(06-22-2013 06:00 PM)ODU Oldtimer Wrote: (06-22-2013 05:56 PM)Flat Tire 2 Wrote: (06-22-2013 05:33 PM)ODU Oldtimer Wrote: When ODU expands the stadium, that will have a major impact on recruits. The dream and vision Wilder will be able to sell to these young men.......playing in front of a Sold Out Stadium of 35,000 - 40,000 screaming ODU fans, and even a larger expansion planned for the future (60,000). This will impact who we will retain while recruiting Virginia Football Recruits. The impact on Regional Recruits will be influenced more and more on the perception of a Program that is making a statement about the direction the University is going.
Remember the University has plans to increase enrollment to 30,000 students on or before 2017. We are connecting more and more with Eastern Virginia Medical School and there are rumblings that a merger would be the most beneficial of all alternatives for the region. ODU is one of the largest Research funded programs in the state. This would have a huge impact on the health initiative of Hampton Roads, which already has a $40 million budget/grant with ODU. The university is in the middle of capital improvements, $400 million in new construction, outside of Athletic facilities. ODU is the largest International Research Institution in the State, ahead of UVA and VA Tech, who we share a very distinguished affiliate membership in, as a Carnage Research Institution. ODU's, financial impact on the state and the region has infused over a Billion dollars back into the economy of Hampton Roads every year.
We have become more than a blimp on ESPN's target market regions. They have recognized the area as a AAA market for national and major sport event viewer destinations. Listed as one of the top 10 markets because of multiple indicators for ratings.
ODU is headed in the right direction
Aim High
Did something change with EVMC? EVMC made a big deal out of their decision to be associated with William & Mary.
Yes.........there have been reconsiderations from both sides!
Not to say what direction this will go, but there has been a new dialogue opened about ODU again.
Correct, EVMC is "trying" to merge with W&M.
"If the schools decide to proceed, a merger would require approval of the General Assembly and the governor.
"The fact that one of the oldest, most prestigious colleges in the country would consider affiliating with us speaks volumes about the groundbreaking work our faculty, staff and students are achieving every day," EVMS President Harry T. Lester said in an email to faculty, staff and students. "While we won't know for some time how this will work out, I think this is a tremendous compliment and an opportunity worth exploring." ...
The announcement drew a quick response from EVMS' neighbor in Norfolk, Old Dominion University. ODU President John Broderick sent a message to his campus that said "broadening the discussion to include Old Dominion and others would add value for the best interests of the region and the commonwealth."
He noted that in the last legislative session, Del. Johnny S. Joannou, D-Portsmouth, proposed a study, which was tabled, on the feasibility of a merger between EVMS and ODU."
http://www.timesdispatch.com/news/w-m-an...a1afb.html
With money so tight in Virginia, I can't see the Commonwealth wanting to fund another school. JMHO.
By the way, I believe UVA; VA Tech and VCU have the largest research programs in the Commonwealth. What is the size in dollars compared to those major research programs. I believe UVA is the largest, VCU is number two and VA Tech is about $400 million at number 3? I live in the Richmond area and VCU is either the largest or second largest employer after Capital One, not counting the Commonwealth?