Yeah, I have plans to build an Olympic sized swimming pool and tennis courts in my backyard. Doesn't mean it will ever happen.

B/N does not give ISU much support. ISU averages 7k for football, SIU averages 10k. They both average about 4k for basketball.

Is B/N larger than Carbondale? Yes, but it's also very close to Champaign, so they're drowned out in their hometown. I live in Peoria, and this town supports the Illini and Bradley basketball. SIU is alone albeit in a desolate region but they might bring coverage in St Louis. SIU has a very large STL alumni base.

Any college basketball fan is aware of SIU's recent successes, and they've poured $80 million into upgrading their athletic facilities. And their basketball program is well funded even if it's not showing on the court at the moment. It's not even close. Just read this article from a couple weeks ago quoting the ISU President--does this sound like a guy ready to make the FBS jump? Does it sound like this expansion is "shovel ready"?

http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/college...03286.html

Quote:NORMAL — One of the most pressing — and immediate — challenges for a new athletic director at Illinois State will be the renovation of aging Hancock Stadium.

Former AD Sheahon Zenger, who took the AD post at Kansas on Sunday, worked diligently behind the scenes to get the Hancock renovation started. But ISU President Al Bowman said Hancock is tied with other university projects — such as Schroeder Hall, the business building, renovation of residence halls and the student recreation center — that took precedent.

“It’s great to have it (Hancock Stadium) right in the middle of campus. On the other hand it has been in bad shape for a long time,” said Bowman. “It doesn’t look that different today than when I started (at ISU) in 1978. What changed is the campus and community. It really stands out like a sore thumb.”

Bowman said he wants a new athletic director “who values and understands football at the FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) level.”

But that’s not all.

“I also want someone whose long-term goal, and by that I mean very long term, is to help us transition from an FCS program to the next level (Football Bowl Subdivision),” he said. “What that means is building a winning tradition at the FCS level, expanding the fan base, expanding the resource base and planning a facility that will grow with our program.”