FB: American Southwest Conference

[Toby Taff]

I just mean the location and reflection of school climate. It's the same reason UMHB needed a better field. It's great for HS, but Tiger Stadium doesn't promote UMHB. Georgetown ISD Stadium doesn't exude Southwestern University. A stadium on campus that reflects school culture would be better.

Consider the possibility that Southwestern's goals and prorities are not the same as UMHB's.   That, or they don't have an alumnus willing and able to foot an eight-figure bill for a beautiful on-campus stadium.

I know a few alumni that would stroke out if they built a stadium on campus. However, a campus stadium that fits with the Southwestern Ethos would be better than GISDs stadium. It doesn't have to be a Cruthedral, but it could certainly be an inhancement to campus. GISD stadium is servicable, but 2001 is right, it doesn't enhance SU. MAybe that's something for down the road. It took UMHB over a decade to make it happen, but I would love sitting on the picturesque campus watching The Battle for the Republic (I'm going to keep pushing for this name  until it or something close sticks.) on a beautiful fall day.

[Pat Coleman]

It's certainly possible (and probable) that Southwestern's goals and priorities aren't the same as UMHB's, but they don't talk like they added football to be mediocre. And we're not talking about Sul Ross or McMurry here. Their endowment is 4x UMHB's at a cool $240M. That's >2.5x TLU who committed $18M to basically build a new football stadium, softball stadium, overhaul baseball field, intramural fields, training facility, and tennis courts. If Southwestern is serious about football they should build an on campus stadium, and it doesn't have to compare to UMHB to be worth the cost.

Rather than suggest what their priorities are, I recommend an interview I did with Southwestern coach Joe Austin in the July podcast:
http://www.d3blogs.com/d3football/2018/07/29/trying-break-through/

[umhb2001]

I just mean the location and reflection of school climate. It's the same reason UMHB needed a better field. It's great for HS, but Tiger Stadium doesn't promote UMHB. Georgetown ISD Stadium doesn't exude Southwestern University. A stadium on campus that reflects school culture would be better.

Consider the possibility that Southwestern's goals and prorities are not the same as UMHB's.   That, or they don't have an alumnus willing and able to foot an eight-figure bill for a beautiful on-campus stadium.

OH my goodness, guys, gals, all I'm saying is that if they could have a campus stadium, that would impact their recruiting and campus culture. I'm not saying that they need to be UMHB. Not many can do what UMHB has been able to do with their stadium. But, they don't have to, either. They need to be themselves. Their goal doesn't have to be to have that kind of campus stadium, but having it could really impact what they are doing.

[Toby Taff]

I just mean the location and reflection of school climate. It's the same reason UMHB needed a better field. It's great for HS, but Tiger Stadium doesn't promote UMHB. Georgetown ISD Stadium doesn't exude Southwestern University. A stadium on campus that reflects school culture would be better.

Consider the possibility that Southwestern's goals and prorities are not the same as UMHB's.   That, or they don't have an alumnus willing and able to foot an eight-figure bill for a beautiful on-campus stadium.

OH my goodness, guys, gals, all I'm saying is that if they could have a campus stadium, that would impact their recruiting and campus culture. I'm not saying that they need to be UMHB. Not many can do what UMHB has been able to do with their stadium. But, they don't have to, either. They need to be themselves. Their goal doesn't have to be to have that kind of campus stadium, but having it could really impact what they are doing.

So can I get you behind the Battle for the Republic tag or something like it? We have the two schools that claim to be the oldest in Texas playing in the same conference. It has to be acknowledged in some way.

[crufootball]

I'll get behind the Battle for the Republic tag if you will join the Battle for the Hardin Family Fortune bowl haha

[Ralph Turner]

Southwestern has a different mission and vision.

Here are the schools that Southwestern considers its peers.

http://colleges.org/colleges/

[umhb2001]

I just mean the location and reflection of school climate. It's the same reason UMHB needed a better field. It's great for HS, but Tiger Stadium doesn't promote UMHB. Georgetown ISD Stadium doesn't exude Southwestern University. A stadium on campus that reflects school culture would be better.

Consider the possibility that Southwestern's goals and prorities are not the same as UMHB's.   That, or they don't have an alumnus willing and able to foot an eight-figure bill for a beautiful on-campus stadium.

OH my goodness, guys, gals, all I'm saying is that if they could have a campus stadium, that would impact their recruiting and campus culture. I'm not saying that they need to be UMHB. Not many can do what UMHB has been able to do with their stadium. But, they don't have to, either. They need to be themselves. Their goal doesn't have to be to have that kind of campus stadium, but having it could really impact what they are doing.

So can I get you behind the Battle for the Republic tag or something like it? We have the two schools that claim to be the oldest in Texas playing in the same conference. It has to be acknowledged in some way.

I love it. I think it could certainly catch on.

35 Charter Clash
The Charter Skirmish
Charter Day Fracas

[umhb2001]

Southwestern has a different mission and vision.

Here are the schools that Southwestern consider its peers.

http://colleges.org/colleges/

An educational Mission and Vision is one thing to align yourself towards. I'm not talking about educational vision. I'm simply talking about getting behind school pride. That is what students get into.

[Toby Taff]

I'll get behind the Battle for the Republic tag if you will join the Battle for the Hardin Family Fortune bowl haha

Battle for the hardin family fortune is hard because the hardin family gave generously to education.  it would have to be something like the Hardin family cup and include HSU, UMHB, McM, and HPU @ the D3 level because they gave to all of those schools. But i'd get behind something like that.

[Coolrey]

TLU played in a rather large HS stadium until it moved to an on-campus (much smaller) stadium.  I think it made a big difference.  It's nothing fancy and I believe there is hopes of expanding the facility to include  field house and maybe upgrading the stadium seating, concessions, restrooms, etc. but that requires funding.  But even with the way it is right now is better than busing to a local high school stadium that really has no tie-in to the school. It's neat to see kids walking across campus to the game...a tailgating area that is buzzing before the game...and not requiring the players to pack up and bus to a stadium is very important.  It gives the team a true "home field advantage."  I happened to be at Southwestern's very first game (vs. TLU) and the stadium was full....a lot of excitement.  It was very cool.  However, I do feel that having an on-campus stadium would be beneficial and just simply adds to the experience for the community, campus, players and spectators.

[jknezek]

I don't think there is any doubt that there is a benefit to the football program to having an on campus stadium. For many schools, there is even an advantage to the student body as it adds to the atmosphere (though I think this widely varies in DIII). However, you have to weigh those advantages versus the cost. Football stadiums aren't cheap, even basic ones. So it may not make sense given the priorities of the school. If they are already achieving the benefits of having a football program, possibly a more equitable gender split and a bit more alumni engagement, without spending the money, then it would be a very low priority item, even if it would have some ancillary benefits.

Despite the fact that most of us on these boards would consider it heresy, football isn't really that important. There are just under 150 football playing schools in DIII. There are 451 DIII schools. The vast majority of DIII schools do just fine without football and, therefore, without expensive football stadiums.

[ADL70]

Typo?  Aren't there 250 football teams in DIII?  So, somewhat over half of DIII schools play football. Correct?

[jknezek]

Typo?  Aren't there 250 football teams in DIII?  So, somewhat over half of DIII schools play football. Correct?

Oops. Yeah. Need more coffee in the a.m.

[ADL70]

Southwestern has a different mission and vision.

Here are the schools that Southwestern considers its peers.

http://colleges.org/colleges/

Yes, but don't a sizeable majority of them have on-campus football stadiums?

Of course it is more complicated than Dylan's suggestion: "We'll just put some bleachers out in the sun."

[jamtod]

Typo?  Aren't there 250 football teams in DIII?  So, somewhat over half of DIII schools play football. Correct?

I noticed that too but then I thought to myself, do Carleton and Macalester REALLY play football?