Nice article - very thoughtful perspective. There are just a couple issues I have, some of which were addressed by others. One, I see no guarantee that a commitment to soccer, especially one with the financial stakes you're talking about, will change our fortunes in the least. I cannot imagine a world in which 10,000 people show up to watch soccer at Folsom. We don't even get that many for our basketball games, or our Spring Football Scrimmage. Second point - the whole notion of lowering our expectations as the cure-all. Not a chance. I came to CU as a Freshman in 1977 and I saw how bad the program was by 1979-80. I worked in Farrand as a cook for the football team and saw the lack of commitment. 10 years later we were playing for all the marbles. That was even MORE unthinkable in 1979 as it is in 2022. Yes the dynamics have changed in terms of money, NIL, etc., but I argue that kids today want the same thing as back then: Success on the field, eyes watching them on TV, and a shot at the NFL. While it's true our AD budget will never be as high as ATM, we should have beat them in Denver a few months ago with a first-time starter who didn't even know the offense. There are no quick solutions. Get a solid coach in here - we have one - and give him the tools he needs to recruit and succeed. I think we're doing exactly what we should be doing right now. Go BUFFS.
There is no difference between Rockies management and CU administration... They aren't invested in winning... They can guarantee the revenue from the stadiums will make money so they aren't accountable... Only a fool would invest in a losing business. By buffs. Go gators
The current CU administration already has done a University of Chicago plan in theory, but allows the football team to still exist to milk the TV and stadium ticket revenues.
This has been the case for nearly 20 years. They could care less about the football team, or really athletics in general. But they do what they have to in order to comply with minimums and to try to keep appearamces up.
Its a complete joke. Changing coaches, getting more $ from boosters, etc none of that is going to make any difference as long as the current leadership is in place.
The move to the Pac 12 was exactly what they wanted. De-emphasize Football.
Nothing is going to change or improve until the leadership changes. They will do only enough to make it appear like they are trying. Then cry and whine about why things are so much harder for CU than it is for the other schools.
They are broke because of the awful leadership at the top and mismanagement of the Athletic Department.
I live in Santa Barbara and UCSB has a very strong men's and women's soccer program; the men have had many crowds of 10,000+. This from a town not unlike Boulder in terms of size and a community committed to outdoor activities year-round. Don't know how to fix CU's problem with football but the soccer idea is really good! I'm an alum and still a Buff football fanatic but see the $$ reality. Make the soccer retrofit part of Folsom's overall upgrade.
Great read and good ideas! I like the soccer field retrofit, are there any estimates on what that looks like, any CVEN students/grad need a project? Would be cool to see a visual approximation. Another thought, replace the grass with turf. the glory days were on turf plus less maintenance.
Also, will one of the local sports journalist please do a story, when Nike asked to move their corporate campus to Boulder and the University said no. I’d love to know the rationale. It’s important that Alumni realize who was involved with this decision so we can thank them for their service and ask the to please kindly tender their resignation. The offer from Nike was over 20 years ago. I still suspect Phil thinks Boulder and Colorado is a better for Nike.
Nike wanted to move their corporate campus to Boulder. The University and Boulder Bureaucrats shot it down, instead the Oregon Ducks have had a Billion (with a B) pumped into their University Athletics. Fire anyone at CU who was involved with poo pooing Nike moving to Boulder. Vote out get rid of the Bureaucrats and go back to Nike with what they originally wanted to move their campus to Boulder and sweeten the deal for them. Nike, still wants to be in Boulder… culture, location, nature, professional runners, triathletes, etc still train and live in Boulder. Sorry, Eugene… Boulder is a better fit, you can be satellite campus for Nike
Nike wanted to move their corporate campus to Boulder. The University and Boulder Bureaucrats shot it down, instead the Oregon Ducks have had a Billion (with a B) pumped into their University Athletics. Fire anyone at CU who was involved with poo pooing Nike moving to Boulder. Vote out get rid of the Bureaucrats and go back to Nike with what they originally wanted to move their campus to Boulder and sweeten the deal for them. Nike, still wants to be in Boulder… culture, location, nature, professional runners, triathletes, etc still train and live in Boulder. Sorry, Eugene… Boulder is a better fit, you can be satellite campus for Nike
CU is the flagship University in the state of Colorado and giving up on football would be an absolute disservice to all the students, fans, and players past and present. Let’s all work together to get back to having a competitive football team for all to enjoy. Not a time to give up, need to invest and push to get back to relevance. New media deal is on the horizon now which will help. Football can be a big part of the glue to school passion and can elevate the level of students who apply.
Nice article - very thoughtful perspective. There are just a couple issues I have, some of which were addressed by others. One, I see no guarantee that a commitment to soccer, especially one with the financial stakes you're talking about, will change our fortunes in the least. I cannot imagine a world in which 10,000 people show up to watch soccer at Folsom. We don't even get that many for our basketball games, or our Spring Football Scrimmage. Second point - the whole notion of lowering our expectations as the cure-all. Not a chance. I came to CU as a Freshman in 1977 and I saw how bad the program was by 1979-80. I worked in Farrand as a cook for the football team and saw the lack of commitment. 10 years later we were playing for all the marbles. That was even MORE unthinkable in 1979 as it is in 2022. Yes the dynamics have changed in terms of money, NIL, etc., but I argue that kids today want the same thing as back then: Success on the field, eyes watching them on TV, and a shot at the NFL. While it's true our AD budget will never be as high as ATM, we should have beat them in Denver a few months ago with a first-time starter who didn't even know the offense. There are no quick solutions. Get a solid coach in here - we have one - and give him the tools he needs to recruit and succeed. I think we're doing exactly what we should be doing right now. Go BUFFS.
There is no difference between Rockies management and CU administration... They aren't invested in winning... They can guarantee the revenue from the stadiums will make money so they aren't accountable... Only a fool would invest in a losing business. By buffs. Go gators
The current CU administration already has done a University of Chicago plan in theory, but allows the football team to still exist to milk the TV and stadium ticket revenues.
This has been the case for nearly 20 years. They could care less about the football team, or really athletics in general. But they do what they have to in order to comply with minimums and to try to keep appearamces up.
Its a complete joke. Changing coaches, getting more $ from boosters, etc none of that is going to make any difference as long as the current leadership is in place.
The move to the Pac 12 was exactly what they wanted. De-emphasize Football.
Nothing is going to change or improve until the leadership changes. They will do only enough to make it appear like they are trying. Then cry and whine about why things are so much harder for CU than it is for the other schools.
They are broke because of the awful leadership at the top and mismanagement of the Athletic Department.
Why invest in this program any longer?
I live in Santa Barbara and UCSB has a very strong men's and women's soccer program; the men have had many crowds of 10,000+. This from a town not unlike Boulder in terms of size and a community committed to outdoor activities year-round. Don't know how to fix CU's problem with football but the soccer idea is really good! I'm an alum and still a Buff football fanatic but see the $$ reality. Make the soccer retrofit part of Folsom's overall upgrade.
Great read and good ideas! I like the soccer field retrofit, are there any estimates on what that looks like, any CVEN students/grad need a project? Would be cool to see a visual approximation. Another thought, replace the grass with turf. the glory days were on turf plus less maintenance.
Also, will one of the local sports journalist please do a story, when Nike asked to move their corporate campus to Boulder and the University said no. I’d love to know the rationale. It’s important that Alumni realize who was involved with this decision so we can thank them for their service and ask the to please kindly tender their resignation. The offer from Nike was over 20 years ago. I still suspect Phil thinks Boulder and Colorado is a better for Nike.
Nike wanted to move their corporate campus to Boulder. The University and Boulder Bureaucrats shot it down, instead the Oregon Ducks have had a Billion (with a B) pumped into their University Athletics. Fire anyone at CU who was involved with poo pooing Nike moving to Boulder. Vote out get rid of the Bureaucrats and go back to Nike with what they originally wanted to move their campus to Boulder and sweeten the deal for them. Nike, still wants to be in Boulder… culture, location, nature, professional runners, triathletes, etc still train and live in Boulder. Sorry, Eugene… Boulder is a better fit, you can be satellite campus for Nike
Nike wanted to move their corporate campus to Boulder. The University and Boulder Bureaucrats shot it down, instead the Oregon Ducks have had a Billion (with a B) pumped into their University Athletics. Fire anyone at CU who was involved with poo pooing Nike moving to Boulder. Vote out get rid of the Bureaucrats and go back to Nike with what they originally wanted to move their campus to Boulder and sweeten the deal for them. Nike, still wants to be in Boulder… culture, location, nature, professional runners, triathletes, etc still train and live in Boulder. Sorry, Eugene… Boulder is a better fit, you can be satellite campus for Nike
CU is the flagship University in the state of Colorado and giving up on football would be an absolute disservice to all the students, fans, and players past and present. Let’s all work together to get back to having a competitive football team for all to enjoy. Not a time to give up, need to invest and push to get back to relevance. New media deal is on the horizon now which will help. Football can be a big part of the glue to school passion and can elevate the level of students who apply.