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<DIV>Looks like they have come up with something very constructive! It is about
time! Now just listen to the die hards whine!</DIV>
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<DIV>Dick</DIV>
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<H1>U of I task force: Vandals should consider I-AA football</H1>
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<DIV class=article>Edition Date: 09-24-2004
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<P>The Idaho Vandals should consider the possibility that it may be time to move
back to Division I-AA football, according to a report by the university's Vision
and Resource Task Force. <BR><BR>The report, released this week, said the
athletic department is not achieving goals related to finances, wins and losses,
and attendance. "... The trend in recent years at this university is for
athletics to consume an even larger share of our resources. This is a matter of
serious concern, especially in a time of major budget constraints. ... Although
we support continuing with intercollegiate athletics, we offer a number of
recommendations to maintain athletics as a fiscally and socially responsible
part of our university. We also consider the possibility that time will prove
that we should step away from Division I-A football.'' <BR><BR>University
president Timothy White said the Vandals are committed to Division I-A football
and he will not consider the request from the task force.<BR><BR>In June, the
Vandals accepted an invitation to leave the Sun Belt Conference for the Western
Athletic Conference beginning in the fall of 2005. <BR><BR>The task force —
comprised of university faculty, students and staff — recommended the
development of an exit strategy from the WAC and Division I-A football "in the
event that financial sustainability and NCAA Division I-A requirements cannot be
met.''<BR><BR>The exit strategy must be developed by May 1, 2005, the task force
said. The plan to meet financial, win-loss and attendance targets also should
come with a time line "for demonstrating consistent success at meeting the
targets (we recommend no longer than five years),'' the report said. The task
force report also halted any potential athletic-related capital campaigns,
including the possibility of building a new football stadium "until there is a
consistent demand for football tickets and there is sold out or near sold out
attendance" at the Kibbie Dome. <BR><BR>When Idaho accepted the invitation to
join the WAC, athletic director Rob Spear said the school was developing a
long-range facilities plan that could eventually result in a new on-campus
football stadium to replace the 29-year-old Kibbie
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