Southern Miss seems to have a vision, and they are doing things the right way. Their results (on and off the field), compared to Tech's results during the same period show what can be accomplished by a "second rung" state school in a dreaded "small town" when the administartion actually seems to care. I found this on their website:
As the football team's success continues to build yearly, so does the fan support and season ticket base. Last season, 20,793 season tickets were sold, marking the largest number in the school's history, breaking the 2001 record high of 18,652. From the 1999 season until the 2002 season, there has been an increase of almost 4,000 season tickets.
Amazing the correlation between winning games and numbers of tickets sold. Also amazing comparing their season ticket numbers, which reflect a lot of work and some extensive and consistant marketing, relative to our season ticket numbers, which reflect sitting on your butt and doing absolutely nothing.
Also, they are ACTIVELY raising money for stadium improvements. They have a PLAN, and their PLAN even has a catchy NAME! Why is it no one at Tech will ever put forth the effort to at least attempt something similar? They are planning a mighty impressive stadium improvement at that, not just a coat of paint. Will someone, ANYONE at Tech please get off your butt and get something like this going?? Also from their website:
Currently, the Southern Miss Athletics Department is in the early stages of a stadium renovation capital campaign, "Building Dominance." Funding from this campaign will allow the athletic department to implement the major phases of a recently completed renovation and additions study that will include such major projects as luxury suites and club level seating and press box renovation and expansion of the stadium, increasing seating capacity to 41,300.
They showed an artist's rendering of this planned addition during the USM - Nebraska game, and it is REALLY nice. It will enclose one of their endzones.
On a related note, I just got a freaking Christmas card from the U. of Miss. Medical Center Alumni Association asking for donations, and I haven't even graduated yet! I'm still a student for 2 more years! You can even send a donation with your credit card! I also get a birthday card every year asking for donations. You know how many times I have been asked for ANYTHING from ANYONE at Tech since I graduated 3 and a half years ago?? Excactly ZERO. Something is wrong with this picture, very wrong.