Someone Has Finally Listened - Southern Univeristy Coming to Ruston in 2015

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Originally Posted by vlw

SU has double the fans NSU has lol. I know the amount we are getting paid, our AD said it on Jaguar Journal. SU commands that amount. You get a guaranteed sell out plus the #2 rated band in the country behind Ohio State.

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Thanks, but we can see the Grambling band anytime.

(Though I guess it's nice that they agreed to play at yalls game.)

You didn't offende anyone. Just frustrated with the non answer. If its public knowledge please do tell.

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Originally Posted by Champ967

Thanks, but we can see the Grambling band anytime.

(Though I guess it's nice that they agreed to play at yalls game.)

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Where are the final band rankings?

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Originally Posted by Cool Hand Clyde

Where are the final band rankings?

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Uranus.

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Originally Posted by Champ967

Thanks, but we can see the Grambling band anytime.

(Though I guess it's nice that they agreed to play at yalls game.)

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Gram's band is no where near the level of SU's band. That's really a insult, because they are horrible.

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Originally Posted by Cool Hand Clyde

Where are the final band rankings?

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Since you asked.

http://www.ncaa.com/video/football/2...marching-bands

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Originally Posted by KSDAWG

You didn't offende anyone. Just frustrated with the non answer. If its public knowledge please do tell.

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$350,000

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Originally Posted by Cool Hand Clyde

I expect the new mayor to be all over this

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My thoughts as well. Been a problem for a long time IMHO. College towns should expect and want to have businesses open in the evenings and up til game time on weekends.

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Originally Posted by techman05

My thoughts as well. Been a problem for a long time IMHO. College towns should expect and want to have businesses open in the evenings and up til game time on weekends.

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Hopefully even later... :D

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Originally Posted by vlw

$350,000

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Not sure I believe that.

At that rate, Southern Univ would make more money than LA Tech does off this game. At $20 per seat (average), LA Tech's breakeven will be 17,500 seats. Any attendance OVER that, we make money. Anything under that, we lose money. Since the stadium's new capacity only holds 28K, that means only $560,000 MAXIMUM can be generated off of ticket sales (at $20 per) even if we sell every seat in the house. There's no way LA Tech is going to give Southern Univ $350,000 of that amount, and keep only $210,000 for itself. Think about it. Then throw me an HONEST number.......:icon_roll:

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Originally Posted by CutiePie72

I so agree with this. DD was here for one of the 11:00 games so no time to shop before game, and she wanted to stop at a couple of her favorite shops after the game, and nothing was open at 2:30. Missed out on $$ that day for sure. Had it been a 6:00 game we would have had a lot more time to do damage. She's not big on tailgating all day, so she could have shopped up until late afternoon, way past noon or 2:00. I guess, though, the shop owners all have to tailgate and can't be in two places at once. . . . .

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I really hope someone can speak to all our business owners and help them realize that they can make their week in one day by staying open on game day. Price of doing business is to be open when people are off work and can shop. At Christmas this year, I went to a store in downtown to get something for my wife. It was December 22, and there was a sign in the window that stated they were closed and would reopen after the new year. I have not gone in yet because I am back a work since he holidays are over and can't get over there now during their hours.

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Originally Posted by techman05

I really hope someone can speak to all our business owners and help them realize that they can make their week in one day by staying open on game day. Price of doing business is to be open when people are off work and can shop. At Christmas this year, I went to a store in downtown to get something for my wife. It was December 22, and there was a sign in the window that stated they were closed and would reopen after the new year. I have not gone in yet because I am back a work since he holidays are over and can't get over there now during their hours.

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Any business owner that you have to explain that to isn't smart enough to run a business.

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Originally Posted by HogDawg

Any business owner that you have to explain that to isn't smart enough to run a business.

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Maybe it is the case that out downtown operations enjoy existing rather than thriving.

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Originally Posted by techman05

Maybe it is the case that out downtown operations enjoy existing rather than thriving.

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This more often than you know.

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Originally Posted by HogDawg

Not sure I believe that.

At that rate, Southern Univ would make more money than LA Tech does off this game. At $20 per seat (average), LA Tech's breakeven will be 17,500 seats. Any attendance OVER that, we make money. Anything under that, we lose money. Since the stadium's new capacity only holds 28K, that means only $560,000 MAXIMUM can be generated off of ticket sales (at $20 per) even if we sell every seat in the house. There's no way LA Tech is going to give Southern Univ $350,000 of that amount, and keep only $210,000 for itself. Think about it. Then throw me an HONEST number.......:icon_roll:

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Our AD has told us multiple times, what the payout would be. SU released our schedule today, I'm SUre something will be in the advocate shortly.

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Originally Posted by techman05

Maybe it is the case that out downtown operations enjoy existing rather than thriving.

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That sounds exactly like downtown Ruston. So much potential but the effort seems to be concentrated on creating the best aesthetic potential instead of focusing on it's business/community potential.

Just looked at Kansas State's schedule for next year. Weekend before Tech game, K-State is playing IN San Antonio.

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Originally Posted by Dawgonit

That sounds exactly like downtown Ruston. So much potential but the effort seems to be concentrated on creating the best aesthetic potential instead of focusing on it's business/community potential.

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Those aren't mutually exclusive propositions, of course.

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Originally Posted by vlw

Gram's band is no where near the level of SU's band. That's really a insult, because they are horrible.

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I know. I was yanking your chain, Captain Serious.

Ya know, I had actually heard that SU fans were humorless wet-blanket killjoys ...

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Originally Posted by vlw

$350,000

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I dont understand or believe the $350,000. The largest gate receipts we ever had was around $250,000 for the Miss State game. Southern travels but when you count the heads they wont bring over 7500 who buys tickets and at $20 thats $150,000 which added to the $250,000 would be $400,000 max. No way Tech can afford to pay out $350,000 of that regardless of who it is. I think if one digs deeply into the fine print you may find a return game.

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Originally Posted by Exes&Ohs

. I think if one digs deeply into the fine print you may find a return game.

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Now THAT would be just plain stupid.

Whaddya want, a crowd at The Joe or places to shop? Hell, the Tech students/employees can't be at both places, cuz the shop owners are buying up all those seats in the SEZ . . . .:laugh:

I'm sure the new mayor and the local chamber/visitors bureau will aggressively work the conflicts so both may occur.

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Originally Posted by maddawg

Now THAT would be just plain stupid.

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Yes, I vote to fire everybody if this happens.

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Originally Posted by Exes&Ohs

I dont understand or believe the $350,000. The largest gate receipts we ever had was around $250,000 for the Miss State game. Southern travels but when you count the heads they wont bring over 7500 who buys tickets and at $20 thats $150,000 which added to the $250,000 would be $400,000 max. No way Tech can afford to pay out $350,000 of that regardless of who it is. I think if one digs deeply into the fine print you may find a return game.

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LOL, we won't be playing at Southern.

[QUOTE=KSDAWG;1494561][QUOTE=Brad;1494556]

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Originally Posted by inudesu

When we're getting left out of access bowls, that'll be the time to start worrying about our scheduling. I think we're ok for the moment.

Playing an FCS team every year won't keep us out of an access Bowl. We simply have to play 1 to 2 P5 teams every seaon. A 11-2 Boise beat out Marshall not because of an FCS game but because they didn't play any P5. You won't have to worry about Tech being left out of an Access Bowl due to scheduling. We always play a couple P5s

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Interesting that the most recent Sagarin Rankings have us ranked 1) Marshall 2) Tech 3) Boise at the top of all non Power 5 teams.

The two nonconference games will generate $1 million in revenue for Southern. The game at Georgia comes with a $650,000 guarantee and the game at Louisiana Tech comes with a $350,000 guarantee.

http://theadvocate.com/sports/southe...-schedule-will

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Originally Posted by vlw

The two nonconference games will generate $1 million in revenue for Southern. The game at Georgia comes with a $650,000 guarantee and the game at Louisiana Tech comes with a $350,000 guarantee.

http://theadvocate.com/sports/southe...-schedule-will

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...as reported to The Advocate by Southern.

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Originally Posted by vlw

The two nonconference games will generate $1 million in revenue for Southern. The game at Georgia comes with a $650,000 guarantee and the game at Louisiana Tech comes with a $350,000 guarantee.

http://theadvocate.com/sports/southe...-schedule-will

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Thanks!! Seems some people on this board with all their "life lessons" think they know.......... but they really don't.

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Originally Posted by DoubleDDawg

Thanks!! Seems some people on this board with all their "life lessons" think they know.......... but they really don't.

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Just because The Advocate reported it? Really?

Put your money where your mouth is. Loser owes LTAC money .

But we'll get to keep the lion's share of concessions:\

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Originally Posted by techman05

Maybe it is the case that out downtown operations enjoy existing rather than thriving.

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How do you know they are not thriving? Speaking as a self employed business owner, I assume that if the Owner feels he can afford to shut it down he must be doing pretty well.

I know this, when i make the decision to shut down for holidays or vacation i could care less what business i may lose.

I need (and deserve) a break!

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Originally Posted by maddawg

...as reported to The Advocate by Southern.

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lol

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Originally Posted by DoubleDDawg

Put your money where your mouth is. Loser owes LTAC money .

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So you are saying we will pay them $350K in cash to play here? That's what "guarantee" implies.

SWAC. Where a football game may break out during a band competition.

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Originally Posted by bluecrew

SWAC. Where a football game may break out during a drum line dance and pelvic thrust competition.

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fixed it

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Originally Posted by maddawg

So you are saying we will pay them $350K in cash to play here? That's what "guarantee" implies.

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To me thats insane! We can pay an FCS school 100k to 150K and take the other 200K to 250K and add it to coaching salaries or heck facilities! I know Southern is gonna brink a good band and a lot of people but dang!!

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Originally Posted by maddawg

fixed it

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lol SU isn't Gram lol.

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Originally Posted by vlw

lol SU isn't Gram lol.

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That's funny lol

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Originally Posted by vlw

lol SU isn't Gram lol.

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what exactly makes SU so much different from Gram? Same thing if you ask me

[QUOTE=Bigdog13;1494901][QUOTE=KSDAWG;1494561]

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Originally Posted by Brad

Interesting that the most recent Sagarin Rankings have us ranked 1) Marshall 2) Tech 3) Boise at the top of all non Power 5 teams.

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Not sure how Tech is rated above Boise, I don't thing Sagarin Rankings hold too much cred

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Originally Posted by Terence32

what exactly makes SU so much different from Gram? Same thing if you ask me

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Just saying our band doesn't partake in alot of stuff that Gram band does ie pelvic thrust lol.

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Originally Posted by vlw

Just saying our band doesn't partake in alot of stuff that Gram band does ie pelvic thrust lol.

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True, SU's band is pretty bad azz

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Originally Posted by Terence32

True, SU's band is pretty bad azz

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http://m.youtube.com/?#/watch?v=jxRWZLKGe70

Notice the amount of SU fans in the crowd.

One more thing. How is visiting tailgating set up, how much it cost, and where can I purchase a visiting tailgating spot.

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Originally Posted by vlw

One more thing. How is visiting tailgating set up, how much it cost, and where can I purchase a visiting tailgating spot.

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I'd email our AD and Game Day ops:
Tommy McClelland - AD
tmcclelland@latech.edu

Jay Luksis - Assistant A.D./Marketing and Game Management
jluksis@latech.edu

For the Northwestern game they setup a special area at corner of W. Alabama & Tech Drive (softball parking lot), I believe they worked with the NSU alumni or Athletics to get that done.

http://www.latechsports.com/facilities/latc-jas.html

http://www.latechalumni.com/ltac/site/2013fbparking.jpg

Also note the "Open Tailgate Area" around the Thomas Assembly Center, it's First Come First Serve grassy area.

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Originally Posted by vlw

One more thing. How is visiting tailgating set up, how much it cost, and where can I purchase a visiting tailgating spot.

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Link to tailgate map & info: http://www.latechsports.com/tickets/...ilgaiting.html

I don't know for sure, but you may have to be an LTAC member to purchase a tailgating spot. Othewise, it's first come, first serve.

Edit- Go with Germdawg's post. His is better.

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Originally Posted by Built4Speed

Link to tailgate map & info: http://www.latechsports.com/tickets/...ilgaiting.html

I don't know for sure, but you may have to be an LTAC member to purchase a tailgating spot. Othewise, it's first come, first serve.

Edit- Go with Germdawg's post. His is better.

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Thanks

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Originally Posted by GermDawg

I'd email our AD and Game Day ops:
Tommy McClelland - AD
tmcclelland@latech.edu

Jay Luksis - Assistant A.D./Marketing and Game Management
jluksis@latech.edu

For the Northwestern game they setup a special area at corner of W. Alabama & Tech Drive (softball parking lot), I believe they worked with the NSU alumni or Athletics to get that done.

http://www.latechsports.com/facilities/latc-jas.html

http://www.latechalumni.com/ltac/site/2013fbparking.jpg

Also note the "Open Tailgate Area" around the Thomas Assembly Center, it's First Come First Serve grassy area.

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Thanks

Does Southern have a fan message board?

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Originally Posted by Built4Speed

Link to tailgate map & info: http://www.latechsports.com/tickets/...ilgaiting.html

I don't know for sure, but you may have to be an LTAC member to purchase a tailgating spot. Othewise, it's first come, first serve.

Edit- Go with Germdawg's post. His is better.

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Words to live by... ;) :laugh:

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Originally Posted by qng001

Does Southern have a fan message board?

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No we use TSPNSports which is a SWAC message board.

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Originally Posted by vlw

Just saying our band doesn't partake in alot of stuff that Gram band does ie pelvic thrust lol.

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Excellent!! That means you guys have way more class.

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Originally Posted by vlw

Just saying our band doesn't partake in alot of stuff that Gram band does ie pelvic thrust lol.

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Like I said ... wet blanket, stick-in-the-mud stoics. SU fans don't like pelvic thrusts because they look like they might be fun.

If you thought the Ruston bluehairs liked to sit on their hands at ballgames, just wait until a few hundred Southern fans get into our stadium -- glaring and staring and harrumphing and shooshing everyone around them.

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Originally Posted by Champ967

glaring and staring and harrumphing and shooshing everyone

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Ok Dr Seuss.

:laugh:

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Originally Posted by Dawgonit

Ok Dr Seuss.

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I am a Southern alum who lives in Monroe. I also have studied at Louisiana Tech. When the news hit that Southern was coming to Northeast/North Central Louisiana, people at my place of employment were over-joyed. I want you to know that it will be a high honor and privilege for SU to play such a fine university as Louisiana Tech. The Jaguars will look forward to their first visit to Northeast/central Louisiana in many decades. And it is very true that Tech has offered Southern a guarantee of 350K. But there is something Tech athletic administrators know that many others do not; high demand events can be sold to the general public for a higher than normal/usual cost than non-high demand events. Since the SU game will be a high demand event, it would not surprise me if that game sold to the general public for $25, $27, or $30 dollars per ticket. Regular game tickets at SU are much higher than $20.00, so SU fans will consider your ticket prices to be appealing. But one thing is for sure: the SU game will sell out every seat and every temporary seat available at JAS. A good barometer for your attendance would be the SU/ULL games of 2009 and 2014. ULL fans offered almost identical comments as some of your fans are offering, but recanted those comments in later conversations. Our first visit to ULL drew 41, 357 fans, exceeding visits by Alabama, Texas A & M, and nearby McNeese State. Our second visit this past season saw more than 36,000 fans in attendance, albeit, during a driving rain storm. The largest football entourage to ever converge on Ruston will do so this fall on the first Saturday in September. The tailgating, the band, the traffic, the lines, the comraderie (sp), will be like nothing you have seen before in Ruston.

Hope our people do their part to make it a great experience. Traffic and concessions are two areas we can't seem to get a grip on. The good news is that there should be plenty of open spots in lots B & C.

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Originally Posted by maddawg

Hope our people do their part to make it a great experience. Traffic and concessions are two areas we can't seem to get a grip on. The good news is that there should be plenty of open spots in lots B & C.

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We need parking at the dorms with buses (like UL-L had) or trams (like six flags) transporting folks to the stadium for this game.

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Originally Posted by maddawg

Hope our people do their part to make it a great experience. Traffic and concessions are two areas we can't seem to get a grip on. The good news is that there should be plenty of open spots in lots B & C.

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We need parking at the dorms with buses (like UL-L had) or trams (like six flags) transporting folks to the stadium for this game.

Might be an opportunity for some of the area churches to charge a minimal fee to park in their lots including their bus shuttle to the game.

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Originally Posted by Earle

I am a Southern alum who lives in Monroe. I also have studied at Louisiana Tech. When the news hit that Southern was coming to Northeast/North Central Louisiana, people at my place of employment were over-joyed. I want you to know that it will be a high honor and privilege for SU to play such a fine university as Louisiana Tech. The Jaguars will look forward to their first visit to Northeast/central Louisiana in many decades. And it is very true that Tech has offered Southern a guarantee of 350K. But there is something Tech athletic administrators know that many others do not; high demand events can be sold to the general public for a higher than normal/usual cost than non-high demand events. Since the SU game will be a high demand event, it would not surprise me if that game sold to the general public for $25, $27, or $30 dollars per ticket. Regular game tickets at SU are much higher than $20.00, so SU fans will consider your ticket prices to be appealing. But one thing is for sure: the SU game will sell out every seat and every temporary seat available at JAS. A good barometer for you attendance would be the SU/ULL games of 2009 and 2014. ULL fans offered almost identical comments as some of your fans are offering, but recanted those comments in later conversations. Our first visit to ULL drew 41, 357 fans, exceeding visits by Alabama, Texas A & M, and nearby McNeese State. Our second visit this past season saw more than 36,000 fans in attendance, albeit, during a driving rain storm. The largest football entourage to ever converge on Ruston will do so this fall on the first Saturday in September. The tailgating, the band, the traffic, the lines, the comraderie (sp), will be like nothing you have seen before in Ruston.

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Good post and welcome. You have me excited for game day. Too bad it is over 6 months away.

Just to echo my own sentiments...I love having Southern visit Aillet. Have been advocating for this for years, decades even! Sell JAS out!

I hope HCSH has the team watch the Northwestern State film every day leading up to this game.

I really hope they add extra seats in the North Enzone to squeeze all they can out of this game.

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Originally Posted by Cool Hand Clyde

I hope HCSH has the team watch the Northwestern State film every day leading up to this game.

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The last 2 minutes of that game are being used as alarm clocks for all the players..."wake up call" get it?

I just hope we are not playing 5th & 6th grade football in BF Egypt that day...

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Originally Posted by Dwayne From Minden

I just hope we are not playing 5th & 6th grade football in BF Egypt that day...

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Last year my pee wee league team took the life out of me. I don't know how many more jamborees I can handle in the heat.

The word out to the Jaguar Nation is that Ruston, Louisiana hotels have already started to jack-up rates for the Sept. 5th weekend. Just recently a Jaguar attempted to make reservations at an I-20 hotel and was quoted a price of $189.00 per night for a double room. Surely this is not a regular nightly rate in Ruston?

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Originally Posted by Earle

The word out to the Jaguar Nation is that Ruston, Louisiana hotels have already started to jack-up rates for the Sept. 5th weekend. Just recently a Jaguar attempted to make reservations at an I-20 hotel and was quoted a price of $189.00 per night for a double room. Surely this is not a regular nightly rate in Ruston?

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Hotel/Motel owners are allowed to price gouge. Even in Ruston apparently. Can't believe they did not try the two night minimum thing too.

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Originally Posted by Earle

The word out to the Jaguar Nation is that Ruston, Louisiana hotels have already started to jack-up rates for the Sept. 5th weekend. Just recently a Jaguar attempted to make reservations at an I-20 hotel and was quoted a price of $189.00 per night for a double room. Surely this is not a regular nightly rate in Ruston?

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I have no idea about the weekend rates, but I had to get a room in Ruston when my air conditioner went out last year and the cheapest Sun - Thur rate I could find was $109/night (at the places I was willing to stay), so $189 is not that bad.

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Originally Posted by maverick

I have no idea about the weekend rates, but I had to get a room in Ruston when my air conditioner went out last year and the cheapest Sun - Thur rate I could find was $109/night (at the places I was willing to stay), so $189 is not that bad.

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They are out of control on their pricing... $195 per night (not prepaid) for weekend of Southern and ULL games.

By comparison, Fairfield Inn is $126.

Non FB weekends they are both around $90-100.

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Originally Posted by Earle

The word out to the Jaguar Nation is that Ruston, Louisiana hotels have already started to jack-up rates for the Sept. 5th weekend. Just recently a Jaguar attempted to make reservations at an I-20 hotel and was quoted a price of $189.00 per night for a double room. Surely this is not a regular nightly rate in Ruston?

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Rates range from $60 to $181 on Hotels.com

When I stay the night, I try to book the Super 8 which is the $60 rate. You get what you pay for in most cases, and hotel choices aren't too broad but much better than Oxford or Starkville.

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Originally Posted by Cool Hand Clyde

... and hotel choices aren't too broad but much better than Oxford or Starkville.

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Interesting but we don't have an airport.;)

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Originally Posted by maddawg

Interesting but we don't have an airport.;)

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Are we gonna start that again?? I am glad its only an hour and ten minutes from Baskin to Ruston.

I am excited about this game, but I hope some aren't getting their hopes up too much for a huge SU contingency. Yes, they travel fairly well. ULL is a LOT closer than we are, though. Their band will take up a nice section and they should have a great crowd. The first game of the season and our new facility will get more Tech fans there, which is good. Any other time, I don't think Southern (or any FCS team) would draw a mega crowd.

Should be fun, though, and I expect much higher attendance than usual. Can't wait for football season!!!!!!!!

I fully expect an overflow of SU fans.

you know, kinda like, showing up rival GSU.

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Originally Posted by maddawg

They are out of control on their pricing... $195 per night (not prepaid) for weekend of Southern and ULL games.

By comparison, Fairfield Inn is $126.

Non FB weekends they are both around $90-100.

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Wow! Tech could really make a killing if only we had a large building on campus, near the stadium, that could be retrofitted as a for-profit lodging facility.

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Originally Posted by champion110

I am excited about this game, but I hope some aren't getting their hopes up too much for a huge SU contingency. Yes, they travel fairly well. ULL is a LOT closer than we are, though. Their band will take up a nice section and they should have a great crowd. The first game of the season and our new facility will get more Tech fans there, which is good. Any other time, I don't think Southern (or any FCS team) would draw a mega crowd.

Should be fun, though, and I expect much higher attendance than usual. Can't wait for football season!!!!!!!!

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When you combine the number of Southern grads in Monroe/Shreveport + the curious Grambling fans that won't be able to see their team be the sacrificial lamb for Sonny D, you will likely see the Joe's attendance record fall, all things being equal. My room is already reserved in anticipation of price gouging.

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Originally Posted by Elwagonne

When you combine the number of Southern grads in Monroe/Shreveport + the curious Grambling fans that won't be able to see their team be the sacrificial lamb for Sonny D, you will likely see the Joe's attendance record fall, all things being equal. My room is already reserved in anticipation of price gouging.

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I think there will be a great crowd. Hoping Tech fans come out in large numbers to fill most of it. I don't think the attendance record will be broken, though.

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Originally Posted by Champ967

Wow! Tech could really make a killing if only we had a large building on campus, near the stadium, that could be retrofitted as a for-profit lodging facility.

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If you are talking about the recently demolished dorms, the retrofit cost would have been astronomical to get it to the standards that a paying customer would want to spend money to stay there. I know that I would not want to subject my family to communal bathrooms with 10 other families. I would be willing to bet that just the plumbing retrofit to install bathrooms in each "suite" would be in excess of $5M. And then you haven't gotten to the structural repairs, HVAC components, fire protection, elevator rehabs, interior walls, windows, finishes, or furniture. I would be willing to bet that a retrofit to turn one of those old dorms would be in the ballpark of $20-$30M (just a gut feeling).

Assume 20 rooms per floor, 10 floors, $165/night, every room is filled one night per game weekend, and 6 home games in a football season. This would generate ~$200K/year. Just on the lower figure, not including interest, labor for housekeeping, maintenance, or utilities, it would take 10 football seasons to pay off the bonds.

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Originally Posted by jellidawg

If you are talking about the recently demolished dorms, the retrofit cost would have been astronomical to get it to the standards that a paying customer would want to spend money to stay there. I know that I would not want to subject my family to communal bathrooms with 10 other families. I would be willing to bet that just the plumbing retrofit to install bathrooms in each "suite" would be in excess of $5M. And then you haven't gotten to the structural repairs, HVAC components, fire protection, elevator rehabs, interior walls, windows, finishes, or furniture. I would be willing to bet that a retrofit to turn one of those old dorms would be in the ballpark of $20-$30M (just a gut feeling).

Assume 20 rooms per floor, 10 floors, $165/night, every room is filled one night per game weekend, and 6 home games in a football season. This would generate ~$200K/year. Just on the lower figure, not including interest, labor for housekeeping, maintenance, or utilities, it would take 10 football seasons to pay off the bonds.

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That being said, it would help us draw p-5 opponents. The Lodd Cook on LSU campus is used for thing other than just football games. Basktball game and other olympic sports would also used the Hotel. We could use a full scale hotel in Ruston for sure.

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Originally Posted by Champ967

Wow! Tech could really make a killing if only we had a large building on campus, near the stadium, that could be retrofitted as a for-profit lodging facility.

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I see what you did

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Originally Posted by KSDAWG

That being said, it would help us draw p-5 opponents. .

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:laugh:

Need a Hilton Garden Inn on the Service Road; should have already been in place. Hopefully the new city government will see the light in time for future seasons.

We need a Waldorf Astoria, I only stay at the finest. :)

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Originally Posted by Champ967

Wow! Tech could really make a killing if only we had a large building on campus, near the stadium, that could be retrofitted as a for-profit lodging facility.

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I'd rather have a green space

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Originally Posted by KSDAWG

That being said, it would help us draw p-5 opponents. The Lodd Cook on LSU campus is used for thing other than just football games. Basktball game and other olympic sports would also used the Hotel. We could use a full scale hotel in Ruston for sure.

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I was just making a point about the cost. I understand that it will be used at other times. However, football season is the only time of year that it will be full, and it would never be a full service hotel from a manpower standpoint.

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Originally Posted by KSDAWG

That being said, it would help us draw p-5 opponents. The Lodd Cook on LSU campus is used for thing other than just football games. Basktball game and other olympic sports would also used the Hotel. We could use a full scale hotel in Ruston for sure.

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Huh?

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Originally Posted by Cool Hand Clyde

I hope HCSH has the team watch the Northwestern State film every day leading up to this game.

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Yep. Despite all the good things LA Tech did in 2014, the NSU debacle DEFINED the season for us. It's the kind of loss you can never really recover from for the rest of the season.

After a loss to an FCS school, the national polls will never rank you in the Top 25, and even your own conference "turns on you", because they don't want a conference champ with an FCS loss. It makes the whole conference look bad.

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Originally Posted by HogDawg

After a loss to an FCS school, the national polls will never rank you in the Top 25,

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It can be done, but takes a lot of doing: http://espn.go.com/college-football/...ia-tech-hokies

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Originally Posted by Cool Hand Clyde

Huh?

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One of the big gripes about why Power 5 schools won't play in Ruston is that we do not have a full service Hotel. This would eleviate that complaint.

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Originally Posted by Cool Hand Clyde

I'd rather have a green space

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Or beautiful asphalt or concrete. Student parking on Tech campus is in very short supply. It's in very short supply for visitors, too, but we don't have to pay the tickets.

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Originally Posted by jellidawg

If you are talking about the recently demolished dorms, the retrofit cost would have been astronomical to get it to the standards that a paying customer would want to spend money to stay there. I know that I would not want to subject my family to communal bathrooms with 10 other families. I would be willing to bet that just the plumbing retrofit to install bathrooms in each "suite" would be in excess of $5M. And then you haven't gotten to the structural repairs, HVAC components, fire protection, elevator rehabs, interior walls, windows, finishes, or furniture. I would be willing to bet that a retrofit to turn one of those old dorms would be in the ballpark of $20-$30M (just a gut feeling).

Assume 20 rooms per floor, 10 floors, $165/night, every room is filled one night per game weekend, and 6 home games in a football season. This would generate ~$200K/year. Just on the lower figure, not including interest, labor for housekeeping, maintenance, or utilities, it would take 10 football seasons to pay off the bonds.

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And that's exactly what they said about the abandoned derelict hideous eyesore dorm on the UArk campus on Fayetteville. It's too ugly, too old, too expensice, etc ... they all said.

Now it's a four-star hotel, booked up almost continuously. Both the university and the hotelier to whom they leased the building are making out like bandits. Alums pay out the wazzoo to stay on campus. And professional & academic conferences that wouldve gone to Fort Smith on Little Rock now held at UA.

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Originally Posted by Cool Hand Clyde

I'd rather have a green space

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Glad our university is so fantastically wealthy that we can afford to let acres of land (ie. real property with market value) to sit idle.

Maybe we could also liquidate all the Foundation's assets and bury the cash in coffee cans.

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Originally Posted by Champ967

And that's exactly what they said about the abandoned derelict hideous eyesore dorm on the UArk campus on Fayetteville. Now it's a four-star hotel, booked up almost continuously. Both the university and the hotelier to whom they leased the building are making out like bandits.

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So you're saying that a city of roughly 74,000 is comparable to Ruston? If Ruston had a population of 74,000 and comparable industry and commercial opportunities, I would tend to agree that a $20-$30M investment is not that bad of decision. You also have to realize that a private partner was brought onboard for the "Inn at Carnell Hall." Plus, with it only being three stories, retrofit is easier (and cheaper) than a high-rise structure. The restoration of Carnell Hall cost $6.9M in 2003, according to their website. I'm sure Tech would have gladly accepted a private partner's investment in a similar venture. Caruthers did stand empty for at least 3 years.

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Originally Posted by Champ967

And that's exactly what they said about the abandoned derelict hideous eyesore dorm on the UArk campus on Fayetteville. It's too ugly, too old, too expensice, etc ... they all said.

Now it's a four-star hotel, booked up almost continuously. Both the university and the hotelier to whom they leased the building are making out like bandits. Alums pay out the wazzoo to stay on campus. And professional & academic conferences that wouldve gone to Fort Smith on Little Rock now held at UA.

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Cottingham may be the best analogy to Carnell Hall.

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Originally Posted by Champ967

Glad our university is so fantastically wealthy that we can afford to let acres of land (ie. real property with market value) to sit idle.

Maybe we could also liquidate all the Foundation's assets and bury the cash in coffee cans.

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Neilson and Caruthers combined only took up an acre of so. That entire area between Barnett Springs and the RR tracks , OTOH, is a little over 20. Plenty of room for the Bulldawg Hotel & Casino.

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Originally Posted by Cool Hand Clyde

I'd rather have a green space

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Speaking of which, does anyone know what they're planning on doing with this? If nothing, they could at least add more parking since it's already a nightmare half the time to find a spot. Which really pisses me off considering they raised the price for parking tags this year

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Originally Posted by dawg gone it

Speaking of which, does anyone know what they're planning on doing with this? If nothing, they could at least add more parking since it's already a nightmare half the time to find a spot. Which really pisses me off considering they raised the price for parking tags this year

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Parking garages coming.