Georgia Southern’s president wants us to believe that the cupcakes are in it for more than just the money. It’s a special opportunity.
“But what is more important is the opportunity our students get to perform on a national stage. When we went to Alabama [in 2011], our football players played in that incredible setting. Our band had the opportunity to march on that field. Our fans got to tailgate on that campus. You can’t put a dollar figure on that kind of experience.”
Gee, that sounds so great, you wonder if Alabama might ask for a refund of half the $400,000 it paid to get GSU to visit in the first place.
In fairness, he actually comes off sounding pretty reasonable if you read the entirety of Barnhart’s piece. GSU’s in a tough spot. It’s spending a ton of money to upgrade as it moves to D-1 play, in hopes of bigger travel payouts. But if the haves separate into a new super division that’s structured to play all its games within, that’s going to leave the Eagles holding a fairly costly bag.
Get The Picture 
It’s really about the children and, in the end, isn’t that what is truly important?
LikeLike
I still think the Board of Regents should make UGA and GT schedule both GSU’s instead of the other cupcakes we and GT try to work in. At least it would keep the money in the state. LSU, Michigan, Ohio State all seem to schedule state schools to help out.
LikeLike
I think GSU is on GT’s schedule in the next couple of years.
LikeLike
Georgia paid out more than Bama to host GSU
LikeLike
That’s because you have to factor in the relative value of the tailgating experience in Athens and Tuscaloosa.
LikeLike
McFrugal is chapped!
LikeLike
GSU made a huge mistake adding football to the portfolio in the 80s. They once could compete with the very best nationally at three sports: baseball, golf, and men’s gymnastics….now they compete at none. Just not enough big money donors to support the sport. The small schools and mid-majors will always be wannabes when it comes to the Top Tier of CFB. Accept that, focus on what you can so well at and move along.
Lost in the article, and recent discussions regarding the behavior control issue, is the possibility of returning to the athletic dorms. Screw the PC crowd, these athletes are different from the rest of the students and while it will not eliminate all the negative behavior issues, having more control over athletes will be a huge benefit to the team, and the school as a whole. I know that most of the serious problems occur away from the domicile but having to come back to that setting, and less time to hang out with bad influences could be a great start. Should me mandatory living quarters, imo. even if for the first two years only. Getting some of these players away from their past would give them a chance to be surrounded by more positive influences.
LikeLike
You don’t think GSU has been competitive in football?
LikeLike
GSU or Georgia Southern has been very successful in their division.
LikeLike
They are in D-1A now…… I think they go down the same road as Marshall went when they moved from D-1AA to D1A. GSU did have some good baseball and gymnastics teams. Now?
LikeLike
No, key phrase was “compete with the very best nationally”. Better to compete in the smaller spirts than none at all. All programs went downhill quickly once football came on campus.
LikeLike
Couldn’t happen to a nicer bunch.
LikeLike
Georgia Southern’s biggest problem is their fan base, expectations are too high (IMHO). I have lived in Statesboro since 2006 and had season tickets for my first 3 years, have not bought any more do to the economy being down. At every home game the stands were never full, had empty seats around me. Granted the first year was VanGorder’s first and only season (that is another topic).
Topic to consider……..the stadium is listed at seating 18,000. At last year’s home playoff game vs Central Arkansas there were only 8,880 shown as being in attendance(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Georgia_Southern_Eagles_football_team). This is for a home playoff game?! I hope the change works out but I don’t think the fan base will support it when the team is at +/- 50% win season, too many fair weather fans.
LikeLike
Not to mention a much better Saturday option to watch high quality football in HD. I agree, the fanbase won’t support Marshall-like success. That playoff attendance number is disturbing.
LikeLike
Goodness…that sounds like GT’s situation.
LikeLike
Many Ga Southern fans are usually in Athens or watching the Dawgs rather than attending games at Paulson “stadium”
LikeLike
Too many teachers among Southern grads to ever donate big money. They are leaning on increased student fees to finance the step up.
LikeLike