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http://www.statesman.com/news/content/n ... state.html

This afternoon, Texas State President Denise Trauth is set to announce the largest donation ever to the school's athletic department, $6 million, courtesy of Houston businessman and Texas State graduate Jerry Fields and his wife, Linda. The Fieldses are co-chairs of Texas State's Pride in Action fundraising campaign, and the new westside stands will bear their names.

"My wife and I happen to believe we'll leave a footprint at Texas State. ... I think my giving will end the day I die," he said.

The Fieldses, who also support academic programs at Texas State, have contributed more than $9 million to the school.

And for more logic on why the school wants to move up even if its to the Sun Belt.

Wood Selig, Western Kentucky's athletic director, said, "We had been successful, even won a national championship in 2002. But we realized that the return on our investment was not all that great at the I-AA level."

Selig said that after the switch, the team exponentially increased its season-ticket sales, jumping from 1,800 to 9,100.

"The surprise was the national notoriety and attention. We're going to have half of our games televised this year and 53 million homes for our game against Tennessee," Selig said.

"You're on TV, you're on (ESPN's) 'SportsCenter,' on the ticker. ... You're part of the mainstream of college football."

Wood Selig, Western Kentucky's athletic director, said, "We had been successful, even won a national championship in 2002. But we realized that the return on our investment was not all that great at the I-AA level."

Selig said that after the switch, the team exponentially increased its season-ticket sales, jumping from 1,800 to 9,100.

"The surprise was the national notoriety and attention. We're going to have half of our games televised this year and 53 million homes for our game against Tennessee," Selig said.

"You're on TV, you're on (ESPN's) 'SportsCenter,' on the ticker. ... You're part of the mainstream of college football."

The anti-move-up crowd does not want to hear this; this is poison to their "logic" that you just can't afford to do this. When in reality, they simply don't have the balls to be subjected to the chance of a loss.

Wait, he's exciting about only having half of WKU's games televised? How many seasons has it been now that Montana has had all their games televised, both home and away, whether FBS, FCS, or DII opponents?

Actually, I am in support of a move up if the FBS would ever develop a playoff system. The fame, better productions, better competition, and better seeding in March Madness just wouldn't really matter to me if Montana went undefeated like Boise St. and Utah and then was not even given an invitation for a chance at a "national championship"

So are they going to rename the stadium "Fields Field?"


... Montana's games aren't nationally broadcasted, just on the closed circuit station you guys manage to power with the generators.

JMU DJ wrote:So are they going to rename the stadium "Fields Field?"


... Montana's games aren't nationally broadcasted, just on the closed circuit station you guys manage to power with the generators.

No but that would be awesome.

They are getting the West Side Complex named after them. Its still Jim Wacker Field at Bobcat Stadium.

slycat wrote:

Wood Selig, Western Kentucky's athletic director, said, "We had been successful, even won a national championship in 2002. But we realized that the return on our investment was not all that great at the I-AA level."
Selig said that after the switch, the team exponentially increased its season-ticket sales, jumping from 1,800 to 9,100.
"The surprise was the national notoriety and attention. We're going to have half of our games televised this year and 53 million homes for our game against Tennessee," Selig said.

"You're on TV, you're on (ESPN's) 'SportsCenter,' on the ticker. ... You're part of the mainstream of college football."

The athletic director at WKU is right.. If teams are winning natl championships and aren't getting anything but a trophy out of the deal..... whats the point? Montana is a great team... but hardly NOBODY outside the fcs community has heard of them. Nowadays, the money & attention teams are getting just being in the fbs is too good to pass up. Last night i watched tulane & tulsa play a nationally televised game. Neither of those teams will win the championship, let alone their conference... but they probably got paid more for that one game than Montana gets paid for ALL their 'regional broadcast' games.

btw Im not knocking Montana, great school, great team.

WKU-Tennessee isn't televised nationally either...

And... I think Appalachian State and Richmond have received more press the last couple of years than WKU.

The only argument I buy from the WKU athletic director is the increase in season ticket sales.

Recent 1aa champs have recieved a little more press... I buy that, BUT, attendance is higher, the budget is higher, sports revenue is higher, the team is playing better competition, the school is getting national press and attention. there is no downside.

While watching gameday they talked about the WKU/UT game. Only thing said about ASU was the upset over UM and nothing was said about Richmond.

BlackFalkin wrote:Recent 1aa champs have recieved a little more press... I buy that, BUT, attendance is higher, the budget is higher, sports revenue is higher, the team is playing better competition, the school is getting national press and attention. .there is no downside

How about getting your ass kicked on a routine basis?

What's "The Sun Belt"..?
Never heard of it - Oh.. congratulations on the HUGE donation..!!!

CatMom wrote:

BlackFalkin wrote:Recent 1aa champs have recieved a little more press... I buy that, BUT, attendance is higher, the budget is higher, sports revenue is higher, the team is playing better competition, the school is getting national press and attention. .there is no downside

How about getting your ass kicked on a routine basis?

well... besides that of course.