(05-03-2017 09:56 AM)Hokie4Skins Wrote:  I have no doubt that if he had taken the Indianapolis job after last season he'd be the highest paid NFL coach right now...

If Saban went to the NFL, he'd be the same mediocre slap ass he was in Miami. CFB ruined him for good because now he is an emperor at a CFB program. He may have ended up in the upper salary ranges, but he'd never be paid top dollar. I think in the NFL, Harbaugh would be valued much more highly because he proved he could hang in the NFL. Saban never did. And now he's so spoiled with the Alabama football machine that he couldn't compete on a level playing field in the NFL. NFL owners aren't stupid and they know the situation.

(05-05-2017 02:33 PM)TrojanCampaign Wrote:  

(05-05-2017 02:27 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(05-05-2017 02:21 PM)TrojanCampaign Wrote:  

(05-05-2017 11:02 AM)Hood-rich Wrote:  

(05-05-2017 10:56 AM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  If you are giving away that kind of money it isn't impacting your children to do so.

You don't seem to even have a sense of the kind of financial backing that exists.

Clearly not. Who are these huge donors? What businesses do they own? When I think of places where people have that kind of money to throw around it's not Alabama, no offense. My mother-in-law is from there and I don't get that impression that there are many people like that in the state.

A lot of the Alabama fans here have a clear bias when it comes to reality. But listen, I spent 11 years in Alabama. And I actually attended the University of Alabama unlike most Alabama fans.

You are dead right most of the people are like that here. I can't even begin to tell you how many people I know that have literally never left the state and do not want to. I can't tell you how many people have never even seen Bryant–Denny Stadium and will give away half their paycheck to the school. It's not a joke when people say football is a religion in this state. Literally EVERYONE who is from Alabama is either an Auburn or Alabama fan to some extent.

I still remember my experience in high school. People would ask me which one I rooted for and I would say neither and they would literally be in shock lol. Just about every high school here has "spirit day" which are dedicated to the schools. The local news stations talk about the schools non stop during football season. Heck, drive through Tuscaloosa and try to go five minutes without seeing Roll Tide.

I almost would call it stupid if I did not live here.

Pepper Rogers, an old Georgia Tech coach and a good humorist, once said that the state of Alabama didn't have any big time football stadiums, that they had two gigantic Temples where the people worshiped each Saturday in the Fall. One he said was in East Alabama and the other in West Alabama and that both were intensely Orthodox. I never found much to disagree with there.

Lol, and it's no slight to the programs. Honestly, it's actually pretty amazing considering how small the population is compared to other states. I think people on the outside looking in see that and just cannot imagine how it's possible.

But the University Alabama football team is a perfect example of how great something can be when people unify to support it.

And it can also be a great example of how misguided people can be with their money. Imagine if instead of giving all that money to Alabama football that they gave it to the academic side in order to improve "core business" of the University. I get it that investing in Alabama athletics yields a return for the school. However, investing in the academic side would also yield a return to the school - and highly likely a return to the local communities due to improvements in academics.

It's up to the people who give to Alabama as to how they want their money spent. It's no skin off my nose if people want to give to Alabama football. It's their money to do with as they wish.

(05-05-2017 05:39 PM)miko33 Wrote:  

(05-05-2017 02:33 PM)TrojanCampaign Wrote:  

(05-05-2017 02:27 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(05-05-2017 02:21 PM)TrojanCampaign Wrote:  

(05-05-2017 11:02 AM)Hood-rich Wrote:  Clearly not. Who are these huge donors? What businesses do they own? When I think of places where people have that kind of money to throw around it's not Alabama, no offense. My mother-in-law is from there and I don't get that impression that there are many people like that in the state.

A lot of the Alabama fans here have a clear bias when it comes to reality. But listen, I spent 11 years in Alabama. And I actually attended the University of Alabama unlike most Alabama fans.

You are dead right most of the people are like that here. I can't even begin to tell you how many people I know that have literally never left the state and do not want to. I can't tell you how many people have never even seen Bryant–Denny Stadium and will give away half their paycheck to the school. It's not a joke when people say football is a religion in this state. Literally EVERYONE who is from Alabama is either an Auburn or Alabama fan to some extent.

I still remember my experience in high school. People would ask me which one I rooted for and I would say neither and they would literally be in shock lol. Just about every high school here has "spirit day" which are dedicated to the schools. The local news stations talk about the schools non stop during football season. Heck, drive through Tuscaloosa and try to go five minutes without seeing Roll Tide.

I almost would call it stupid if I did not live here.

Pepper Rogers, an old Georgia Tech coach and a good humorist, once said that the state of Alabama didn't have any big time football stadiums, that they had two gigantic Temples where the people worshiped each Saturday in the Fall. One he said was in East Alabama and the other in West Alabama and that both were intensely Orthodox. I never found much to disagree with there.

Lol, and it's no slight to the programs. Honestly, it's actually pretty amazing considering how small the population is compared to other states. I think people on the outside looking in see that and just cannot imagine how it's possible.

But the University Alabama football team is a perfect example of how great something can be when people unify to support it.

And it can also be a great example of how misguided people can be with their money. Imagine if instead of giving all that money to Alabama football that they gave it to the academic side in order to improve "core business" of the University. I get it that investing in Alabama athletics yields a return for the school. However, investing in the academic side would also yield a return to the school - and highly likely a return to the local communities due to improvements in academics.

It's up to the people who give to Alabama as to how they want their money spent. It's no skin off my nose if people want to give to Alabama football. It's their money to do with as they wish.

We can throw money at education from now to eternity and the top 5% of the students would still be the difference makers. Where the money needs to be spent in on innovation in every field of endeavor and the research that goes into it. Wait and put it in the hands of those top 5% as they try to make the world better. If it is spent on undergraduate education it might as well be spent on Day Care or given to the YMCA. At least the last two might get them young enough to make a difference. Right now the first two years of undergraduate work is just a catch up from the remedial education the kids get today in High School.

(05-05-2017 05:50 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(05-05-2017 05:39 PM)miko33 Wrote:  

(05-05-2017 02:33 PM)TrojanCampaign Wrote:  

(05-05-2017 02:27 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(05-05-2017 02:21 PM)TrojanCampaign Wrote:  A lot of the Alabama fans here have a clear bias when it comes to reality. But listen, I spent 11 years in Alabama. And I actually attended the University of Alabama unlike most Alabama fans.

You are dead right most of the people are like that here. I can't even begin to tell you how many people I know that have literally never left the state and do not want to. I can't tell you how many people have never even seen Bryant–Denny Stadium and will give away half their paycheck to the school. It's not a joke when people say football is a religion in this state. Literally EVERYONE who is from Alabama is either an Auburn or Alabama fan to some extent.

I still remember my experience in high school. People would ask me which one I rooted for and I would say neither and they would literally be in shock lol. Just about every high school here has "spirit day" which are dedicated to the schools. The local news stations talk about the schools non stop during football season. Heck, drive through Tuscaloosa and try to go five minutes without seeing Roll Tide.

I almost would call it stupid if I did not live here.

Pepper Rogers, an old Georgia Tech coach and a good humorist, once said that the state of Alabama didn't have any big time football stadiums, that they had two gigantic Temples where the people worshiped each Saturday in the Fall. One he said was in East Alabama and the other in West Alabama and that both were intensely Orthodox. I never found much to disagree with there.

Lol, and it's no slight to the programs. Honestly, it's actually pretty amazing considering how small the population is compared to other states. I think people on the outside looking in see that and just cannot imagine how it's possible.

But the University Alabama football team is a perfect example of how great something can be when people unify to support it.

And it can also be a great example of how misguided people can be with their money. Imagine if instead of giving all that money to Alabama football that they gave it to the academic side in order to improve "core business" of the University. I get it that investing in Alabama athletics yields a return for the school. However, investing in the academic side would also yield a return to the school - and highly likely a return to the local communities due to improvements in academics.

It's up to the people who give to Alabama as to how they want their money spent. It's no skin off my nose if people want to give to Alabama football. It's their money to do with as they wish.

We can throw money at education from now to eternity and the top 5% of the students would still be the difference makers. Where the money needs to be spent in on innovation in every field of endeavor and the research that goes into it. Wait and put it in the hands of those top 5% as they try to make the world better. If it is spent on undergraduate education it might as well be spent on Day Care or given to the YMCA. At least the last two might get them young enough to make a difference. Right now the first two years of undergraduate work is just a catch up from the remedial education the kids get today in High School.

I agree with that. There is no reason why this money couldn't instead go to creating new innovation centers at the school - like nanotechnology, AI, biomedical research, etc. etc. I'm sure some of that goes on at Alabama. But GD, how can you take pride in such a large athletics program when your overall school expenditures, assets and endowments are so pedestrian? I won't link the financial statement I'm reading now in order to preserve some dignity for the school. But if you want to see it, you can. Just misplaced priorities. Such a shame and a waste. But again, it's their money to do with as they see fit.

(05-05-2017 05:59 PM)miko33 Wrote:  

(05-05-2017 05:50 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(05-05-2017 05:39 PM)miko33 Wrote:  

(05-05-2017 02:33 PM)TrojanCampaign Wrote:  

(05-05-2017 02:27 PM)JRsec Wrote:  Pepper Rogers, an old Georgia Tech coach and a good humorist, once said that the state of Alabama didn't have any big time football stadiums, that they had two gigantic Temples where the people worshiped each Saturday in the Fall. One he said was in East Alabama and the other in West Alabama and that both were intensely Orthodox. I never found much to disagree with there.

Lol, and it's no slight to the programs. Honestly, it's actually pretty amazing considering how small the population is compared to other states. I think people on the outside looking in see that and just cannot imagine how it's possible.

But the University Alabama football team is a perfect example of how great something can be when people unify to support it.

And it can also be a great example of how misguided people can be with their money. Imagine if instead of giving all that money to Alabama football that they gave it to the academic side in order to improve "core business" of the University. I get it that investing in Alabama athletics yields a return for the school. However, investing in the academic side would also yield a return to the school - and highly likely a return to the local communities due to improvements in academics.

It's up to the people who give to Alabama as to how they want their money spent. It's no skin off my nose if people want to give to Alabama football. It's their money to do with as they wish.

We can throw money at education from now to eternity and the top 5% of the students would still be the difference makers. Where the money needs to be spent in on innovation in every field of endeavor and the research that goes into it. Wait and put it in the hands of those top 5% as they try to make the world better. If it is spent on undergraduate education it might as well be spent on Day Care or given to the YMCA. At least the last two might get them young enough to make a difference. Right now the first two years of undergraduate work is just a catch up from the remedial education the kids get today in High School.

I agree with that. There is no reason why this money couldn't instead go to creating new innovation centers at the school - like nanotechnology, AI, biomedical research, etc. etc. I'm sure some of that goes on at Alabama. But GD, how can you take pride in such a large athletics program when your overall school expenditures, assets and endowments are so pedestrian? I won't link the financial statement I'm reading now in order to preserve some dignity for the school. But if you want to see it, you can. Just misplaced priorities. Such a shame and a waste. But again, it's their money to do with as they see fit.

Hey, I'm an Auburn guy. They just don't count the cancer research done by our school of Vet Med even though it is being done for the benefit of human health. Our metrics as primarily a land grant agricultural school belie our engineering which has produced astronauts and shared research with Purdue. This is why rankings and numbers don't always tell the whole story. And to be fair to Alabama, all of the medical research is done in Birmingham and the state funding and federal funding goes to U.A.B.. Disciplines here are compartmentalized among the universities instead of concentrated within them. The same is true at UGA. The Medical College of Georgia is separate.

(05-05-2017 06:13 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(05-05-2017 05:59 PM)miko33 Wrote:  

(05-05-2017 05:50 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(05-05-2017 05:39 PM)miko33 Wrote:  

(05-05-2017 02:33 PM)TrojanCampaign Wrote:  Lol, and it's no slight to the programs. Honestly, it's actually pretty amazing considering how small the population is compared to other states. I think people on the outside looking in see that and just cannot imagine how it's possible.

But the University Alabama football team is a perfect example of how great something can be when people unify to support it.

And it can also be a great example of how misguided people can be with their money. Imagine if instead of giving all that money to Alabama football that they gave it to the academic side in order to improve "core business" of the University. I get it that investing in Alabama athletics yields a return for the school. However, investing in the academic side would also yield a return to the school - and highly likely a return to the local communities due to improvements in academics.

It's up to the people who give to Alabama as to how they want their money spent. It's no skin off my nose if people want to give to Alabama football. It's their money to do with as they wish.

We can throw money at education from now to eternity and the top 5% of the students would still be the difference makers. Where the money needs to be spent in on innovation in every field of endeavor and the research that goes into it. Wait and put it in the hands of those top 5% as they try to make the world better. If it is spent on undergraduate education it might as well be spent on Day Care or given to the YMCA. At least the last two might get them young enough to make a difference. Right now the first two years of undergraduate work is just a catch up from the remedial education the kids get today in High School.

I agree with that. There is no reason why this money couldn't instead go to creating new innovation centers at the school - like nanotechnology, AI, biomedical research, etc. etc. I'm sure some of that goes on at Alabama. But GD, how can you take pride in such a large athletics program when your overall school expenditures, assets and endowments are so pedestrian? I won't link the financial statement I'm reading now in order to preserve some dignity for the school. But if you want to see it, you can. Just misplaced priorities. Such a shame and a waste. But again, it's their money to do with as they see fit.

Hey, I'm an Auburn guy. They just don't count the cancer research done by our school of Vet Med even though it is being done for the benefit of human health. Our metrics as primarily a land grant agricultural school belie our engineering which has produced astronauts and shared research with Purdue. This is why rankings and numbers don't always tell the whole story. And to be fair to Alabama, all of the medical research is done in Birmingham and the state funding and federal funding goes to U.A.B.. Disciplines here are compartmentalized among the universities instead of concentrated within them. The same is true at UGA. The Medical College of Georgia is separate.

I'm not concerned with the rankings - I care more about the numbers in this case. Even with separate med schools, those numbers can be (should be) improved, and at that level of giving to the athletics side it can happen if people can prioritize the more important things in life. I'm not trying to be offensive, just stating an honest opinion. Sorry if I offend.

(05-05-2017 06:31 PM)miko33 Wrote:  

(05-05-2017 06:13 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(05-05-2017 05:59 PM)miko33 Wrote:  

(05-05-2017 05:50 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(05-05-2017 05:39 PM)miko33 Wrote:  And it can also be a great example of how misguided people can be with their money. Imagine if instead of giving all that money to Alabama football that they gave it to the academic side in order to improve "core business" of the University. I get it that investing in Alabama athletics yields a return for the school. However, investing in the academic side would also yield a return to the school - and highly likely a return to the local communities due to improvements in academics.

It's up to the people who give to Alabama as to how they want their money spent. It's no skin off my nose if people want to give to Alabama football. It's their money to do with as they wish.

We can throw money at education from now to eternity and the top 5% of the students would still be the difference makers. Where the money needs to be spent in on innovation in every field of endeavor and the research that goes into it. Wait and put it in the hands of those top 5% as they try to make the world better. If it is spent on undergraduate education it might as well be spent on Day Care or given to the YMCA. At least the last two might get them young enough to make a difference. Right now the first two years of undergraduate work is just a catch up from the remedial education the kids get today in High School.

I agree with that. There is no reason why this money couldn't instead go to creating new innovation centers at the school - like nanotechnology, AI, biomedical research, etc. etc. I'm sure some of that goes on at Alabama. But GD, how can you take pride in such a large athletics program when your overall school expenditures, assets and endowments are so pedestrian? I won't link the financial statement I'm reading now in order to preserve some dignity for the school. But if you want to see it, you can. Just misplaced priorities. Such a shame and a waste. But again, it's their money to do with as they see fit.

Hey, I'm an Auburn guy. They just don't count the cancer research done by our school of Vet Med even though it is being done for the benefit of human health. Our metrics as primarily a land grant agricultural school belie our engineering which has produced astronauts and shared research with Purdue. This is why rankings and numbers don't always tell the whole story. And to be fair to Alabama, all of the medical research is done in Birmingham and the state funding and federal funding goes to U.A.B.. Disciplines here are compartmentalized among the universities instead of concentrated within them. The same is true at UGA. The Medical College of Georgia is separate.

I'm not concerned with the rankings - I care more about the numbers in this case. Even with separate med schools, those numbers can be (should be) improved, and at that level of giving to the athletics side it can happen if people can prioritize the more important things in life. I'm not trying to be offensive, just stating an honest opinion. Sorry if I offend.

I doubt that stuff means anything to most of the people donating to Bama football. I'm sure many wouldn't have a clue what you're even talking about.

Sent from my SM-J700T using CSNbbs mobile app

(05-05-2017 06:31 PM)miko33 Wrote:  

(05-05-2017 06:13 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(05-05-2017 05:59 PM)miko33 Wrote:  

(05-05-2017 05:50 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(05-05-2017 05:39 PM)miko33 Wrote:  And it can also be a great example of how misguided people can be with their money. Imagine if instead of giving all that money to Alabama football that they gave it to the academic side in order to improve "core business" of the University. I get it that investing in Alabama athletics yields a return for the school. However, investing in the academic side would also yield a return to the school - and highly likely a return to the local communities due to improvements in academics.

It's up to the people who give to Alabama as to how they want their money spent. It's no skin off my nose if people want to give to Alabama football. It's their money to do with as they wish.

We can throw money at education from now to eternity and the top 5% of the students would still be the difference makers. Where the money needs to be spent in on innovation in every field of endeavor and the research that goes into it. Wait and put it in the hands of those top 5% as they try to make the world better. If it is spent on undergraduate education it might as well be spent on Day Care or given to the YMCA. At least the last two might get them young enough to make a difference. Right now the first two years of undergraduate work is just a catch up from the remedial education the kids get today in High School.

I agree with that. There is no reason why this money couldn't instead go to creating new innovation centers at the school - like nanotechnology, AI, biomedical research, etc. etc. I'm sure some of that goes on at Alabama. But GD, how can you take pride in such a large athletics program when your overall school expenditures, assets and endowments are so pedestrian? I won't link the financial statement I'm reading now in order to preserve some dignity for the school. But if you want to see it, you can. Just misplaced priorities. Such a shame and a waste. But again, it's their money to do with as they see fit.

Hey, I'm an Auburn guy. They just don't count the cancer research done by our school of Vet Med even though it is being done for the benefit of human health. Our metrics as primarily a land grant agricultural school belie our engineering which has produced astronauts and shared research with Purdue. This is why rankings and numbers don't always tell the whole story. And to be fair to Alabama, all of the medical research is done in Birmingham and the state funding and federal funding goes to U.A.B.. Disciplines here are compartmentalized among the universities instead of concentrated within them. The same is true at UGA. The Medical College of Georgia is separate.

I'm not concerned with the rankings - I care more about the numbers in this case. Even with separate med schools, those numbers can be (should be) improved, and at that level of giving to the athletics side it can happen if people can prioritize the more important things in life. I'm not trying to be offensive, just stating an honest opinion. Sorry if I offend.

How can you offend someone who would be in agreement with your premise? The part that those numbers don't reveal to you is how that money is raised. It comes in the form of requisite donations required before you are granted to option to purchase 2 season ticket books. $800-5000, sky boxes excluded ($100,000 & up), to have a pair of season books ranging from the end zone or ends of the upper decks for 800 to 5000 for seats under the overhang. Now multiply that x 101,000 at Alabama and 87,000 at Auburn and the numbers start to sink in. If you want away tickets you have to give more to either enter the lottery for them, or to acquire them. Season tickets at Auburn or Alabama and where you sit when you attend are all middle class status symbols in Alabama. The sad part is that I know people who skimp on things to do it annually. Why? Business connections are one of the biggest reasons. You have acquired the illusion of success when seen with the right people at the games. It is what it is. In that regard it is little different from going to lacrosse on the crowd at lacrosse is wealthier and smaller.

The true rich sport in the SEC is equestrian. Most of the riders are from the Northeast and well heeled.

Since I grew up everywhere but here it just sticks out to me. It's a sad commentary on priorities for sure, but then that same commentary manifests itself elsewhere in different ways. Opera tickets, Broadway tickets, travel clubs, flying first class, country club memberships, the right country club memberships, etc. We are a nation of people who have forgotten themselves in pursuit of getting noticed and that is why more is never enough and true peace and tolerance is so elusive.

(05-05-2017 06:52 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(05-05-2017 06:31 PM)miko33 Wrote:  

(05-05-2017 06:13 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(05-05-2017 05:59 PM)miko33 Wrote:  

(05-05-2017 05:50 PM)JRsec Wrote:  We can throw money at education from now to eternity and the top 5% of the students would still be the difference makers. Where the money needs to be spent in on innovation in every field of endeavor and the research that goes into it. Wait and put it in the hands of those top 5% as they try to make the world better. If it is spent on undergraduate education it might as well be spent on Day Care or given to the YMCA. At least the last two might get them young enough to make a difference. Right now the first two years of undergraduate work is just a catch up from the remedial education the kids get today in High School.

I agree with that. There is no reason why this money couldn't instead go to creating new innovation centers at the school - like nanotechnology, AI, biomedical research, etc. etc. I'm sure some of that goes on at Alabama. But GD, how can you take pride in such a large athletics program when your overall school expenditures, assets and endowments are so pedestrian? I won't link the financial statement I'm reading now in order to preserve some dignity for the school. But if you want to see it, you can. Just misplaced priorities. Such a shame and a waste. But again, it's their money to do with as they see fit.

Hey, I'm an Auburn guy. They just don't count the cancer research done by our school of Vet Med even though it is being done for the benefit of human health. Our metrics as primarily a land grant agricultural school belie our engineering which has produced astronauts and shared research with Purdue. This is why rankings and numbers don't always tell the whole story. And to be fair to Alabama, all of the medical research is done in Birmingham and the state funding and federal funding goes to U.A.B.. Disciplines here are compartmentalized among the universities instead of concentrated within them. The same is true at UGA. The Medical College of Georgia is separate.

I'm not concerned with the rankings - I care more about the numbers in this case. Even with separate med schools, those numbers can be (should be) improved, and at that level of giving to the athletics side it can happen if people can prioritize the more important things in life. I'm not trying to be offensive, just stating an honest opinion. Sorry if I offend.

How can you offend someone who would be in agreement with your premise? The part that those numbers don't reveal to you is how that money is raised. It comes in the form of requisite donations required before you are granted to option to purchase 2 season ticket books. $800-5000, sky boxes excluded ($100,000 & up), to have a pair of season books ranging from the end zone or ends of the upper decks for 800 to 5000 for seats under the overhang. Now multiply that x 101,000 at Alabama and 87,000 at Auburn and the numbers start to sink in. If you want away tickets you have to give more to either enter the lottery for them, or to acquire them. Season tickets at Auburn or Alabama and where you sit when you attend are all middle class status symbols in Alabama. The sad part is that I know people who skimp on things to do it annually. Why? Business connections are one of the biggest reasons. You have acquired the illusion of success when seen with the right people at the games. It is what it is. In that regard it is little different from going to lacrosse on the crowd at lacrosse is wealthier and smaller.

The true rich sport in the SEC is equestrian. Most of the riders are from the Northeast and well heeled.

Since I grew up everywhere but here it just sticks out to me. It's a sad commentary on priorities for sure, but then that same commentary manifests itself elsewhere in different ways. Opera tickets, Broadway tickets, travel clubs, flying first class, country club memberships, the right country club memberships, etc. We are a nation of people who have forgotten themselves in pursuit of getting noticed and that is why more is never enough and true peace and tolerance is so elusive.

I'm not sure the disparity in means vs spending is as clearly defined elsewhere. Median family income in Alabama is barely over $40k. The "middle class" folks (as you called them) dropping that sort of money on seats don't sound very smart to me. It's a mentality that I can't underatand.

Sent from my SM-J700T using CSNbbs mobile app

(05-05-2017 07:14 PM)Hood-rich Wrote:  

(05-05-2017 06:52 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(05-05-2017 06:31 PM)miko33 Wrote:  

(05-05-2017 06:13 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(05-05-2017 05:59 PM)miko33 Wrote:  I agree with that. There is no reason why this money couldn't instead go to creating new innovation centers at the school - like nanotechnology, AI, biomedical research, etc. etc. I'm sure some of that goes on at Alabama. But GD, how can you take pride in such a large athletics program when your overall school expenditures, assets and endowments are so pedestrian? I won't link the financial statement I'm reading now in order to preserve some dignity for the school. But if you want to see it, you can. Just misplaced priorities. Such a shame and a waste. But again, it's their money to do with as they see fit.

Hey, I'm an Auburn guy. They just don't count the cancer research done by our school of Vet Med even though it is being done for the benefit of human health. Our metrics as primarily a land grant agricultural school belie our engineering which has produced astronauts and shared research with Purdue. This is why rankings and numbers don't always tell the whole story. And to be fair to Alabama, all of the medical research is done in Birmingham and the state funding and federal funding goes to U.A.B.. Disciplines here are compartmentalized among the universities instead of concentrated within them. The same is true at UGA. The Medical College of Georgia is separate.

I'm not concerned with the rankings - I care more about the numbers in this case. Even with separate med schools, those numbers can be (should be) improved, and at that level of giving to the athletics side it can happen if people can prioritize the more important things in life. I'm not trying to be offensive, just stating an honest opinion. Sorry if I offend.

How can you offend someone who would be in agreement with your premise? The part that those numbers don't reveal to you is how that money is raised. It comes in the form of requisite donations required before you are granted to option to purchase 2 season ticket books. $800-5000, sky boxes excluded ($100,000 & up), to have a pair of season books ranging from the end zone or ends of the upper decks for 800 to 5000 for seats under the overhang. Now multiply that x 101,000 at Alabama and 87,000 at Auburn and the numbers start to sink in. If you want away tickets you have to give more to either enter the lottery for them, or to acquire them. Season tickets at Auburn or Alabama and where you sit when you attend are all middle class status symbols in Alabama. The sad part is that I know people who skimp on things to do it annually. Why? Business connections are one of the biggest reasons. You have acquired the illusion of success when seen with the right people at the games. It is what it is. In that regard it is little different from going to lacrosse on the crowd at lacrosse is wealthier and smaller.

The true rich sport in the SEC is equestrian. Most of the riders are from the Northeast and well heeled.

Since I grew up everywhere but here it just sticks out to me. It's a sad commentary on priorities for sure, but then that same commentary manifests itself elsewhere in different ways. Opera tickets, Broadway tickets, travel clubs, flying first class, country club memberships, the right country club memberships, etc. We are a nation of people who have forgotten themselves in pursuit of getting noticed and that is why more is never enough and true peace and tolerance is so elusive.

I'm not sure the disparity in means vs spending is as clearly defined elsewhere. Median family income in Alabama is under 50k. The "middle class" folks (as you called them) dropping that sort of money on seats don't sound very smart to me. It's a mentality that I can't underatand.

Sent from my SM-J700T using CSNbbs mobile app

Nobody asked you to understand it. It's important to the locals or they wouldn't do it. It's their money and their choice. I'm just saying I've lived pretty much everywhere in North America at one time or another and the behavior is found everywhere. As to degree? Is it any different than spending a week at Disney World which many non urban middle class in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine make as an annual trip. Or what the middle class in Alaska spend going to Hawaii once a year. It's a lifestyle choice and that's it. But it we all spent our money on research it might be a better world, but probably a more boring one for the working class.

The folks in New England and Alaska are far more likely to have the discretionary money to spend. Average incomes there are 10 to 20K higher.

Sent from my SM-J700T using CSNbbs mobile app

(05-05-2017 07:30 PM)Hood-rich Wrote:  The folks in New England and Alaska are far more likely to have the discretionary money to spend. Average incomes there are 10 to 20K higher.

Sent from my SM-J700T using CSNbbs mobile app

But they have to fly and the cost of their living day to day is about 20-25% higher.