Q & A: First of all, I have to say that the athletic department has significantly improved since you came to the helm. While I'm not a huge baseball and softball fan, I recognize the success of our teams and feel they need their just rewards. I've read that you are taking initial steps with Phase I of the baseball/softball renovation, aimed at improving the playing surface. This should have been done years ago, but at least it's getting done. However, they deserve much more than this. I've also read about Phase II of the baseball/softball complex, which involves substantial renovation/replacement of the grandstands, seating areas, concessions, etc. I've read countless promises that renderings for the new stadiums would be ready in a matter of weeks. I've also read that HKS Architects is behind on our project due to higher profile facilities like the new Cowboy Stadium. These delays are further damaging these excellent athletic programs and may negatively impact our ability to attract recruits and maintain coaching staffs. In addition, I understand these renderings will be made available for fundraising promotions.
The longer these delays continue, the longer it will take to properly reward two of our more successful athletic programs. There are alumni, such as myself, that would love to do our part to help reward these programs. However, we need something tangible to advertise with. When will these renderings be available? If HKS is still delaying, what can I as an alumnus do to pressure them to expedite delivery of these renderings? Thanks for your passion and interest about helping our baseball and softball programs. It has been a long process with HKS, and we are now aggressively moving forward with this project. Expect to see renderings in the very near future, as we will have them available on this web site. We have begun meetings with potential major supporters of this project and will also have a brochure soon to help promote the project and designed levels of support for every pocketbook. This is going to take a commitment and team effort from our constituents like never before. We need people to identify themselves so we can bring them proposals since they have an interest in the project. Please contact us if you would like to receive information. Also, as a reminder to some who have sent e-mails and letters to us without identifying themselves about us not getting off-center with this project, I will remind you that we are ready to begin Phase I, a MAJOR overhaul of the playing surfaces and drainage systems, on June 1. This is a very good step in the right direction.
Every year it looks like we lose Southland Conference Commissioner Cup points in the sport of men's tennis. Has Texas State considered bringing back men's tennis and adding a new women's sport (because of Title IX)? Seems a shame we are handicapped by not having a team. Also, are there any changes coming for the athletic department in general? Paul, there are no plans to revive men's tennis and add another women's sport. Currently, we sponsor 16 intercollegiate sports - seven for men and nine for women. This number is two over the required number of 14 for NCAA sponsorship requirements at the Division I level. There are schools in our conference that do not get points in certain sports either - including football, baseball, and softball, to name a few. As for the second part of your question, we are always striving to improve ourselves. We have made many changes within the last 15 months and will continue to do so this summer. Without a little more specific topic, it is hard to answer that question. Thanks for your interest!
My question has to do with the wall at Strahan (the one with the big Texas State logo). Have there been any talks in possibly demolishing that wall, and installing more seating in hopes of hosting bigger schools? If that were to happen, do you think that would create more income and attendance for all of our sports events in Strahan? Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions. Honestly, Nathan, when our current fan base is not filling up the arena, expanding it would be difficult to justify. Two years ago we had The University of Houston play here and the arena was not half-filled. This year we will play SMU here. Before we can expand the arena, we need to fill it up. Solely going from 7,000 to 10,000 seats is not guaranteed to attract larger schools. |
