Football Program Self-Sufficiency

[forestgreen]

Portland State's football program must become self-sufficient by the next academic year

http://www.oregonlive.com/collegefootball/index.ssf/2013/12/portland_states_football_progr.html#incart_river" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Portland State president Wim Wiewel has directed that the PSU football team become self-sufficient by the 2014-15 academic year.

PSU spokesman Mike Lund said the move is one of a series of cuts the university is making to deal with a $15 million financial shortfall.

Lund said the football program received approximately $800,000 from the university’s general fund in 2013-14. The football budget is $3.85 million.

“We already had scheduled two money games next season,” Lund said, referring to nonconference road games against teams in a higher classification for which the Vikings get a large financial guarantee. “Right now we’re projecting $3.6 million in revenue.”

The Vikings, part of the FCS Big Sky Conference, will play at Oregon State and at Washington State of the FBS Pac-12 Conference next season.

PSU played at FBS California of the Pac-12 in 2013, and lost 37-30.

Lund said it will become more important for the Vikings to sell season tickets and increase sponsorship and marketing, but said there should be no concern about the future of the program.

“The obvious conclusion people jump to is, ‘You guys are going to drop football,’” Lund said. “No. This secures the program. Now it’s not reliant on the university. It’s on us to run the program efficiently and generate more money.”

David Hersh, who as president of the Viking Athletic Partnership will be responsible for ticket sales, marketing and sponsorships, said the move should be viewed as a positive one.

“I applaud it,” Hersh said. “It’s just good business. There is no reason we can’t be self sufficient.”

PSU football coach Nigel Burton expressed confidence in Hersh and athletic director Torre Chisholm.

"Obviously this will be a challenge," Burton said. "I talked to David and I talked to Torre, and I have faith in their ability to fill the gap the university has left."

 

[VikHoops]

This sounds like horrible news being put out with enough spin to try to have us believe that this is a positive thing. You have to wonder how many FCS programs are self-sufficient. While I couldn't find a current stat anywhere, I did find this in a post from Montana's AD on their website from 2010.

http://www.gogriz.com/genrel/012210aaa.html
"Our football program brings in approximately $6.5 million per year in revenue through various funding sources (ticket sales, GSA contributions, corporate sales, etc.). The cost to run the program is $6.5 million, so it essentially breaks even. Every other school at the Football Championship Subdivision level loses money, thus causing university officials across the country to look closely at their programs. Many are losing in the neighborhood of $4 to $6 million per year."

I'm not sure if this is an accurate statement or not, but if it is, this isn't good news for the Viks.

 

[BroadwayVik]

I think this announcement actually signals good things to come: A certain critical mass has apparently been achieved.

 

[Pounder]

I think the spin has an honest turn: people in the AD probably thought there wouldn't be a next year for football. This does provide a measurable target with a structure already arranged to TRY to do something.

Will there be enough funds to try to do something?

Even if there are enough funds, what's the response? I'm seeing the sports business evolve again. It doesn't bode well for PSU. If it's not on television all the time, it doesn't exist.

 

[VikHoops]

I think this announcement actually signals good things to come: A certain critical mass has apparently been achieved.

Broadway, I have an honest question for you. Maybe I'm seeing this wrong, can you tell me how you see this as a good sign? I see this as slashing a program's already limited budget and being forced into two money games to keep things afloat, taking away possible games against FCS schools that will help improve playoff chances. I also worry when I hear them saying that improving ticket sales and increased sponsorships are an answer. Don't you think that every FCS school, including PSU, has an athletic department that tries everything in their power to sell tickets and get sponsors in order to break even, yet it doesn't seem to work at 99% of schools? PSU has done billboards, online ads, the Camp Glanville reality tv show, and on and on.

Ideally, a football program wouldn't cost a university any money. But if it's true that Montana is the only fcs school broke even, and it's a program that is the only show in town and constantly sells out their home games, I don't know how this helps PSU's program.

Any thoughts on why this is going to be a good thing?

 

[GreenGiant]

Talk about pressure on the head coach. From now on, winning is crucial for the continuation of the program itself.

 

[goviksgo]

The only reason we heard about this situation is that a fifth year senior on the athletic staff received the email to the staff and took a screen shot of the email and tweeted it. When asked why he did it he said he was treated so poorly and had absolutely no loyalty to the staff he felt he needed to warn the players about their situation because he knew the coaches wouldn't be honest with them.

Nigel has created a tough situation for himself. Somehow he needs to reinvent himself to the players and take responsibility for the situation. I'm sure 10 years from now he will say "If I had it all over to do again" but we are in the here and now.

Step one come out humble. It doesn't make you a weak man to be a humble man. Pick your true leaders, the players that other players follow. Take them into your confidence ( TRUST THEM ). The players on this team can reach out to current and past PSU students for support but they don't because they don't trust the staff.

All this cloak and dagger stuff is bullshit. Their are many parents of local kids on the team and not on the team that are holding back from committing resources to this team because of how the coaching staff treats the players. Why help the men that are lying to and tormenting these kids.

This is a heart breaking and sad situation. It looks like we are stuck with coaches that are blowing a great opportunity to put PSU on the map and start generating revenue so instead our kids get to go earn the money by getting the crap beat out of them up at WASHINGTON. Then the coaches will berate them in film after the game.

Here we go again. I'm just wondering how the financial pressure will help the coaches react even more poorly about their personal situations. Like Lester Towns told them, " I don't give a shit about any of you. I have a family and rent to pay and need this job so if you're all gone next year I really don't care as long as I'm still here I'll be fine". NICE!

 

[MegaTron]

The only reason we heard about this situation is that a fifth year senior on the athletic staff received the email to the staff and took a screen shot of the email and tweeted it. When asked why he did it he said he was treated so poorly and had absolutely no loyalty to the staff he felt he needed to warn the players about their situation because he knew the coaches wouldn't be honest with them.

Nigel has created a tough situation for himself. Somehow he needs to reinvent himself to the players and take responsibility for the situation. I'm sure 10 years from now he will say "If I had it all over to do again" but we are in the here and now.

Step one come out humble. It doesn't make you a weak man to be a humble man. Pick your true leaders, the players that other players follow. Take them into your confidence ( TRUST THEM ). The players on this team can reach out to current and past PSU students for support but they don't because they don't trust the staff.

All this cloak and dagger stuff is bullshit. Their are many parents of local kids on the team and not on the team that are holding back from committing resources to this team because of how the coaching staff treats the players. Why help the men that are lying to and tormenting these kids.

This is a heart breaking and sad situation. It looks like we are stuck with coaches that are blowing a great opportunity to put PSU on the map and start generating revenue so instead our kids get to go earn the money by getting the crap beat out of them up at WASHINGTON. Then the coaches will berate them in film after the game.

Here we go again. I'm just wondering how the financial pressure will help the coaches react even more poorly about their personal situations. Like Lester Towns told them, " I don't give a shit about any of you. I have a family and rent to pay and need this job so if you're all gone next year I really don't care as long as I'm still here I'll be fine". NICE!

Check out Corey Harrison's Corey Harrison Senior Highlight's on @Hudl http://www.hudl.com/athlete/500631/highlights/111533381" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; … :thumb:

 

[psublog]

Just to be clear, the email announcing the change was sent university-wide to faculty and staff, so it wasn't exactly on the down low.

 

[Pounder]

The only reason we heard about this situation is that a fifth year senior on the athletic staff received the email to the staff and took a screen shot of the email and tweeted it. When asked why he did it he said he was treated so poorly and had absolutely no loyalty to the staff he felt he needed to warn the players about their situation because he knew the coaches wouldn't be honest with them.

Nigel has created a tough situation for himself. Somehow he needs to reinvent himself to the players and take responsibility for the situation. I'm sure 10 years from now he will say "If I had it all over to do again" but we are in the here and now.

Step one come out humble. It doesn't make you a weak man to be a humble man. Pick your true leaders, the players that other players follow. Take them into your confidence ( TRUST THEM ). The players on this team can reach out to current and past PSU students for support but they don't because they don't trust the staff.

All this cloak and dagger stuff is bullshit. Their are many parents of local kids on the team and not on the team that are holding back from committing resources to this team because of how the coaching staff treats the players. Why help the men that are lying to and tormenting these kids.

This is a heart breaking and sad situation. It looks like we are stuck with coaches that are blowing a great opportunity to put PSU on the map and start generating revenue so instead our kids get to go earn the money by getting the crap beat out of them up at WASHINGTON. Then the coaches will berate them in film after the game.

Here we go again. I'm just wondering how the financial pressure will help the coaches react even more poorly about their personal situations. Like Lester Towns told them, " I don't give a shit about any of you. I have a family and rent to pay and need this job so if you're all gone next year I really don't care as long as I'm still here I'll be fine". NICE!

Um... I'm throwing the flag.

Why? You got so focused on Nigel Burton as the problem (not that there isn't a problem there) that you've missed the 8-10 years leading up to this point. This is a far bigger problem than just Nigel Burton. You have to ask how he got hired in the first place.

There is no money to fire the coach. There is no money to promote the program. There is now no more money at all from the university. Moreover, the environment for schools like this, nationwide, is to question the need for football, not promote it.

 

[BroadwayVik]

VikHoops, I believe the time has come. Our days of probation are over.

The president has placed a 'Sword of Damacles' over the program. The program will either produce or it will be cut. The program is at a crossroads. The program and fans will either materialize or fade away.

Next year, I see the program being filled with NB recruits, Hersh et al. at the helm promoting things. The program will be at its most productive. If it fails, it will fade away. That is quite a motivator. We've reached an impasse at Portland State University. We will either rise to become a football power or will concentrate our efforts into basketball only (like Butler). Either way, we're making a positive change.

A line has been drawn in the sand.

We do have the Vik Pavilion to look forward to. Some Timber fans complain that our football team digs into the turf at Jeld-Wen, but they forget that the stadium is a City asset and that HS games are played there too.

Next season marks a crisis, which Chinese characters combine 'danger' with 'opportunity.' Our team will either be great and draw fans, or it will continue as is and be eliminated. I choose to be optimistic. I believe we will finally realize the proverbial "break out" year for Viks' football.

Something is in the air. Something is coming down the pike. Portland State progress is in the midst if it all.

Go Viks!

 

[pdxfan]

Good analysis, Broadway. GVG is blinded by hatred for NB (God knows why) and that taints everything he says. On the larger picture, yes, no one else in the BSC breaks even on football; all are subsidized (some heavily) by student fees. Over the past 20-30 years or more PSU has done this too. Over the years the students have threatened to cut the subsidy off; this is the first time the president has done it. I don't think Wim played football or really cares much about any sport (as opposed, for example, to Judith Ramaley). If it goes through, we'll be the only school in the BSC outside of UM without a subsidy (yes, MSU is subsidized). Keep in mind that the $800,000 he's talking about "recovering" applies to the whole athletic program, not just football. ALL of the programs will be affected. That worries me as much as football. I suspect that football will survive just fine - but at the expense of the other programs.

A last thought: I wonder if the student fees Wievel is "sequestering" will go the student programs or to his administrative bureaucracy?

 

[goviksgo]

Lets get something straight, I do NOT hate Nigel Burton. I hate his tactics and lack of ability to build a cohesive team. I HATE that he lies to "kids" big grown kids but still kids. I HATE that he calls them stupid, idiots, and tells them they wont amount to anything in life. I HATE that he constantly tears down the KIDS that he wants to play hard for him on Saturdays.

I hate that a kicker that got a FULL scholarship missed 15 of 17 kicks and Nick Fernandez doesn't get a penny. I hate that he fines kids $700 dollars the first time he catches them smoking pot, half their scholarship the second time and the money disappears and doesn't go to another athlete. I HATE that this is not in compliance with NCAA guidelines and it's something he made up at will. Catch someone smoking pot then throw them off the team or discipline them like every other team but don't drain their money because you don't have it.

I HATE that Kasey Kloss still hasn't seen a dime of scholarship money. I HATE that we lost to CAL POLY right when we were turning a corner because there wasn't a single half time adjustment made at halftime. I hate that "KIDS" on defense are told to do things three different ways by three different coaches so they can never do it right.

I HATE that the only coach on defense with any balls to stand up to Burton is Hill and the other ones deny telling kids to do things a certain way when Burton yells and throws the players under the bus. Lester Towns is famous for it with the players and they can't stand it.

I HATE that Burton berated a player so bad that the player wanted to fight him and left the team and Burton put out a restraining order on the player because he was scared of the player. His brother remained on the team??????

I can go on for days!!! I don't HATE BURTON and in fact he is a charmer. I believe he has charmed his way into living in a boosters house at the moment and he has charmed people into believing he is a decent human being but what I believe is you shouldn't act one way in public and be a BIG man behind closed doors with kids you have power over...to me that is abuse of power and it sickens me beyond belief.

OPEN your eyes and pay attention to things as they really are happening. I know PLINKE spoke up about this stuff so I'm pretty sure Burton will find a way to get rid of him. Cummings spoke up so he'll be gone too. etc....You can't have an opinion or thought because it's BURTON's Party and if you're not invited then he will be heaping a bunch of abusive and negative criticism on you and getting you out of his way.

Is this what you want? Again I DON'T Hate BURTON. I'd love a night out with him because he is a charming guy. He has never done anything to me or anyone in my family. He hasn't hurt my pocket book or my balance sheet. I have no dog in the fight so I think on a personal level he'd be a fun guy to hang out with at a party but as a HEAD FOOTBALL COACH he literally STINKS!

 

[goviks2]

gvg hates lots of things...no surprise there. His misinformation is legend.

Regarding the football program's financial notes...I assume the Montana AD number includes Athletic Scholarships. According to the story, PSU's scholarships aren't effected. That's a big deal and makes this very doable, especially with a second money game.

Let's talk about ways to make this work, rather than a bunch of negative bs (gvg).

 

[martymoose]

Keep in mind that the $800,000 he's talking about "recovering" applies to the whole athletic program, not just football.

Didn't the story say that the football program received approximately $800,000 from the university’s general fund in 2013-14 rather than the entire athletic department?

Tough to run a football program when you're constantly looking over your shoulder at a chopping block with your name on it. Realistically, it looks like they need about a 250k swing with the two FBS games that are scheduled next year, which doesn't seem too challenging. I guess if it came down to it you could go to some boosters as a lifeline.

However, is this sustainable moving forward? Can't really guarantee two FBS games every year. Also, finding operating efficiencies in any business or organization is very possible, but when it comes down to it with the lack of revenue due to poor ticket sales and donations, cuts will be required. Those cuts will have consequences.

 

[VikingCard]

This is why PSU needs to be FBS. Yes, not all FBS schools make money but more do than FCS! Plus it is very difficult to attract the average sports fan in Portland to a sub-level game. If we were FBS we could do either 2-1 or 3-1 deals with bigger schools like a Boise for example and every few years get a team like that at home, thus drawing a bigger crowd. It would make selling tickets much easier as well.

 

[goviksgo]

As usual goviks passes right by the main issues and goes after me personally. It's a lot of fun dealing with the people on this forum. I'm trying to get you to see the picture of the problems being caused in this program which leads to individuals not committing funds or time or energy.

This isn't about whether the program can somehow come up with 900K. That should be a no brainer if we could right the ship. What business says "it doesn't start at the top" or "the CEO has nothing to do with it?

I think GOVIKS2 has a love affair with the program and can't see the forest through the trees. This is not about losing scholarships it's about lying to players about their scholarships. Talk to the controller in the financial aid office maybe he is willing to speak up?

What is Torre doing about Nigel? Heard he might bring in a new head coach? Got to do something to right this ship?

What are Alumni doing? Smart ones are watching and keeping the check books sealed tight. Maybe not the donor whose house Coach Burton lives in ...maybe that's your house GOVIKS2?

I don't like when big men pick on little old ladies, I don't like when bosses take advantage of their employees and I certainly don't like when someone in power speaks abusively to their subordinates. maybe you think all these things are okay?

This is a wake up call because we aren't going to have a team or this forum to discuss it in 2015 if something doesn't change quickly. There will be no miracle on 10th street without change today.

 

[martymoose]

This is why PSU needs to be FBS. Yes, not all FBS schools make money but more do than FCS! Plus it is very difficult to attract the average sports fan in Portland to a sub-level game. If we were FBS we could do either 2-1 or 3-1 deals with bigger schools like a Boise for example and every few years get a team like that at home, thus drawing a bigger crowd. It would make selling tickets much easier as well.

Agreed. I would think that a football fan in the Portland metro area that isn't interesting in going to see a PSU vs Idaho State would be more likely to come see a PSU vs San Jose State / Wyoming / Air Force game.

I wonder just how realistic FBS independent would be to save the football program if they can't get to a point where they support themselves. We'd lose TV revenue by leaving the Big Sky (not that it's a huge amount annually).

Schedule four home games (or three, not sure if there is a minimum of home games by the NCAA for division I FBS) and eight road games where you get the largest paycheck possible. Every other year, we'd have to buy out the tickets to get us to the minimum attendance requirements (it must be met once in a rolling two year period), but we could try to schedule programs that travel well to keep the cost of unsold tickets that we need to buy from ourselves at a minimum. Seems like it could work.

The question would be: Is that type of existence even worth saving? Our kids would barely play at home and probably be blown out of games 80% of the time.

We'd essentially be the 2013 Idaho Vandals program that went 1-11 and only played five home games. Their reasons were a bit different in that their conference fell apart and they had to survive until they could find a conference that wanted them. Our reasoning would simply be survival...

 

[VikingCard]

It would only be temporary. Once you build up a bit more of a fan base then start having more home games. Plus as i mentioned before, scheduling NMSU, ODU, Idaho and other independents could get you some wins as most of those teams arent that great.

 

[VikingCard]

Also, if we were a FBS school maybe we could get on local tv for our games. This would be instrumental in building new fans that may never have come out to a game until they caught one on tv.