Xavier Football

[Knight Commission]

Open rumor this is happening, and stadium location has been identified.  One motivator was to increase male enrollment. I was at the last game they played in 1973.

[Galway Eagle]

They doing the non scholarship like GTown and Butler? Or they going to try to be competitive in FCS like Nova?

Also the easiest way to increase male enrollment is to advertise that there's too large of a women to men ratio

[Knight Commission]

Not sure but my guess is they would go Pioneer league with Dayton Butler etc.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

My daughter was mentioning about the football and does not understand why as XU is too small.

XU have received two significant donations in the last 6 months to build buildings.  A $40mil gift and a $20mil gift.

[The Sultan of Semantics]

They doing the non scholarship like GTown and Butler? Or they going to try to be competitive in FCS like Nova and Dayton?

Also the easiest way to increase male enrollment is to advertise that there's too large of a women to men ratio

Almost every institution, especially private colleges and universities, are primarily female.

[The Sultan of Semantics]

My daughter was mentioning about the football and does not understand why as XU is too small.

For non-scholarship in the Pioneer League they would be fine. Smallish, but there would be a number of smaller schools.

[JWags85]

They doing the non scholarship like GTown and Butler? Or they going to try to be competitive in FCS like Nova?

Also the easiest way to increase male enrollment is to advertise that there's too large of a women to men ratio

Pioneer League actually is FCS.  Their champion each year gets an auto bid into the FCS playoffs.  Granted Davidson, the Pio winner the last 3 years, has lost in the first round by a combined score of 138-35 in those 3 matches, but still...

Almost every institution, especially private colleges and universities, are primarily female.

Funny enough, U of Dayton is 52-48 Male to Female.  Maybe they are believing the opposite of ABD.

But football is the absolute silliest reasoning to try and solve a supposed lack of male student problem.  Xavier is roughly 4800 undergrads.  42% male.  So 2016 male students.  50/50 would be 2400 male students.  So 90ish males to play football and then another 150+ are gonna come cause XAVIER FOOTBALL RULES?

[The Sultan of Semantics]

But football is the absolute silliest reasoning to try and solve a supposed lack of male student problem.  Xavier is roughly 4800 undergrads.  42% male.  So 2016 male students.  50/50 would be 2400 male students.  So 90ish males to play football and then another 150+ are gonna come cause XAVIER FOOTBALL RULES?

I don't think this was explained as well as it should have been. One of the reasons colleges at the non-scholarship levels continue to offer athletics is due to many students wanting to continue as athletes.  And *in general* men will base their college choice on athletics more than women do.

So Xavier is thinking that an 80-100 student football team is going to attract 50-70 students that likely wouldn't attend Xavier anyway.  So if you assume that the typical student is paying about $25-30,000 in tuition, room and board, that means something around $1.5 million or so in extra revenue.

They aren't thinking this is going to make the ratio 50/50.

[JWags85]

I don't think this was explained as well as it should have been. One of the reasons colleges at the non-scholarship levels continue to offer athletics is due to many students wanting to continue as athletes.  And *in general* men will base their college choice on athletics more than women do.

So Xavier is thinking that an 80-100 student football team is going to attract 50-70 students that likely wouldn't attend Xavier anyway.  So if you assume that the typical student is paying about $25-30,000 in tuition, room and board, that means something around $1.5 million or so in extra revenue.

They aren't thinking this is going to make the ratio 50/50.

Thats reasonable, though I think its an inefficient ROI, but its not my money.

[WhiteTrash]

I don't think this was explained as well as it should have been. One of the reasons colleges at the non-scholarship levels continue to offer athletics is due to many students wanting to continue as athletes.  And *in general* men will base their college choice on athletics more than women do.

So Xavier is thinking that an 80-100 student football team is going to attract 50-70 students that likely wouldn't attend Xavier anyway.  So if you assume that the typical student is paying about $25-30,000 in tuition, room and board, that means something around $1.5 million or so in extra revenue.

They aren't thinking this is going to make the ratio 50/50.

So of that additional $1.5M of revenue, maybe $750,000 is free cash flow (maybe generous). Does football only cost $750,000 per year?

[The Sultan of Semantics]

So of that additional $1.5M of revenue, maybe $750,000 is free cash flow (maybe generous). Does football only cost $750,000 per year?

Much less than that at the non-scholarship level.  Morehead State is the only pubic university in the Pioneer League, and their coach makes $115,000.  My guess is that any full time assistants around making mid-five figures and likely splitting jobs. (Many coaches will work as academic advisors, admissions, etc.)

[Herman Cain]

If True, an excellent move by X. They should have some good local rivalry games with Butler and Dayton.

Getting rid of Football was one of the three big historical blunders of MU.

If X can pull this off it could potentially start a discussion about MU getting back in the sport.

[WhiteTrash]

Much less than that at the non-scholarship level.  Morehead State is the only pubic university in the Pioneer League, and their coach makes $115,000.  My guess is that any full time assistants around making mid-five figures and likely splitting jobs. (Many coaches will work as academic advisors, admissions, etc.)

Well then MU should consider this ASAP.

[warriorchick]

I don't think this was explained as well as it should have been. One of the reasons colleges at the non-scholarship levels continue to offer athletics is due to many students wanting to continue as athletes.  And *in general* men will base their college choice on athletics more than women do.

So Xavier is thinking that an 80-100 student football team is going to attract 50-70 students that likely wouldn't attend Xavier anyway.  So if you assume that the typical student is paying about $25-30,000 in tuition, room and board, that means something around $1.5 million or so in extra revenue.

They aren't thinking this is going to make the ratio 50/50.

That's quite an assumption that except for the actual expenses of running the team, the rest of that money is going straight to the bottom line.  I am not sure you can enroll an additional 50-70 students without incurring additional costs.

[BrewCity83]

Well....MU is 58% female and 42% male. 

Football it is!!!

[JWags85]

If True, an excellent move by X. They should have some good local rivalry games with Butler and Dayton.

Getting rid of Football was one of the three big historical blunders of MU.

If X can pull this off it could potentially start a discussion about MU getting back in the sport.

Dayton had 1 home game this year where the stadium was more than a quarter full.  And even then not even half full.  And thats a historically good program for the level.

Butler plays in a significantly smaller stadium and filled it more than half just once.  Most games are under a third of the stadium filled.

I think you're overestimating the "rivalry" interest in these games.  Both also play in stadiums that have been open for 70+ years.  Not sure where Xavier is going to play, maybe their 1600 seat soccer stadium?  Otherwise, unlike in Milwaukee, there are a number of places they could possibly play like Nippert Stadium or the stadium where Elder HS plays.

Marquette would need to build a stadium or play at Valley Fields, which would give the impression of nothing more than a glorified HS game, which wouldn't enthuse any casual fans.

This does NOTHING in terms of the MU football discussion.

[BrewCity83]

Marquette would need to build a stadium or play at Valley Fields, which would give the impression of nothing more than a glorified HS game, which wouldn't enthuse any casual fans.

OR...play in the new professional futbal stadium that's in the works at 7th and Michigan.

It's all coming together.

[Uncle Rico]

Dayton had 1 home game this year where the stadium was more than a quarter full.  And even then not even half full.  And thats a historically good program for the level.

Butler plays in a significantly smaller stadium and filled it more than half just once.  Most games are under a third of the stadium filled.

I think you're overestimating the "rivalry" interest in these games.  Both also play in stadiums that have been open for 70+ years.  Not sure where Xavier is going to play, maybe their 1600 seat soccer stadium?  Otherwise, unlike in Milwaukee, there are a number of places they could possibly play like Nippert Stadium or the stadium where Elder HS plays.

Marquette would need to build a stadium or play at Valley Fields, which would give the impression of nothing more than a glorified HS game, which wouldn't enthuse any casual fans.

This does NOTHING in terms of the MU football discussion.

Marquette could play at Lambeau

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

I'm on the Xavier campus this weekend.

Based on stadium attendance comment for Butler and Dayton and the Georgetown football attendance photo Xavier could play at two high schools that are in almost walking distance to XU. HS stadium bleachers look almost as big as Georgetown photo.
Could possibly use U of Cincy stadium which is less than 3 miles away

[Knight Commission]

A new stadium site has allegedly been picked out somewhere on Montgomery Road.

[lawdog77]

I'm on the Xavier campus this weekend.

Based on stadium attendance comment for Butler and Dayton and the Georgetown football attendance photo Xavier could play at two high schools that are in almost walking distance to XU. HS stadium bleachers look almost as big as Georgetown photo.
Could possibly use U of Cincy stadium which is less than 3 miles away

Wondering what the rent would be at U of C stadium to allow Xavier to play there. Hiring of security, liability insurance, etc.

[muwarrior69]

Well....MU is 58% female and 42% male. 

Football it is!!!

It was just the opposite in the 60s when I was at MU and it was perceived as unfair and and something had to be done to make it more equitable. Now that its flipped there is nothing to see here.

[cheebs09]

It was just the opposite in the 60s when I was at MU and it was perceived as unfair and and something had to be done to make it more equitable. Now that its flipped there is nothing to see here.

Or it matches the National average and men aren’t being held back from going to college by society thinking their place is at home to raise a family.

[JWags85]

A new stadium site has allegedly been picked out somewhere on Montgomery Road.

They’re gonna build a stadium for this?! Sheesh

[muwarrior69]

Or it matches the National average and men aren’t being held back from going to college by society thinking their place is at home to raise a family.

Actually it just may be that men see better opportunities getting high paying jobs (HVAC, Welders, Plumbers, Electricians) without incurring high college debt for an over priced BS/BA.

[Uncle Rico]

Actually it just may be that men see better opportunities getting high paying jobs (HVAC, Welders, Plumbers, Electricians) without incurring high college debt for an over priced BS/BA.

Sure, Jan

[warriorchick]

Actually it just may be that men see better opportunities getting high paying jobs (HVAC, Welders, Plumbers, Electricians) without incurring high college debt for an over priced BS/BA.

Or that men are 20% more likely than women to drop out of college.

https://research.com/universities-colleges/college-dropout-rates#:~:text=College%20Dropout%20Rates%20by%20Gender&text=Data%20likewise%20shows%20that%20there,%2C%20(ThinkImpact%2C%202021).

[TSmith34, Inc.]

It was just the opposite in the 60s when I was at MU and it was perceived as unfair and and something had to be done to make it more equitable. Now that its flipped there is nothing to see here.

Amazing

[tower912]

There are multiple factors at play.    muwarrior69 and warriorchick's points are not in contradiction with each other.    Both/and more, vs either/or.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

A new stadium site has allegedly been picked out somewhere on Montgomery Road.

There is giant strip mall next to the Cintas Center parking lot, also on Montgomery, that has been mostly vacant for the 5 years I've been coming here.  Wonder if that's it?

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

They’re gonna build a stadium for this?! Sheesh

I agree with this.  Building a stadium seems a big waste of resources. 
My kid says there's a severe shortage of parking on campus.  Students get kicked out of the main lot for home games. They should add a tiered parking lot and expand the Cintas instead (if possible).

[The Sultan of Semantics]

My kid says there's a severe shortage of parking on campus.

This is said by every college student on every college campus.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

This is said by every college student on every college campus.

I got to think schools don't like building big parking structures.  It takes away a space that can be used for a more useful and productive building.

[warriorchick]

I got to think schools don't like building big parking structures.  It takes away a space that can be used for a more useful and productive building.

And it discourages kids from bringing cars to school. Unless you are a commuter student or have an off-campus job that isn't served by public transportation, you really don't need one. Probably prevents a lot of drunk driving as well.

[wadesworld]

Xavier’s parking situation is worse than most I’ve been on.

[The Sultan of Semantics]

I got to think schools don't like building big parking structures.  It takes away a space that can be used for a more useful and productive building.

Parking structures are expensive.

And it discourages kids from bringing cars to school. Unless you are a commuter student or have an off-campus job that isn't served by public transportation, you really don't need one. Probably prevents a lot of drunk driving as well.

Yep.

[warriorchick]

Parking structures are expensive.

And there aren't many big donors who are eager to write a big check to get the parking structure named after them.

[tower912]

FoxConn parking ramp?

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

FoxConn parking ramp?

Mecca Sports Bar & Grill Parking Structure?

[tower912]

Mecca Sports Bar & Grill Parking Structure?

Badger tailgating?

[Dr. Blackheart]

Chicago State looking to add football. This was a school who was going bankrupt a few years ago.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/2023/1/26/23573667/chicago-state-university-football-program-expand-womens-sports?fbclid=IwAR2nUC5Uy47hSmQ21Hf5ip04_tU5Afmt9iQxSBEeXgKkRzppBF7PDLgaBqI

[JWags85]

Chicago State looking to add football. This was a school who was going bankrupt a few years ago.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/2023/1/26/23573667/chicago-state-university-football-program-expand-womens-sports?fbclid=IwAR2nUC5Uy47hSmQ21Hf5ip04_tU5Afmt9iQxSBEeXgKkRzppBF7PDLgaBqI

Is it April 1st? 

Their MBB team has won more than 15 games ONCE in over 30 years as a D1 program.  More than 10 games 3 times.  Their womans team is equally terrible and set a record for most consecutive D-1 losses I belive.  Oh and they no longer have a conference.

They just started mens soccer a few years ago...they've won 4 games in 3 seasons...total.

But sure, start a football program, makes sense!

[Galway Eagle]

Is it April 1st? 

Their MBB team has won more than 15 games ONCE in over 30 years as a D1 program.  More than 10 games 3 times.  Their womans team is equally terrible and set a record for most consecutive D-1 losses I belive.  Oh and they no longer have a conference.

They just started mens soccer a few years ago...they've won 4 games in 3 seasons...total.

But sure, start a football program, makes sense!

Some insane percentage of the school is on athletic scholarship. Maybe it's their attempt to expand?

[The Sultan of Semantics]

Yes, this is clearly an enrollment play.

[JWags85]

Some insane percentage of the school is on athletic scholarship. Maybe it's their attempt to expand?

Wow, I didn't realize it was only 1600-1700 undergrads, assumed it was much larger.  Guess that makes more sense.