Rumor

[Panther-Sheik]

Re: Rumor

as far as either being an influence on recruiting.....
are there really kids that decide where they want to go based on scoreboard aesthetics and stadium seat color? If so, that's pretty damn pathetic.

You really think that aesthetics don't make a difference in recruiting...or anything else for that matter? Not saying that the seats / scoreboards should or should not have UNI's money spent on them now, but to say that the condition and aesthetics of your facilities don't have anything to do with recruiting a kid is ridiculous, too. It is the same reason that corporate offices (at least most top companies) don't still have orange shag carpeting and mustard yellow countertops anymore. Or why most businessmen aren't still driving a 1984 Mazda, even though it might have still run just fine. It does make a difference. Whether that difference merits spending hundreds of thousands of dollars is a separate argument.

[TH1974]

Re: Rumor

Whether that difference merits spending hundreds of thousands of dollars is a separate argument.

That's mostly the argument. Also, that the color of the seats are less influential than the new basketball facility, weight room, etc.

[Kyle]

Re: Rumor

I can't think of another improvement the AD could make to the dome for less than $300K that will have the same impact. IMO, a uniform seat color really will transform the look and feel of the entire facility.

Also, we all know the athletic department isn't paying for this, just like they didn't pay for the new turf, the video board, or any other significant capital improvement project.

[Trapped in California]

Re: Rumor

Honestly, I wish they would take the $250-$300K and endow 5 or 6 instate scholarships. Ultimately, that is what is going to make the running the program easier - endowments. Getting the scholarships endowed for instate players first, then adding money to allow for staff to chase out of state players with a full ride is the path to a NC, not the color of the seats.

[BCPanther]

Re: Rumor

Gigantic waste of money, IMO. FCS football is a money loser, so why are we pouring more money down the black hole??

[06panther10]

Re: Rumor

Gigantic waste of money, IMO. FCS football is a money loser, so why are we pouring more money down the black hole??

For the most part, football is a money loser, unless you are in a BCS conference. You wanna just drop football?

Anyways, this is not a 'football' thing. This is a UNIdome improvement, which is UNI's main athletic facilty, and is used for a ton of events both by UNI, and the Cedar Valley.

[BCPanther]

Re: Rumor

The youth wrestling tournaments that they bring in don't care what color the seats are. Nor do the boat or antique show dealers. Nor do high school football fans that use it two weekends per year.

There are much, much bigger fish to fry.

[casbern]

Re: Rumor

Honestly, I wish they would take the $250-$300K and endow 5 or 6 instate scholarships. Ultimately, that is what is going to make the running the program easier - endowments. Getting the scholarships endowed for instate players first, then adding money to allow for staff to chase out of state players with a full ride is the path to a NC, not the color of the seats.

This. Ten characters.

[Panther'73]

Re: Rumor

capital improvement grants can't be used for scholarships. We Panther fans need to donate to the scholarships or leave money after we're gone.

[UNI83]

Re: Rumor

For the most part, football is a money loser, unless you are in a BCS conference. You wanna just drop football?

Anyways, this is not a 'football' thing. This is a UNIdome improvement, which is UNI's main athletic facilty, and is used for a ton of events both by UNI, and the Cedar Valley.

I don't even know if all BCS schools make money on football, although I'd bet only Notre Dame, Boise State, (TCU pre-move), and now BYU, are the only non-BCS schools that make money on football.

[Kyle]

Re: Rumor

capital improvement grants can't be used for scholarships. We Panther fans need to donate to the scholarships or leave money after we're gone.

This. You can't just take the $300K and spend it on whatever you want. Large donations and grants are almost always earmarked for a specific purpose. The UNI AD can either decide to take the $300K and repaint the seats or tell the grant writer/private donor "no thanks."

[Trapped in California]

Re: Rumor

Totally understand grant restrictions, etc. However, we need to prioritize endowments to protect the athletic programs from the Michael Gartners of world.

[Panther-Sheik]

Re: Rumor

The youth wrestling tournaments that they bring in don't care what color the seats are. Nor do the boat or antique show dealers. Nor do high school football fans that use it two weekends per year.

There are much, much bigger fish to fry.

The fact that so many people comment on it* (Dome seats and scoreboards) when they enter the Dome (first time or 1,001 time) tells me it is a bigger deal than you are making of it. It is also probably a smaller deal than some will make of it, though, too. The real truth lies somewhere in between. Do I personally think it needs to be done? Absolutely. Should we dip into our current athletic budget or go further in the red to do it? Absolutely not. Should we take someones money that feels passionately about it enough to pony up? All day long.

Look at it this way: Why does a person get new furniture, paint or carpet in your home? The old stuff still works, right? It might be old, ugly, stained etc., but it does still work. Bottom line is that we all upgrade our own facilities in part because of the image it projects to the "public". Same reason we water our lawns and wash our cars. Old, rundown, dirty, ugly facilities give outsiders the impression of indifference. And if I'm indifferent with the condition of my 'house', then am I completely vested in my guests, the team, the players? And it unfortunately only takes one negative aspect to potentially influence a key person (recruit, coach or fan). The seats and scoreboards are something we have to live with for now, and the past 20 years, but hopefully not forever.

[Silent Earl]

Re: Rumor

Didn't this same rumor come up last year about this time?

[UNI83]

Re: Rumor

Didn't this same rumor come up last year about this time?

I don't think so. There was a discussion about it, like every summer, but I don't think there was a rumor like this abou tit.