I ran across an article today about how football can change a university. Case in point they focus on Nick Saban and the University of Alabama. It's a good read. Check it out.

The Magic of Nick Saban

Would be great if we all could have success like that and money pouring in hand over fist.

Everybody loves a wiener

(05-14-2013 12:12 PM)trojanbrutha Wrote:  Everybody loves a wiener

Speaking of which, is that Anthony Weiner guy running, or did he win again?

"The athletic department money has followed suit: 2012 produced revenue of $124.5 million and profit of $19.4 million, according to data from USA Today, up from $67.7 million in revenue and $7.1 million in profit in 2007. Football accounts for about two-thirds of all revenue and $45 million in profit, while the school’s other sports teams collectively lose money."

They really are operating on a completely different level than Sun Belt teams.

(05-14-2013 12:20 PM)sidslidkid Wrote:  "The athletic department money has followed suit: 2012 produced revenue of $124.5 million and profit of $19.4 million, according to data from USA Today, up from $67.7 million in revenue and $7.1 million in profit in 2007. Football accounts for about two-thirds of all revenue and $45 million in profit, while the school’s other sports teams collectively lose money."

They really are operating on a completely different level than Sun Belt teams.

Pretty much have gone where schools have never gone.

Seen it happen time and time again. App St is another good example about what happened to them just have one win over Michigan. Enrollment went up, SAT went up, game attendance shot up... (And we still beat them that year )

Obviously not on the scale of Alabama, but the effect is still the same.

(05-14-2013 12:20 PM)sidslidkid Wrote:  "The athletic department money has followed suit: 2012 produced revenue of $124.5 million and profit of $19.4 million, according to data from USA Today, up from $67.7 million in revenue and $7.1 million in profit in 2007. Football accounts for about two-thirds of all revenue and $45 million in profit, while the school’s other sports teams collectively lose money."

They really are operating on a completely different level than Sun Belt teams.

...and just about all FBS programs. While that is certainly impressive you don't need those numbers to be successful and or legitimately compete with AL. You do need to be a lot closer than most of us are though that is for sure. Just over the years it appears to be a respectable upper tier FBS you need 40+ million budget less than 30% being subsidized and have 40K+ plus in the stands.

What really stinks as a Troy or USA fan is having to be in the same state with the behemoth that is Alabama. What really frustrates me is seeing many of my friends that I went to school with at Troy and were die-hard Trojan fans at the time, have went on to become Alabama fans more than Troy fans. It's difficult to compete in a state with a university that is arguably the best all around college football program in the nation at the moment.

(05-14-2013 12:49 PM)troy4ever Wrote:  What really stinks as a Troy or USA fan is having to be in the same state with the behemoth that is Alabama. What really frustrates me is seeing many of my friends that I went to school with at Troy and were die-hard Trojan fans at the time, have went on to become Alabama fans more than Troy fans. It's difficult to compete in a state with a university that is arguably the best all around college football program in the nation at the moment.

We have that problem with UGA, to some degree. We have a 13 page thread on GSUFans.com *****ing about Luke Bryan because he went to Southern but always is sporting UGA hats/shirts/etc whenever he plays concerts or makes appearances.

Hopefully our move up will help with fan retention, but it seems kids would graduate and move back to ATL and start pulling for the DWAGS. I think us getting on TV more and playing in the dome every other year can really help keep our alumni interested in our program.

When you are the 3rd or 4th option in your state for football, it's going to be hard to get market share. Something we all can relate to.

Too much blue on WKU's campus.

Saw that change a bit when UK lost in the first round of the NIT this year, though.

Heh heh.

But I can imagine it's even worse for Troy and USA. Bama is a monster compared to UK or UofL.

(05-14-2013 12:49 PM)troy4ever Wrote:  What really stinks as a Troy or USA fan is having to be in the same state with the behemoth that is Alabama. What really frustrates me is seeing many of my friends that I went to school with at Troy and were die-hard Trojan fans at the time, have went on to become Alabama fans more than Troy fans. It's difficult to compete in a state with a university that is arguably the best all around college football program in the nation at the moment.

I don't think it's arguable to say Alabama is the best football program in the country right now. I think it's very safe to say they are without question the best program in the country at this time. They have more national championships in the last 4 years than 85% of FBS teams have all-time. Saban has been better than Bear Bryant in an age of parity. Unreal.

Just for sake of fun, could you imagine Saban going to a school like USA or Troy for the challenge? Recruits would follow him. It'd be fun to see what happened. Well it would be fun if Saban was at USA. Not fun otherwise.

Who says the state of Alabama won't support professional football?

(05-14-2013 01:34 PM)Smaug Wrote:  Who says the state of Alabama won't support professional football?

I do.

(05-14-2013 01:35 PM)sidslidkid Wrote:  

(05-14-2013 01:34 PM)Smaug Wrote:  Who says the state of Alabama won't support professional football?

I do.

not sure if you're serious.

(05-14-2013 01:35 PM)sidslidkid Wrote:  

(05-14-2013 01:34 PM)Smaug Wrote:  Who says the state of Alabama won't support professional football?

I do.

Read the article again.

On an unrelated note, my favorite Nick Saban stat: Record against UAB: 0-1.

(05-14-2013 01:21 PM)mathenis89 Wrote:  Too much blue on WKU's campus.

Saw that change a bit when UK lost in the first round of the NIT this year, though.

Heh heh.

But I can imagine it's even worse for Troy and USA. Bama is a monster compared to UK or UofL.

This used to be a huge problem at USA. Since we've added football school pride is at an all-time high despite Alabama's success. We still have people that wear Alabama or Auburn gear, but people here are raised on SEC football and I'm not sure it's ver change. But the presence of Alabama and Auburn gear has GREATLY diminished.

Year 1&2 of football we had a ton of tailgaters tailgating under Alabama or Auburn tents with Alabama chairs and flags while wearing Alabama and Auburn shirts. It is what they had. Now you go and Alabama and Auburn gear is more scarce and most things are USA related. USA gear is also more widespread in our local businesses than before. During the Mississippi State baseball game I purposely looked to see if I saw any Alabama or Auburn gear and I did not see anyone wearing any. Things at South have greatly changed, for the better. The one thing helping USA more than anything is that we are several hours away from both schools. But we're not immune. We will fight the battle for fans just like other teams in our league with huge, successful flagship universities. But nevertheless Go Jags!!

(05-14-2013 01:33 PM)SkullyMaroo Wrote:  

(05-14-2013 12:49 PM)troy4ever Wrote:  What really stinks as a Troy or USA fan is having to be in the same state with the behemoth that is Alabama. What really frustrates me is seeing many of my friends that I went to school with at Troy and were die-hard Trojan fans at the time, have went on to become Alabama fans more than Troy fans. It's difficult to compete in a state with a university that is arguably the best all around college football program in the nation at the moment.

I don't think it's arguable to say Alabama is the best football program in the country right now. I think it's very safe to say they are without question the best program in the country at this time. They have more national championships in the last 4 years than 85% of FBS teams have all-time. Saban has been better than Bear Bryant in an age of parity. Unreal.

Did you really feel the need to take the time to try and correct me just because I said it was ARGUABLE instead of saying they ARE the best football team? Some things are just so trivial they aren't worth responding to ya know?

(05-14-2013 03:57 PM)troy4ever Wrote:  

(05-14-2013 01:33 PM)SkullyMaroo Wrote:  

(05-14-2013 12:49 PM)troy4ever Wrote:  What really stinks as a Troy or USA fan is having to be in the same state with the behemoth that is Alabama. What really frustrates me is seeing many of my friends that I went to school with at Troy and were die-hard Trojan fans at the time, have went on to become Alabama fans more than Troy fans. It's difficult to compete in a state with a university that is arguably the best all around college football program in the nation at the moment.

I don't think it's arguable to say Alabama is the best football program in the country right now. I think it's very safe to say they are without question the best program in the country at this time. They have more national championships in the last 4 years than 85% of FBS teams have all-time. Saban has been better than Bear Bryant in an age of parity. Unreal.

Did you really feel the need to take the time to try and correct me just because I said it was ARGUABLE instead of saying they ARE the best football team? Some things are just so trivial they aren't worth responding to ya know?

Ok.

I didn't try and "correct" you. I was agreeing with you and elaborating your premise. If this is so trivial, why did you respond to me?

(05-14-2013 04:01 PM)SkullyMaroo Wrote:  

(05-14-2013 03:57 PM)troy4ever Wrote:  

(05-14-2013 01:33 PM)SkullyMaroo Wrote:  

(05-14-2013 12:49 PM)troy4ever Wrote:  What really stinks as a Troy or USA fan is having to be in the same state with the behemoth that is Alabama. What really frustrates me is seeing many of my friends that I went to school with at Troy and were die-hard Trojan fans at the time, have went on to become Alabama fans more than Troy fans. It's difficult to compete in a state with a university that is arguably the best all around college football program in the nation at the moment.

I don't think it's arguable to say Alabama is the best football program in the country right now. I think it's very safe to say they are without question the best program in the country at this time. They have more national championships in the last 4 years than 85% of FBS teams have all-time. Saban has been better than Bear Bryant in an age of parity. Unreal.

Did you really feel the need to take the time to try and correct me just because I said it was ARGUABLE instead of saying they ARE the best football team? Some things are just so trivial they aren't worth responding to ya know?

Ok.

I didn't try and "correct" you. I was agreeing with you and elaborating your premise. If this is so trivial, why did you respond to me?

Bc sometimes you have to point out trivial things to people for them to see how trivial they really are.