Hey guys help me out here; e-mail Mercer’s AD (Bob Pope) and tell him Mercer should reinstate football:

pope_ba@mercer.edu

I'll do that today!

I think non-scholarship football is a good starting point, but the conference shouldn’t stop there. The Atlantic Sun needs to come up with a strategic plan to take football from non-scholarship to competing in Division I-AA.

However, my view of this happening is very pessimistic at this time. I have communicated with Ted Gumbart, (Atlantic Sun Conference Commissioner), but have received no real answer; he seems very unmotivated and somewhat satisfied with the status quo.

Bob Pope (Athletic Director) at Mercer is also very satisfied with the status quo and wants to do things as cheaply as possible. I don’t believe Gumbart and Pope realize what football can do for a University.

I also think the Atlantic Sun could do a better job marketing its teams in other sports as well.

My opinion of the management of Athletics at both the Altantic Sun Conference and Mercer University is very negative at this time. I have been writing letters all summer. I would invite you to do the same; send Gumbart and Athletic Directors at Atlantic Sun schools e-mails and letters telling them why and how football could work for the Atlantic Sun.

I know this is a bit fanatical, but I believe if enough people e-mail, send letters, etc… The conference and the member schools will have to take notice. I have posted names, e-mails, and addresses for Gumbart and several Athletic Directors of member schools below.

Ted Gumbart:
tgumbart@atlanticsun.org
Atlantic Sun Conference
3370 Vineville Ave., Suite 108-B
Macon, GA 31204
478/474-3394
fax 478/474-4272

Bob Pope:
pope_ba@mercer.edu
Mercer University Athletics
1400 Coleman Avenue
Macon, GA 31207-0001
Macon, Ga. 31207-0001
Phone: (478) 301-2994

Jeff Altier
jaltier@stetson.edu
Director of Athletics
Stetson University
Athletics Department | Unit 8359
421 North Woodland Boulevard
DeLand, Florida 32723
Phone Number : 386.822.8100

Mike Strickland
stricklandm@mail.belmont.edu
Director of Athletics
Belmont University
1900 Belmont Boulevard
Nashville, TN 37212-3757
Phone: 615-460-6420
Fax: 615-460-5584

Dr. Steve Potts
steve.potts@lipscomb.edu
Director of Athletics
Main Office: (615) 966-5850 • FAX: (615) 966-1806
Mailing Address:
Lipscomb Athletics
One University Park Drive
Nashville, TN 37204

Dr. Dave Waples
dwaples@kennesaw.edu
Athletic Director
1000 Chastain Rd.
Building 2 Kennesaw, GA 30144

Getting the whole conference on board would be awesome. I don't see that happening though. Why are these schools so happy with staying where they are in the sports world? I just don't get it.

me either. it really pisses me off!

The task force should make a recommendation on whether to add football at Mercer before the end of the summer. It's the president's call, not the AD's.

All of the recent news/rumors about Mercer football is really exciting! Mercer sports are really looking up. Two great new men's & women's basketball coaches.. and now football!? That would be incredible and would REALLY help out the school.