More than 20 years later, debate continues at Wichita State

[dbackjon]

Football was eliminated at Wichita State following the 1986 season and there has been a void on campus and in the community ever since.


Or not.

Two faculty members who watched the program's demise offer differing opinions on the subject.

"In the almost 40 years I've been around the university, it's by far the worst mistake the university has made," said Randy Brown, a professor in the Elliott School of Communication at Wichita State.

Martin Perline, the school's faculty athletic representative for three decades, does not agree.

"The vast majority of people were just not that interested," Perline said of interest in the program.

One thing the two do agree on: The program was dropped because it was losing money and games.

The Shockers played at the NCAA Division I level and had the full allotment of 85 football scholarships. Perline said football was a "tremendous financial drain" and estimated it lost in the neighborhood of $1 million in the final season, in which the average attendance was 9,689 at the 30,000-seat Cessna Stadium. The final game drew 4,167.

Wichita State's final three teams each were 3-8. Following a plane crash in 1970 that killed 31 players, administrators and fans en route to a game at Utah State, the program had two winning records in 16 seasons.

"It was a tremendous financial drain and interest was limited," Perline said. "When it was dropped, if you were one of the 5,000 people coming to the games, you were probably ticked off (about dropping football). But that's 5,000 from a community of 500,000."

http://www.news-leader.com/article/2009 ... /905170352

[slycat]

They should bring it back. Its weird to see that huge stadium on campus and know they don't have a team. That being said Wichita is the richest town so they would have a lot of work ahead of them.

[pantherrob82]

I would love to see Shocker football come back.

[BlueHen86]

In 1986 Wichita St. built up a 35-3 lead over Morehead St, but ended up losing 36-35.

I believe it was WSU's homecoming game.

[pantherrob82]

Most Shocker fans are nuts. You guys will finally see this if they bring FCS football to WSU.

[ATrain]

Its always sad when a school drops football, but I can see the reasons for doing it. Maybe if the economy were better they'd be able to bring it back...they already have the stadium, which is more than Charlotte and Georgia State have that are starting a program from scratch. And they'd also have a great conference to play in, the MVC.

[Wedgebuster]

Having to practice in August, September, and yes, even October in Wichita Kansas should be outlawed and classified as "torture."

[DJH]

I hate wichita. I love that their pussy school doesn't even have a football team. The only reason I want them to bring it back is so UNI can beat them down every year just as they do in basketball.

[NorthernCOU]

[skinny_uncle]

This discussion seems to appear every year on message boards, but nothing ever comes of it.

[pantherrob82]

Just like the "this is the year for ________(usually WIU or Mo St)" threads?

[89Hen]

One could actually argue that WSU football is as strong today as when it existed. Removing a football team can't leave an unfillable void.

[kalm]

One could actually argue that WSU football is as strong today as when it existed. Removing a football team can't leave an unfillable void.

They should bring it back. There’s more to college football than just the gate. Model the return after Georgia Southern, ETSU and Kennesaw who realized tremendous success in a short time. A college teammate of mine is the women’s golf coach there and the Shockers support their athletics! Just look at how the community has risen up behind hoops there and it’s easy to imagine them getting behind football again! And they’re even the same colors as the Owls!

Also...I miss 86hen and Wedgie...