Money matters, no doubt... but that is not our primary opportunity as fans right now. We already do a pretty darn good job with that.. In fact, pound for pound, I'd put us up against most.
Our primary opportunity is to become more engaged (year round) in overt support of the program. The objective will be to create a viable, legitimate alternative to the State University for recruits.
The best comparison I can think of right now is to be Auburn to Alabama... maybe Louisville to Kentucky..... Please know I am talking about football and business, I am NOT talking about academic comparisons in ANY way... hope we can stay on the original topic of recruiting football players and football performance vs. Ga.
Knowing both programs well... I will give my honest, objective assessment of the advantages each have today:
We already have advantages in these areas-
-Academic reputation
-Physical location (Atl)
Ga has advantages in these areas-
-Size of fanbase
-Engagement of fanbase
-Variety and relatively less rigorous academic offerings
-Media hype due to conference affiliation
-Full 100% commitment of their administration
-Continuity of coaching staff
*Academic reputation- We own this and there is nothing Ga can do about it... Our job= enjoy and be proud of it.
*Physical location- We own this too and there is nothing Ga can do about it. Yes, I realize the City isn't for everybody, but all things being equal, a significant majority of recruits will be more excited about living in Atl vs. Athens, Ga... Our job= Play up the variety and diversity of our city.
*Size of fanbase- Ga owns this and realistically there is nothing we can do to change this. The relative size of the schools mostly precludes us from having "more" fans than them.
Our job= Accept our responsibility to buy season tickets and go to games (home and away when possible)
*Engagement of fanbase- This is by far the greatest impact we can have on recruiting and our program in general... Our job= Get out of the shadows and engage in the promotion of the program.. I would guess near 100% of folks reading this board are already doing this, so our job is to encourage others to do so as well... Wear your Tech stuff, call the call-in shows, be vocal (not obnoxious) at work, church, youth sports, etc.... don't be "too cool" for that stuff... it matters, a LOT.
Doing this makes us a viable alternative in recruit's hearts and minds. There are more Bama fans than AU fans, but the AU fans are present, vocal, and proud. They are certainly a viable alternative to Bama and engage them head on in the state.
*Variety of academic offerings- There is little we can do directly on this... However, the engagement we talked about above, will lead to a greater awareness from our administration of the financial benefits gained from athletic success and subsequently should lead them to further cooperation and increase their courage to challenge the BOR for at least the appearance of impartiality between the two major schools in the state. Might not work but can NOT hurt.
*Media Hype- Our job= Participate in media debates enthusiastically... It's a leisurely past time and hobby, it doesn't hurt anything.. call up and have some fun!
Be proud and be confident, focus on us.. no whining about how unfair everything is...
*Admin support- Covered above
*Continuity of Coaching Staff- This one is huge and is THE common thread of programs that rise from their current reality to a higher level of prominence... I think we all (generally) agree that we have a Coach that has demonstrated his ability and willingness to lead our proud program positively into the future...
Our job= Insist that we secure our Head Coach and give him the ability to retain our Staff as he feels appropriate. If we want a top program we have to pay for top leadership.... Get behind the Coach and program, even if you disagree with some aspects of their leadership... Every single successful organization shares that quality... The willingness to give a little on some points in order to ensure the overall success and well being of the bigger prize...
Sorry to be so wordy... hope everyone has a great post victory Sunday!