UMASS FBS move "a financial disaster"

[moonshine]

Talk about piss poor management of a transition.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2013/ ... story.html

[firemoose]

Well, it definitely didn't help that they agreed to play their games in Gillette Stadium for the first 5 years, around 100 miles from Amherst. No different than if we made the move and decided to play our first 5 years at BOA Stadium in Charlotte, give or take 10 miles.

Talk about how NOT to make the jump.

[JCline0429]

Well, it definitely didn't help that they agreed to play their games in Gillette Stadium for the first 5 years, around 100 miles from Amherst. No different than if we made the move and decided to play our first 5 years at BOA Stadium in Charlotte, give or take 10 miles.

Talk about how NOT to make the jump.

The article stated that "most" of their games were played in Gillette Stadium. How many games were played on campus and how was attendance there?

[appst89]

Well, it definitely didn't help that they agreed to play their games in Gillette Stadium for the first 5 years, around 100 miles from Amherst. No different than if we made the move and decided to play our first 5 years at BOA Stadium in Charlotte, give or take 10 miles.

Talk about how NOT to make the jump.

The article stated that "most" of their games were played in Gillette Stadium. How many games were played on campus and how was attendance there?

All of their home games thus far have been played in Gillette. Their on-campus facility has been under renovation.

[McLeansvilleAppFan]

Well, it definitely didn't help that they agreed to play their games in Gillette Stadium for the first 5 years, around 100 miles from Amherst. No different than if we made the move and decided to play our first 5 years at BOA Stadium in Charlotte, give or take 10 miles.

Talk about how NOT to make the jump.

The article stated that "most" of their games were played in Gillette Stadium. How many games were played on campus and how was attendance there?

By "Most" it seems to be 100% according to College Football Data Warehouse since 2011 when they moved to the MAC.

http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/di ... esults.php

[AtlantaMountaineer]

If you read the entire article, it says they have not played at their home stadium in Amherst since 2011 as it is undergoing renovations.

[JCline0429]

If you read the entire article, it says they have not played at their home stadium in Amherst since 2011 as it is undergoing renovations.

I wonder if we would have to play somewhere other than in KBS if we tried to remove the track and lower the field as many have suggested, especially considering the weather in Boone affecting construction?

[asu66]

If you read the entire article, it says they have not played at their home stadium in Amherst since 2011 as it is undergoing renovations.

I wonder if we would have to play somewhere other than in KBS if we tried to remove the track and lower the field as many have suggested, especially considering the weather in Boone affecting construction?

Yes--unless the winning bidder for the project will agree to schedule two 8 hour shifts and work at night by supplementing the ground mounted stadium light towers with equipment mounted luminaires and trailer mounted towers. The State Construction Office would have to write a "SPECIAL PROVISION FOR LIGHTING FOR NIGHT WORK" to be included in the bid specs.

[McLeansvilleAppFan]

If you read the entire article, it says they have not played at their home stadium in Amherst since 2011 as it is undergoing renovations.

I wonder if we would have to play somewhere other than in KBS if we tried to remove the track and lower the field as many have suggested, especially considering the weather in Boone affecting construction?

Yes--unless the winning bidder for the project will agree to schedule two 8 hour shifts and work at night by supplementing the ground mounted stadium light towers with equipment mounted luminaires and trailer mounted towers. The State Construction Office would have to write a "SPECIAL PROVISION FOR LIGHTING FOR NIGHT WORK" to be included in the bid specs.

Speculation here: But we could rent out one of two stadiums in W-S. Rent out L-R's stadium in Hickory, or one of two stadiums in Charlotte. All would hurt paid attendance, some more than others based on distance from Boone, alumni base location, size of stadium we rented, and travel cost. I assume the lost revenue plus rental fees and team travel would be part of the total cost of doing something like this and not just the cost of construction labor and materials. And the non-construction costs would not be a majority of the cost but I could see that being a big chuck of the true cost of doing something like this.

[moonshine]

Yea doing a renovation to KBS would take lots of time and coin. Hopefully an App alum who loves the university and athletic program wins the $586mil Mega Millions tonight. Probably take home $200+ mil after taxes. If I were the winner, the first thing I'd do (after setting my family up) is get the endowment up to $100mil (-$31mil) then pay off the athletic construction debt (-$45mil???).

I can dream can't I?

[T-Dog]

I believe UMass will move half of their home games to campus starting this year and have three home games at Gillette. They are hosting Boston College and Colorado at Gillette in 2014.

[T-Dog]

And personally, I would never approve of less than five home games in Boone for a season. If there will be a big-time renovation, I'd rather it be done in stages with a halt in construction between August and December. JMU did something similar when building their huge half-a-stadium.

[JCline0429]

Yea doing a renovation to KBS would take lots of time and coin. Hopefully an App alum who loves the university and athletic program wins the $586mil Mega Millions tonight. Probably take home $200+ mil after taxes. If I were the winner, the first thing I'd do (after setting my family up) is get the endowment up to $100mil (-$31mil) then pay off the athletic construction debt (-$45mil???).

I can dream can't I?

First thing I would try to do would be to change my identity so as to prevent individuals and solicitors for charities from trying to get my dough.

[McLeansvilleAppFan]

Yea doing a renovation to KBS would take lots of time and coin. Hopefully an App alum who loves the university and athletic program wins the $586mil Mega Millions tonight. Probably take home $200+ mil after taxes. If I were the winner, the first thing I'd do (after setting my family up) is get the endowment up to $100mil (-$31mil) then pay off the athletic construction debt (-$45mil???).

I can dream can't I?

First thing I would try to do would be to change my identity so as to prevent individuals and solicitors for charities from trying to get my dough.

You might can get a judge to seal the papers but I think a name change is a public document. I don't think it would make a difference.

Any time someone mentions changing their identity I think of this Simpsons classic when Homer enters the witness protection program and he never gets the hang of the name change.

[T-Dog]

I've read around regarding this subject and found out a couple of things.

UMass had to move to FBS. They had to take the MAC deal or shutter the program. Seriously. The Kraft family gave them Gillette rent free with incentives for UMass to make a few bucks if they drew enough people. The goal was to lose less money and so far, so good.

Also, they've had coaching turmoil and when they announced the FBS move in 2011, only had 50ish scholarships, had mass defections and won't have 85 until 2015. Part of that reason is why App and GaSo went to 70 schollies this year since there's only 25 new grants allowed every year.

Also, the Boston Globe has a history of hating on everything.

[McLeansvilleAppFan]

I've read around regarding this subject and found out a couple of things.

UMass had to move to FBS. They had to take the MAC deal or shutter the program. Seriously. The Kraft family gave them Gillette rent free with incentives for UMass to make a few bucks if they drew enough people. The goal was to lose less money and so far, so good.

Also, they've had coaching turmoil and when they announced the FBS move in 2011, only had 50ish scholarships, had mass defections and won't have 85 until 2015. Part of that reason is why App and GaSo went to 70 schollies this year since there's only 25 new grants allowed every year.

Also, the Boston Globe has a history of hating on everything.

UMass won a title with 50ish schollys? I was not expecting that to be part of the discussion.