Not to pile on what has been posted about our FBS pursuit, but a big piece of getting an invite is not just a marketing pitch but actually getting things done to show you mean business...essentially putting your money where your mouth is. Our new President was at San Diego State when they built Snapdragon Stadium so he saw first hand what it took to get it done (and knows people that can) and no doubt heard the rumors of SDSU to the Pac-12 well before their invite went through. That gave him time to make moves in preparation for this pitch to the MW (I'm not buying the Pac being a feasible outcome for us).
Since coming on-board last academic year, he pilfered a bucket of money to convert rec center space (the Well) into a makeshift venue for men's and women's hoops. This is by no means a substitute for an on-campus events center but it's a step in the right direction and more importantly something to sell the MW brass that he means business in addressing our deficient facilities. Between the Well and with Golden1 Center available for use to placate the remaining hoops powers of the MW, I'm not worried about the hoops facility situation wrt our pursuit of an FBS invite.
With yesterday's announcement to raise student fees to fund athletics, athletic facilities, and other on campus programs (marching band) to FBS levels, he now has another feather in the cap to sell MW brass on our intentions and commitment to being an FBS caliber athletic department. As posted, we already hit FBS minimums for sport composition so we would immediately plug that hole for the MW.
Having state and local politicians, local businesses and prominent alums making a marketing push for FBS status and a new football stadium (no doubt working hand in hand with Sac State admin behind the scenes) is another positive. Nothing would be bigger than actual shovels in the ground, but with the rumors of more MW defections on the horizon, the MW isn't in a position to be too picky if they want to remain an FBS conference. If a new stadium doesn't happen, better ancillary facilities for Hornet Stadium (21.1k capacity, we had 23k there last Causeway) and some erector set endzone seating would make it comparable to what Nevada has.
Lastly, market. Markets matter. The MW TV deal will be in shambles when the defectors are gone so the MW will need all the markets they can get their hands on to cobble together significant TV monies to placate current/future membership. Sac State checks that box over every Big Sky member contemplating the FBS move. Sac State elevating to the FBS level would only allow our market presence to increase so there is potential there. There is also a recruiting angle to the market that hasn't been stated yet and no doubt the MW members would like to replace their trips to CA that they just lost.
Sac State is the most valuable FCS university for the MW, 2nd only to current FBS members targeted for poaching. There are other quality FCS universities for consideration, but none that check the boxes that we do.
️
