(07-23-2023 10:17 AM)3BNole Wrote:  It’s largely because FIU is mostly a commuter school (it was founded to function as a finishing school for Miami Dade CC) that in a place where most of the local population doesn’t care about college athletics. FAU has done a good job of attracting students from outside the local area. Of course these are administration level decisions, so yes, in the end it’s an administrator issue. I’ve been to an FIU homecoming game where there were far more people outside the stadium at the block party than at the game. I’ve also been to an FIU game with about 1,000 people at the game. It’s too bad because I like FIU: my mom was in the second class there.

Bingo-- spot on. This is correct.

(07-23-2023 10:59 AM)ArmoredUpKnight Wrote:  Howard Schnellenberger created a solid foundation for FAU. He gave them instant credibility with local donors and was very influential in the South Florida community.

Now, Brian White has taken them to the next level. The White Family is pretty much AD Royalty. Danny and Brian White have both been successful; following in their father’s footsteps.

Yup!

FIU is a Top 100 university now according to US News. Huge enrollment (around 45k undergrad). Their revenue sports are suspect, largely due to apathy. No one there really seems to care about it because it honestly isn't critical to their overall success. If they ever had administrative support they could be a very dangerous program.

(07-23-2023 10:46 AM)Fresno Fanatic Wrote:  Thanks! Everyone so far has had great takes! Makes more sense to me now.

Now, I’m too lazy to look it up. But are they both privates schools or public, or one each?

Both are publics.

I don’t agree with ‘flourished’ and ‘doomed’ as descriptions. Both universities are doing well, and the football depends on who is in charge. 3BNole describes the FIU situation well.

I'm not sure the OP assertion has aged well.

IMO, while both schools are flourishing as academic institutions, neither is doing anything worth mentioning athletically. FAU doesn't seem to be any better on the field these days than FIU. FAU did have that fluke F4 run in hoops, but in football, there is little difference.

(07-23-2023 10:34 AM)ESE84 Wrote:  ...
Why has Rice floundered for 30 years?
...

You're too kind. It's actually 60 years.

THEY DIDN'T LOOK DOOMED LAST NIGHT