More $$ for Duquesne football?

[CoachL]

While it doesn't warm the heart to benefit from the misfortune of others, it appears that Duquesne's football program will have a few more dollars to work with starting next season.

http://www.goduquesne.com/genrel/012510aab.html

Changes in Varsity Sports Aim for Long-Term Competitive Excellence

Department of Athletics announces restructuring

Jan. 25, 2010

PITTSBURGH - Duquesne University today announced a strategic restructuring of its varsity sports program in an effort to maximize financial resources and ensure sustained athletic success. The move will reduce the number of varsity sports from 20 to 16 and keep all related scholarship and operational funding within the athletic department.

"Focusing on and strengthening a core group of sports will maximize our ability to compete at the highest level, enhance the student athlete experience, and better utilize existing funding," said Greg Amodio, Duquesne athletic director. More than $1M will be reallocated annually throughout the athletics program as a result of the move, which will discontinue baseball, men's swimming, men's golf and wrestling.

"This action is in no way meant to diminish the dedication, effort or ability of these fine student athletes, coaches and alumni. They have contributed greatly to Duquesne athletics and to the vitality and history of the University," Amodio said.

As many as 70 student athletes will be affected by the elimination of these sports. Four full-time and one part-time coaching position will be eliminated. All coaches will remain on contract through June 2010.

The student athletes currently participating in the affected sports who plan to complete their undergraduate education at Duquesne University will continue to receive their athletic scholarships at their current levels for a period equal to their remaining eligibility.

The athletic department will also assist athletes in these sports that choose to transfer to another institution.

"The decision follows an extended period of comprehensive research," Amodio said. "Although it is an extremely difficult move, it will place the athletics program in the very best position to be successful in the future," he said, adding that this will better align the programs offered with the department's operational budget and donor base.

"The fiscal challenges facing collegiate athletic departments across the country require making difficult decisions to ensure viability," he said. "We are committed to maintaining a financially prudent athletics program while providing our student athletes with a positive environment to achieve their academic and athletic aspirations."

Duquesne University athletics currently serves more than 475 students with a $10.8 million operating budget.

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/duq ... _25_10.pdf

What is the financial impact of the decision?
More than $1M will be reallocated annually throughout the Athletic Department through a
combination of operating funding, salaries and scholarship monies.

How will funds from the discontinued sports programs will be reallocated?
Multiple sports programs will benefit from increased scholarship allotments and additional operating
funds to offset past budget deficiencies. Additional staff positions will also be added with the goals of
enhancing the student athlete experience and elevating departmental revenues.

[dbackjon]

Sounds like they had some tough choices to make.

20 sports is a lot for a small school.

Many of the Public FCS schools only fund the minimum 14.

[bluehenbillk]

Ugh, another reason no one in the Greater Newark area is excited to see Duquesne on this years schedule.

[dgreco]

not surprised by the sports that they dropped. Especially Baseball.

[danefan]

Ugh, another reason no one in the Greater Newark area is excited to see Duquesne on this years schedule.

Why? What does this have to do with them coming to Newark?

They're potentially putting more money into football. That's a good thing despite the fact that some sports are getting cut.

You have to assume that Duquesne is in compliance with Title IX before these cuts which would mean they could put the money used in the sports being cut (all men's sports) toward other men's sports, including football.

[dgreco]

Ugh, another reason no one in the Greater Newark area is excited to see Duquesne on this years schedule.

Why? What does this have to do with them coming to Newark?

They're potentially putting more money into football. That's a good thing despite the fact that some sports are getting cut.

You have to assume that Duquesne is in compliance with Title IX before these cuts which would mean they could put the money used in the sports being cut (all men's sports) toward other men's sports, including football.

could it be a foreshadowing towards higher NEC scholarship limits/minimum requirements?

[UAalum72]

Ugh, another reason no one in the Greater Newark area is excited to see Duquesne on this years schedule.

Actually this can only help Duq football, and you should be glad they didn't drop FB too.

When coming from the non-scholarship MAAC to the NEC, Duq started with 18 scholarships and in their game notes stated they only had plans to increase by two per year for three years, no plans announced for beyond that. I remember from other forums Duq fans complaining about the $$$ dumped into basketball while FB couldn't even get decent facilities. Maybe there's a change on the way.

[danefan]

Why? What does this have to do with them coming to Newark?

They're potentially putting more money into football. That's a good thing despite the fact that some sports are getting cut.

You have to assume that Duquesne is in compliance with Title IX before these cuts which would mean they could put the money used in the sports being cut (all men's sports) toward other men's sports, including football.

could it be a foreshadowing towards higher NEC scholarship limits/minimum requirements?

One could only hope, but I doubt it. Duquense on officially on the side of limiting scholarships (as noted by UAalumn72 above)

[andy7171]

Ugh, another reason no one in the Greater Newark area is excited to see Duquesne on this years schedule.

Why? What does this have to do with them coming to Newark?

They're potentially putting more money into football. That's a good thing despite the fact that some sports are getting cut.

You have to assume that Duquesne is in compliance with Title IX before these cuts which would mean they could put the money used in the sports being cut (all men's sports) toward other men's sports, including football.

Not looking forward to them coming to Newark...

1- Scheduling a weak team is not really exciting the Blue Hen fan base.
2- More funding increases the chances they could beat them.

Do you think they were excited before or after playing Albany in 2006? Neither.

[danefan]

Why? What does this have to do with them coming to Newark?

They're potentially putting more money into football. That's a good thing despite the fact that some sports are getting cut.

You have to assume that Duquesne is in compliance with Title IX before these cuts which would mean they could put the money used in the sports being cut (all men's sports) toward other men's sports, including football.

Not looking forward to them coming to Newark...

1- Scheduling a weak team is not really exciting the Blue Hen fan base.
2- More funding increases the chances they could beat them.

Do you think they were excited before or after playing Albany in 2006? Neither.

Gotcha. I just assumed they were again referencing playing a crappy NEC team, which is all we've heard from Hens fans ever since the Duquesne game was announced.

[Dane96]

Aside from the fact that carrying 20 sports is tough for a private school (in addition to the sadness of kids losing their sports), you have to think that this is in preparation for what some around the NEC have heard about the increase in rides.

The rumor mill is that the NCAA may reduce the counter level (i.e. from 56.5 to some lower number) and if so, the NEC will look to increase from the 40 scholly limit to that number in order to keep CCSU and Albany happy.

The interesting thing is that this move isnt a straight budget cut, rather it is a reallocation of the budget. It lends me to think that football is going to be a huge benificiary of this.

[andy7171]

Aside from the fact that carrying 20 sports is tough for a private school (in addition to the sadness of kids losing their sports), you have to think that this is in preparation for what some around the NEC have heard about the increase in rides.

The rumor mill is that the NCAA may reduce the counter level (i.e. from 56.5 to some lower number) and if so, the NEC will look to increase from the 40 scholly limit to that number in order to keep CCSU and Albany happy.

The interesting thing is that this move isnt a straight budget cut, rather it is a reallocation of the budget. It lends me to think that football is going to be a huge benificiary of this.

Agree.

While other sports may get some more money, any of the scholarships those cut sports were getting will be going to the football team now.

[bluehenbillk]

Gotcha. I just assumed they were again referencing playing a crappy NEC team, which is all we've heard from Hens fans ever since the Duquesne game was announced.

Nope, this line is accurate all by itself.....

[Franks Tanks]

Duquesne's football facility is absolutely terrible-- worst in FCS no doubt.

I had the extreme mis-fortune of playing a game at their shit hole field with painted green concrete they called turf. I got turf burns all over, then has to wait a hour to use one of the two showers available for visiting teams. Spend some of that money on your piss poor football facilities or to recruit some basketball players that wont murder anyone.

[danefan]

Duquesne's football facility is absolutely terrible-- worst in FCS no doubt.

I had the extreme mis-fortune of playing a game at their shit hole field with painted green concrete they called turf. I got turf burns all over, then has to wait a hour to use one of the two showers available for visiting teams. Spend some of that money on your piss poor football facilities or to recruit some basketball players that wont murder anyone.

They renovated it last year.
http://www.goduquesne.com/facilities/du ... field.html

Still small, but much much much better than it used to be.

[Franks Tanks]

Duquesne's football facility is absolutely terrible-- worst in FCS no doubt.

I had the extreme mis-fortune of playing a game at their **** hole field with painted green concrete they called turf. I got turf burns all over, then has to wait a hour to use one of the two showers available for visiting teams. Spend some of that money on your piss poor football facilities or to recruit some basketball players that wont murder anyone.

They renovated it last year.
http://www.goduquesne.com/facilities/du ... field.html

Still small, but much much much better than it used to be.

HAHA-- still blows

The one end zone butted up against a dorm and had mats against the wall because there were about 5 yards from the endzone to the building. Mats!! I havent seem mats on a wall for that purpose since I played CYO basketball against other catholic Junior High school in 80 yo gyms.

[CoachL]

Duquesne's football facility is absolutely terrible-- worst in FCS no doubt.

Gee, you don't get around the FCS much do you?

I had the extreme mis-fortune of playing a game at their **** hole field

Isn't it funny that some people were saying the exact same thing about Lafayette's field before the renovation?

Spend some of that money ... to recruit some basketball players that wont murder anyone

Totally uncalled for and totally misinformed. Using a tragic event in an attempt to belittle another school or their athletic program is beneath you, and certainly beneath a representative of Lafayette College.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2593965

Updated: September 20, 2006, 6:30 PM ET
Two charged for murder attempt in Duquesne attack

PITTSBURGH -- A second man charged in a shooting that wounded five Duquesne University basketball players turned himself in Wednesday, police said.

William Holmes, 18, of the Pittsburgh suburb of Penn Hills, was to be arraigned later Wednesday on charges of attempted homicide, aggravated assault, criminal conspiracy and weapons-related offenses.

Holmes is the third person arrested in Sunday's shooting after a dance at the private, Roman Catholic university. Two of the wounded players remained hospitalized, with one critically injured.

The other man charged in the shooting, Brandon Baynes was arraigned on five counts of criminal attempt at homicide on Tuesday. Prosecutors also filed charges of aggravated assault, criminal conspiracy and weapons counts against Baynes, 19, who was still in custody after being arrested Tuesday.

Holmes and Baynes are not Duquesne students.

[dgreco]

They renovated it last year.
http://www.goduquesne.com/facilities/du ... field.html

Still small, but much much much better than it used to be.

HAHA-- still blows

The one end zone butted up against a dorm and had mats against the wall because there were about 5 yards from the endzone to the building. Mats!! I havent seem mats on a wall for that purpose since I played CYO basketball against other catholic Junior High school in 80 yo gyms.

Doesn't UNI have mats up? I also think Oklahoma State has mats up because the walls are so close.

[danefan]

Duquesne's football facility is absolutely terrible-- worst in FCS no doubt.

Gee, you don't get around the FCS much do you?

I had the extreme mis-fortune of playing a game at their **** hole field

Isn't it funny that some people were saying the exact same thing about Lafayette's field before the renovation?

Spend some of that money ... to recruit some basketball players that wont murder anyone

Totally uncalled for and totally misinformed. Using a tragic event in an attempt to belittle another school or their athletic program is beneath you, and certainly beneath a representative of Lafayette University.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2593965

Updated: September 20, 2006, 6:30 PM ET
Two charged for murder attempt in Duquesne attack

PITTSBURGH -- A second man charged in a shooting that wounded five Duquesne University basketball players turned himself in Wednesday, police said.

William Holmes, 18, of the Pittsburgh suburb of Penn Hills, was to be arraigned later Wednesday on charges of attempted homicide, aggravated assault, criminal conspiracy and weapons-related offenses.

Holmes is the third person arrested in Sunday's shooting after a dance at the private, Roman Catholic university. Two of the wounded players remained hospitalized, with one critically injured.

The other man charged in the shooting, Brandon Baynes was arraigned on five counts of criminal attempt at homicide on Tuesday. Prosecutors also filed charges of aggravated assault, criminal conspiracy and weapons counts against Baynes, 19, who was still in custody after being arrested Tuesday.

Holmes and Baynes are not Duquesne students.

[Franks Tanks]

Duquesne's football facility is absolutely terrible-- worst in FCS no doubt.

Gee, you don't get around the FCS much do you?

I had the extreme mis-fortune of playing a game at their **** hole field

Isn't it funny that some people were saying the exact same thing about Lafayette's field before the renovation?

Spend some of that money ... to recruit some basketball players that wont murder anyone

Totally uncalled for and totally misinformed. Using a tragic event in an attempt to belittle another school or their athletic program is beneath you, and certainly beneath a representative of Lafayette College.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2593965

Updated: September 20, 2006, 6:30 PM ET
Two charged for murder attempt in Duquesne attack

PITTSBURGH -- A second man charged in a shooting that wounded five Duquesne University basketball players turned himself in Wednesday, police said.

William Holmes, 18, of the Pittsburgh suburb of Penn Hills, was to be arraigned later Wednesday on charges of attempted homicide, aggravated assault, criminal conspiracy and weapons-related offenses.

Holmes is the third person arrested in Sunday's shooting after a dance at the private, Roman Catholic university. Two of the wounded players remained hospitalized, with one critically injured.

The other man charged in the shooting, Brandon Baynes was arraigned on five counts of criminal attempt at homicide on Tuesday. Prosecutors also filed charges of aggravated assault, criminal conspiracy and weapons counts against Baynes, 19, who was still in custody after being arrested Tuesday.

Holmes and Baynes are not Duquesne students.

I guess I dont get aroud FCS much. But if anyone has something worse than Duquense I feel very bad for them. Lafayette's field was old, but our playing surface was adequate to good natural grass and we had proper locker room facilities for visiting teams.

Duquesne's old turf was dangerous. The old turf was so worn out it literally looked like old worn out carpet. It had big seems everywhere and the areas where it was painted were super slick. It is not the kid of field anyone should have to play on-- light years away from what visiting teams experienced at old Fisher Field. It was old, but the playing surface was quality and the locker room adequate.

The comment about the basketball teams was in jest but inappropiate-- ignore it.

I feared for my safety because of the really bad conditions at Duquense-- not acceptable

[danefan]

Chuck Burton's take:

http://www.collegesportingnews.com/entr ... r-football

I wish Chuck would post here because I have no clue what he's trying to say in this blog posting.