FB: Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference

[Clutch]

Their schedule is all over the place with morning and night practices on every day of the week. I heard a few otehr teams started practice this week also, I think the Thunder were one of them.

[NCF]

Their schedule is all over the place with morning and night practices on every day of the week. I heard a few otehr teams started practice this week also, I think the Thunder were one of them.

Don't they only get a certain number of practice days in the spring? Do they run a two week spring schedule?

[NCF]

Their schedule is all over the place with morning and night practices on every day of the week. I heard a few otehr teams started practice this week also, I think the Thunder were one of them.

Don't they only get a certain number of practice days in the spring? Do they run a two week spring schedule?

North Central starts April 9th, with three practices per week for five weeks. They also get six extra days with pads for the guys going on the Spain trip.

[Clutch]

No it's over a month just hits every day of the week during that month. It has No pattern

[NCF]

No it's over a month just hits every day of the week during that month. It has No pattern

Ok, I thought they only get 15 days total. Everytime I drive by BU, something is always going on. How many youth/high school teams use your facilities? I will be there in early May for the ESCC girls track conference meet.

[Clutch]

Anything that comes through lisle uses it. H's youth football lacrosse Benet academy... But aftershocks summer that changes because urge whole lisle complex will be 100% Benedictines.  But now there building an alumni center then the locker room then a. Went business building and new turf then a new community center and dorm building..  kinda explains why tuition goes up at schools that just like building stuff

[NCF]

Anything that comes through lisle uses it. H's youth football lacrosse Benet academy... But aftershocks summer that changes because urge whole lisle complex will be 100% Benedictines.  But now there building an alumni center then the locker room then a. Went business building and new turf then a new community center and dorm building..  kinda explains why tuition goes up at schools that just like building stuff

So the community uses it for free or do you charge a fee? Tuition always goes up-unfortunately.

[formerd3db]

Anything that comes through lisle uses it. H's youth football lacrosse Benet academy... But aftershocks summer that changes because urge whole lisle complex will be 100% Benedictines.  But now there building an alumni center then the locker room then a. Went business building and new turf then a new community center and dorm building..  kinda explains why tuition goes up at schools that just like building stuff

So the community uses it for free or do you charge a fee? Tuition always goes up-unfortunately.

Anything that comes through lisle uses it. H's youth football lacrosse Benet academy... But aftershocks summer that changes because urge whole lisle complex will be 100% Benedictines.  But now there building an alumni center then the locker room then a. Went business building and new turf then a new community center and dorm building..  kinda explains why tuition goes up at schools that just like building stuff

Clutch:

You have to look at the underlying issues.  In today's society, the small colleges and universities have to update existing facilities and add new ones to compete for student enrollment.  No one likes that old cliche..."keeping up with the Jones's", however, that is simply the reality in this era - not just to do so for the sake of it, but rather because of necessity.  Obviously, it is difficult to attract student-athletes to a small college if that college has stadiums, arenas, practice fields, theatres, music buildings, etc., etc., that are terribly outdated when their potential student-athelete recruits' high schools have state-of-the-art facilities that put those old college buildings to shame.  I am all for keeping historic buildings on college campuses, however, we're talking about athletic facilities here and while some historic portions of some stadiums can and are incorporated into the new stadiums and/or renovations, at the same time, the newest and best versions of the materials need to be used.  Otherwise, these small colleges and universities are going to have an extremely difficult time keeping their necessary and target enrollments.

A perfect example of this is Adrian College in our MIAA.  About 7-8 years ago, their enrollment fell well below 1,000, which hadn't happened in probably near 40 years or more.  In addition, their athletic facilities were woefully outdated, with the exception of their more recent basketball and volleyball arena and athletic center (which was funded in a large part by a famous kitchen cabinate major company that has it's corporate offices and plants in Adrian), and the football stadium, which was actually the high school's stadium, although that one was a nice "small college" atmosphere stadium - only problem with the latter, was it is located off-campus across town.  At any rate, by building a new state-of-the-art on-campus football/lacrosse stadium, new baseball and softball stadiums, practice fields, etc., etc., and adding varsity men's and women's ice hockey and lacrosse as well as two "virtual varsity" club collegiate ice hockey teams, they bolstered enrollment to their desired current target of 1,500.  As far as the funding, it didn't hurt that alumni donated the 2 million plus for the on-campus ice hockey facilitiy, so no debt, and that is also rented out to the public for ice skating time, which brings in some income and...in regards to the latter, our friend newcardfan brings up a good question concerning that.

As to tuition "hikes", admittedly, I do not know how that may currently be affected at BU as you are suggesting.  However, I will say that not all tuition increases can be attributed to new building projects and upgrading athletic facilities.  The majority of fundraising for those come from endowments, campaign fundraising including alumni donations and major corporate grants/donations, lead gifts, etc., thereby affecting tuition increases indirectly, little if any.  There are many other factors that are the basic cause of tuition increases, the economic conditions and including some of the misguided economic policies of the government,etc. etc.

Anyway, it is good that BU has improved their physical plant facilities, although I am not sure i.e. I obviously do not know the exact details as to whether or not that has had any direct effect for any tuition increases at that school. However, that is not the case in many other situations at other institutions.  Again, other aspects are responsible for that; some legit, some not.
 

[NCF]

Anything that comes through lisle uses it. H's youth football lacrosse Benet academy... But aftershocks summer that changes because urge whole lisle complex will be 100% Benedictines.  But now there building an alumni center then the locker room then a. Went business building and new turf then a new community center and dorm building..  kinda explains why tuition goes up at schools that just like building stuff

So the community uses it for free or do you charge a fee? Tuition always goes up-unfortunately.

Anything that comes through lisle uses it. H's youth football lacrosse Benet academy... But aftershocks summer that changes because urge whole lisle complex will be 100% Benedictines.  But now there building an alumni center then the locker room then a. Went business building and new turf then a new community center and dorm building..  kinda explains why tuition goes up at schools that just like building stuff

Clutch:

You have to look at the underlying issues.  In today's society, the small colleges and universities have to update existing facilities and add new ones to compete for student enrollment.  No one likes that old cliche..."keeping up with the Jones's", however, that is simply the reality in this era - not just to do so for the sake of it, but rather because of necessity.  Obviously, it is difficult to attract student-athletes to a small college if that college has stadiums, arenas, practice fields, theatres, music buildings, etc., etc., that are terribly outdated when their potential student-athelete recruits' high schools have state-of-the-art facilities that put those old college buildings to shame.  I am all for keeping historic buildings on college campuses, however, we're talking about athletic facilities here and while some historic portions of some stadiums can and are incorporated into the new stadiums and/or renovations, at the same time, the newest and best versions of the materials need to be used.  Otherwise, these small colleges and universities are going to have an extremely difficult time keeping their necessary and target enrollments.

A perfect example of this is Adrian College in our MIAA.  About 7-8 years ago, their enrollment fell well below 1,000, which hadn't happened in probably near 40 years or more.  In addition, their athletic facilities were woefully outdated, with the exception of their more recent basketball and volleyball arena and athletic center (which was funded in a large part by a famous kitchen cabinate major company that has it's corporate offices and plants in Adrian), and the football stadium, which was actually the high school's stadium, although that one was a nice "small college" atmosphere stadium - only problem with the latter, was it is located off-campus across town.  At any rate, by building a new state-of-the-art on-campus football/lacrosse stadium, new baseball and softball stadiums, practice fields, etc., etc., and adding varsity men's and women's ice hockey and lacrosse as well as two "virtual varsity" club collegiate ice hockey teams, they bolstered enrollment to their desired current target of 1,500.  As far as the funding, it didn't hurt that alumni donated the 2 million plus for the on-campus ice hockey facilitiy, so no debt, and that is also rented out to the public for ice skating time, which brings in some income and...in regards to the latter, our friend newcardfan brings up a good question concerning that.

As to tuition "hikes", admittedly, I do not know how that may currently be affected at BU as you are suggesting.  However, I will say that not all tuition increases can be attributed to new building projects and upgrading athletic facilities.  The majority of fundraising for those come from endowments, campaign fundraising including alumni donations and major corporate grants/donations, lead gifts, etc., thereby affecting tuition increases indirectly, little if any.  There are many other factors that are the basic cause of tuition increases, the economic conditions and including some of the misguided economic policies of the government,etc. etc.

Anyway, it is good that BU has improved their physical plant facilities, although I am not sure i.e. I obviously do not know the exact details as to whether or not that has had any direct effect for any tuition increases at that school. However, that is not the case in many other situations at other institutions.  Again, other aspects are responsible for that; some legit, some not.

Another great post former. I have to agree that small colleges/universities need to update their facilities as needed to attract quality students and student-athletes. However, the  college needs to  make sure their athletic programs are competitive year in and year out, or blue chip recruits will go somewhere else. BU has done some great things to their campus and having their football team win conference and make the play-offs the last two years will be a drawing card for them. I see them picking up steam within the next few years as football success will lead to good things for their school.
Speaking for myself only, North Central has increased it's tuition every year by an average of 4%. Next year, the cost will be around $40,000 or so depending on books, fees, ect. I know they did not want to raise tuition out of reach, but I honestly don't know what will happen when tuition hits $50K and beyond. Taking out student/parent loans that put kids behind the eight ball before they even get their first job, just is not a very smart thing to do.

[formerd3db]

Thanks, newcard and yours is a good post also.  You bring up some legit concerns.  Some of the DIII school's have tuitions already at the $50k mark.  I know that at Hope, it is now well over $40k, once you add in all those extra costs you mention.  That is staggering and while some of the other MIAA schools are less, yet still offer a great education, it is getting much tougher for families as you point out.  As we've discussed several times over on our MIAA board, some of those schools are able to offer better financial packages to their students, although as we know, involved in that is what is limited by the financial statements/earnings that families have and which are computed by the admissions department with regard to what can be offered (not counting community and/or church scholarships, scholarships and/or grants offered by other organizations, etc., etc.).  The bottom line is as you mentioned...like you, I am not sure how the continued rising costs of tuition at these schools is going to exactly play out other than it will have to have some effect on some families in simply not being able to afford it.  Add to that the opportunity for some student-athletes to get athletic scholarships as the DII schools if they have the talent (and also at NAIA schools offering football scholarships).  Overall, for many families, a tough situation in some respects.

 

[NCF]

Thanks, newcard and yours is a good post also.  You bring up some legit concerns.  Some of the DIII school's have tuitions already at the $50k mark.  I know that at Hope, it is now well over $40k, once you add in all those extra costs you mention.  That is staggering and while some of the other MIAA schools are less, yet still offer a great education, it is getting much tougher for families as you point out.  As we've discussed several times over on our MIAA board, some of those schools are able to offer better financial packages to their students, although as we know, involved in that is what is limited by the financial statements/earnings that families have and which are computed by the admissions department with regard to what can be offered (not counting community and/or church scholarships, scholarships and/or grants offered by other organizations, etc., etc.).  The bottom line is as you mentioned...like you, I am not sure how the continued rising costs of tuition at these schools is going to exactly play out other than it will have to have some effect on some families in simply not being able to afford it.  Add to that the opportunity for some student-athletes to get athletic scholarships as the DII schools if they have the talent (and also at NAIA schools offering football scholarships).  Overall, for many families, a tough situation in some respects.

Well, we have one more to get through college after son graduates next year. She is only a Sophomore, but she is taking dual credit courses and will attend the local junior college and try to graduate in 1 1/2 years, so she can work full time for a full semester before enrolling at Purdue(following the lead of oldest sister). She can save some cost by living with my daughter and son-in-law and still graduate with a degree from the school of her choice. The cost of attendance at a four year school for four(or more) years is not worth going into debt over. My oldest daughter has $60 in student loans and does not want any of her siblings to be in the same boat.

[d3fan1515]

I agree with Former and NewCard, I highly doubt BU "just likes to build stuff", Like the others have written, small colleges and universities NEED to update their campuses to stay competitive with not only other small college's and universities but also larger college's and universities! Look at St. Thomas, they were the doormat of the Minnesota conference, they updated their facilities and made it to the semi-finals in football this year! Now, I am not saying that this will be the case at every school, but I do think it plays a big factor in it! Young adults WANT "the top of the line" and that is what BU is trying to give their students and athletes! As far as the locker room project, they have been fundraising and raising money to get this project done for awhile now, so I doubt that is what is causing the increase in tuition!

[NCF]

I agree with Former and NewCard, I highly doubt BU "just likes to build stuff", Like the others have written, small colleges and universities NEED to update their campuses to stay competitive with not only other small college's and universities but also larger college's and universities! Look at St. Thomas, they were the doormat of the Minnesota conference, they updated their facilities and made it to the semi-finals in football this year! Now, I am not saying that this will be the case at every school, but I do think it plays a big factor in it! Young adults WANT "the top of the line" and that is what BU is trying to give their students and athletes! As far as the locker room project, they have been fundraising and raising money to get this project done for awhile now, so I doubt that is what is causing the increase in tuition!

Usually projects like the locker room are not the reason for a tuition increase as those projects are completed through special fundraising.

[d3fan1515]

Right, that is what I said in my previous post! They have been raising money so this project can be completed! The other projects that clutch is speaking of I do not know much about, but I have heard rumors about those as well.

[NCF]

Right, that is what I said in my previous post! They have been raising money so this project can be completed! The other projects that clutch is speaking of I do not know much about, but I have heard rumors about those as well.

Well, it would be a shame to hike tuition just to update or add on, unless it is academic in nature and enhances all students who attend. I know tuition goes up, but I really think they need to show numbers to justify 4-5 percent(and beyond) raises every year.