ODU Adding Football in 2009

[Sly Fox]

Talk about a potential blockbuster move in regard to us! ODU voted today to start up a football program in time for the 2009 season. Here's the story:

home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=87778&ran=203045&tref=po

What does this mean for us? It could mean plenty. First up, we would be an obvious scheduling partner as they try to get their legs under them.

But the deeper impact could be in conference affiliation. If the CAA remains intact as it stands for now, ODU would make a 13th member of the CAA. That's really bad math for scheduling purposes. If ODU is in, there's a good chance someone else will be shown the door.

Or (I know this sounds way out there) it could lead to another round of realignment with the southern branch of the CAA possbily splitting with their distant north cousins. That would put us squarely in the mix with ODU, W&M, JMU, et al.

There is also the distinct possibility that UMass may follow in the footsteps of UConn and step up to I-A.

I've been preaching that there is another great realignment coming to football in the next year or so. Perhaps this could be the impetus for some of that change.

[Sly Fox]

Clearly this topic hasn't resonated on this board as much as I thought it might. But let's take a closer look as potential results of the decision.

With the overcrowded lineup in the CAA, the league could draw back to just full-sport members. That would mean that the A-10 football schools up north might start their own league. That would leave room in the CAA for some full-sport expansion. Two schools that would be high on the list based on geographical & number of sports carried would be LU & CCU.

Another scenario could have a school like Richmond leaving the CAA to avoid all of the travel expenses they are currently enduring. Again, the Big South would terrific sense for the Spiders in regard to travel expense. The addition of UR to our league would likely give us an automatic bid in football and keep Coastal from jumping ship at first available option. IT might also entice one of the MEAC schools that has been flirting with leaving their conference (say a SC State or Hampton in addition to Delaware State that is openly exploring its options).

Folks, the impact of ODU making this move could have HUGE implications on the future of our football program IMHO.

This could be the impetus for some major changes in the I-AA landscape in the Kid-Atlantic region. And that can only be a positive thing considering our current predicament.

[LUconn]

I was thinking our best bet was to get in the CAA as a 14th. That would help out basketball a whole lot as well. However that puts any thoughts of 1A to a hault. I like staying AA for now and being in the CAA for all sports and getting some instate rivalries as our ideal option. I really can't see that conference making any moves though. It seems like they just set themselves up to be the size they were looking for.

[PAmedic]

I agree with both of you (which shocks me). We HAVE to rebuild significant in-state rivalries. I think we need to work harder at getting better representation on the governing bodies of the BSC, etc and make an attempt to push the conf in the direction we want. Saw on their site they elected new officers and we are evidently NOT represented. The last name we had in a seat was Kim (obviously not an option NOW)

[Sly Fox]

According to a poster on the CAA boards, George Mason is preparing to announce their own plans to start up football in the coming months. According to the rumor, they would be looking to be up & rolling by 2008. The CAA could be getting even more crowded. If Mason does add football, then there would be 8 full-sport members of the CAA along with the six football associates.

It appears I-AA football's popularity in Virginia is on the rise with the recent success of JMU and William & Mary.

[LUconn]

home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=87778&ran=203045&tref=po

Norfolk Mayor Paul D. Fraim said he has discussed a football practice facility and softball field with Runte and said he “was reasonably confident” that a suitable site could be located.

“We will work closely with Old Dominion,” said Fraim, who played football at Virginia Military Institute and lives about a mile from ODU’s campus.

Well, if we tie ourselves to VMI and get the mayor involved... it could be like Gov. Warner tricking the ACC into taking VaTech.

[Sly Fox]

Hey, you laugh but that's exactly how Baylor got into the Big 12 despite more attractive options in both TCU amd Houston. Then Gov. Ann Richards (forgive me while my stomach turns) and several other key state officials who were Baylor grads forced the Big 12 to take the Bears if they wanted UT, A&M as well as Texas Tech.

But somehow I just don't see too many parallels here.

BTW, where is our resident Hampton Roads poster eddantes at these days? You would think he would have some perspective.

[Sly Fox]

The plot continues to thicken.

www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/0605/19collfb.html

So it appears Georgia State may be adding football too. I-AA football has suddenly become a hot topic in the region.

I'll say it again, all this movement can only be a good thing for us. With all the leaguea round at or near capacity, we become the only real option for any new entries. Unless of course a new league in the region starts up.

We really could use a big season to put us in a position of strength should a reshuffling of leagues come soon.

[PAmedic]

re: the ODU story-

ODU officials said they planned conservatively, deliberately maximizing projections for expenses and minimizing expected revenue. For instance, Fenning said, they estimated paid attendance of 6,000 at each home game, with tickets costing $20 each.



yeah right. they must have one heck of an alumni base.
we have people whining about charging 3$ for a ticket.
Also:

The major funding source for the plan, which would get no state money , is through increases in student fees.

Over three years, beginning in the fall of 2006, ODU would phase in a $7-per-credit hour charge dedicated to football and the new women’s sports. For a full-time student taking 15 hours of classes per semester, that would amount to $210 a year.

Students taking 15 hours a semester will pay $1,890 for all student activities in the coming school year, Fenning said.



that oughta make all the drama and music majors (that don't give a rats behind about football) happy

[Sly Fox]

It appears ODU is not abandoning plans for a 2009 start for their football program:

Officials say Monarchs football is still on track
By PHILIP WALZER, The Virginian-Pilot
© December 17, 2005 | Last updated 10:32 PM Dec. 16

NORFOLK –– Old Dominion University’s board agreed Friday to push ahead with football, though officials did not meet a deadline for a land agreement with the city and do not expect to meet a June deadline for gathering $8 million in pledges.

ODU leaders said, however, that they’re close to a land deal with the city and that they expect to raise enough money to stick to the 2009 scheduled start date for football.

A consultant’s report, released Friday , estimated ODU could raise $4.1 million in start-up funds, but would not get many large donations.

Board members did not take a vote, but signaled their support for moving forward. No member voiced hesitations.

“The good news is, the money is there,” said the board’s rector, James A. Hixon . “It’s just going to be a little harder to get.”

In June , the university’s Board of Visitors voted unanimously to start a Division I-AA football team in 2009 on three conditions. Two were to have been met Friday – that the board get a consultant’s report showing community support, and that ODU reach an agreement with the city for extra land needed for a football practice field and new women’s sports.

The third proviso requires $8 million in pledges by June 2006 .

Alonzo C. Brandon , ODU’s vice president for development and alumni relations, said he has oral commitments “close to $5 million.” But he warned the board that he might not make the June deadline for $8 million.

“I feel comfortable enough to say you’ll get your money,” Brandon said, “but I wouldn’t say you’ll have it by June.”

Regarding the land deal, ODU President Roseann Runte said, “We’re almost there.” She declined to identify the parcels under consideration.

“We’re close to coming to a conclusion that will be a win for the city and a win for the university,” she told board members. “If you will be a little bit patient, we will have it very, very soon.”

She said she had met Thursday night with Mayor Paul D. Fraim and spoke to him by phone Friday morning .

Fraim said he and Runte had made progress at the meeting at Runte’s house.

“The mayor and administration believe we are close to the point where we can make a favorable recommendation to the City Council,” Fraim said. “But the City Council still needs to learn a lot about what we’ve been talking about.”

Fraim said he isn’t sure whether the council will be briefed about the talks at its meeting Tuesday night . That, he said, depends on how much progress is made by then.

The report, from PricewaterhouseCoopers , of Tampa, Fla. , did not offer opinions about the feasibility of starting a football team. It surveyed more than 4,000 people, mostly alumni.

The study estimated that ODU could raise $4.1 million in one-time gifts for football, but said “the range could be as wide as approximately $1.7 million to $6.4 million.” It also estimated $2 million in annual donations, mostly from priority seating and season tickets.

Brandon said he felt more comfortable predicting $3.7 million in up-front gifts and $1.5 million in annual donations. But he stressed that the Pricewaterhouse figures reflect only the people who were surveyed, and not the totals ODU could generate.

The numbers also do not include other money-making activities, such as advertising and concessions.

When asked how much they or their employers would contribute to a one-time campaign for football, 34 percent said zero.

Of the 66 percent who said they would contribute to the campaign, only six people predicted they could give $50,000 or more. No one pledged above $499,999 . The most popular level, at 24 percent , was $100 to $499 .

More big donors may come forward after the land deal is struck, Brandon said.

Thirty-eight percent said they would probably purchase season tickets; 47 percent would not. The major reason they said they wouldn’t is because they live too far away.

The study also said less than 4 percent estimated that their or their employers’ donations to other ODU programs would decline.

“The Pricewaterhouse report says that there is enough support here for football,” Brandon said during a break in the meeting. “If we want to do it, we can do it. We just have to readjust our strategy to get it done.”

That means targeting more small and mid-level donors and enlisting the involvement of alumni, he said.

Adam Perry , the Student Senate president, said, “I’m excited they’re still going forward with football, and I think the students will be excited that they’re still going forward.”


Staff writer Harry Minium contributed to this story.

Reach Philip Walzer at [phone] or [e-mail]

home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=96999&ran=26891&zr=1

[guestforever]

There is also talk about the America East conference starting football. If that happens some of the current A-10(future Colonial) teams would play in the America East, possibly leaving more spots open in the Colonial. I think the Colonial is still a better spot for Liberty than the Southern...not just for football but for the entire athletic program. Playing W&M and Towson should help LU's case but I wonder if Liberty's talk about going 1-A in 10 years would effect another conference giving serious consideration to LU. Before any of that happens Liberty has to find a strong AD who can set a plan into place and start selling the school to other conferences. It has to come from the AD and his staff...not Jerry Falwell. That's no disrespect to Dr. Falwell,but a respected AD with clout will be needed to interact with potential conferences.

[PittLU]

To reference PAMedics note about LU fans whining about $3.00 tix - that is because when you get something for free year after year, you complain about having to pay anything for it. That is why football has a tough time in Lynchburg. In the past, you go to your local hotel or restaurant and pick up as many tickets as you like. I hope ODU doesnt go down that path.

I think this can bode well for LU as a stepping stone toward DI. It all comes down to performance though. If the BSC continues to be the dog it is, no one will want to join. We have to show competitiveness top to bottom in order to garner interest. Who says we even need to keep the BSC. We could start our own conference with UR, ODU, JMU etc. It would be a strong geographical conference with good competition and (which is more important) could generate actual revenue by not having to pay ridiculous travel costs. All you have to do is criss cross 64 and 95 (in a charter bus of course).

[bigsmooth]

i do not think the SoCon will ever be calling LU! i would like to see LU in the colonial, but im not holding my breath. I hope ODU still comes through with a team, that would be a good rivalry to start. certainly i would think they would want to minimize expenses at first, and they seem open to playing LU in other sports where other schools in the state are not.

[A.G.]

You guys are living in a dream world. Unless and until Liberty can improve their lot in football, and get MBB back to where it was in the late 90's, NO, and I repeat NO conference will want the Flames. When a conference expands, its either due to survival (Big South) or to improve itself. Right now, the only sport Liberty can bring to anyone's table is WBB, and believe me, WBB does not drive any coference's bus.

Also, none of the schools you have mentioned would dare leave the CAA for the Big (sorry) South. There are other sports to consider than football. If Mason and ODU do add football, the most likely scenerio would be their northern affiliates jumping ship and forming their own conference. I would also see GA State being attractive to the SoCon because of the Atlanta media market, just like the Greensboro media market was important to them with UNCG and Elon.

Sorry to be such gloom and doom, but nothing adds up until we get our "big two" sports playing well consistently.

[PittLU]

No doubt - we have to take care of what we control and that is the product on the field/court.

[TDDance234]

Step #1 needs to be getting us out of the Big South.

We need to develop some solid rivalries with some local schools and need to be associated with the hotbed of talent, here in VA.

Watching two local stars near me here in VB, Percy Harvin and Damon McDaniel going to Florida kills me. These are two kids that need to stay in state and protect our home turf of VA. It should be our biggest recruiting point, "Hey, we play a tough scheadule with other Virginia schools." Instead of, "Hey, our 1AA team is pretty good.. we play random teams throughout the country.."

Just a thought.

[bigsmooth]

percy harvin is a I-A player. i do agree we need to keep the virginia kids in state and get more at liberty. and yes i agree no one will take LU unless we get better, so we need to win some BSC championships, go to the I-AA playoffs, maybe even get a title game appearance, then entertain thoughts of moving. the same goes for making the jump to I-A. win at the I-AA level first!