Georgia State I-AA/FCS Feasibility Study

[rokamortis]

Athletics Director Mary McElroy's open letter to the Georgia State University community on the football feasability study

Greetings Georgia State Community:

As you may know, seven months ago Georgia State's Athletic Department engaged CH Johnson Consulting to conduct a feasibility study that would look at the interest and potential costs for Georgia State to add a football team to our varsity sport offerings. The consulting team has done a very thorough job, including a survey that many of you completed. We have now received the report, however, I must stress that at this time no decisions have been made regarding the addition of football. We will begin to look at the particulars identified in the study as they relate to Georgia State University and its goals.

While it appears that the majority of our students, faculty/staff and alumni who responded to the survey have expressed some emotional support for adding football at Georgia State, what remains to be seen is whether football fits into the strategic plan for the university and whether there is the necessary financial support among students, alumni and donors for adding football.

We will be conducting town hall meetings where we will invite various constituents to engage in dialogue on the issue. We are looking to make an informed university community decision regarding football, so we need to gather appropriate feedback as we move forward.



Leter from the AD: http://www2.gsu.edu/~wwwexa/news/archive/general/06_1121-football.htm

The study: http://www2.gsu.edu/~wwwexa/news/download/GeorgiaStateFootballStudy2006.pdf

[Dane96]

From what I hear...consider football at GSU a done deal. GSU football...home field....Morris Brown! (Will make one of the nicer CS stadiums).

[bobbythekidd]

Super, another GSU.
On another note, I am happy for them, hope they get it going.

[rokamortis]

From what I hear...consider football at GSU a done deal. GSU football...home field....Morris Brown! (Will make one of the nicer CS stadiums).

The consulting firm doesn't think that the Morris Brown stadium is a good idea for logistical reasons.

[Dane96]

Yes, the consulting firm says that...but land in Atlanta is hard to come by. No doubt....GSU will start the deal in Morris Brown...and maybe building new digs down the road.

[ErkPeterson]

I hope they do get a team. We need a good in state rival. If they do get a team it obviously wouldn't happen for some time. Normally I'd say we would be 1-A by then. However now it looks like that will not happen....ever :bang:
I know people are concerned about the affect it would have on our recruiting. It doesn't bother me at all the amount we get out of FL and if we could keep the # that Furman & Appy steals from this state we would be in fine shape.

[Sly Fox]

Rok, keep in mind this company's primary business is in building stadiums. Perhaps they suggested that in order to generate more business for themselves (sustainable revenue development).

[rufus]

The CAA adds football, and suddenly every commuter school in the conference comes crawling out of the woodwork with talk of starting a football program. I'm a CAA fan and everything, but I'd hate to lose associate members like UMass, UNH, Villanova, and Richmond for the likes of Georgia State, Old Dominion, and George Mason. Yet another reason to hope JMU finds a new home in the near future.

[MplsBison]

What the hell is this "my school is better than a commuter school" BS?

When the hell did whether or not your school is a "commuter" school have any impact on the football team?

As far as I know, every upperclassman player drives to practice at every school.

[89Hen]

The CAA adds football, and suddenly every commuter school in the conference comes crawling out of the woodwork with talk of starting a football program. I'm a CAA fan and everything, but I'd hate to lose associate members like UMass, UNH, Villanova, and Richmond for the likes of Georgia State, Old Dominion, and George Mason. Yet another reason to hope JMU finds a new home in the near future.
:nonono2: xidiotx I hope people like you find new homes in the very near future.

[henfan]

Anyone who wouldn't favor an all sport member over an affiliate just isn't thinking very clearly. GSU was accepted into the CAA as full member in part because of their potential interest in FB, which has been pretty obvious from the beginning.

Besides, GSU FB shouldn't be a concern for those who believe JMU is bound for the AFC East in 2011. http://www.anygivensaturday.com/forum/images/smilies/smiley_wink.gif

[rufus]

Gotta love bitter Delaware fans.

[ChooChoo]

There was an athletic board meeting yesterday, but no news as to how it went. My major concern is the leadership at State. The study made it clear that bringing football was possible and could have a really positive impact, but it would fail without a change in philosophy.
This admin is not sports friendly.
My favorite part of the study is the scenario of a new "Syracuse-type Dome/Arena" with five story connecting practice fields built above 2 parking decks. This guy was thinking way outside the box. I seriously doubt it will ever happen, but it would definately be unique.

[MplsBison]

San Diego State's track and soccer stadium is built on top of a parking ramp.

[CamelCityYosef]

The folks at Georgia State should take a trip out to the University of Montana to check out their stadium. I hear they have a nice one. Maybe someone on the board could post a pic of it...:smiley_wi

[blukeys]

The CAA adds football, and suddenly every commuter school in the conference comes crawling out of the woodwork with talk of starting a football program. I'm a CAA fan and everything, but I'd hate to lose associate members like UMass, UNH, Villanova, and Richmond for the likes of Georgia State, Old Dominion, and George Mason. Yet another reason to hope JMU finds a new home in the near future.

Who says we will lose Nova, Umass and UNH due to GSU???

Get a grip there is no downside for JMU or Delaware with a GSU entry into the CAA Football. GSU will bring an Atlanta market into the conference. This means that every major Eastern Market with the exception of Miami and Washington D.C. (George Mason) will have a CAA Rep. If the CAA does a good marketing job (and they can't do worse than Linda Bruno and the A-10) then the overall Image of the CAA and CS football can only rise and this helps all of the CAA.

I don't understand why you are dissing fellow VA. Schools such as Old Dominion and George Mason??? Are you afraid of more VA. competition????

[th0m]

I think what rufus is trying to say is that by adding these schools, there will be no room for respected associate members such as UNH, UMass, Villanova, Richmond and others. It would mean we'd replace a good team with a startup team. But, so far nothing is solid yet, and a lot of eyes will be on ODU when they will start their program I guess.

[blukeys]

I think what rufus is trying to say is that by adding these schools, there will be no room for respected associate members such as UNH, UMass, Villanova, Richmond and others. It would mean we'd replace a good team with a startup team. But, so far nothing is solid yet, and a lot of eyes will be on ODU when they will start their program I guess.

ODU will not really be in the league until 2011. GSU would not be competitive till later. There's plenty of time to plan between now and then.

I am not one of those people who want to see the long term relationships with Nova and the New England schools abandoned. Delaware has been playing these schools since the 50's and has longer standing ties to them then JMU. I don't think these ties would have to be abandoned and I see an upside if the CAA could find a way to penetrate the Atlanta Media market. (Think this could help recruiting in North Georgia for all of the CAA teams???) At any rate before we dismiss colleges as "commuter schools" why not see what they can bring to the table?? At one time UCLA was considered the "commuter school" of Southern California. Things can change.

[walliver]

At best, Georgia State would be the third most popular school in Atlanta behind Georgia Tech and that school in Athens. It is also located in an area of Atlanta where I would never park my car on a Saturday night. I wouldn't hold my breath on their football team.

[Dane96]

Are you for real? DUKE and USC are in two of the worst neighborhoods in America (the slum of Durham right outside of campus...and COMPTON). Their basketball and football programs, respectively, do just fine.

Furthermore, how many other states have two BCS powers and yet have very good, if not powerful CS schools as well?

My lord...GSU may not do well...but it won't be for the two reasons you cited. If they have the money to build and market the program....they will do just fine at this level.

[DFW HOYA]

Are you for real? DUKE and USC are in two of the worst neighborhoods in America (the slum of Durham right outside of campus...and COMPTON). Their basketball and football programs, respectively, do just fine.

Duke's main campus is largely surrounded by a forest and is 5-7 miles away from the poorer areas of Durham you speak of.

USC, well, is not.

[Dane96]

Duke's main campus is largely surrounded by a forest and is 5-7 miles away from the poorer areas of Durham you speak of.

USC, well, is not.


The students live in slums...period. Point is...the argument made as to why Ga State would fail are poor. IMHO...football at Ga State would fail for other reasons...but not location.

[CCU97]

Only the students that choose to live in the slums due to them being a little closer to school....now if you want to talk about a school in Durham that is in the bad part of town go to NC Central....although the people are very friendly on the campus...Duke is mainly a wooded area and the students can live in nice areas if they choose...sure it cost a little more...but they are going to Duke so everything will be a little more expensive....

GA State could end up with a great football program...the two issues they have right now are administration and lack of a stadium and space within Atl to build....I work for a law school not far from their campus and they would have to spend major money to purchase land even in the neighborhood they are located...but they have enough graduates that have gone on to do very well for themselves that would love a football program and so the stadium would just take time....as for the administration....well that may take time too....I recommend that GSU alum put their money where their mouth is and force the administration to change their mind...donations to a school tend to do that since they always have a string attached....

[MplsBison]

Is downtown ATL really that bad?

I would think parking in a ramp would be pretty safe.

[The Cats]

My lord...GSU may not do well...but it won't be for the two reasons you cited. If they have the money to build and market the program....they will do just fine at this level.


Well, they have the MONEY.... just spent $52 million for a downtown office tower.........


NOVEMBER 16, 2006

Georgia State buys SunTrust building as part of expansion

BY DOMINIQUE HUFF


40 buildings, 15 city blocks and counting; Georgia State University continues to grow and needs room to expand. To address the million square feet shortage of instructional and office space, the university recently acquired the SunTrust Bank property, located within the center of the main campus.

http://www.the-stories.com/binary/7266-317-1/suntrust.jpg

The tower at 25 Park Place consists of a 26 story building, a three story bank building, a six story annex building, a four story vacant building and an eight story parking garage. The total purchase cost for the university equaled $52 million.
“We are a land locked campus and to be able to acquire more space is exciting for us,” Carl Patton, university president said. “This building will allow us to solve some of our space needs and give us the opportunity to expand.”

The property will allow the College of Business and College of Law to be housed in the same complex, which will be known as the Professional Center. Various other campus offices and departments will be housed on the property also. “The amount of space is tremendous. The site itself allows us to reconvert some of the space within our classroom buildings back to classrooms, as we are moving those faculty members out,” he explained. “The building is good shape and renovations will be made to accommodate our needs. We will eventually raze the property on the eastern portion of the land.”

SunTrust will remain in the building for up to five years and once there new location is determined, then the university will begin to move in. A.J. Johnson, president of Central Atlanta Progress, stated that SunTrust will remain downtown. “SunTrust has a commitment to stay downtown and they will take the existing square footage they held and will relocate elsewhere,” he explained. At press time, the Story was unable to reach officials from SunTrust as of where they are considering to move their operations.

The company owns another property further down Peachtree Street and has occupied the Park Place property since 1893, with the tower being built in 1969. “The transaction announced provides SunTrust the flexibility to address its future Atlanta office space needs consistent with our historical and continuing commitment to remain a major employer, with a major and visible presence, in the city of Atlanta,” Gary Peacock Jr., president and CEO of SunTrust Bank said in a statement. “We are especially pleased that it simultaneously helps Georgia State achieve its goal of expanding higher education opportunities available in our community.”

Johnson considers this plan a ‘win-win-win’ situation for all involved. “[This] is positive for downtown and for the positive for the entire city. In regards to the redevelopment of downtown Atlanta, Johnson spoke highly of the university’s progress.” Johnson said. Georgia State has a great track record for creating new uses for old buildings. A commercial reuse of vacant buildings is often very difficult. This is a very positive thing and the university has done this for over 30-40 years,” he mentioned.

Under Patton’s watch, the university unveiled a master plan in 1997 that sought to provide the campus a more traditional feel while maintaining its presence in the downtown community. The plan has brought in more housing, classrooms and research space. By 2015, the university is expected to have 20 percent of its student body living downtown in dormitories.

“It’s not just us serving the city. It is not the city serving us. It is the idea of together building a city and a university that are second to none,” Patton said. “We applaud SunTrust for being a great downtown partner in supporting this transaction that will help advance Georgia State’s master plan and our standing as a major research university.


”http://www.the-stories.com/gbase/Expedite/Content?oid=oid%3A7266

[Blueandwhitefightfight]

Is downtown ATL really that bad?

I would think parking in a ramp would be pretty safe.


Certain parts of it are. The part that the Ga. St. campus is in is pretty bad. I would definately not want to be in that part of town after dark without a police escort. There are even certain bldgs. that make up the campus that are ghetto. For instance, a buddy of mine that goes there has a history class in what used to be a parking garage. They put up temporary walls and a temporary HVAC system and call it an "academic building".


I'm really interested in seeing how this plays out. Most of my friends that go there said they could care less if Ga. St. has a football team. If they want football they said they have GT (which is 2 miles away) or UGA (which is 45 minutes away). They also said that most of the students at Ga. St. were either commuters or were grad students and didn't think there would be a lot of student support.

I personally want them to get a football team so they can come down here in a couple of years and be shown WHO THE REAL DAMN GSU IS!

By then we should be back to powerhouse status.

[unknown-swac]

Damn you all are some SCARY people. I went to GA State for Grad and lived in the Lofts downtown. Never once was I carjacked...never onced was I robbed or anything else. What is this horrible area that you folks are speaking of? Is it the area where the Village is? I'm guessing the ones whining about the area are some of those "lock your car door" when the wrong kinda people walk by.

I could see if the campus was in East Point or Bankhead but good grief...get some NADS.

[ChooChoo]

Certain parts of it are. The part that the Ga. St. campus is in is pretty bad. I would definately not want to be in that part of town after dark without a police escort. There are even certain bldgs. that make up the campus that are ghetto. For instance, a buddy of mine that goes there has a history class in what used to be a parking garage. They put up temporary walls and a temporary HVAC system and call it an "academic building".


I'm really interested in seeing how this plays out. Most of my friends that go there said they could care less if Ga. St. has a football team. If they want football they said they have GT (which is 2 miles away) or UGA (which is 45 minutes away). They also said that most of the students at Ga. St. were either commuters or were grad students and didn't think there would be a lot of student support.

I personally want them to get a football team so they can come down here in a couple of years and be shown WHO THE REAL DAMN GSU IS!

By then we should be back to powerhouse status.

Please, Atlanta is a major US city. Sure there have been some crime issues but it's not like you fear for your life down there. I took several quarters of night classes and rode MARTA to boot. Never did I have problems. You just have to be smart about situations, just as you would in parts of Statesboro at night.
As for the the converted parking deck/class room building, it's Kell Hall and has served it's purpose for several decades. I actually enjoyed walking the ramps to labs. It will soon be history as part of the new master plan.
In reference to apathetic students, that's why the GSU needs a program. It would hopefully be a catalyst in reviving alumni support and school spirit.
In closing, I certainly don't want to make this into another GSU name thread, but officially, on the internet, and historically (since 1969), that little title is and has been awarded to us.:read:
http://www.gsu.edu/
http://www.answers.com/topic/georgia-state-university
http://www.library.gsu.edu/spcoll/pages/pages.asp?ldID=105&guideID=549&ID=3670

[ChooChoo]

Damn you all are some SCARY people. I went to GA State for Grad and lived in the Lofts downtown. Never once was I carjacked...never onced was I robbed or anything else. What is this horrible area that you folks are speaking of? Is it the area where the Village is? I'm guessing the ones whining about the area are some of those "lock your car door" when the wrong kinda people walk by.

I could see if the campus was in East Point or Bankhead but good grief...get some NADS.

Thankyou:hurray:

[ChickenMan]

I'm guessing the ones whining about the area are some of those "lock your car door" when the wrong kinda people walk by.




I never realized that there were Notre Dame fans in the in Atlanta area... :D

[CCU97]

Damn you all are some SCARY people. I went to GA State for Grad and lived in the Lofts downtown. Never once was I carjacked...never onced was I robbed or anything else. What is this horrible area that you folks are speaking of? Is it the area where the Village is? I'm guessing the ones whining about the area are some of those "lock your car door" when the wrong kinda people walk by.

I could see if the campus was in East Point or Bankhead but good grief...get some NADS.

How long ago was it since you were in Grad school there? It isn't the best neighborhood is all anyone is saying....I currently live in Atlanta and work not that far from GT in the other direction toward Buckhead. It isn't so much the campus area but very close to the campus that concerns many people....I've been there in the middle of the day and had people walking down the street smoking a joint...not that I am against that....I have students who currently live near there and hear their stories about gun shots waking them in the early morning hours....so to most people that would say the area...again not the campus but the area....isn't safe...I would walk the streets at night but it would be in a group not by myself...

As for GSU being a commuter school....sure there are plenty of commuters...but they also have plenty of dorm space as well....if you have every been on I-85/75 through Atl you have seen them. The area can always use more football....it is the south and football is king here....even with Vick and his dirty birds....If they could work their schedule out to have home games when GT was away....then students could have football every weekend....I know I would go to a game or two.:twocents:

[unknown-swac]

How long ago was it since you were in Grad school there? It isn't the best neighborhood is all anyone is saying....I currently live in Atlanta and work not that far from GT in the other direction toward Buckhead. It isn't so much the campus area but very close to the campus that concerns many people....I've been there in the middle of the day and had people walking down the street smoking a joint...not that I am against that....I have students who currently live near there and hear their stories about gun shots waking them in the early morning hours....so to most people that would say the area...again not the campus but the area....isn't safe...I would walk the streets at night but it would be in a group not by myself...

As for GSU being a commuter school....sure there are plenty of commuters...but they also have plenty of dorm space as well....if you have every been on I-85/75 through Atl you have seen them. The area can always use more football....it is the south and football is king here....even with Vick and his dirty birds....If they could work their schedule out to have home games when GT was away....then students could have football every weekend....I know I would go to a game or two.:twocents:


One year ago. And i've never been the type of person that lives scared so it never bothered me much. For the most part as far as i've seen as long as you keep to yourself you won't be bothered.