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View Full Version : $2.7M in Donations to Lamar Football



TexasTerror
July 3rd, 2008, 10:43 AM
The Texas State University System board of regents had the following in their meeting minutes -- a total of $2.7M in donations -- as it relates to the football program.

$1M from The Dan F. and Sandra A. Smith Foundation of Houston, Texas -- the press box will be named after them.

$1M from the Umphrey Family Limited Partnership on behalf of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Umphrey of Beaumont, Texas. A room in the Montagne Center will be named after that (believe this is where they'd hold game day receptions).

$700K from an anonymous donor for which the field will be named the W. S. “Bud” Leonard Field.

http://www.tsus.edu/regents/meeting-minutes.html

Retro
July 3rd, 2008, 05:18 PM
That's just a drop in the bucket compared to what they will need to get rolling, then they'll need that much almost each season at least initially.

mizzoufan1
July 3rd, 2008, 07:38 PM
That's just a drop in the bucket compared to what they will need to get rolling, then they'll need that much almost each season at least initially.

It's a start. We all know that Lamar has a LONG way to go but at least the ball is rolling and they will try to get it up and running by their taget date...

mathman
July 3rd, 2008, 08:40 PM
That's just a drop in the bucket compared to what they will need to get rolling, then they'll need that much almost each season at least initially.

That represents pledges that are presumably on top of the athletic fee charged to students. I think it was FAU that increased the athletic fee years before starting football to build up a "war chest". The athletic fee carries all the programs, and the outside pledges give programs the "edge".

centexguy
July 3rd, 2008, 10:37 PM
Lamar plans to spend at least $18 million to renovate their stadium and build a new 42,000 end zone complex. Work will begin in the fall. Lamar will issue bonds which will paid back largely by the new athletic fee they'll begin charging this fall. 25% of the cost must come from private donations so they still need another $2 or $3 million, which they've probably have already received but haven't announced yet.

Artist rendering of the stadium and athletic complex:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2027/2526966080_97134c46f4.jpg?v=0

th0m
July 4th, 2008, 06:31 AM
What will the capacity be?

DFW HOYA
July 4th, 2008, 08:46 AM
$700K for field naming rights? That seems very low.

centexguy
July 4th, 2008, 09:31 PM
What will the capacity be?

Capacity will probably remain at a little over 17K.

TexasTerror
July 4th, 2008, 10:00 PM
Capacity will probably remain at a little over 17K.

Question is how many butts will be in those seats...? I'm interested to see how Lamar takes to football after the novelty wears off, especially if the team starts to lose...

centexguy
July 4th, 2008, 11:00 PM
Question is how many butts will be in those seats...? I'm interested to see how Lamar takes to football after the novelty wears off, especially if the team starts to lose...

Probably no worse than your average SLC team, but that would mean the stadium would be half empty, so hopefully they'll do a lot better than that.

TexasTerror
July 5th, 2008, 09:41 AM
Probably no worse than your average SLC team, but that would mean the stadium would be half empty, so hopefully they'll do a lot better than that.

That was my thinking. 8k to 9k would mean a half empty stadium. It would not look good at all...and could further deter people from attending games...

I really think the McNeese game will be a guarantee sellout at both places though...just so close and McNeese fans who don't normally travel (and a good 3000+ do it seems), will be there...

houtexan
July 9th, 2008, 01:14 PM
We should do fine. This is a different university, administration, and community than it was in 1989 when LU football was dropped. However, if we don't turn a decent program in the 1st 5 years, you can bet on 6,000 to 8,000 per game. If SHSU and SFA would bring their fans to the games, it might even be better avgs. :)

3rd Coast Tiger
July 9th, 2008, 01:18 PM
We should do fine. This is a different university, administration, and community than it was in 1989 when LU football was dropped. However, if we don't turn a decent program in the 1st 5 years, you can bet on 6,000 to 8,000 per game. If SHSU and SFA would bring their fans to the games, it might even be better avgs. :)

Good luck Cardinals! xthumbsupx