If I was Lamar's new president

[UNLV]

I I like to hear your thoughts on if you were Lamar's new president.

Athletics....
1. Major renovation of the Montagne Center. Basketball practice facility.
2.,Expand Cardinal stadium to 40k

Campus
1. Massive car garage
2. multi-story classroom building and offices. UNLV enrollment jumped significantly....
3. More dorms

Academics
1. Law school
2, Medical school. doctor shortage coming..,,
3. Energy Research facility

[Guest tigersvoice]

[quote name="UNLV" post="1275013" timestamp="1347977672"]
I I like to hear your thoughts on if you were Lamar's new president.

Athletics....
1. Major renovation of the Montagne Center. Basketball practice facility.
2.,Expand Cardinal stadium to 40k

Campus
1. Massive car garage
2. multi-story classroom building and offices. UNLV enrollment jumped significantly....
3. More dorms

Academics
1. Law school
2, Medical school. doctor shortage coming..,,
3. Energy Research facility
[/quote]

UNLV, most of the time I think you are on the "Looney" side.  And, all of the time I know you don't care what I think.  But this is interesting.  Limited to what you have outlined:  1)  I would invest in improving the Montagne.  What was Lamar's average football attendance last year -15 K or so?  It will be a LONG TIME before Lamar attracts 40 K fans to a game - much less average that number.  And I don't care what NCAA level at which they are playing - where are another 25 K fans going to come from?  2) I like the idea of a multistory classroom/offices building.  Lets grow UP not OUT.  Use the out for parking and then you won't need a garage.  These kids are young and robust; doesn't hurt them to walk a bit to get to classes.  3) Considering our location and what the primary industry is, the energy research facility is a LOCK.  Law school?  Don't we have enough?  (Meaning schools and lawyers.)  Medical school?  If we are indeed straddled with Obamacare the demand for doctors isn't going to be that great.  Neither the lustre nor the reward will be there as it was before.  Thanks for an interesting
thread. 8)

[UNLV]

Lamar goes FBS, bring in Texas Tech or Baylor, poof...40k

[skipmeister]

Or AFA or BYU!

[AggiesAreWe]

Where is all this money coming from to do all these upgrades? Out of the presidents own pocket? ;) ::)

[Guest tigersvoice]

[quote name="UNLV" post="1275112" timestamp="1347983566"]
Lamar goes FBS, bring in Texas Tech or Baylor, poof...40k
[/quote]

We beat Baylor before - what was the attendance at Waco?  Texas Tech?  Only if all of Coach Knights relatives come to see the game.  40 K?  Jefferson County is lucky if they get that many to vote in the upcoming presidential election.

[coachacola]

Here's my take:

Athletics....
1. Major renovation of the Montagne Center. Basketball practice facility.
[b][i]Part of the master plan but Lamar needs some big time donors to step up and fund this.[/i][/b]

2. Expand Cardinal stadium to 40k
[i][b]Probably first expand to 25 to 30k if there's a need and money for it.[/b][/i]

Campus
1. Massive car garage
[i][b]Dr. Simmons recently said it wasn't cost effective.[/b][/i]

2. multi-story classroom building and offices. UNLV enrollment jumped significantly....
[i][b]New science building coming in a few years.  Brooks-Shivers about to be remodeled for offices.[/b][/i]

3. More dorms
[i][b]Probably happens within 5 years.[/b][/i]

Academics
1. Law school
[i][b]No way, already too many law schools and not enough demand for lawyers.[/b][/i]

2, Medical school. doctor shortage coming..,,
[i][b]Good luck with a medical school.  Nursing is another matter, expand on that.[/b][/i]

3. Energy Research facility
[i][b]Research is a priority, that will keep increasing at Lamar.[/b][/i]

[AggiesAreWe]

If I were the president........

I would hit up UNLV for the first 1 million dollar donation for all these upgrades!!

I want to see him get the ball rolling!! ;) ;D

[BLUEDOVE3]

[quote name="UNLV" post="1275112" timestamp="1347983566"]
Lamar goes FBS, bring in Texas Tech or Baylor, poof...40k
[/quote]I have to agree with Tigersvoice's opening sentence from above.  ::)

[BLUEDOVE3]

[quote name="Tigersvoice" post="1275180" timestamp="1347988002"]
[quote author=UNLV link=topic=103325.msg1275112#msg1275112 date=1347983566]
Lamar goes FBS, bring in Texas Tech or Baylor, poof...40k
[/quote]

We beat Baylor before - what was the attendance at Waco?  Texas Tech?  Only if all of Coach Knights relatives come to see the game.  40 K?  Jefferson County is lucky if they get that many to vote in the upcoming presidential election.
[/quote]Its a different Baylor now. And you had me thinking UNLV was the lone looney ::)

[Guest tigersvoice]

[quote name="BLUEDOVE3" post="1275296" timestamp="1347995349"]
[quote author=Tigersvoice link=topic=103325.msg1275180#msg1275180 date=1347988002]
[quote author=UNLV link=topic=103325.msg1275112#msg1275112 date=1347983566]
Lamar goes FBS, bring in Texas Tech or Baylor, poof...40k
[/quote]

We beat Baylor before - what was the attendance at Waco?  Texas Tech?  Only if all of Coach Knights relatives come to see the game.  40 K?  Jefferson County is lucky if they get that many to vote in the upcoming presidential election.
[/quote]Its a different Baylor now. And you had me thinking UNLV was the lone looney ::)
[/quote]

Stick to basketball Dove.  You don't know squat about football. :-*

[Guest tigersvoice]

[quote name="BLUEDOVE3" post="1275296" timestamp="1347995349"]
[quote author=Tigersvoice link=topic=103325.msg1275180#msg1275180 date=1347988002]
[quote author=UNLV link=topic=103325.msg1275112#msg1275112 date=1347983566]
Lamar goes FBS, bring in Texas Tech or Baylor, poof...40k
[/quote]

We beat Baylor before - what was the attendance at Waco?  Texas Tech?  Only if all of Coach Knights relatives come to see the game.  40 K?  Jefferson County is lucky if they get that many to vote in the upcoming presidential election.
[/quote]Its a different Baylor now. And you had me thinking UNLV was the lone looney ::)
[/quote]

Hey, Dove!  C'mon Man.  You can't agree with me in one post and throw me under the bus in the next post!.  What's a matter with you? ;D

[BLUEDOVE3]

;D

[Green Menace]

For what it's worth-

1. Montagne Center is a fine facility.
2. Football stadium is OK for now;  expand to 20K+, or whatever putting end zone seating in brings the capacity to.  Add a football practice facility.
3. No need for a law school.
4. No need for a medical school
5. [u][b]Spend serious money on a new head football coach[/b][/u] (see #2).  Too many great FBS defensive and offensive coordinators out there for Lamar to be settled with a Juco Coach.

[UNLV]

Here we go with the can't do attitudes. An area of 400,000 can't put 40,000 in a stadium. Lubbock MSA is about 290,000 and they put 80,000 in. The really sad part is Lamar leaders is doing nothing more than being content with playing Langston and our 15,000 seat stadium.

[wbfan]

[quote name="Green Menace" post="1275389" timestamp="1348001463"]
[b]
4. No need for a medical school;  Obama will not be re-elected and Obamacare will be overturned.[/b]

[/quote]

I beg to differ on that. Also, do NOT turn this into a political thread, let's just say I don't have a very positive response for that statement.

[Guest tigersvoice]

[quote name="wbfan" post="1275862" timestamp="1348065266"]
[quote author=Green Menace link=topic=103325.msg1275389#msg1275389 date=1348001463]
[b]
4. No need for a medical school;  Obama will not be re-elected and Obamacare will be overturned.[/b]

[/quote]

I beg to differ on that. Also, do NOT turn this into a political thread, let's just say I don't have a very positive response for that statement.
[/quote]

And let's just say that not everybody agrees with YOU!

[Green Menace]

[quote name="wbfan" post="1275862" timestamp="1348065266"]
[quote author=Green Menace link=topic=103325.msg1275389#msg1275389 date=1348001463]
[b]
4. No need for a medical school;  [s]Obama will not be re-elected and Obamacare will be overturned.[/s][/b]

[/quote]

I beg to differ on that. Also, do NOT turn this into a political thread, let's just say I don't have a very positive response for that statement.
[/quote]
You are absolutely correct.  No need for political discussions on this board.  I have edited my original post.

[puddin tane]

I, as your Lamar president, (with an unlimited budget)....am buying up all properties from highland to the stadium...then i'll build some entertainment venues for the students.

then, maybe i'll start a Petroleum Engineering program, and Ag major of some sort

[move][size=24pt]Puddin for Prez[/size][/move]

[OldBuc77]

[quote author=UNLV link=topic=103325.msg1275609#msg1275609 date=1348019647]
Here we go with the can't do attitudes. An area of 400,000 can't put 40,000 in a stadium. Lubbock MSA is about 290,000 and they put 80,000 in. The really sad part is Lamar leaders is doing nothing more than being content with playing Langston and our 15,000 seat stadium.]

As a former Texas Tech student, season ticket holder, and 20+ year resident of the Lubbock area, I should point out a couple of things regarding your numbers.

Point #1:
The Lubbock MSA is indeed in the neighborhood of 290,000. However, Tech draws not only from the Lubbock MSA. Large numbers of Tech alumni reside in the South Plains (Lubbock), Panhandle (Amarillo), Permian Basin (Midland/Odessa), and Eastern New Mexico (all the way to Albuquerque). The hinterland of those regions are also chock full of Tech alumni. There are also a large number of Tech grads in the Big Country to the east off the caprock. Many of these fans can be at the stadium in an hour and a half (Permian Basin/Amarillo) or less, 2-2 1/2 hours for most. It is also driveable, and more importantly, a short relatively inexpensive plane ride from the Metroplex for the many Tech alumni in the DFW area that want to take in a home gane sometime during the season. Tech also plays in a conference against teams that travel well (UT, Ok, and formerly A&M) that will eagerly buy up any unsold tickets. The point is, Tech's market is far larger, in area and population, than the Lubbock MSA.

Point #2:
Texas Tech has NEVER drawn 80,000 to a home game. Even with the recent rennovations and expansion during the Leach era, the capacity of the stadium is only about 60,000, maybe 65,000 tops. If you had ever seen Jones stadium you would know that, assuming the fire marshall would allow it, there would be no place to put an additional 15-20,000 standing room only patrons. For most of Leaches tenure the stadium capacity was 50-55,000.

Point #3:
Tech was already talking about upgrading facilities and expanding the stadium when I hit campus in 70's. The goal was never far from the minds of Tech fans, students, or administrators, but it took 30+ years to make it a partial (there are still things on the drawing board) reality. Making it happen took essentially 3 things:

First, a University Chancellor that was not only smart, he was very well connected politically and corporately. As a result, state funding and corporate donations (academics and athletics) increased significantly. As that funding increased so did alumni funding/donations.

Second, a coach and a team that fired up the fan base, put hinnies in the seats, and sold lots of Tech licensed items (jerzeys, coozies, and everything in between). As popular as Coach Dykes and his teams were they never generated enough ticket sales, donations, etc. to justify the expansion. It was only when the stadium was consistently sold-out under Leach that it was feasible for the dream to become a reality.

Third, marketing. As Tech did a better job of marketing itself to the locals, the increase in local support was very noticeable. It doesn't matter how good you are academically or athletically if not enough people know about it. Lamar does a lot of things right, more people need know it.

I point this out only to clarify what is behind some of the numbers on Lubbock and Tech and what it took to get where they are.

[OldBuc77]

[quote name="UNLV" post="1275013" timestamp="1347977672"]
I I like to hear your thoughts on if you were Lamar's new president.

Athletics....
1. Major renovation of the Montagne Center. Basketball practice facility.
2.,Expand Cardinal stadium to 40k

Campus
1. Massive car garage
2. multi-story classroom building and offices. UNLV enrollment jumped significantly....
3. More dorms

Academics
1. Law school
2, Medical school. doctor shortage coming..,,
3. Energy Research facility
[/quote]

As I responded to the post about Tech, now let me address the original question.

Administratively:
1. Any new president must be 100% dedicated to making Lamar a better instution in every way. Lamar does a lot of good/great things, but better is always possible.
2. Develop and exploit (in the positive sense of the word) political and corporate connections to increase funding/donations to the university.
3. Develop alumni relationships. There are some 80,000 Lamar alumni according to the president at last springs graduation. They need to be singing the praises of their alma mater.
4. Market Lamar. Local/regional support for Lamar will increase as people are more aware of the good/great things that are happening.

Academics:
1. I don't have numbers for the most recent couple of years, but a few years ago (4-5 I think) Lamar was the only University in Texas (and maybe the nation) that had 100% of it's pre-law and pre-med students accepted into either law or med school. The politics and red tape of starting up a law or medical school are horrendus. In the long-run it may be feasible, but in the short term expansion of the pre law and pre med programs should certainly be do-able. Lamar should become a launching pad for anyone seriously considering those two professions.
Forget the politics, lawyers may not be popular, but they are at the very least a necessary evil. Health care has been the fastest growing segment of the economy for a number of years now and that is not likely to change much regardless of who wins in November.
2. Expand the nursing program to include (if it does not already do so) not only BSN but also advanced degrees. Likewise, develop or expand other allied health programs. If many do leave the profession, for political or other reasons, that only means more positions that need to be filled.
3. Continue to expand/ improve the Education (particularly advanced degree) program at Lamar. There were an impressive number of graduate degrees in education awarded at the graduation last spring, and Lamar does not just pass them out like candy, their eductaion program actually has a good reputation outside of Southeast Texas.
4. Expand the engineering program, Lamar has a good one. As with some of the other programs the reputation is better outside of SE Texas than within (back to marketing). Petroleum engineering would be awesome. Think of the internships with al the petrochemical companies in the region. Lamar could become a pipeline (pun intended) to the industry and juggernaught in the field.

Campus:
1. I don't really have a handle on this, but parking is always an issue at a college or university. Whether the answer is a parking garage or not, I don't know, but parking is always an issue that needs to be addressed.
2. Academic facilities upgrades should always be a priority. It sounds like there are some plans, but even before current plans come to fruition future plans (including dorms) should be on the drawing board. You can't attract new/more students if you have no place to put them.

Athletics:
1. Upgrade the Montaign Center? Absolutely! The court and seating is fine but the corridors are too narrow and ancillary facilities insufficient. Practice facilities if they are needed are a must and emphasize both mens AND womens basketball. It was Marsha Sharp's womens teams that built the state of the art basketball arena at Texas Tech, not the mens program. Fans get excited about WINNERS whether they are men or women.
2. Upgrade the baseball facility. A cool stadium with lots going on is a draw in and of itself. What else is going on during baseball season? Learn from minor league baseball, a good team matters but its not just about the game, its the total experience.
3. Make plans for a move to FBS but do it right. I don't want to tiptoe meekly into the FBS pool, I want to do a cannonball off the high-dive into the deep end with a big splash. I want everyone to take notice. That doesn't mean championships and big bowl games right off the bat, but they need to know we are serious and are a first-class act.
3. Make plans now for a brand new from-the-ground up 50,000 seat football stadium and let the time-frame be what it must.. If your going to get home games against name opponents you have to have ticket sales, otherwise they will usually only play you at their place. Revenue matters. The few plans I've seen for expanding the football stadium are unappealing. It looks like half the seats are in the south endzone with not much room for expansion on the sidelines. Those are the cheap seats and don't generate the revenue of sideline seats. I also think that while it may not make sense to expand "right-now", when the time comes that it should be done right. A first class facility that will serve the team, University, and community well for years to come. 50,000 may be a lot now, but if your gonna run with the big boys ya gotta have the facilities. Maybe a plan that allows for less than 50,00 originally but well planned, asthetically appealling, and fan friendly expansion in the future would work.
4. Pony up for the best coaches we can afford. Good coaches and staffs put good teams on the field. I'm not saying run anybody off, but when you do hire, hire the best.
5. Make Lamar games an event. Using football as an example, college football is a great game in and of itself, but much of what makes it so special is the atmosphere that surrounds the game. A few years back, Tech played Eli Manning and Ole Miss in Oxford. Some of the Tech faithful that made the trip were so impressed with "The Grove" they got behind an effort to institute something similar at Tech. Now they have Raider Alley before the game. Food, booths, live music, tailgating, giveaways, stuff for kids, women, young and old alike. Everyone loved it, even visiting fans. I heard fans from Nebraska and Oklahoma saying positive things and wishing their schools did something like it. A few hours of people having fun and getting fired up has an impact on the crowd at the game. Doesn't have to be limited to football.
6. Recruit nationwide and develop relationships with coaches at the big dog schools. Southeast Texas has a lot of football talent and Lamar should get its fair share. But if your going to compete FBS you need more than just your fair share of the Southeast Texas talent pool. Spike Dykes, when rebuilding Tech went to Florida and took it on the chin against some great Florida State and Miami teams. He also got a few great recruits directed his way from them because they didn't have enough scholarships for everyone and didn't want the other one or someone they played more frequently to get them. Wasn't the basis of his suceess, but it sure didn't hurt.
7. When recruiting, sell Lamar academics. If your gonna get a recruit ya gotta sell moma, and moma loves knowing her son is going to get a good education in case he doesn't make the NFL.

I know that was long-winded, and don't assume that to be the be-all-end-all list, but thats where I would start.

[UNLV]

What many here don't understand is If Lamar expands the stadium to 30,000, then play a BIG XII school, 30,000 fans will show up. 40,000 stadium, then 40,000 fans. 50,000, then 50,000. I doubt the rule holds much higher than 50,000 for an area of this size.However the mentality is "16,000 is more than enough. Lamar is a small school in a small town, just like SFA and SHSU."

[Guest tigersvoice]

[quote name="UNLV" post="1280183" timestamp="1348443499"]
What many here don't understand is If Lamar expands the stadium to 30,000, then play a BIG XII school, 30,000 fans will show up. 40,000 stadium, then 40,000 fans. 50,000, then 50,000. I doubt the rule holds much higher than 50,000 for an area of this size.However the mentality is "16,000 is more than enough. Lamar is a small school in a small town, just like SFA and SHSU."
[/quote]

On what basis do you base your statement 30K/30K, 40K/40K and 50K/50k?  Is this just your statement or are there some imperical data to support the statement?

[UNLV]

[quote name="Tigersvoice" post="1280221" timestamp="1348447490"]
[quote author=UNLV link=topic=103325.msg1280183#msg1280183 date=1348443499]
What many here don't understand is If Lamar expands the stadium to 30,000, then play a BIG XII school, 30,000 fans will show up. 40,000 stadium, then 40,000 fans. 50,000, then 50,000. I doubt the rule holds much higher than 50,000 for an area of this size.However the mentality is "16,000 is more than enough. Lamar is a small school in a small town, just like SFA and SHSU."
[/quote]

On what basis do you base your statement 30K/30K, 40K/40K and 50K/50k?  Is this just your statement or are there some imperical data to support the statement?
[/quote]It is my opinion. Areas with smaller populations can, so can we.

[OldBuc77]

Purely antecdotal, but once again based on my experience at Tech:

Of the current big 12 schools, Texas and Oklahoma would be most likely top out the stadium. At least that was the case in Lubbock. Texas for sure, and Oklahoma a really good chance.

None of the other schools travel all that well. Baylor and TCU would probably pull some fans, but neither travel well enough to top off a half or even 3/4 full stadium at 30K, much less 40 or 50. The Kansas schools, Iowa State, and OK State don't travel that well even when it is a conference foe. Forget West Virginia, way too far away.

Throw Texas A&M and LSU from the SEC in with Texas and Oklahoma and forget the rest of the Big 12 and you might pull it off. Might get severely abused on the field, but you would make a bunch of money whether you played them at home or at their place.