SFA Jack Fanatic said:
Due to declining enrollment and subsequent loss of income, Eastern Washington is considering several changes to its athletics programs. A commissioned report listed the following options:
Option A: Remain an NCAA Division I FCS program
Option B: Reclassify to NCAA Division I Subdivision (non-football)
Option C: Reclassify to Division II
Option D: Reclassify to Division III
EWU funding has fallen well below the median FCS level and that of its peer programs in the Big Sky Conference. Their athlectic programs are losing about $5 million a year. The university surveyed the top 100 donors and season ticket holders, and 35% said they would likely drop their support if football was eliminated.
EWU will now take public comments and meet with students and faculty groups to seek inpiut. It will soon be decision time at EWU.
Did you see the Matt Brown article on it?
It's an interesting thought experiment for sure.
A: You keep football at it's current level. People in Texas know who you are because your football team is good enough to make that the case & that makes your diplomas more valuable.
B. You drop down in football, cut your expenses on scholarships, you still lose money,but not nearly as much. Attendance doesn't drop that much because most fans don't know the difference between Montana State and Montana State Billings.
C. You drop football altogether. You save an immense amount of money but 35% of donors are out the door. How much money do those 35% account for is a great question. How much of the campus atmosphere & comraderie is based on it? Etc.
An interesting choice to be sure.