Interesting op-ed released today by West Texas A&M President Walter Wendler:
https://walterwendler.com/

And the companion video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOaSozp4...pe&index=2

Sounds like thanks but no thanks. We are pretty happy where we are now.

But DavidSt said...

He makes a lot of sense for his university as well as raising a lot of questions about the future and the decisions of the NCAA. I would rather see more student athletes than fewer. I really don't want to see a lot of programs go over the cliff to run-of-mill status in weak conferences somehow rated higher but where not a lot of what athletics does matters very much. Sports was a big part of my life at all levels, from smaller schools to national and even international level competition. It always meant something and created excitement. So, I understand his position. And I understand why some might disagree.

Quote:Especially challenging at the upper echelons of intercollegiate athletics is that at the FCS level, institutional spending “does not seem to have a significant impact on university enrollment, application or student quality measures.” Yet, these programs are the “front porch” for many institutions, but mid-major FCS schools that work to emulate the FBS powerhouses may overspend too much to earn too little, afflicted with FBS envy. According to President Duderstadt, “… the race for fame and profits through intercollegiate athletics is clearly a fool’s quest…”.

I found this quote particularly interesting in light of speculation that WTAMU might move up to FCS. That notion appears to be a pipe dream.

(02-15-2022 06:58 AM)OscarWildeCat Wrote:  

Quote:Especially challenging at the upper echelons of intercollegiate athletics is that at the FCS level, institutional spending “does not seem to have a significant impact on university enrollment, application or student quality measures.” Yet, these programs are the “front porch” for many institutions, but mid-major FCS schools that work to emulate the FBS powerhouses may overspend too much to earn too little, afflicted with FBS envy. According to President Duderstadt, “… the race for fame and profits through intercollegiate athletics is clearly a fool’s quest…”.

I found this quote particularly interesting in light of speculation that WTAMU might move up to FCS. That notion appears to be a pipe dream.

Well said

What Walter Wendler says in his videos about student debt and debt in general is eye opening. His wisdom is profound.

(02-14-2022 10:02 PM)FoUTASportscaster Wrote:  But DavidSt said...

WTAMU is just waiting for a big donation from Bill Gates. Once they get it, they will be in D1!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(02-14-2022 10:02 PM)FoUTASportscaster Wrote:  But DavidSt said...

David Street could watch every one of those videos and he would still insist WTAM is coming to the WAC.

(02-15-2022 01:28 PM)PojoaquePosse Wrote:  

(02-14-2022 10:02 PM)FoUTASportscaster Wrote:  But DavidSt said...

David Street could watch every one of those videos and he would still insist WTAM is coming to the WAC.

they had a pretty good football program in the old days..playing schools like colorado state, louisville, san diego state, southern miss., north texas, uta, and others before becoming an A&M step child.

(02-15-2022 03:20 PM)runamuck Wrote:  

(02-15-2022 01:28 PM)PojoaquePosse Wrote:  

(02-14-2022 10:02 PM)FoUTASportscaster Wrote:  But DavidSt said...

David Street could watch every one of those videos and he would still insist WTAM is coming to the WAC.

they had a pretty good football program in the old days..playing schools like colorado state, louisville, san diego state, southern miss., north texas, uta, and others before becoming an A&M step child.

I would expect them to be very cautious about returning to D1. I would assume money was one of the prime motivators for them dropping down to D2. I remember watching them play Wichita State in Wichita around 1975.

FCS sort of makes sense for many programs, if for no other reason than the NAIA and DII typically provide much less intense competition. But FBS is a big pond with Power 5 conferences and little room for the bottom feeders of FBS. There must be more to this story but I am not informed enough to understand the allure of bottom feeding FBS conferences when schools like North Dakota State and Sam Houston enjoyed celebratory years that likely will not come by again, at least in our lifetimes. (What I mean is schools jumping to FBS minor conferences likely will have little to celebrate.)

He references small HS football in Texas and most likely believes WT should represent them in College. Then again, they have already dropped the cheerleaders so football may not be far behind. I truly believe they are a FCS school playing D2 because of the proximity and access to Amarillo $$$. I could say the same thing about Ferris State and Grand Valley State. The latter has finally shown interest in moving to the OVC TBD.

(02-15-2022 10:06 PM)BlueDragon Wrote:  He references small HS football in Texas and most likely believes WT should represent them in College. Then again, they have already dropped the cheerleaders so football may not be far behind. I truly believe they are a FCS school playing D2 because of the proximity and access to Amarillo $$$. I could say the same thing about Ferris State and Grand Valley State. The latter has finally shown interest in moving to the OVC TBD.

If I understood his thinking it is that FCS isn’t a good investment- FCS -

1. Will need to be subsidized via institutional funds. Ultimately the cost increase falls on students, many of whom are already swimming in loan debt.

While I might or might not agree with him, he’s provided a thoughtful critique that’s frequently missing in the rush to ‘move up.’

2. Provides no evidence of return on investment—an increase in enrollment or applications associated with a switch to FCS.

Given these facts it would be a disservice to the institution and students to move up. Better to play the college equivalent of 3A ball.

(02-16-2022 07:04 AM)OscarWildeCat Wrote:  

(02-15-2022 10:06 PM)BlueDragon Wrote:  He references small HS football in Texas and most likely believes WT should represent them in College. Then again, they have already dropped the cheerleaders so football may not be far behind. I truly believe they are a FCS school playing D2 because of the proximity and access to Amarillo $$$. I could say the same thing about Ferris State and Grand Valley State. The latter has finally shown interest in moving to the OVC TBD.

If I understood his thinking it is that FCS isn’t a good investment- FCS -

1. Will need to be subsidized via institutional funds. Ultimately the cost increase falls on students, many of whom are already swimming in loan debt.

While I might or might not agree with him, he’s provided a thoughtful critique that’s frequently missing in the rush to ‘move up.’

2. Provides no evidence of return on investment—an increase in enrollment or applications associated with a switch to FCS.

Given these facts it would be a disservice to the institution and students to move up. Better to play the college equivalent of 3A ball.

That’s what I read too

On the Tarleton mens basketball pregame from Saturday night, Tarleton PxP interviewed the PxP from ACU before the contest. They discussed the ACU victory over UT from a couple years ago. ACU performed a study as for what the victory meant for the university, and they decided with all of the various media all over the country, they received around $150 million in free publicity.

(02-16-2022 12:16 PM)TexanFan Wrote:  On the Tarleton mens basketball pregame from Saturday night, Tarleton PxP interviewed the PxP from ACU before the contest. They discussed the ACU victory over UT from a couple years ago. ACU performed a study as for what the victory meant for the university, and they decided with all of the various media all over the country, they received around $150 million in free publicity.

What does this have to do with WTAMU?

(02-16-2022 12:16 PM)TexanFan Wrote:  On the Tarleton mens basketball pregame from Saturday night, Tarleton PxP interviewed the PxP from ACU before the contest. They discussed the ACU victory over UT from a couple years ago. ACU performed a study as for what the victory meant for the university, and they decided with all of the various media all over the country, they received around $150 million in free publicity.

the mavs beat em a few years ago when they had a couple of stars they were touting but it didnt get us any money

(02-16-2022 01:33 PM)runamuck Wrote:  

(02-16-2022 12:16 PM)TexanFan Wrote:  On the Tarleton mens basketball pregame from Saturday night, Tarleton PxP interviewed the PxP from ACU before the contest. They discussed the ACU victory over UT from a couple years ago. ACU performed a study as for what the victory meant for the university, and they decided with all of the various media all over the country, they received around $150 million in free publicity.

the mavs beat em a few years ago when they had a couple of stars they were touting but it didnt get us any money

It also wasn't a major upset in the NCAA Tourney. That said, that "150$ Million" in publicity isn't actually anything tangible, but yeah that was a heck of year for y'all was that the same year y'all beat Ohio State and ranked St. Marys?

(02-16-2022 01:56 PM)Bobcat2013 Wrote:  IThat said, that "150$ Million" in publicity isn't actually anything tangible”

Kind of like the “spending multiplier” pro stadium advocates used to use, no?