$271 million for athletics.

This is a reminder that while media deals and bowl money matter, there is no substitute for fan support. That is where the top athletic programs make the most money. And they credit Johnny Football:

Ed Davis, president of the Texas A&M Foundation, chalks up the increase to the "euphoria" over the Aggies.

"People ask me all the time if you have a winning football team, do you raise more money," Davis said. "In normal times, the statistical data wouldn't support that, but in an era where we are in, effectively, in the news everywhere and you have a young man like our quarterback who has been a media magnet and you have the success you have, I do think that euphoria does spill over into success in fundraising."

Sure, it's all pledges and gifts and will probably be paid in over a number of years. But this is for one freaking year. Amazing what joining the SEC has done for A&M.
http://deadspin.com/texas-a-m-raised-a-r...1334527524

(09-17-2013 10:59 PM)quo vadis Wrote:  $271 million for athletics.

This is a reminder that while media deals and bowl money matter, there is no substitute for fan support. That is where the top athletic programs make the most money. And they credit Johnny Football:

Ed Davis, president of the Texas A&M Foundation, chalks up the increase to the "euphoria" over the Aggies.

"People ask me all the time if you have a winning football team, do you raise more money," Davis said. "In normal times, the statistical data wouldn't support that, but in an era where we are in, effectively, in the news everywhere and you have a young man like our quarterback who has been a media magnet and you have the success you have, I do think that euphoria does spill over into success in fundraising."

Sure, it's all pledges and gifts and will probably be paid in over a number of years. But this is for one freaking year. Amazing what joining the SEC has done for A&M.
http://deadspin.com/texas-a-m-raised-a-r...1334527524

And for Missouri as well...

Helps that Texas has a crap ton of oil money. I mean, it is the sole reason...

(09-18-2013 02:05 AM)Marge Schott Wrote:  Helps that Texas has a crap ton of oil money. I mean, it is the sole reason...

Texas has a lot of things. Oil is just one of them. I also believe they are the largest cotton producer in the USA.

(09-17-2013 11:12 PM)USAFMEDIC Wrote:  

(09-17-2013 10:59 PM)quo vadis Wrote:  Sure, it's all pledges and gifts and will probably be paid in over a number of years. But this is for one freaking year. Amazing what joining the SEC has done for A&M.

And for Missouri as well...

Glad to hear that Mizz is getting stronger. I sometimes wonder if joining SEC will make sense for the Tigers from a competitive standpoint. I think the jury is out on that.

(09-18-2013 01:12 PM)Native Georgian Wrote:  

(09-17-2013 11:12 PM)USAFMEDIC Wrote:  

(09-17-2013 10:59 PM)quo vadis Wrote:  Sure, it's all pledges and gifts and will probably be paid in over a number of years. But this is for one freaking year. Amazing what joining the SEC has done for A&M.

And for Missouri as well...

Glad to hear that Mizz is getting stronger. I sometimes wonder if joining SEC will make sense for the Tigers from a competitive standpoint. I think the jury is out on that.

Basketball should remain strong for the near future, many of their Olympic sports are competitive with the rest of the SEC, though I'm not sure what their football future will hold. If they go bowl-less under Pinkel this year, I think he's nudged out for someone fresh. The last thing Mizzou wants is to fill in the space that Vanderbilt has left behind since James Franklin took over.

We've always had outstanding alumni support

A&M would not be where it is today if we simply relied on funding from the state

(09-18-2013 10:31 AM)USAFMEDIC Wrote:  

(09-18-2013 02:05 AM)Marge Schott Wrote:  Helps that Texas has a crap ton of oil money. I mean, it is the sole reason...

Texas has a lot of things. Oil is just one of them. I also believe they are the largest cotton producer in the USA.

Saying things like oil money are why their support is so high.