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I wonder what these guys are smoking thinking UNA needs to go to Division I. We have a good program in Division II and I would much rather be the big fish in the pond than a blip on the map that everyone big wants to play when they need an easy win (but we would get half a million - just enough to pay the medical costs of the injuries we would likely receive and the no doubt first class plane trips of the big wigs who want this move.)

It is funny that I have spoken with NOBODY who are UNA athletic boosters who are for this move,but they say it seems like it is going to happen irregardless of what everyone wants. Good luck getting the support needed for a Division I program around here.

Just some thoughts.
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I think it will be very difficult for UNA to move up. It will take a lot more money. Money that UNA simply does not have. Like the story says they haven't even built the new Science building after what 6-7 years.

This looks like yet another area where there is real disconnect between the local populace and its "leaders."
I agree that positioning UNA in Division I is a dumb move, reflecting dismal priorities. Let's face it: the major reason cited in the six-figure guarantee that they expect to walk away with. However, it costs more to do D I-AA than D-II. Is there going to be that much of a gain?

And at what cost to the academic program?

The best that we can hope for is that the proposal will be worried over and studied to death, wasting a little money but not as much as the D-I move would take.

And does this area benefit over all by advancing some folks' economic agendas?

I have a suggesting: if UNA goes to Division I, then change the team nickname to the UNA Sacrificial Lambs, because that's what they will be!
I don't know about you but I really don't want to see a 150 to zip final score.[/QUOTE]

I am a Florence native that graduated from MTSU. I watched MTSU go from DII to 1AA to the FBS over the past 25 years. The move would be great for UNA if they can do it right. There are several considerations that must be addressed. First of all, facilities. Braly is a great place for HS and DII football, but the city owns the stadium, do they not, and they are going to catch a lot of flak trying to expand Braly to the mandatory 30000+ capacity that a move to the FBS would require, as it would be rough on the neighborhood around the stadium with the contruction, and afterward, parking that many cars around the Royal Avenue area. They almost need to find a site where they can build their own place (plenty of land west of campus). Florence will also lose the DII Championship, which will hurt The Shoals economically. Also, can UNA produce the attendance numbers required for revenue generation? MTSU has struggled with attendance since the move with an enrollment of around 23000 students (compared to UNA's 5-6K) and nothing ticks off a FBS conference like 1/2 to 3/4 empty stadiums (just ask Bobby Wallace about his Temple days, or MTSU now. The Sun Belt expects EVERY institution to contribute to profit sharing, and Middle is more of a receiver than a giver). It took MTSU 10 years just to get lower level SEC, ACC, and Big 10 schools to travel to Murfreesboro. To bring money into the program, the first years mean LOTS of road games, usually to places far from home, and usually away more than home every season. Also, will the fanbase be patient during the ugly first seasons when they are taking their lumps from the big boys? It is cool to see your team for the first time at Jordan Hare or Neyland, but the new wears off after the second or third 56-0 beatdown, and it is tough to watch 7 and 8 loss seasons with 30+ point margins of loss until you get the talent level up. The move would be about the future, but the present will be rocky for a while. Will Florence have the patience to give the support? I hope they think this through. Maybe they should start with just the FCS. The stadium is good for a FCS facility, and both the OVC and the Southern (not the Southland, please) conference both offer regional institutions that make for good rivalries and interest. With the OVC, you get back the Jax State rivalry and UT Martin, as well as Tennessee Tech. With the Southern, Chattanooga, Wofford, Appy State, W, Carolina, Georgia Southern, and Samford make for interesting regional games. The Southland is a primarily Texas and Louisiana conference, and there would be no regional interest, kinda like MTSU in the Sunbelt with most conference opponents 7-10 hours away.
No matter the reqirements, this area will not support a Divison I athletic program.

From everything I gather, this is an example of a very select few so-called elites thinking they know what is good for us regardless of the opposition of the masses and think and they are going to ram it down our throats the way they want to do it no matter the cost because it is not their money they are spending anyway..........gee, wonder where else I have seen this?????
people,this is a no-brainer......make the move to 1-AA (i know, they don't call it that anymore).... the OVC or SOCON would be logical....
let's take the blinders off for a second and look around: if it's been done at schools and communities like troy, jax, etc. why in the world could it not work here....you telling me that those places have more to offer and can do things that we cant? i don't buy it.....as far as the money to do it: you play a couple of big-name teams each season and recover it on the back end.......also , there are a handful of 'empires' in this area that could pitch in a quarter million each and never break a sweat , but i'm sure those folks would rather see the cost passed along to those who can least afford it (the students)
Could be a move to keep Bowden here or potentially set him up for moving over to a Division 1 School which I'm sure he has on his mind. One thing is pretty much more sure and that is when or if UNA moves to Division I then the Division II Championship game will find a new home, or that's what I'm thinking.

I wonder how much the area will be giving up in tourism dollars if that happens?
I think all this talk of "empires" donating money for a HUGE monetary move to D-I is kinda like building a toll-road with promises to stop collecting when the road is paid off; doesn't happen. I agree that losing the Ark. teams is gonna hurt the GSC, but, and I hate to break to some of you readers, The Shoals has never been, and won't be anytime soon, an area that can/will support a major college sports program. Whew...We no longer even have major industries here that would be needed to offset the expected expenses (via advertising). Who do you know in The Shoals that will pay, week in and week out, $30-40 per game (every home game) to watch? Folks, it ain't gonna happen. Be realistic, enjoy UNA football for what it is and help the school grow via academics.(Where jobs are created.)
quote:
Originally posted by astepper55:
I think all this talk of "empires" donating money for a HUGE monetary move to D-I is kinda like building a toll-road with promises to stop collecting when the road is paid off; doesn't happen. I agree that losing the Ark. teams is gonna hurt the GSC, but, and I hate to break to some of you readers, The Shoals has never been, and won't be anytime soon, an area that can/will support a major college sports program. Whew...We no longer even have major industries here that would be needed to offset the expected expenses (via advertising). Who do you know in The Shoals that will pay, week in and week out, $30-40 per game (every home game) to watch? Folks, it ain't gonna happen. Be realistic, enjoy UNA football for what it is and help the school grow via academics.(Where jobs are created.)
stepper , have you you ever been to troy,al. or jacksonville,al. or conway,ark. or cookeville,tn.......all of those places have schools that play 1-AA football and none of them could be considered 'happening' places......i'll say it this way:THINK SMALL , BE SMALL

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