Center. This would give architectural firm the room to add an upper deck on both sides of the stadium with a small bowl at the Montagne Center end of the facility. Then, I would have a multi level press box and suites on the home side of the complex. IMO, at least 3 levels so it would be user friendly to the coaching staffs of both schools, the media which includes the SID's of both school and TV and radio media, and finally the suites for the major donors still named in honor of the Morgan's. [/quote] We had built our pressbox and suites first.  It was a $17 million addition and paid in full when it opened two season ago.  Suites were sold for $30,000 per year which is renewable or a company could buy the rights for $1 million cash permanently.  This is a revenue generator which becomes a source of funding for the future.

[quote name="coachacola" post="957251" timestamp="1296320854"] I believe Benson said any FCS team invited would be on Texas State's timeline to go FBS.  I think the NCAA rule is you must spend at least 2 years at the FCS level then 2 years transitioning to FBS.  Lamar was FCS this past year and will be FCS next year.  Getting invited to the WAC would mean they'd join in 2012 and would count as a FBS team but wouldn't be bowl eligible until 2014.  A few months ago Dr. Simmons stated in the Beaumont Enterprise the dream is for Lamar to be in Jan 1st bowl game in 2015.  Now is the time to take a big step forward towards that goal by joining the WAC.  I would assume Simmons and Tubbs are out talking to the big donors about this move because the stadium will need to be expanded.  It's a great FCS stadium but way too small for a FBS stadium. [/quote] Texas State has three more build outs to Bobcat Stadium which will eventually be 35-40,000 with a third deck.  We bowl in the north side for the first buildout in 2012 which takes the capacity to 29,500. We have secured more than half the money from donations from alumni and friends of the university to fund the current stadium expansion to be completed for the 2012 season.

I believe Lamar was considered FCS transitional in 2010,  This is why Lamar would be ahead of UTSA,  UTSA is FCS transitional in 2011.

[quote name="bigred360" post="957237" timestamp="1296319500"] It will be announced April 1st but it's no joke. [/quote] from what I have heard the invites will be given the first week of April.

I do believe Lamar will be added as the next WAC member.  Benson will be sending invites to teams in April.  If Lamar is given an invite and accepts this year would be your last year in FCS, Lamar would be FBS transitional in 2012 (which would count as FBS wins for WAC teams) and Bowl eligible in 2013. Lamar would be on the same timetable as Texas State which is one year ahead of UTSA.  We have signed home and home series with Wyoming and Navy. Bobcat Stadium is scheduled to be complete with our new addition taking the capacity to 29,500.  Your old rival Louisiana Tech would be on your schedule again. I hope you guys join us in the WAC.