AJ25

[quote name="PhatMack19" post="955021" timestamp="1296056852"] Astros just signed him to a 3 year-$34 million dollar extension.  Not bad for a 32 year old with a career losing record. I guess the Stros didn't learn from overpaying Carlos Lee. I knew I should have made my kid a lefty.  ;) [/quote] I'm tying my kids right hand behind his back.

[quote name="UNLV" post="953819" timestamp="1295889126"] How do you enforce the rule?    [/quote] I think if your average attendance falls below 15K after 2-3 years, you should be put on probation for another 2-3 years. If you still cannot get your average attendance above 15K, you should be forced down to FCS.

[quote name="Green Menace" post="952767" timestamp="1295671652"] [quote author=puddin tane link=topic=78804.msg952464#msg952464 date=1295653955] [b]and if the NCAA every sticks to their 15,000 minimum attendance to stay FBS...things will really get shaken up[/b] [/quote] FBS would lose many programs....Rice, half the SunBelt, half of the MAC, Tulane, the remnants of the WAC.  It would be interesting to see which programs would be affected.  I think if a program fails to meet the 15K minimum the NCAA gives them a warning or puts them on probation.  Something like that. [/quote] Tulane usually averages around 20. The lowest total TU had last year at a home game was 16K against Rice. The highest total TU had last year was 38K against Ole Miss.

[quote name="adminbaberuth" post="950931" timestamp="1295413317"] [quote author=WOSgrad link=topic=78977.msg950915#msg950915 date=1295412463] [quote author=Puma42 link=topic=78977.msg950894#msg950894 date=1295411480] Hey adminbaberuth, I was just wondering what your username stands for. Are you involved in the babe ruth league in nederland? [/quote] To answer your question, though.  That is exactly how he got his name. [/quote] Grad is correct, going on about 20 years , probably about time to step out. [/quote] League wouldn't be the same without ya.

[quote name="D3zii" post="950815" timestamp="1295408097"] Only 3 players from this area..Smh,,Lamar Is loseing out on some good Talent in SETX,,Hopefully they Sign more by Feburary 2 [/quote] They don't have very many openings. About 13 players will be signed with this class. That is including the 7 guys who have already signed and are in spring drills and these 3 high schoolers. While there are guys capable of playing at LU, there are just no spots. Next year, lots of seniors are leaving.

Better than any achievement on the field.

If they are moving to the WAC soon, I'm sure the new conference will bring in even better talent to LU.

Lance Pace & Jordan Granato... Both of Ltown.

[quote name="bigred360" post="949669" timestamp="1295271604"] [quote author=AJ25 link=topic=78804.msg949593#msg949593 date=1295234552] [quote author=UNLV link=topic=78804.msg949588#msg949588 date=1295233007] At UNLV we had each dorm organize trips to the game. We would march to the Thomas and Mack as a group. We did the same thing for football. We'll we didn't march to Sam Boyd, those without cars took the city bus. It was fun going as a group.  [/quote] That's the kind of stuff that college is about.. That is one downside to Lamar.. You don't get the right "college" feel because it is a commuter campus. If more people lived on campus, the school would make more money, more activities would take place, better crowds, etc... Does Lamar have any rules with having to live on campus? I know some schools make freshman HAVE to live on campus their first year. Or you have to spend like 30 hours of your degree living on campus. If Lamar did that, a lot of things would change. [/quote] [b]More than 2,200 students live in campus residence halls, compared to 600 in 2000. The 500 additional beds in Phase 4 of Cardinal Village, completed this month, filled quickly. Private housing near campus brings the total to about 3,500. [Hidden Content]] This is from 2007-2008 academic year. So, with phase 5 there are over 4,000 students living on or near campus. If someone wishes to find something more updated about on campus housing it would be appreciated. [/quote] So, 15,000 students give or take (correct me if I'm wrong) and only 4,000 on campus. LU wants to have more students at athletic events, they need to find a way to keep more people on campus. When students are on campus, if there's something fun going on on campus, they'll go to it. (Insert athletic event) Maybe on campus housing is too expensive. I don't know much about that.

[quote name="coachacola" post="950036" timestamp="1295315264"] [quote author=bigred360 link=topic=78846.msg950011#msg950011 date=1295314466] Coach, have you found anything about when renovations are starting on the Beck? Also, when will we start construction of a softball complex? [/quote] I go here for the planned projects at Lamar:  [Hidden Content] It says they'll start on Vincent-Beck in 2011 and the softball field in 2013. [/quote] For over 3 million, I'm ready to see what the renovations will be at the Beck!

[quote name="bigred360" post="949829" timestamp="1295297293"] [quote author=Green Menace link=topic=78846.msg949824#msg949824 date=1295296553] The bottom line in all these FBS/stadium expansion/play the big boys discussions is this, very few athletic departments in FBS make money.  Not sure what the number is now, but at one time less than 20 FBS programs made money.  It does, however, elevate your univeristy to a different level, especially if you are on TV or participate in a bowl.  In theory, the national exposure means more alumni contributions to the academic side. [/quote] True, I believe coachacola posted something with that information given. However, a strong athletic program leads to more participation by the student body. Increase in student enrollment which leads to more aid from the state, more credit hours and so on. Like you stated with a successful athletic department there are more gifts to the university for athletics and academics from the alumni. Then there is more national exposure from getting into the NCAA tournaments in various sports and bowl games. So, you can lose money and still be better off on the academic side by going FBS. You stated only 20 FBS programs make money. I bet it is even less at the FCS level. On 5/3/08, Lamar announced it's $100 million campaign and today we are almost 3/4 to the goal as it stands now at $73,841,168. Football was brought back after the students vote to approve a football fee on 2/1/08. [/quote] Once they reach $100 mill, I'm sure another campaign will be started to get them into the FBS.

[quote name="puddin tane" post="949652" timestamp="1295249014"] [quote author=UNLV link=topic=78846.msg949483#msg949483 date=1295223954] [quote author=AJ25 link=topic=78846.msg949432#msg949432 date=1295218208] [quote author=coachacola link=topic=78846.msg949430#msg949430 date=1295218114] I doubt Lamar would double the size of the stadium all at once, it would be done in phases.  First enclose the north end, then the south end, then probably a big press box with suites on the west side, then finally an upper deck on the east side.  They could do this over a ten period as the attendance grows. I still say being in the WAC will allow Lamar to attract better home games than if they stayed in the SLC.  No FBS teams will come to Beaumont if Lamar stays in the SLC, not even Sun Belt teams.  So just being in the WAC allows a better non-conference schedule, and they could still schedule McNeese if they wanted to. Which of these conference home schedules would draw more fans? Typical SLC home slate: Nicholls State, SFA, McNeese, SLU Typical WAC home slate: Utah State, SJSU, UTSA, La Tech One other thing, would Lamar have a good crowd for a Thursday night ESPN game? [/quote] The only competition in the area on a Thurs night is Fresh/JV football games. Thursday ESPN game would definitely sell out. [/quote]Agreed... I still say once LU go FBS, Lamar should go after a home game in Reliant with Texas or AM. [/quote] why would that be a HOME game? [/quote] It's like the Sam v SFA game this year. Just a way for each school to make more money. You host a game in a place like that to convince a school like A&M or TU to play you.

SHSU.. 5600 vs TX State 4220 vs McNeese Weak

[quote name="UNLV" post="949588" timestamp="1295233007"] At UNLV we had each dorm organize trips to the game. We would march to the Thomas and Mack as a group. We did the same thing for football. We'll we didn't march to Sam Boyd, those without cars took the city bus. It was fun going as a group.  [/quote] That's the kind of stuff that college is about.. That is one downside to Lamar.. You don't get the right "college" feel because it is a commuter campus. If more people lived on campus, the school would make more money, more activities would take place, better crowds, etc... Does Lamar have any rules with having to live on campus? I know some schools make freshman HAVE to live on campus their first year. Or you have to spend like 30 hours of your degree living on campus. If Lamar did that, a lot of things would change.

[quote name="adminbaberuth" post="949541" timestamp="1295227019"] Catchers and Pitchers report. [/quote] Pitchers and catchers reported 4 days ago for Juco, we're winning. ;) But yes, April 1st needs to hurry.

[quote name="SabineRavine" post="949537" timestamp="1295226433"] [quote author=UNLV link=topic=78846.msg949485#msg949485 date=1295224095]Didn't Sam Houston have a football game with only 2,000, less than LU basketball. [/quote] C'mon now, UNLV--how far back did you have to go to find that, and what were the circumstances of the game?  Apples to apples, bud [/quote] I do believe that was this year. [quote author=bigred360 link=topic=78846.msg949529#msg949529 date=1295225855] I've got a friend in the athletic department at Texas State and they are trying like heck to get the students out for all of the athletic programs. It isn't just about football as for the size of their student body they have poor attendance for all athletic programs. [/quote] I don't understand why some schools struggle with it. Bigger schools, most students can't even get tickets to some events. Schools like LU, TX State, etc... Free tickets just isn't enough. But, when big name programs come to town, like Texas Tech a few years ago.. It was basically sold out. Moving into the WAC will make a big difference.

[quote name="UNLV" post="949485" timestamp="1295224095"] [quote author=puddin tane link=topic=78846.msg949456#msg949456 date=1295221664] [quote author=bigred360 link=topic=78846.msg949369#msg949369 date=1295210918] [quote author=puddin tane link=topic=78846.msg949362#msg949362 date=1295210589] [quote author=UNLV link=topic=78846.msg949272#msg949272 date=1295198225] Boise st  33,500 Fresno 41,000 Idaho  16,000 La Tech 30,000 Hawaii  50,000 Nevada 30,000 New Mwxico 30,000 SJSU   30,500 UTSA   65,000 Texas st  16,000 Utah st  25,000 Lamar could add 13,000 and be in the pack. I preferr LU go 40,000. [/quote] now list the avg. attendance for those skools remaining in the WAC I'd rather LU be a very hard ticket to get than a half full 30k seater [/quote] Puddin, you'd need to have athletic facilities that compare to others in the same conference. Lamar has great football facilities compared to other SLC schools but not with the WAC or even the Sun Belt. [Hidden Content] [Hidden Content] [Hidden Content] [Hidden Content] [Hidden Content] [/quote] I'll do it for ya Idaho 16,000    12,000 LaTech 30,000     20,000 New Mex 30,000   16,500 SJSU 30,500          15,300 add in san marcos and their weak attendance...aint real impressive [/quote]Didn't Sam Houston have a football game with only 2,000, less than LU basketball. [/quote] I've got friends at TX State and they say it's always pretty full in the first half.. Second half the students tend to leave for "extra-curriculars" ;)

It's tough for basketball attendance to stay maintained because of the amount of games in a year. As for LU, I think the big thing that would make attendance so much better is if students would actually go to events. If I went to LU, I'd be at every event. They need students like that to get attendance where it belongs..

[quote name="coachacola" post="949430" timestamp="1295218114"] I doubt Lamar would double the size of the stadium all at once, it would be done in phases.  First enclose the north end, then the south end, then probably a big press box with suites on the west side, then finally an upper deck on the east side.  They could do this over a ten period as the attendance grows. I still say being in the WAC will allow Lamar to attract better home games than if they stayed in the SLC.  No FBS teams will come to Beaumont if Lamar stays in the SLC, not even Sun Belt teams.  So just being in the WAC allows a better non-conference schedule, and they could still schedule McNeese if they wanted to. Which of these conference home schedules would draw more fans? Typical SLC home slate: Nicholls State, SFA, McNeese, SLU Typical WAC home slate: Utah State, SJSU, UTSA, La Tech One other thing, would Lamar have a good crowd for a Thursday night ESPN game? [/quote] The only competition in the area on a Thurs night is Fresh/JV football games. Thursday ESPN game would definitely sell out.

[quote name="LU4LIFE" post="949427" timestamp="1295216945"] The only thing that hold LAMAR back from being where all die hard Cardinal fans want it to be is the mentality of the people of Beaumont and the surrounding areas. Most people think of LAMAR as a small town/last resort university, and that is also how they feel about LAMAR athletics. That is a huge problem that we needs to fix.  We have something with LAMAR that the whole Golden Triangle could get behind and support, but most of them would rather sit on their couches and cheer on a team that they might go see in person one time a year. The question that I would like answered is why would anyone like to sit on their couch and watch a college football game instead of going to a LAMAR game and experiencing all the game day atmosphere like tailgating, and cheering on the local team? It might just be me but I would rather be apart of the game day atmosphere then watch it on tv. I don't think people realize how important the support for LAMAR athletics is (or maybe they do and just don't care). When it comes to recruiting for schools like LAMAR you have to set a stage that would attract recruits to want to play there, especially when/if LAMAR makes the move to the WAC that is when you will need better recruits to be able to be competitive. IMO school support plays a huge role in this because good support could bring better recruits which means your team is better which means more recognition for LAMAR. Everybody knows that college athletics is a business and a good business has to make money, support equals money for the school  in which they can use to hire the best coaches we can get and upgrade our facilities. [/quote] Like you said, people think of the name Lamar and not want to support it. Students from the area don't want to go to school there, and the baseball team is the only team year in and year out that is solid. Well, football is a great chance for Lamar to really make a NATIONAL name for themselves, and it's going to take all the people of SETX and surrounding areas to make it happen. The ball is in our courts, not Lamar's.

I'm sorry, you're not going to get a sell out on your [b]last game[/b] of the season when you are playing a very poor D2 program like OPSU. You have to schedule better teams. But, LU did that to get more W's in their first year and I can't blame them. LU is going to continue to improve, and they're going to go WAC. They said in bringing back football that the point was to move FBS. Lamar never had intentions of staying in the Southland. Like another poster said, the McNeese game at the end of next season will be a sellout and probably the biggest game of the year, especially if Lamar is playing for a playoff spot. It's going to be a lot of fun, and I'm positive the fans will keep coming.

LU would have one of the nicest stadiums in the conference with the exception of TX State and Utah St.

[quote name="puddin tane" post="948616" timestamp="1295067191"] [quote author=bobbymcgee link=topic=78744.msg948476#msg948476 date=1295059418] Great hands, great route runner. Not a high end speed guy. But who is in I-AA? [/quote] Danny woodhead [/quote] He was D2

[quote name="bigred360" post="948402" timestamp="1295057123"] You are right there are more first time head coaches who fail but there are also those who are very successful. [Hidden Content] For Coach Dodge and his family, I hope you are right. [/quote] It does say Harbough gained 8 years of college coaching experience with Western Kentucky, while also gaining 2 years of coaching experience in the NFL. Although he was successful in his first year of "head coaching," that's quite a bit more coaching experience than Dodge had coming into his gig at NT.

[quote name="bigred360" post="948375" timestamp="1295055489"] Now, that would make a great story. Getting fired mid-season by UNT for a record of 6-37 at a Sun Belt school to the Head Coach at the University of Pittsburgh and a Big East Conference. I'm a huge Todd Dodge fan but that would make for a huge turnaround in the world of college coaching. I see him as a head coach again but at a school in the southwest. [/quote] He gained valuable experience during his time at NT. For him to become a head coach, he would have to start back in the middle of a school's staff (Like QB Coach at Pitt) and work his way back up to a OC position, and wait his time. No HC succeeds right away at the college level. They all have to work their way up and gain experience. Dodge has already gained experience. Now, he must prove himself again and work his way up.