(02-27-2017 09:55 AM)EmeryZach Wrote:  A few things I want to add to this discussion.

1. University support for the football program by percentage has actually decreased since the FCS days. Yes, University support (real dollars) of FBS has increased but so have the revenue sources. The revenue has increased from basically "0" to about $7.5 million (This does not count donations, gifts, or corporate support -- only tickets and guarantees).

2. The football budget increases since moving up to FBS include union and COL mandated increases for coaching and staff salaries. So the reported budget increases don't tell you what the comparable costs would be if we remained at the FCS level. Basically subsidy level and travel cost were continued to increase or remain high and travel to CAA teams mostly in the South would increase.

3. Our attendance numbers aren't great but they are in line with comparable state universities like Buffalo, Ohio, and others. Also, as we build the program the attendance will increase as we start to win more games. Takes time.

4. UMass understands that this move is a difficult process but one that is necessary to stay competitive with peer institutions. UMass is striving to compete at the highest level in all facets, including academics, athletics, student life, research, etc, etc. One of the biggest goals UMass has is becoming a member of the AAU (Association of American Universities). Competing at the highest level academically and athletically (including football) is an important step in becoming a member. UMass needs to be dedicated to always compete at the highest level in everything we do. Out of the 31 public universities who are members of the prestigious Association of American Universities and sponsor a football program, 29 have FBS programs. These schools understand the importance of athletics just as much as they understand the importance of academics. It takes a little bit of everything to make a university complete.



Those of us who support the move to FBS football want the best for the ENTIRE university, not just the athletic department. I want the anthropology department to flourish just as much as I want the football program to flourish. It would be very easy for me to say that I thought the university should cut the anthropology department and funnel the funds into the football program, but I do not want that at all. It would be very easy for me to say that I thought that using university money to send professors to countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa to study anthropology is a waste and could be used in other departments, like the business school, for more useful endeavors. But I understand that to have a successful flagship state research university we need our professors doing this important research so that they can educate the future anthropologists of the world. To have a successful university UMass needs to support all of its programs, including FBS football.

There are intangible benefits that major college athletics bring to a university, such as increased national exposure, more admission applications, better quality students and increased alumni donations.


I could get into this in more detail but I really need to get back to work. FBS Football is important to the future of UMass as a whole. Luckily for us we have administrators who understand this and support the move to FBS and the long process.