SheltonChoked
10-21-2013, 11:24 AM
After reading the board this weekend, I feel we need to put out there who each of us thinks MSU football is now and what it will take for is to improve and how long that process will take.
Here is my reality.
MSU is a major university in a small town with a rural reputation in the SEC west. Not only located in the smallest population sec state, but geographically located close to Alabama, an all time top 5 football program.
Msu has a small alumni base and athletic department decisions post World War II, crippled the present. I'm convinced the administration cared at all about athletics from 1943 to 1975. Getting lucky hiring a oil salesman as a genius basketball coach in the 1950's
Msu competes in a division that contains 5 of the top 12 money earning programs in the country. Our budget has more than doubled over the past 4 years and we are still 40% behind the next team in our division.
Historically, we have played Alabama, LSU, and ole miss more than they have played anyone else. We played auburn more than anyone except UGA.
How do we change it?
1) close the money gap. Get within 5% of the rest of our division
2) hold the administration and ad accountable. Put pressure on them to improve athletics
3) get more alumni
4) get all alumni pulling the same way
If we do all of this, there is no reason we cannot compete to win SEC titles with regularity.
How long will it take to get there? well, we have made huge strides over since 1975 as an athletic department. Getting rid of the Legacy wow is me MSU fans in administation positions is a step, however I think the MSU AD office is still to incestuous. We are an SEC school we should have more grads from other schools in the AD's office. Outsiders have a different perspective and less legacy notions of " this is how it was always done".
I said all of that to say this. It's going to take time. My guess is another 10 years if everthing goes perfectly.
MSU had 20+ years of wandering in the desert (I'm honestly shocked we didn't drop sports in the 1950's) and that's still affecting us. Having a recent presidents like Potera and Lee didn't help either.
We need the SEC network to get us an additional $20-30 million a year and we need to raise another $30 million ourselves (football expansion, baseball expansion, premium baskeball seating, donations, etc.).
We have to have presidents like Dr. Z, and Keenum (so far) that understand the importance of athletics in the university.
We have to have an AD's office that is forward thinking, agressive, flexible, and strong. One that is not scared of the NCAA or the Conference office. One that understands MSU and has a vision to our future.
Here is my reality.
MSU is a major university in a small town with a rural reputation in the SEC west. Not only located in the smallest population sec state, but geographically located close to Alabama, an all time top 5 football program.
Msu has a small alumni base and athletic department decisions post World War II, crippled the present. I'm convinced the administration cared at all about athletics from 1943 to 1975. Getting lucky hiring a oil salesman as a genius basketball coach in the 1950's
Msu competes in a division that contains 5 of the top 12 money earning programs in the country. Our budget has more than doubled over the past 4 years and we are still 40% behind the next team in our division.
Historically, we have played Alabama, LSU, and ole miss more than they have played anyone else. We played auburn more than anyone except UGA.
How do we change it?
1) close the money gap. Get within 5% of the rest of our division
2) hold the administration and ad accountable. Put pressure on them to improve athletics
3) get more alumni
4) get all alumni pulling the same way
If we do all of this, there is no reason we cannot compete to win SEC titles with regularity.
How long will it take to get there? well, we have made huge strides over since 1975 as an athletic department. Getting rid of the Legacy wow is me MSU fans in administation positions is a step, however I think the MSU AD office is still to incestuous. We are an SEC school we should have more grads from other schools in the AD's office. Outsiders have a different perspective and less legacy notions of " this is how it was always done".
I said all of that to say this. It's going to take time. My guess is another 10 years if everthing goes perfectly.
MSU had 20+ years of wandering in the desert (I'm honestly shocked we didn't drop sports in the 1950's) and that's still affecting us. Having a recent presidents like Potera and Lee didn't help either.
We need the SEC network to get us an additional $20-30 million a year and we need to raise another $30 million ourselves (football expansion, baseball expansion, premium baskeball seating, donations, etc.).
We have to have presidents like Dr. Z, and Keenum (so far) that understand the importance of athletics in the university.
We have to have an AD's office that is forward thinking, agressive, flexible, and strong. One that is not scared of the NCAA or the Conference office. One that understands MSU and has a vision to our future.