What school should MSU's AD aspire to mirror MSU after. Realistically.

[saltybulldog]

Considering our fanbase size, enrollment, etc. what other school could MSU mirror. Obviously, we would love to have the football success of UF, LSU, Southern Cal, etc...the basketball success of UNC and Duke. But considering what we have to work with, what we could realize with what we hope is a much better AD.

Thoughts.

 

[saltybulldog]

The main, and maybe obvious, problem with the comparison is Starkville vs. Louisville factor. However, there enrollment is around 21,000 to our 17,000. Their athletic funds are around 45,000,000 and I think we are in the 25-30,000,000 range. While they dont compete in the SEC, I dont think it is crazy to see that they field competitive teams across the board.

 

[Dawgbreeze]

Until Jurich went there, they struggled. I think if Byrne can make some good decidions, MSU fans should rally and pony up. It also isn't all about money but it sure helps.

 

[DovaDawg]

I would love to see us embrace corporate sponsorship like Louisville.

 

[Todd4State]

What about Oregon? Seriously, they have solid football and basketball programs, and their baseball program will probably be pretty competitive in a couple of years once it gets going. They also have a great "traditional" cross-country program- Steve Prefontaine.

They do have the corporate sponsership of Nike, like Louisville has Papa John's.

 

[dawgatUSM]

Clemson. Enrollment is the same. Rural setting... Great sports programs. Big time conference (I still don't consider the Big East a big time football conference)

After all, their founder (Thomas Green) said he wanted their campus designed after State's, so, why don't we return the favor? See link...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clemson_University

 

[thatsbaseball]

lots of similarities and a well rounded program.

 

[RebelBruiser]

I think you're right on with the Clemson comparison. They have another major conference rival in state. Neither has the recruiting base or the funds to dominate in all sports, yet Clemson has managed a fairly consistent football program, a solid bball program, and a really good baseball program.

 

[TR.sixpack]

[No message]

 

[Coach34]

VT was a middle of the road school that has been built up by Beamer. And WV has also been built up the last few years.

These two schools can thank the weak-*** Big East for their current stature nationally

 

[saltybulldog]

VT is one of the schools I thought of, however, their enrollment is pretty big, around 30,000+. I dont know that we compare with them that well. While I would not trade their football success for anything we have a better basketball and baseball program already.

WVU has close to the same enrollment as VT.

I keep bringing up enrollment because I think that is a direct indicator of athletic budget and athletic success. I would like to see us continue enrollment increase but I dont see us getting much larger than the 20,000 or so mark. So, I think it is more about maximizing what we have right now and tapping unused resources.

 

[Coach34]

Tapping unused resources is probably Byrne's biggest problem to tackle the next couple of years I think. Getting the fanbase out of this stagnation that LT was never able or willing to conquer could do wonders for us. We can have more and dont have to be the poor little sister of the SEC

 

[PBRME]

I agree with Louisville. They were my first thought also.</p>