View from the Corner Office
9/3/2009 2:45:00 PM | Athletics
Over the next year we will be holding special gatherings at our events to get more people involved and try to do new things and give more access to our fans who can't make it to Huntsville during our luncheon at noon on Monday's.
I am confident that this change in direction will have a better impact on everything we are doing in this department, whether it is the game day atmosphere or the quality of play you see on the field. The Bearkat Champions Fund members will have a direct impact on the future of Sam Houston State athletics.
Another big part of the creation of the Champions Fund is also the announcement of our new Associate Athletic Director for Development, David Paitson, who joins us with a wealth of knowledge and experience in professional sports. Paitson will be a key component in helping our department move forward.
Big Rock
With the Champions Fund initiative and the hiring of David Paitson, we are looking at ways to not only better serve our fans, but increase fan interest. With tonight's game on TV, we have made several improvements to Bowers Stadium as we continue to enhance the image of both Bowers Stadium and this athletic department. Among the improvements already finished is the completion of the elevator. Also this summer, the goal posts have been painted, the stadium was power washed and press box windows have all been cleaned, as well as additional banners and signs placed in the stadium.
Speaking of the game being on TV I do want to address the broadcast of tonight's game. It was originally scheduled to be on The Tube in Houston, but a scheduling conflict prevented them from picking up the game. I want to recognize the efforts of Southland Conference Commissioner Tom Burnett and the management at KNWS for finding a way to make this work so our largest fan base in the Houston area who can't make it to the game will still be able to see the Kats play.
Little Rock
I also want to address the schedule situation, because this has been asked of me many times. A lot of people, including myself, were excited a few years ago when we were able to get a home and home series with Prairie View A&M. When we are scheduling games we try to take into account not only what is best for our department and football program, but what is best for our fans as well.
When Hurricane Ike hit last season and the game was cancelled, we agreed to shift everything back one year in the contract and move forward from there. This past spring, they dropped us from the schedule and made other arrangements for the 2009 season. There is a buyout in the contract and we are working to reschedule with them and avoid the buyout, but the buyout will be pursued if the series can not be rescheduled. We had a similar situation with Texas Southern in basketball and we are working with them on a buyout.
We then took this as an opportunity to add another home game, but it was late in the game and we were left scrambling to find a team to play. We are always working to get six home games and we want to play as many FCS teams as possible, with one FBS team. We have decided philosophically we want to play one FBS game and the rest of our opponents from the FCS ranks. A Division II game is a last option. With the playoff field getting expanded next season to 20, we want to do what we can to strengthen our playoff at large position.
Special Bearkats
I want to conclude this by giving a big thanks to the committee members on the Champions Fund Committee. From the university, James F. Gaertner, SHSU President; R. Dean Lewis, College of Business/Faculty Athletic Representative; Frank Holmes, Vice President for University Advancement; Jaimie Hebert, Dean of Arts and Sciences and Heather Crowson, Vice President for Enrollment Management. Also, we had several other important people who have an interest in Sam Houston State athletics; Ray Burgess, Joe Bickley, Chester Crawford, John Hoyt, Ron Mafrige, Ron Randleman, Joe Sandel, Randy Stewart and Ronald Carroll. This would not have been possible without their help.
