(01-23-2012 12:42 PM)tampabayrocketfan Wrote:  I think you guys like to throw that out there that Toledo is a dump all the time, but when these kids come to visit NIU and Toledo they are shown the campus. Coach Beckman used to sell the City of Toledo too. But again, there are nice parts and tough parts. But a lot of these kids come from big city schools and are growing up in places that are not as nice as Toledo. But they probably relate to the city feel of Toledo versus a small town like Bowling Green. Toledo's campus is very easy on the eyes with a lot of great architecture. And our facilities are very good from the indoor to the press box, etc. In addition, Toledo does have its tough parts but there are also some very nice parts and a lot of things to do in comparison to a small town. I just dont think kids say, I am going here because they love DeKalb or they love Toledo. We also have good home scheduling. I think it comes down to a lot of other things beside the location of the town or city the school is in.

Good point. Everything is relative.

Same applies to DeKalb, I've read quotes from recruits coming from small towns in KS and MO who really like DeKalb. I'm sure it's larger and has more going on than the small towns they are from, plus Chicago is an hour away so that's a great sell about location as well.

And to your point about UT recruits coming from big city schools, a good number of NIU's recruits come from smaller midwest-plains towns that are more similar to DeKalb than Toledo. I'm sure that familiarity plays a part in their decision. Bonus for NIU (should apply to BGSU as well) is that it's "small town" with "big city" a short trip away. I doubt that even you'd argue Toledo over Chicago there.