[Vision2020] U of I task force & football

Tue Sep 28 09:42:20 PDT 2004

I agree with you 100%, Sunil.

If Nick Holt should show no improvement in the next couple years, I am all for 
becoming a big fish in a smaller pond.

The problem is that the NCAA has been discussing elimination of division 1AA 
and either combing some schools into 1A conferences or droppping down to 
division 2 conferences.  I am afraid that if we are not firmly planted in a 
viable division 1A conference, we may find ourselves at division 2 competing 
against the likes of Montana Tech and North Dakota A&T, and watching attendance 
at such games dwindle to under 2,000 (costing UI many thousands of dollars each 
season).

Came a tribe from the north true and bold . . .

Tom Hansen 
UI '96

> <html><div style='background-color:'><DIV class=RTE>
> <P>Jack, Tom, Carl,<BR><BR>I think it's fair to give Coach Holt some time to 
improve the
situation.  He should have a chance to show if he can recruit and do better 
with his
own players.  If he's able to do so, there's a good chance he'll move on, but 
Idaho
will be in a better position to replace him with someone similar.</P>
> <P>At the same time, there's no doubt that we face more problems than Boise 
State did when
they moved up to 1A.  Their program has a bigger population base to draw fans 
in, and
they have hired excellent coaches; their last two have moved up to major 1A 
programs, and
Dan Hawkins will have the same opportunities if he wants to take them.  </P>
> <P>I wonder about the claims that 1AA isn't viable for football.  My almer 
mater, UC
Davis, just moved up after years of playing at a high level at Div. II; until 
the 90s they
did not offer any scholarships, and the assistance they started offering didn't 
amount to
full scholarships.  I believe the rest of their athletic program will 
transition into
1A, with football in 1AA.  They are building a new football stadium, and I do 
hope
they succeed.  But I also remember the days when they had trouble filling our 
old
10,000 stadium.  </P>
> <P>At the same time, I don't want to see them playing 1A teams if their 
players are
smaller than their opponents.  When that happens, you're sending in your team 
and
getting your players beat up so you can bring in the paychecks, and that 
doesn't seem
right.  Of course, that's what happened when UCD played Idaho in '97 or '98.</P>
> <P>Maybe things will get better for Idaho in the new conference, and 
hopefully Holt will
be a successful coach here.  But if things don't work out, I don't see the 
point of
banging our heads against a wall.</P>
> <P>Sunil</P></DIV>
> <DIV></DIV>
> <DIV></DIV></div></html>
> 
> 

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