CraigS

The Cities Where A Paycheck Stretches The Furthest "In first place is Houston, where the average annual wage in 2011 was $59,838, eighth highest in the nation. What puts Houston at the top of the list is the region’s relatively low cost of living, which includes such things as consumer prices and services, utilities and transportation costs and, most importantly, housing prices: "   [Hidden Content]   Also by FORBES: Whereas being educated is very important. I'm not convinced basing how "educated" a region is by way of  bachelor degrees is the best way, or maybe it is, just a terrible misleading headline. Anyway - I think this statistic may serve better for our area. This is obviously Houston, however, we are almost identical to this model.

Why not? If saying something in your own home (which didn't "hurt" anyone) can be cause of one selling his team and a life time ban........the why the hell not...I'm starting to like the new face of professional sports. Hopefully it will trickle down to the NCAA, high school and youth sports.....the day of the THUGS are hopefully OVER!    bottom line - If you can't SAY something about someone without them getting butt hurt and that person being destroyed - Then you sure as hell can't be physically putting your hands on another person however "little" it may hurt without the SAME EXACT consequences!   ACCOUNTABILITY

NO IT CAN'T HAPPEN   All the FAILED sports programs in Beaumont over the years - Beaumont is a cesspool - a commuters town and can not and will support anything.   Lamar University Football - FAILED (once already)   Texas Wildcatters (Hockey) - FAILED Beaumont Bullfrogs (Baseball) - FAILED Beaumont Golden Gators (Baseball) - FAILED even with Future Major League Baseball players John Kruk, Roberto Alomar, Joey Cora, Ozzie Guillén, Sandy Alomar, Jr., Shane Mack, andBenito Santiago all played at one time for the Golden Gators Southeast Texas Mavericks (Basketball) - FAILED Texas Strikers (Soccer) - FAILED Texas Drillers (Football) - FAILED   On another note - Ford Park can't even maintain events enough to be considered a success. And this is terrible - over the years we had season tickets to The Wildcatters (didn't know a thing about hockey - but fun to watch) The Bullfrogs and the Golden Gators.

No...not a good comparison or at least not a FAIR comparison - people of the Coonass variety "out party" everyone....lol :D   and on your first point about outdrawing SHSU - yes overall I suppose your right (backed with numbers) but if you look at the large contrast to quality of opponents with SHSU it should reflect that not even as a "good team" fans will not attend low performing opponents as compared to the attendance for the better teams.   So, I still believe that the new factor is what is propping up Lu's numbers...in the 5th year (of any new program OR just getting a new coach) the results are all on that coach...all HIS recruits and coaching strategy is well in place....I have touched (but not to much) on the coaching (because it's looked down upon in this forum) - BUT - that may be the BIGGEST problem LU has.

Fair enough. But consider this. Whereas the BearKats haven't always been good, and they have fallen somewhat in the last year (this year is yet to be seen with new coach) there are a few other things to be considered.   1 - Opponent - with SH you can tell alot by attendance numbers based on quality of team they are playing which is what several have stated as a problem for LU...since their numbers "aren't so bad" compared to SHSU, just think how good they "could" be, if they'd play "somebody" at home.   2. "New Program" - Whereas all SLC teams are "ahead" of LU as far a s being established, true, but LU is enjoying the "hype" of having football back in town....that is fading.   3. Success - with it puts butts in seats - without it attendance will be dismal.   A wrap - So from what started this thread lets look at LU's failures - The new is wearing off, they don't play anybody in non-conference, and they are losing....which equals attendance and participation in tailgating is dropping!

not sure what that means, if it's capacity LU shows (wikipedia) 16,000 as of 2010 and SHSU shows (wikioedia) 12,500 as of 2010.   16,000 > 12,500   8636 (avg attend) / 12,500 = 69% (my bad I used 75% guessing) 8373 (avg attend) / 16,000 = 52% (my bad I used 50% guessing)

Fair enough (to some extent) Whereas in society we might can (or even have to) have levels of punishment (not that I agree as discussed in another thread). But FOOTBALL (or any job) is not a constitutional right....you can be fired for tarnishing your employers name, happens all the time.    you can...and should have a ZERO tolerance for acts against another person (assault, rape, murder, etc)...these people make ALOT of money...take behavioral therapy if your parent(s) didn't teach you better.   I call it the meat grinder rule....from a male perspective I'd ask on any given situation..... Can you get drunk enough or mad enough to put you male parts in a meat grinder? IF the answer is NO (and I'm sure MOST are not no...but H3LL NO)- then there is ZERO excuse for hitting or raping or murdering, etc. Because for some reason you are in enough control of yourself not to use the meat grinder....but not in enough control not to do those things......BS!

Sure it does. The attendance IS higher at Sam (however small it is) whereas Sam's stadium is 4K seats smaller. So from a "packed house" stand point Sam at least seems fuller than LU...from a player stand point or just looking around inside the stadium, I'd say a 75% capacity is better than a 50% capacity...I don't think it really matters that one can say...but our stadium is bigger....perspective is reality!

Ill be at the BEARKAT -v- bluejay game next week sitting with the Silsbee LU player parents in my Blue and Orange...help out the attendance some. 

Sam Houston State 2011 - 14-1 / 7-0 (NC game) - including 5 ranked teams and UTSA & New Mexico St (FBS Teams) 2012 - 11-4 / 6-1 (NC game) - including 6 ranked teams and  Baylor & Texas A&M (FBS Teams) 2013- 9-5 / 4-3 (Playoffs) including 6 ranked teams and Texas A&M 2014 - 1-3 / 0-0 (????) including so far 3 ranked teams - including LSU   Nah - doesn't seem that way at all where it matters....besides the original post said "losing interest" fan base / tail gaters, etc....and by your own numbers, that is exactly what's happening, and the numbers above is why Sam will stay consistent....and LU will NOT.   Note: the attendance was high for the Grambling game because people thought the band would be there........NOT to watch LU and Grambling play football...

I disagree whole heartedly. This has been stated many times about several LU sports teams. But since we are on football I'll stick to those numbers. If you look at LU's roster, it has nearly 20 kids from the GT area (I think 5 from Silsbee alone)...if you compare rosters with any of the top 3 in the SLC SELU, MSU, and SHSU you would find very few from the area in which the school is located. The only exceptions are, whereas SELU is near baton Rouge and New Orleans, and SHSU is near Houston, these can hardly count as local kids.   On another note, it's not the "local" kids that LU needs, it's the "local" kids that would otherwise leave to equal or better programs (big difference than just saying "local") BUT, this would never happen, those type kids would not stay home to an LU with offers to more lucrative programs and/or a chance to go away....so what gives?   LU, as already mentioned, should have hired the best household name with program building experience they could have afforded (if they were serious about getting back on the map) NOT a juco coach, just because he had local ties....   Edited correction : LU has 25 players from the GT area = 25% of their roster is already "local".

[Hidden Content]  

So many others lose their job due to stupid comments or actions on their "off time" often arguing "freedom of speech" which does not apply. Naked pictures of teachers on-line....Donald Sterling comment in his own home...and the list is endless....   Gotta start somewhere. No time better than the present. How dumb is it to say, well he did it and got away with it, why can't I? The problem is not that Ray got suspended, it's that it hasn't been looked at as serious in the past....In fact, I think the all sports, youth, High School, College, and Professional should take the tuff stance starting today and clean up sports for good.   Violent and drug crimes are the norm among talented athletes at all levels...and they get away with it...protecting the all mighty win.......I vote it ALL ends now!   In fact, I kinda like the Yankee's rule of no long hair, ear rings...etc. You don't get to "express" yourself...you get to PERFORM as you're getting paid to do...period!

In addition, let's make a comparison. UL-L is the closest geographics to LU. Lafayette is the main town with lots of surrounding communities. Yet, There isn't a campus in Carencro, Youngsville, Scott, Rayne...etc   UL-L is THE campus, it is EVERYTHING in that community. NOT SO at LU. To much divided interest from surrounding cities. Not to mention people LIVE and WANT to live in Lafayette, Lake Charles, Nacogdoches, Huntsville, etc...the locals don't have to drive from outskirt communities to get to the games...just some of my thoughts on why LU will never be successful.

Define win. Win more games than you lose? Win Conference? Win a few games into the playoffs? Win the FCS National Championship? I don't believe just winning more games than you lose will be good enough. To do that, all they have to do is continue to schedule games like they have this year. I personally think it's the quality of wins/opponents.    SHSU is only 1-3 so far  this season, their losses are to: Eastern Washington - Ranked #2 FCS LSU - Ranked #8 FBS Colorado State Peublo - #2 Division II   I watched EW on TV and attended the other 2 games...all 3 of these teams are very quality teams, something that doesn't exist on LU's schedule.   SHSU has also been to the National Championship game 2 out of the last 3 years, and lost. They have won the SLC, made the playoffs at-large, etc. With that said the fans are always expecting more (as they should).   Bottom line is there must be a balance. They must win...but win against quality opponents, win conference, or at least put yourself in position to do so. SHSU finished 3rd in the SL last year, yet got an at-large bid....why is that? Because they had a very tough schedule and won some of those games (beat #2 E. Washington at home) and even though they slipped in conference (lost to SELU and MSU) they still got invited to the show.

aren't they already doing that? Grambling...Texas College...Mississippi College. ...

Just 63% Know Which Parties Control the House and Senate   From the article:    "Remember, too, that these are respondents who are the likeliest to vote this November and so presumably are more politically aware than most other Americans."   "Women and those under 40 are less aware of who’s in charge of both congressional chambers than men and older voters are. Republicans are more aware than Democrats and unaffiliated"   It is also known that Obama carried the majority of women's votes and the younger generation, whereas, the Repubs carried the men and older votes. So this obviously suggest that Dems, and even more specifically those who voted for Obama would be considered "LOW INFORMATION VOTERS" more so than the repubs.   Case Closed!!!   [Hidden Content]

You are correct - but isn't it equally sad that it has to actually be on a ban list in the first place?

I agree with this list of the "good" posters. I usually just read, it's quite informative and interesting most of the time. I only post if I have a opinion that is even farther than right. OR when stupid comes out, usually after someone (well certain ones hijack a thread with racism) then I will carry that baton to the WHITE extreme, not because I AM racist...more so because I'm sick of hearing the excuses and whining on every single issue....therefore I too fall under several of your numbers! I AM TROLL!

Thoughts? Welfare recipients can use debit cards for marijuana [Hidden Content]   California city mandates free medical marijuana for low-income residents [Hidden Content]    

On topic - I'm a life time LSU fan - My daughter high jumps for Sam Houston - we will be in Baton Rouge to watch - house divided by HEART and WALLET   GEAUX TIGERS - EAT'EM UP KATS

No, I do not....point being it is what it is....and as stated by others - Life isn't fair!   However, I hardly think taking away a "freebie" at whatever point...is "unfair" one shouldn't become dependent on said "freebie" use it as a tool and be appreciative while you have it....but don't whine, cry and belly ache when it no longer exist.   These two situation are not even close to the same...I only used it to show that fair or not - __IT happens! ADJUST!

It wasn't "fair" that after I came to the company I work for "Obamacare" jacked my premium up costing me $100's of dollars a month more than I "knew about" while negotiating my salary either....but I managed.

that's why they are called STUDENT athletes...if you can't make the STUDENT part work in conjuction with athletics....well, maybe their priorities are a little jacked up.