Football in store for Texas-San Antonio (UTSA)

[dbackjon]

Dec. 18, 2008) -- The University of Texas System Board of Regents today approved UTSA’s Athletic Initiative Business Plan granting the university permission to expand athletics and add a football program

The plan calls for UTSA to develop an $84 million competitive athletic complex over the next several years and add an NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS / formerly Division I-AA) football program with the intent to advance the athletics department’s existing 16 intercollegiate sports programs plus football to an NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS / formerly Division I-A) conference.

The Athletic Initiative directly supports the University's academic mission as outlined in its strategic plan, A Shared Vision UTSA 2016.

“Athletics at UTSA has been the subject of much discussion for many months,” said UTSA President Ricardo Romo. “We are grateful to the Board of Regents for their support today to enhance our entire sports program and bring UTSA football to San Antonio” said Romo.

“Additionally, UTSA would not be here today without the support of the leadership and citizens of San Antonio and Bexar County who approved $22 million in funding towards building the new Athletic Complex.”

http://utsa.edu/today/2008/12/football.cfm

[dbackjon]

Looking to field first team in 2011, Southland Conference play in 2012.

With Lamar already having games scheduled for 2010, by the time 2012 hits, The SLC will be at 10 teams - quite a jump from the six-team league of a few years ago.

[Col Hogan]

I already have my Roadrunners hat, thanks to the daughter who is a grad student at UTSA...

I hope their football team looks better than their campus...it's not one of the prettier ones I've seen...

On a serioous note...where will they practice and play...there's no stadium on campus, as it's been transitioning from a commuter school to a traditional university over the past few years...

[dbackjon]

I already have my Roadrunners hat, thanks to the daughter who is a grad student at UTSA...

I hope their football team looks better than their campus...it's not one of the prettier ones I've seen...

On a serioous note...where will they practice and play...there's no stadium on campus, as it's been transitioning from a commuter school to a traditional university over the past few years...

Too lazy to open the link?

Q: Where will the football team practice?
A: Until money is raised to construct football fields at the Athletics Complex, the team will practice either on the 1604 Campus or on surrounding high school facilities.

Q: Where will the football team play home games?
A: UTSA has a tentative agreement with the City of San Antonio to use the Alamodome for home games.

Q: When built, where will the $84 million Athletics Complex be located?
A: Loop 1604 & Hausman Road, on a 125-acre parcel one mile southwest of the UTSA 1604 Campus

Q: When will construction begin on the Athletic Complex?
2010: Goal is to begin construction in February 2010
2011: Completion of Phase One in October 2011

[SUUTbird]

Southland? They should join the Great West and hopefully get it in the workings for a playoff bid .

[dbackjon]

Southland? They should join the Great West and hopefully get it in the workings for a playoff bid .

Since they are already a member of the Southland in other sports...

[SUUTbird]

Ah worth a shot lol

[dbackjon]

Ah worth a shot lol

Get Utah valley state to start a team!

[Col Hogan]

I already have my Roadrunners hat, thanks to the daughter who is a grad student at UTSA...

I hope their football team looks better than their campus...it's not one of the prettier ones I've seen...

On a serioous note...where will they practice and play...there's no stadium on campus, as it's been transitioning from a commuter school to a traditional university over the past few years...

Too lazy to open the link?

Q: Where will the football team practice?
A: Until money is raised to construct football fields at the Athletics Complex, the team will practice either on the 1604 Campus or on surrounding high school facilities.

Q: Where will the football team play home games?
A: UTSA has a tentative agreement with the City of San Antonio to use the Alamodome for home games.

Q: When built, where will the $84 million Athletics Complex be located?
A: Loop 1604 & Hausman Road, on a 125-acre parcel one mile southwest of the UTSA 1604 Campus

Q: When will construction begin on the Athletic Complex?
2010: Goal is to begin construction in February 2010
2011: Completion of Phase One in October 2011

[slycat]

This makes things interesting for Texas State. UTSA is our biggest rival in other sports. They will make a great addition for football.

As for Texas State jumping to FBS it gets more complicated. UTSA wants to go to FBS as well in the future. If they go and Texas St doesn't then the Bobcats get stuck between to FBS schools which would kill recruiting. 2011/2012 is when Texas St hopes to make the transition so maybe they'll move first.

My thought is they should go together and sell themselves as a rivalry package.

[dbackjon]

This makes things interesting for Texas State. UTSA is our biggest rival in other sports. They will make a great addition for football.

As for Texas State jumping to FBS it gets more complicated. UTSA wants to go to FBS as well in the future. If they go and Texas St doesn't then the Bobcats get stuck between to FBS schools which would kill recruiting. 2011/2012 is when Texas St hopes to make the transition so maybe they'll move first.

My thought is they should go together and sell themselves as a rivalry package.

Looking over the 2012 Southland lineup, I was wondering the same. UTSA - will they be content at FCS, or do they have greater asperations? If so, does Texas State, like you said, make the pre-emptive strike, or wait until 2015/6 when UTSA could move up?

[slycat]

This makes things interesting for Texas State. UTSA is our biggest rival in other sports. They will make a great addition for football.

As for Texas State jumping to FBS it gets more complicated. UTSA wants to go to FBS as well in the future. If they go and Texas St doesn't then the Bobcats get stuck between to FBS schools which would kill recruiting. 2011/2012 is when Texas St hopes to make the transition so maybe they'll move first.

My thought is they should go together and sell themselves as a rivalry package.

Looking over the 2012 Southland lineup, I was wondering the same. UTSA - will they be content at FCS, or do they have greater asperations? If so, does Texas State, like you said, make the pre-emptive strike, or wait until 2015/6 when UTSA could move up?

UTSA will try to move up. Playing in the Alamo Dome and having the SA market will help their sell.

[AZGrizFan]

Looking over the 2012 Southland lineup, I was wondering the same. UTSA - will they be content at FCS, or do they have greater asperations? If so, does Texas State, like you said, make the pre-emptive strike, or wait until 2015/6 when UTSA could move up?

UTSA will try to move up. Playing in the Alamo Dome and having the SA market will help their sell.

Tough sell in SA, if you ask me. FCS schools in large markets typically don't draw too well...

[slycat]

UTSA will try to move up. Playing in the Alamo Dome and having the SA market will help their sell.

Tough sell in SA, if you ask me. FCS schools in large markets typically don't draw too well...

Thats why they want to go the FBS. Any sell in the Austin/SA corridor is tough because its painted burnt orange.

[Col Hogan]

Cat, can a team in San Marcos compete for the limited $$$ available, considering folks could just as easily stay in Austin and/or San Antonio???

[slycat]

Cat, can a team in San Marcos compete for the limited $$$ available, considering folks could just as easily stay in Austin and/or San Antonio???

Thats the million dollar question.

I don't see the support if the team is just average or if the school gets in a conference like the Sunbelt where UNT is the only close school.

When Texas St made the playoffs it was almost impossible to get a ticket. That kind of demand shows there is a market if the team is good. But our record shows that doesn't happen often.

If they somehow get in CUSA and have UofH, Rice, SMU, UTEP, and other instate schools then traveling fans will help fill the stadium. There is also the possibility of a new Southwest Conference. But I think that would be too regional like the MAC.

Texas St is in a tough place because they will always be in UTs shadow. FCS could save money but people at Texas St want us at the FBS level. All I ever heard students say was they wanted to play "real" football. Of course they probably think we can get in the Big 12 and when they realize that will never happen they may lose interest.

Locals in San Marcos could care less about the team.