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It's safe to say both Dennis Wagner and Chip Smith's asses are itching JUST A LITTLE BIT.

Belcher has been in Cullowhee 10 days short of 2 months and has said more positives as it relates to athletics being the visible entity of the university than John Bardo did in the entire SIXTEEN YEARS he was in Cullowhee.

Talk is cheap. New facilities are not.

Agreed 100%. I think Belcher sees big things and isn't gonna take losing. Just try not to lose to poor pitiful WCU for a 3rd straight year.

“Successful athletic programs make it easier to attract students, to ground students and keep in contact with the alums,” Belcher said.

He is correct about that....ASU's number of applicants has gone up dramatically with the recent football success, and allowed ASU to be much more selective. It's kind of a sad commentary that athletics can drive academic improvements, but it's a nice side effect. I wish your chancellor luck, and I hope Wagner understands his marching orders.

ASUG8 wrote:

“Successful athletic programs make it easier to attract students, to ground students and keep in contact with the alums,” Belcher said.

He is correct about that....ASU's number of applicants has gone up dramatically with the recent football success, and allowed ASU to be much more selective. It's kind of a sad commentary that athletics can drive academic improvements, but it's a nice side effect. I wish your chancellor luck, and I hope Wagner understands his marching orders.

It is the sole reason Old Dominion started football. The fact of the matter is that it doesn't take much to realize the direct correlation of successful athletics and admissions. Old Dominion took a huge leap of faith by starting football. It has started paying off already in a huge way, but the true measuring point will be another 3 years from now (my guess is that it will take 5 years to get a good read).

Talk is cheap. New facilities are not.

And my talk was also cheap.

It is the sole reason Old Dominion started football.

Probably a bit of hyperbole. Don't forget about ticket sales, jersey sales, and most importantly -- the campus environment on home game Saturdays. Just think....you can actually have a HOMECOMING.

alvin kayak wrote:

It is the sole reason Old Dominion started football.

Probably a bit of hyperbole. Don't forget about ticket sales, jersey sales, and most importantly -- the campus environment on home game Saturdays. Just think....you can actually have a HOMECOMING.

That just "helps" pay for football. The true reason for starting football is to attract students. Student activity fees pay the largest share of football expenses. Along with the 6 new dorms and a student "Village", the campus now has "residential" status. VCU and George Mason, our true in-state peers, do not have residential status or football teams. They are without the "campus environment" you speak of on home game Saturdays. Their Homecomings are in the winter during basketball games. We were in that position. Now it is a completely different school, and applications for admission are considerably higher.