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WAC Watch

M

ManOfVision

Active member
I thought it would be worthwhile to start a general WAC thread for those of us who dream of PSU outgrowing the Big Sky. The idea is to post information about the WAC and information about how PSU matches up to its current member institutions.

Here is an article discussing WAC expansion as one possible solution to rising travel costs:

http://www.idahostatesman.com/sports/story/468513.html

Adding a 10th team for basketball would help the current members reduce travel expenses. Incidentally, Fullerton has recently made similar comments about the Big Sky.
 
If you haven't checked out the new ESPN college football blogs, they are quickly becoming must reads. In particular, the one about non-BCS programs has interesting posts about the business side of non-BCS FBS football. Here is a post about recruiting budgets for WAC programs:

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/others/0-0-109/Small-budget-recruiting--Western-Athletic-Conference.html

If PSU were to join the WAC, they would presumably have to get into this ballpark in order to compete. Does anybody know how PSU's current recruiting budget compares?
 
Here's an article about AD salaries in Utah with lots of other info about WAC, Mountain West, and Big Sky ADs. Apparently, WAC AD salaries range from $216,000 to $300,000 per year. How far would PSU have to go to be in that range? It seems like $150,684 is the highest in the Big Sky, so Chisholm must be making less than that.

http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,700242224,00.html?pg=1
 
How are our ticket sales as of right now? I saw the WAC's sales as of now and Hawaii is lighting up Boise State and Fresno, and then after that all of the sales are embarrassing, from Nevada to Utah State.....Karl Benson isn't going to want to invite us if we are under the NCAA limit of 15,000 fans a game.
 
Where did you see the info on WAC ticket sales? It would be interesting to see where some lower-tier WAC programs like NMSU and Utah St. were at compared to Big Sky schools.

As for PSU, you are certainly correct about the need to get over 15,000 per game. All I can say is that in my mind, PSU would undoubtedly exceed that if it were in the WAC, since we'd get home games against Hawaii, Boise St. Fresno St., etc.
 
ManOfVision said:
Where did you see the info on WAC ticket sales? It would be interesting to see where some lower-tier WAC programs like NMSU and Utah St. were at compared to Big Sky schools.

As for PSU, you are certainly correct about the need to get over 15,000 per game. All I can say is that in my mind, PSU would undoubtedly exceed that if it were in the WAC, since we'd get home games against Hawaii, Boise St. Fresno St., etc.
Click to expand...

Regarding the 15k per game....

I really think that the WAC wouldn't want to speculate on future attendance. We'll need to show that we can do it at this current level, so that means moving our 10k average of 2007, and putting it in a position to hit a 15k average next year. If we can hit 12.5k this year, I think we'll be in position, assuming that we're going to give the BSC title a run for it's money next year. We'll get a big bump from the UM game this season (16k I would think). One hope for next year would be a home playoff game next year to reach a 15k average. That's assuming that the season average can include a playoff game.
 
ManOfVision said:
Where did you see the info on WAC ticket sales? It would be interesting to see where some lower-tier WAC programs like NMSU and Utah St. were at compared to Big Sky schools.

As for PSU, you are certainly correct about the need to get over 15,000 per game. All I can say is that in my mind, PSU would undoubtedly exceed that if it were in the WAC, since we'd get home games against Hawaii, Boise St. Fresno St., etc.
Click to expand...

That is true, all three of those WAC schools bring 5,000 fans to each road game. It would boost us a lot, that is a major reason why schools like NMSU, Utah State, and Idaho are even in the WAC.
 
martymoose said:
ManOfVision said:
Where did you see the info on WAC ticket sales? It would be interesting to see where some lower-tier WAC programs like NMSU and Utah St. were at compared to Big Sky schools.

As for PSU, you are certainly correct about the need to get over 15,000 per game. All I can say is that in my mind, PSU would undoubtedly exceed that if it were in the WAC, since we'd get home games against Hawaii, Boise St. Fresno St., etc.
Click to expand...

Regarding the 15k per game....

I really think that the WAC wouldn't want to speculate on future attendance. We'll need to show that we can do it at this current level, so that means moving our 10k average of 2007, and putting it in a position to hit a 15k average next year. If we can hit 12.5k this year, I think we'll be in position, assuming that we're going to give the BSC title a run for it's money next year. We'll get a big bump from the UM game this season (16k I would think). One hope for next year would be a home playoff game next year to reach a 15k average. That's assuming that the season average can include a playoff game.
Click to expand...

I agree that the WAC wouldn't want to speculate, but what if they felt like they had to? Did they speculate with NMSU, Utah St. and Idaho? That is an honest question - I really don't know what the crowds were like at those schools pre-WAC.
 
VikThunderous said:
WAC is speculating about adding Montana, not PSU.
Click to expand...

Montana would no doubt be ahead of PSU in the pecking order, as they deserve to be. However, this thread is for dreamers, so Montana's position is somewhat beside the point. Besides, if we shoot for joining the WAC and upgrade our programs accordingly, nothing bad can come of it. At best, we join the WAC, and at worst, we are in a better position to dominate the Big Sky.
 
PSUVikings said:
Montana goes nowhere without their little sister tagging along.......
Click to expand...

State law in fact. And MSU doesn't want to move up so...... :D

I keep up with the latest on conference realignment.
 
Wyokie said:
PSUVikings said:
Montana goes nowhere without their little sister tagging along.......
Click to expand...

State law in fact. And MSU doesn't want to move up so...... :D

I keep up with the latest on conference realignment.
Click to expand...

I knew it was a matter of time before you chimed in, Wyokie.
 
ManOfVision said:
Wyokie said:
PSUVikings said:
Montana goes nowhere without their little sister tagging along.......
Click to expand...

State law in fact. And MSU doesn't want to move up so...... :D

I keep up with the latest on conference realignment.
Click to expand...

I knew it was a matter of time before you chimed in, Wyokie.
Click to expand...

Well, the WAC does have a special place in my heart considering root for Hawai'i who's still in it and WYOMING who left for a better conference (more rivalries that are older than 10 years).
 
PSUVikings said:
Montana seems all little to far to be in the WAC but what do I know. UM seems like a MWC candidate 20 years from now.
Click to expand...

Doubt they'll be in the MWC in 20 years but you never know.
 
Interesting thoughts from Pat HIll at Fresno State. Is he just talking out of his you-know-what?

http://www.fresnobee.com/sports/bulldogs/story/783840.html
 
ManOfVision said:
Interesting thoughts from Pat HIll at Fresno State. Is he just talking out of his you-know-what?

http://www.fresnobee.com/sports/bulldogs/story/783840.html
Click to expand...

Kind of the polar opposite of what goes in in the State of Oregon with JG calling out the fellow D1 schools to play PSU.

I'm not sure about the WAC comment (especially Sac State at this point), but you never know. Besides that, good for Pat Hill for saying this. Regional inter-subdivision rival games are good for college football.
 
There is something wrong with this picture.

7,000 tickets left for WISCONSIN in Fresno?

Nevada is playing a very highly regarded Texas Tech team, I just looked, plenty of tickets available.

Mind you, Boise State hasnt sold out any games this year yet... at home. They are pissed that Oregon only issued 2,000 seats to them for this year's game in Eugene, but Oregon was right... that's sold out, pending a probable release of some student tickets.

OK, that's more of a "wonder why the WAC gets no respect" lament rather than "could Portland State get in it" deal. Never mind me. 15,000 is the magic average.
 
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