A couple of things:

1. I've already said, if we build an OCS with our money (i.e. privately financed), then, we SHOULD dictate exactly what/who/when FB gets played there. No question.

2. I would be very careful with the phrase 'contributing positively' to the city of Memphis.

3. Even if whites were 33% of the Memphis population (i.e. within the city limits), how many of those support the U of M and aren't $EC fans? There's many, many $EC fans (most notably from Ole Myth) in Memphis who are terrified at the thought of an OCS.

In fact, as any Ole Myth Memphian what they think of a taxpayer-supported OCS. In my experience, the Ole Myth Memphians HATE the idea of their tax $$$ going to help the Tigers.

4. Even if whites were 33% of the Memphis population, how many of them are influenced by the likes of Melissa Pearce and don't want to have to 'deal' (I don't think it's a big deal, myself) with traffic?

The point I am trying to make is that if the OCS was such a no-brainer, political winner, then why do we see so many obstacles?

5. WE DO NOT HAVE THE $$$ FOR AN OCS. Not even close. We haven't even started a capital campaign for it.

ddramone Wrote:The point I am trying to make is that if the OCS was such a no-brainer, political winner, then why do we see so many obstacles?

Because the U has weak leadership and the politicians are crooks?

ddramone Wrote:Actually, I am really amazed at the entitlement attitude of the posters around here. If - and that's a big if - we can fund our own stadium, then we can do whatever the heck we want to in terms of the SHC.

However, the SECOND we take/ask for city $$$, then, some point of facts:

1. Less than 25% of Memphians - tax-paying Memphians - are college graduates. So, at a maximum, 25% of Memphians are U of M alumni in the city.

2. How many $EC fans are amongst those 25% of Memphians with a college degree?

3. 55% of Memphis is black and, of that, I would guess (I have no idea) well over 80% of black Memphians think the SHC is a fine, wonderful addition to the city. I don't hear too much complaining about the SHC from black Memphians.

4. Our esteemed mayor, King Willie, has the $$$$. At this point, WE do NOT. I wish we did, but we don't.

5. King Willie isn't about to cave to us. ESPECIALLY if he reads (and he won't) what is being said about the SHC. Heck, we all saw how the logo fiasco went.

6. King Willie - admittedly, no less - played the race card during the election. In other words, we want King Willie to fork out some $$$ for an OCS...yet, we wantb] the SHC to 'hit the road' or 'clean up its act' (either one).[/

7. Don't forget there's another big segment of the Memphis tax-paying community that doesn't want an OCS: $EC fans. In fact, listening to Rainclown, how many of his callers say 'the only was Memphis should get an OCS, is if it is entirely privately funded.' Far too many. And, of this segment, it's virtually all-white Memphians in this contingent.

8. There's yet another, virtually all-white Memphis contingent that doesn't want an OCS. Melissa Pearce and company.

[b]Unless someone can tell me otherwise, I do not see how we can play hardball with KW and/or the SHC and simultaneously 'demand' $$$ for an OCS for the 'betterment' of the 'community', when it is pretty clear to me that Tiger fans/Tiger alumni are NOT the majority of the tax-paying community.

I would love to know the strategy of (a) getting KWillie on board for an OCS and (b) if not, getting it funded privately.

I admit that my view of the SHC is that it is not about the game, it's about the 'scene' and I don't think too many people will disagree with that (black or white). However, if we (meaning we Tiger fans) want an OCS, we've got to be pretty darn diplomatic rather than pretty darn demanding. All of this bluster about how 'we've given up for the community' and how 'we deserve an OCS' is gonna fall on deaf ears.

There's the saying 'don't bite the hand that feeds you.' Well, if we ask for a city-funded OCS, yet want to play hardball with the SHC, we are going to be doing exactly that.

Let me say this loud and clear so that you, and whomever else has been mis-informed, will understand.

NOBODY IS ASKING THE CITY OR COUNTY FOR FUNDING FOR AN ON CAMPUS STADIUM!!!!!!!!!!! MAYBE the 12million that they owe us from the pyramid construction. But not a thin dime more.

ddramone Wrote:Actually, I am really amazed at the entitlement attitude of the posters around here. If - and that's a big if - we can fund our own stadium, then we can do whatever the heck we want to in terms of the SHC.

However, the SECOND we take/ask for city $$$, then, some point of facts:

1. Less than 25% of Memphians - tax-paying Memphians - are college graduates. So, at a maximum, 25% of Memphians are U of M alumni in the city.

2. How many $EC fans are amongst those 25% of Memphians with a college degree?

3. 55% of Memphis is black and, of that, I would guess (I have no idea) well over 80% of black Memphians think the SHC is a fine, wonderful addition to the city. I don't hear too much complaining about the SHC from black Memphians.

4. Our esteemed mayor, King Willie, has the $$$$. At this point, WE do NOT. I wish we did, but we don't.

5. King Willie isn't about to cave to us. ESPECIALLY if he reads (and he won't) what is being said about the SHC. Heck, we all saw how the logo fiasco went.

6. King Willie - admittedly, no less - played the race card during the election. In other words, we want King Willie to fork out some $$$ for an OCS...yet, we want the SHC to 'hit the road' or 'clean up its act' (either one).

7. Don't forget there's another big segment of the Memphis tax-paying community that doesn't want an OCS: $EC fans. In fact, listening to Rainclown, how many of his callers say 'the only was Memphis should get an OCS, is if it is entirely privately funded.' Far too many. And, of this segment, it's virtually all-white Memphians in this contingent.

8. There's yet another, virtually all-white Memphis contingent that doesn't want an OCS. Melissa Pearce and company.

Unless someone can tell me otherwise, I do not see how we can play hardball with KW and/or the SHC and simultaneously 'demand' $$$ for an OCS for the 'betterment' of the 'community', when it is pretty clear to me that Tiger fans/Tiger alumni are NOT the majority of the tax-paying community.

I would love to know the strategy of (a) getting KWillie on board for an OCS and (b) if not, getting it funded privately.

I admit that my view of the SHC is that it is not about the game, it's about the 'scene' and I don't think too many people will disagree with that (black or white). However, if we (meaning we Tiger fans) want an OCS, we've got to be pretty darn diplomatic rather than pretty darn demanding. All of this bluster about how 'we've given up for the community' and how 'we deserve an OCS' is gonna fall on deaf ears.

There's the saying 'don't bite the hand that feeds you.' Well, if we ask for a city-funded OCS, yet want to play hardball with the SHC, we are going to be doing exactly that.

An on-campus stadium will not use city or county tax money to help fund construction. There is a chance that some state money may be used (just as state money has been used in the past to fund all kinds of projects at state-run universities, both for academics and athletics). The vast majority of money for the construction of an on-campus stadium will come from private donors and revenue streams such as naming rights, parking, concessions, seating licenses, etc. There is also a possibility that students fees may be increased to help fund the stadium. There is no point in getting worked up over city or county taxpayer money getting used for this project because that is not in the cards.

ddramone Wrote:A couple of things:

1. I've already said, if we build an OCS with our money (i.e. privately financed), then, we SHOULD dictate exactly what/who/when FB gets played there. No question.

2. I would be very careful with the phrase 'contributing positively' to the city of Memphis.

3. Even if whites were 33% of the Memphis population (i.e. within the city limits), how many of those support the U of M and aren't $EC fans? There's many, many $EC fans (most notably from Ole Myth) in Memphis who are terrified at the thought of an OCS.

In fact, as any Ole Myth Memphian what they think of a taxpayer-supported OCS. In my experience, the Ole Myth Memphians HATE the idea of their tax $$$ going to help the Tigers.

4. Even if whites were 33% of the Memphis population, how many of them are influenced by the likes of Melissa Pearce and don't want to have to 'deal' (I don't think it's a big deal, myself) with traffic?

The point I am trying to make is that if the OCS was such a no-brainer, political winner, then why do we see so many obstacles?

5. WE DO NOT HAVE THE $$$ FOR AN OCS. Not even close. We haven't even started a capital campaign for it.

1. I agree.

3. None of this matters. NO CITY OR COUNTY TAXPAYER MONEY WILL BE USED FOR THIS PROJECT.

4. In terms of residents of the city of Memphis and what they think about this, it doesn't matter what some white guy in Cordova or in Downtown or in Frayser thinks about the OCS concept. The only people that matter are the people that reside in the neighborhoods around the University. Their voices should be heard and they should be brought into the debate. The debate needs to reasoned though, not full of emotionalism and ignorance.

5. That is correct. Let's at least see if the funding can be put together first before we dismiss the whole concept of the OCS. Just because there is not $120 million sitting in a stadium construction fund RIGHT NOW as we speak does not mean funding can not be achieved.

The real truth is that the game is just a pimple on the city's ass. No one in Memphis enjoys the game being here. FACT. Sort of like the line dancing convention we had here in Charlotte during the summer. My eyes are still hurting from the outfits and laughing so hard.

spar03tan Wrote:Oh Yeah also:
I would love to see an on-campus stadium as much as the next person, but it's hard for me to ignore that an OCS would not be the best option for the entire region.
-A lot of people like the SHC and LB.
-A lot of business in Memphis profits from the SHC and LB (I think to the tune of around 11M annually each event)
-The SHC is a nice cultural event
Can we as Memphians honestly say goodbye and pack the bags of the SHC and LB as some people have stated on this thread? I guess those people have no problem with packing bags of money and sending them away, I don't know there are a lot of weird people in the world. Anyway, the best solution for everybody would be to build a new facility on the redeveloped fairgrounds area. A facility that would be designed to handle venues such as the SHC, LB, and Tigers Games with excellence. Then possibly we could attract more business to use this facility and generate more revenue for everyone! Three Cheers for the idea of WORKNG TOGETHER FOR A COMMON GOOD!!!

An OCS for the University should have zero impact on the SHC and LB...the city owns the facility; they're the ones who rent it to SHC and the LB.

GermantownTiger Wrote:

spar03tan Wrote:Oh Yeah also:
I would love to see an on-campus stadium as much as the next person, but it's hard for me to ignore that an OCS would not be the best option for the entire region.
-A lot of people like the SHC and LB.
-A lot of business in Memphis profits from the SHC and LB (I think to the tune of around 11M annually each event)
-The SHC is a nice cultural event
Can we as Memphians honestly say goodbye and pack the bags of the SHC and LB as some people have stated on this thread? I guess those people have no problem with packing bags of money and sending them away, I don't know there are a lot of weird people in the world. Anyway, the best solution for everybody would be to build a new facility on the redeveloped fairgrounds area. A facility that would be designed to handle venues such as the SHC, LB, and Tigers Games with excellence. Then possibly we could attract more business to use this facility and generate more revenue for everyone! Three Cheers for the idea of WORKNG TOGETHER FOR A COMMON GOOD!!!

An OCS for the University should have zero impact on the SHC and LB...the city owns the facility; they're the ones who rent it to SHC and the LB.

and to us.

I'm back. I would like to agree with the nature of some of the people in this forum. This is probably the first time that I have been met with such strong and aggressive retaliation to my comments. I like it but at the same time it doesn't seem like ethical debate happens here very much. People were challenging my credibility based on my tenure here, or lack thereof, and speaking for two individuals who I don't even know. So thx e smith 1992 for bringing up that point. Now I will let u guys know that I am a student. Whatever the feasibility report decides I will of course accept. But someone mentioned raising student fees here and I think that is unacceptable. Student fees have been raised significantly over the last 10 years and continue to rise. Last week it was reported in the CA and WSJ that the cost of college has risen once again faster than the inflation rate. This is getting out of control.

spar03tan Wrote:I'm back. I would like to agree with the nature of some of the people in this forum. This is probably the first time that I have been met with such strong and aggressive retaliation to my comments. I like it but at the same time it doesn't seem like ethical debate happens here very much. People were challenging my credibility based on my tenure here, or lack thereof, and speaking for two individuals who I don't even know. So thx e smith 1992 for bringing up that point. Now I will let u guys know that I am a student. Whatever the feasibility report decides I will of course accept. But someone mentioned raising student fees here and I think that is unacceptable. Student fees have been raised significantly over the last 10 years and continue to rise. Last week it was reported in the CA and WSJ that the cost of college has risen once again faster than the inflation rate. This is getting out of control.

Just think of the increase in your student activities fee for the construction of an OCS as a chance for you and all the students to leave a legacy. When you have kids who go to UofM, you can tell him, "Son, you know that OCS that helped Memphis get into the BCS which in turned greatly improved the school's academics, I helped build it with my student fees. And son, you know why Coach Tommy West is still here and has stayed longer than Joe Pa did at Penn State, it's because my student fees helped build the OCS which improved the football program's recruiting which in turn has made the Tigers an annual bowl participant for the past 30 years."

esmith--I don't know the exact figures that the University games generate for the city--but I am sure that the number is higher than some would have you to believe.