PSUVikings2
Active member
My take on a move up, it has its benefits but could backfire. I could write a novel about what could happen and what reality would be but I will leave it at that. We could make it, or hurt the program for good.
-
Hi Guest, want to participate in the discussions, keep track of read/unread posts, upgrade to remove ads and more? Create your free account and increase the benefits of your BigSkyFans.com experience today!
Move to the FBS(I-A)
- Thread starter PSUVikings2
- Start date
JG and the Dennis Ferguson briefly spoke tonight at a function and the topic of moving up was raised.
Dennis was definately not subtle in indicating that PSU wants to move up and it isn't just a long term goal, but more of a short term goal. He cited both the WAC and the Mountain West as possible target conferences. There was a couple of comments regarding PGE's capacity with temp east bleachers being 30k and it being on par with the WAC. He also mentioned La Tech and the fact that they don't really fit in the WAC's region.
I guess I'm a little taken aback by his comments and answers to questions. So this is an actual member of the PSU AD telling me that yes, moving up is a goal, and in the short term it's a possibility? Whoa! I guess this jives with all of the activity in the department.
I guess the results of this year (support wise) will point if this becomes a reality.
Dennis was definately not subtle in indicating that PSU wants to move up and it isn't just a long term goal, but more of a short term goal. He cited both the WAC and the Mountain West as possible target conferences. There was a couple of comments regarding PGE's capacity with temp east bleachers being 30k and it being on par with the WAC. He also mentioned La Tech and the fact that they don't really fit in the WAC's region.
I guess I'm a little taken aback by his comments and answers to questions. So this is an actual member of the PSU AD telling me that yes, moving up is a goal, and in the short term it's a possibility? Whoa! I guess this jives with all of the activity in the department.
I guess the results of this year (support wise) will point if this becomes a reality.
The Vikings mustmeet some short term goals to put themselves in a position to move up. If they meet the attendance and performance goals that thyey have set they will look more llike a 1A program than they do now. They have set their goals with the intent of meeting them, so, of course, they see moving up as a result.
Portland is too good a city to settle for the BSC. The move now could be an up or out surge.
Portland is too good a city to settle for the BSC. The move now could be an up or out surge.
I don't think it's a question of if, but when PSU moves to 1-A. I don't think there is really a choice for the Viks.
A1fan said:
Good point on the setting of goals by PSU. It's nice to see that there is a goal rather than running on auto pilot like we have been.
ManOfVision
Active member
martymoose said:
Are you at liberty to say the name of this function where you heard these comments? Just curious.
The comments are encouraging. I think we all need to be realistic about what it would take to move up and what moving up might mean in the short term as far as wins and losses, but I think it should be PSU's stated goal.
ManOfVision said:
I attended a meeting of The 1620 Club as a guest of one of the members. It's a small group of PSU alumni that perform Rotary-like charity functions for PSU. A couple examples of their work would include a cash donation to The Friends of the Portland State Library in the name of Dan B to honor him as what he did as president and volunteering time to help new students make their way around PSU's campus. It was my one and only meeting but The 1620 club gets a thumbs up from me.
ManOfVision
Active member
Cool. I've never heard of the 1620 club, but it sounds like a worthwhile organization.
5thAvenueVik
Active member
Put simply, Portland is a I-A city like Boise, like Honolulu, like San Jose, like Seattle.
One reason why PSU gets such poor attendance is the city is saying, "What? Is that the best you can manage for us---Montana? Gimme a break! Give me a wake-up call when you want to get serious. If you get serious, we'll get serious."
What we're building is a new insider's club. Eugene has theirs already and so also does Corvallis have theirs to match them. So now we're buildiing a new one for the metro area.
If both the Mountain West and WAC come a-calling, I prefer the Mountain West as a destiny but maybe the WAC for the next stage of development. The Mountain West has made it known that they are interested exclusively in quality programs from major population venues (Laramie having been grandfathered in).
The thing about the MWC is that WAC members want to move up to become members in it. First among them is Boise State. Competition for inclusion in the MWC comes most strongly from the population centers of the WAC: San Jose, Fresno, Honolulu, and Boise. Portland comes in second only to San Jose in terms of population. I would not even make Reno a serious consideration on this basis.
Boise State has become so good that the MWC may overlook their population in favor of their quality. San Jose State may be content to stay in the WAC. I'm sure Hawaii would like to move up, and even on to the Pac-10 as it is the "most Pacific" of all major universities. It is going to have to invest heavily in academics and achieve acceptance to the elite American Associations of Universities to have a real shot at Pac-10 membership, however.
For Portland State, I figure if Boise State can do it, so can we. We need to grow the program using attractive inspiration when it comes to scheduling without getting decimated along the way the way we did in the Cal Bears game. We can make a quantum leap in qualilty this year and next year to demonstrate our readiness to leap from the Delawares and Montanas of the world up to the land of Bowl Games where even a 6-5 record will get you to a holiday broadcast on ESPN.
You must admit that the win last year against New Mexico was a great win. With the team we had last year, I believe we could have won about 4 of 10 from them in a decade series. If we were to go to the MWC right away, we might well risk a bit of decimation due to injury. But if we can get there, I think that as long as we manage things very well (and recruiting is very good to us) we can make the adjustment to becoming competitive in that league within a few years of joining it. Heck, we might be competitve right away. The San Diego State game will reveal a lot to us this year where we stand right now.
If given the choice, I think we should save ourselve a lot of time and selling effort if we opt to join the MWC from the earliest opportunity. Go Vikings!
One reason why PSU gets such poor attendance is the city is saying, "What? Is that the best you can manage for us---Montana? Gimme a break! Give me a wake-up call when you want to get serious. If you get serious, we'll get serious."
What we're building is a new insider's club. Eugene has theirs already and so also does Corvallis have theirs to match them. So now we're buildiing a new one for the metro area.
If both the Mountain West and WAC come a-calling, I prefer the Mountain West as a destiny but maybe the WAC for the next stage of development. The Mountain West has made it known that they are interested exclusively in quality programs from major population venues (Laramie having been grandfathered in).
The thing about the MWC is that WAC members want to move up to become members in it. First among them is Boise State. Competition for inclusion in the MWC comes most strongly from the population centers of the WAC: San Jose, Fresno, Honolulu, and Boise. Portland comes in second only to San Jose in terms of population. I would not even make Reno a serious consideration on this basis.
Boise State has become so good that the MWC may overlook their population in favor of their quality. San Jose State may be content to stay in the WAC. I'm sure Hawaii would like to move up, and even on to the Pac-10 as it is the "most Pacific" of all major universities. It is going to have to invest heavily in academics and achieve acceptance to the elite American Associations of Universities to have a real shot at Pac-10 membership, however.
For Portland State, I figure if Boise State can do it, so can we. We need to grow the program using attractive inspiration when it comes to scheduling without getting decimated along the way the way we did in the Cal Bears game. We can make a quantum leap in qualilty this year and next year to demonstrate our readiness to leap from the Delawares and Montanas of the world up to the land of Bowl Games where even a 6-5 record will get you to a holiday broadcast on ESPN.
You must admit that the win last year against New Mexico was a great win. With the team we had last year, I believe we could have won about 4 of 10 from them in a decade series. If we were to go to the MWC right away, we might well risk a bit of decimation due to injury. But if we can get there, I think that as long as we manage things very well (and recruiting is very good to us) we can make the adjustment to becoming competitive in that league within a few years of joining it. Heck, we might be competitve right away. The San Diego State game will reveal a lot to us this year where we stand right now.
If given the choice, I think we should save ourselve a lot of time and selling effort if we opt to join the MWC from the earliest opportunity. Go Vikings!
VikThunder1
Active member
If you people who want to move to DI, realize this: you personally will have to triple your donations to PSU and the ticket prices will triple. I know there are a lot of people who go to UO and OSU games but I also know there are a lot that don't go to UO and OSU games because it is so bloody expensive.
Are you ready to make that $2000 per seat "donation" for the right to buy a football ticket?
Are you ready to make that $2000 per seat "donation" for the right to buy a football ticket?
That's a good point. The cost difference between 63 and 85 scholarships is huge. I think the avenue of increased donor donations and new business development that PSU seems to be trying to go down is a good one, but you are correct that PSU supporters would need to step up with their wallets for 1A.
Facilities is another huge cost and I'm not talking about a football stadium or basketball arena. I'm talking about the little things that add up. Weight room, practice facility, etc...
Facilities is another huge cost and I'm not talking about a football stadium or basketball arena. I'm talking about the little things that add up. Weight room, practice facility, etc...
CaseyOrourke
Active member
For those of us who remember the season PSU joined the Big Sky and the 1-AA, it was a few seasons of reduced scholarships and fewer wins as we made the move from a D-II elite team to a D-I newbie.
We had our growing pains and lean years then and we would again if we made the move to FBS. Right now we need to concentrate on rebuilding our fan base and improving our product so that we become one of the FCS elites and perrenial playoff team so that when the time comes that PSU is ready to announce the move the reaction around Portland will be "FINALLY!!!!!!" instead of "HUH????"
We had our growing pains and lean years then and we would again if we made the move to FBS. Right now we need to concentrate on rebuilding our fan base and improving our product so that we become one of the FCS elites and perrenial playoff team so that when the time comes that PSU is ready to announce the move the reaction around Portland will be "FINALLY!!!!!!" instead of "HUH????"
ManOfVision
Active member
CaseyOrourke said:
I agree with this - patience is a virtue. However, pre-Glanville I would've said PSU should target a move up in 10-15 years, whereas now a 5-10 year plan seems possible.
If there was a concerted, well planned and properly financed effort to move to the FBS, I suspect the WAC would come calling. The MWC probably would not. The Portland Metro market alone (whether or not PSU could control a significant part of that market is open for debate but I suspect they could) would be a huge incentive for the WAC. The start up costs can be daunting but with the proper facilities, PSU would stand to make much more money for its athletic department in the WAC vs. the BSC. Imagine a home slate of games with Boise State, Fresno State, Nevada, Hawaii, and SJSU vs. Weber, NAU, MSU, ISU, and UNC to draw fans. PSU would be in an excellent position to get home and home series with OSU and UO (heck, even UI has OSU coming to the Kibbie). On Corvallis radio when Glanville was named HC the radio PBP announcer for the Vikes was adament the impetus was there for PSU to move up. We will see but I will be rooting for PSU to make the jump and relatively soon.
VikThunder1
Active member
Facilities are a big issue. Remember, we don't have a new basketball arena built yet. Plus it is a huge hurdle that we don't own PGE Park. We miss a lot of revenues by not owning that place.
I just hope if we do move up that we do not become another University of Idaho. I think that school moved up to quickly and it has cost them. Walsh I think was the coach they wanted and he ended up as an assistant at Army. Idaho had a good program when they were part of the Big Sky, and now they are a door-mat. I would like to see PSU win a national championship and the Big Sky before they start talking about a move up.
PSUVikings2
Active member
This has come to a halt for all FCS schools. Nobody goes anywhere until 2011
PSUVikings2
Active member
laxVik said:
For the schools on the east there is no hope period, they don't have the attendance to get, UMass maybe be good but 17K a game won't get you into then Big East. So it doesn't matter for those schools. As for the West, La Tech will be leaving the WAC soon. Opening one slot for a team, I see PSU, UM, UC-Davis, CSUS, and Cal Poly being the best teams for that spot. UM is locked with its sister MSU so they won't go, chances are it will be Sac State or Cal Poly. Unless UC-Davis or PSU make large strides it should end up as one of those schools.
