What does JMU gain by going FBS?

[Phlegmish]

I understand how dedicated JMU fans are on this Discussion Board and how disappointed they are by the administration's recent decisions. I know I will attract much abuse (and encouragement to leave JMU), but I want to share a different perspective that some may appreciate.

Costs:

1. JMU's expenses will increase substantially by going FBS because of increased travel and increased scholarships (not only going to 85, but also the additional Title IX women's scholarships.
2. Currently, approximately 2/3 of the athletic budget (approximately $20 million) is footed by students. This burden will increase dramatically when forced to pay back $88 million for a new Convo. While some students are die-hard fans, most leave by half-time of most football games, whether the games are close or not. Attendance at other sporting events is sporadic at best.
3. Alumni (again many are dedicated) do not seem to support athletics (and the school in general) with only 6% making donations to either academic or athletic programs. Sale of the the luxury boxes at the stadium have not gone as well as planned. Unless we have a T. Boone Pickens who can donate $400 million, I just don't see where the money is going to come from other than forcing students to continue to foot the bill.

Benefits?:
1. While many lament that JMU will always be a "small, regional university," I am not sure what moving up to FBS gets us reputation-wise. Are VCU and ODU's academic reputation now enhanced? Is William and Mary and the Ivy League schools' reputations diminished by playing in a lower level?
2. If we did move up and play a higher level, would fans still support the team if it struggled to a .500 record each year? For every Boise State, there are 20 Marshalls.
3. Would applications increase? We already have more applications than any other school in Virginia.

So what do we get for the additional cost?

Respectfully submitted.

[JMUDukes2013]

Your cost-benefit analysis focuses primarily on short term effects. There are alot of potential long term benefits that can come from an initial investment.

"gotta build the foundation before you build the house"

that is all

[Dukie95]

I understand how dedicated JMU fans are on this Discussion Board and how disappointed they are by the administration's recent decisions. I know I will attract much abuse (and encouragement to leave JMU), but I want to share a different perspective that some may appreciate.

Costs:

1. JMU's expenses will increase substantially by going FBS because of increased travel and increased scholarships (not only going to 85, but also the additional Title IX women's scholarships.
2. Currently, approximately 2/3 of the athletic budget (approximately $20 million) is footed by students. This burden will increase dramatically when forced to pay back $88 million for a new Convo. While some students are die-hard fans, most leave by half-time of most football games, whether the games are close or not. Attendance at other sporting events is sporadic at best.
3. Alumni (again many are dedicated) do not seem to support athletics (and the school in general) with only 6% making donations to either academic or athletic programs. Sale of the the luxury boxes at the stadium have not gone as well as planned. Unless we have a T. Boone Pickens who can donate $400 million, I just don't see where the money is going to come from other than forcing students to continue to foot the bill.

Benefits?:
1. While many lament that JMU will always be a "small, regional university," I am not sure what moving up to FBS gets us reputation-wise. Are VCU and ODU's academic reputation now enhanced? Is William and Mary and the Ivy League schools' reputations diminished by playing in a lower level?
2. If we did move up and play a higher level, would fans still support the team if it struggled to a .500 record each year? For every Boise State, there are 20 Marshalls.
3. Would applications increase? We already have more applications than any other school in Virginia.

So what do we get for the additional cost?

Respectfully submitted.

All good points, but OMG ODU MOVED UP ALREADY!!

[FrontRoyalSpideru]

I understand how dedicated JMU fans are on this Discussion Board and how disappointed they are by the administration's recent decisions. I know I will attract much abuse (and encouragement to leave JMU), but I want to share a different perspective that some may appreciate.

Costs:

1. JMU's expenses will increase substantially by going FBS because of increased travel and increased scholarships (not only going to 85, but also the additional Title IX women's scholarships.
2. Currently, approximately 2/3 of the athletic budget (approximately $20 million) is footed by students. This burden will increase dramatically when forced to pay back $88 million for a new Convo. While some students are die-hard fans, most leave by half-time of most football games, whether the games are close or not. Attendance at other sporting events is sporadic at best.
3. Alumni (again many are dedicated) do not seem to support athletics (and the school in general) with only 6% making donations to either academic or athletic programs. Sale of the the luxury boxes at the stadium have not gone as well as planned. Unless we have a T. Boone Pickens who can donate $400 million, I just don't see where the money is going to come from other than forcing students to continue to foot the bill.

Benefits?:
1. While many lament that JMU will always be a "small, regional university," I am not sure what moving up to FBS gets us reputation-wise. Are VCU and ODU's academic reputation now enhanced? Is William and Mary and the Ivy League schools' reputations diminished by playing in a lower level?
2. If we did move up and play a higher level, would fans still support the team if it struggled to a .500 record each year? For every Boise State, there are 20 Marshalls.
3. Would applications increase? We already have more applications than any other school in Virginia.

So what do we get for the additional cost?

Respectfully submitted.

I agree with you. JMU has won a National Championship at the FCS level. The chance it has of winning a NC at the FBS level has about as much chance as a snowballs chance in hell.

[rufus]

It's funny how every poster who questions a move to FBS uses the flawed assumption that we will automatically have to increase our athletic spending. Over 40 FBS schools manage to run their athletic programs for less than JMU currently spends. The fact that the average MAC school can run an FBS program on $22 million tells me that JMU almost certainly can do so on its current $31 million budget.

The alternative to increasing the budget is to cut current spending in other areas, and divert those funds to cover the costs associated with additional football scholarships and Title IX compliance.

[JMUPHAN]

Your cost-benefit analysis focuses primarily on short term effects. There are alot of potential long term benefits that can come from an initial investment.

"gotta build the foundation before you build the house"

that is all

Like?

[PurpleStreamers]

Dukie95, nothin' but love for ya, but take a look at the company you're keeping (FrontRoyalSpider?) by taking the stick-in-the-mud, antagonistic position.

[PRunCrunk]

I agree to an extent with Phlegmish here. It sounds like our athletic program is bleeding money and is heavily supported by student fees. Moving up would be a huge financial risk...especially for a school with such a pitiful endowment.

[BDKJMU]

It's funny how every poster who questions a move to FBS uses the flawed assumption that we will automatically have to increase our athletic spending. Over 40 FBS schools manage to run their athletic programs for less than JMU currently spends. The fact that the average MAC school can run an FBS program on $22 million tells me that JMU almost certainly can do so on its current $31 million budget.

The alternative to increasing the budget is to cut current spending in other areas, and divert those funds to cover the costs associated with additional football scholarships and Title IX compliance.

And none of them deal with 39/61.

Maybe could take the other 4 men's sports outside of football & basketball & defund them/strip schollies. Because where else are you going top cut?

[jmu08]

And none of them deal with 39/61.

Maybe could take the other 4 men's sports outside of football & basketball & defund them/strip schollies. Because where else are you going top cut?

I actually was curious about this as well, but we are just so short on Men's sports.

Football
Basketball
Baseball
Golf
Soccer
Tennis

I'd think it'd be one or more of the bottom three to be hypothetically cut, if that's the way we went. Does anyone know how many schollies those sports have?