Escalating Money spend in College Football

[stinger78]

I am curious as to how a coach can offer/promise NIL money when it is not supposed to be connected to the school in any way.

Courts/congress left a lot of holes and the NCAA has decided to wait it all out on the sidelines.

There is literally no one at the helm right now.

 

[4shotB]

I would love to hear you say more about Tech alumni being willing to spend big on NIL. I don’t doubt for a moment that Tech has plenty of wealthy alumni, it’s just that my impression was always that they were conservative with their money, preferring sound business investments over vanity projects. Maybe I’ve bought into a stereotype but I think of fans at a school like uga having a kind of mindless exuberance whereas Tech having fans who keep the game in perspective.

Would love to hear what others think too.

Since leaving Tech long ago, I have spent all but 7 or 8 years out of state. When I lived in state, I had season tickets and interacted regularly with fellow GT fans and alums. As such, the game and the school were much more in the forefront and occupied more of my attention. Moving out of state, I am shocked to see a car with a GT sticker or a person at the grocery with a Tech polo. The news media has declined and I don't subscribe to anything now. What little information I get about Gt is from this site. It moves to the backburner a bit somehow. Now consider all of my Tech buddies - only 1 stayed instate. The rest are scattered and NONE of them participate on this site or any other of the 2 or 3 Tech sites. Probably aren't aware even of their existentce Busy with careers, families, other things.

My point? We have smaller amount of grads and have more people move out of state where somehow or other the games seem to lessen in importance.

Other things to think about. I do think Gt grads have more of a hard ROI mindset as you suggest. A byproduct of our training I suppose. The other thing. we have talked before about the environment at GT. It was not one that generated a lot of touchy-feely, dear ol' alma mater types of feelings that some of my friends seem to have towards their schools. Our mindset was to "get out". I think that speajks volumes to the feelings Tech grads have towards the schools.

Contrast to the private school were I last taught. Tuition was over 25k per year. Despite spending this kind of money, I had kids tell me that there school of choice was Bama. Ole Miss. Auburn. and that they weren't looking elsewhere. Bc that's where the parents and grandparents went. My thinking was why spend that kind of money as a parent to send your kid to one of these places but as you suggest (and I agree) these people have a different attitude towards their money than most Tech people I know. And finally, out of my GT friend group, not one of us had a kid go to Tech. My oldest ws accepted but didn't like the vibe on his campus tour. This after growing up going to games as a kid at BDS. How does this hurt. We don't seem to have the multi-generational faamily experience to the degree that these large state schools do.

 

[stinger78]

Since leaving Tech long ago, I have spent all but 7 or 8 years out of state. When I lived in state, I had season tickets and interacted regularly with fellow GT fans and alums. As such, the game and the school were much more in the forefront and occupied more of my attention. Moving out of state, I am shocked to see a car with a GT sticker or a person at the grocery with a Tech polo. The news media has declined and I don't subscribe to anything now. What little information I get about Gt is from this site. It moves to the backburner a bit somehow. Now consider all of my Tech buddies - only 1 stayed instate. The rest are scattered and NONE of them participate on this site or any other of the 2 or 3 Tech sites. Probably aren't aware even of their existentce Busy with careers, families, other things.

My point? We have smaller amount of grads and have more people move out of state where somehow or other the games seem to lessen in importance.

Other things to think about. I do think Gt grads have more of a hard ROI mindset as you suggest. A byproduct of our training I suppose. The other thing. we have talked before about the environment at GT. It was not one that generated a lot of touchy-feely, dear ol' alma mater types of feelings that some of my friends seem to have towards their schools. Our mindset was to "get out". I think that speajks volumes to the feelings Tech grads have towards the schools.

Contrast to the private school were I last taught. Tuition was over 25k per year. Despite spending this kind of money, I had kids tell me that there school of choice was Bama. Ole Miss. Auburn. and that they weren't looking elsewhere. Bc that's where the parents and grandparents went. My thinking was why spend that kind of money as a parent to send your kid to one of these places but as you suggest (and I agree) these people have a different attitude towards their money than most Tech people I know. And finally, out of my GT friend group, not one of us had a kid go to Tech. My oldest ws accepted but didn't like the vibe on his campus tour. This after growing up going to games as a kid at BDS. How does this hurt. We don't seem to have the multi-generational faamily experience to the degree that these large state schools do.

Precisely!
All our effort was to get out! My daughter went to UGAg and after graduating hung around Athens for a couple years with her recently graduated buddies. She loved the place. It was genuinely a fun experience for her and her friends.

She and all her friends could have gone to GT. All had good grades with multiple APs. One had a perfect SAT but got waitlisted! How does that happen? They all figured if she got waitlisted they all would be rejected. So they went to UGAa and had a blast!

This is all a problem for GT. We are a state school that acts like a private school.

 

[SomeGuy]

Several problems I see with GT keeping up with the spend on athletes. Most universities have more students in general and graduate them at a higher rate, historically. GT students move away from ATL and many times move out of the country. Most GT students care very little about sports. Although NIL is "paying for the Atheletes", this is just a mirage. The athletes we pay still have to take and pass the same classes.

I don't see how GT can compete with ND, USC, Michigan, OSU, Alabama, etc...

This x10. Most of the students at GT could not care less about sports. Most of these millionaire graduates we hear about aren't putting their money into a sports program. Most of the students get their degree & never think about the sports program a day in their life. They aren't brought up in sports households, so they don't care. They go to games while they're in school for something to do. Let's stop fooling ourselves.

 

[stinger78]

This x10. Most of the students at GT could not care less about sports. Most of these millionaire graduates we hear about aren't putting their money into a sports program. Most of the students get their degree & never think about the sports program a day in their life. They aren't brought up in sports households, so they don't care. They go to games while they're in school for something to do. Let's stop fooling ourselves.

All schools have these people. GA Tech has exponentially more of them. It matters.

 

[4shotB]

This x10. Most of the students at GT could not care less about sports. Most of these millionaire graduates we hear about aren't putting their money into a sports program. Most of the students get their degree & never think about the sports program a day in their life. They aren't brought up in sports households, so they don't care. They go to games while they're in school for something to do. Let's stop fooling ourselves.

Also we need to quit using the word millionaire like it has any cache or meaning. This isn't the 1960's anymore where millionaires had enough money to possibly move the needle. Hell, the kids playing the games now are millionaires in some cases at 19 or 20 years old. The word needs to be retired imo. It's old and tired.

 

[JacketOff]

Also we need to quit using the word millionaire like it has any cache or meaning. This isn't the 1960's anymore where millionaires had enough money to possibly move the needle. Hell, the kids playing the games now are millionaires in some cases at 19 or 20 years old. The word needs to be retired imo. It's old and tired.

While being a millionaire might not hold the same weight that it did a few decades ago, it still matters, a lot. As a young person (26) I can promise you that the word millionaire still carries weight. You and a lot of people on this board are older, successful people who have grown your worth and been surrounded by other successful people for many years. Your perception of wealth and what is considered normal is much different from what the average person sees as “normal.” Less than 10% of the US population is a “millionaire”, and less than 10% of that group is under the age of 35. That means less than 1% of the U.S. population is both under 35 and a millionaire. Debating far being a “millionaire” gets you in today’s world compared to the past is a very different point than saying the word carries no weight. The overwhelming majority of people in the United States will never be a millionaire, and most will never even come close.

 

[4shotB]

While being a millionaire might not hold the same weight that it did a few decades ago, it still matters, a lot. As a young person (26) I can promise you that the word millionaire still carries weight. You and a lot of people on this board are older, successful people who have grown your worth and been surrounded by other successful people for many years. Your perception of wealth and what is considered normal is much different from what the average person sees as “normal.” Less than 10% of the US population is a “millionaire”, and less than 10% of that group is under the age of 35. That means less than 1% of the U.S. population is both under 35 and a millionaire. Debating far being a “millionaire” gets you in today’s world compared to the past is a very different point than saying the word carries no weight. The overwhelming majority of people in the United States will never be a millionaire, and most will never even come close.

well written and thoughtful post! It's interesting to hear a contrasting perspective presented so articulately. I think you are right in that being a GT grad sort of aligns one with people of similar goals. habits and motivations, regardless of where they went to school, and thus shapes one's perspective a bit on things. Great post.

 

[gtee91]

Precisely!
All our effort was to get out! My daughter went to UGAg and after graduating hung around Athens for a couple years with her recently graduated buddies. She loved the place. It was genuinely a fun experience for her and her friends.

She and all her friends could have gone to GT. All had good grades with multiple APs. One had a perfect SAT but got waitlisted! How does that happen? They all figured if she got waitlisted they all would be rejected. So they went to UGAa and had a blast!

This is all a problem for GT. We are a state school that acts like a private school.

The new admissions regime does not like children of Alumni....his stated goal is to change the culture of the school and you cannot do that with multigenerational traditions. He wants to be trendy and global

 

[leatherneckjacket]

The new admissions regime does not like children of Alumni....his stated goal is to change the culture of the school and you cannot do that with multigenerational traditions. He wants to be trendy and global

The current strategy is to wait list legacies and admit others in order to grow the alumni base. Since legacies are guaranteed admission if they maintain a 3.0 GPA at another school, they mistakenly believe the legacies will.come to Tech after going to another college. So, they are wait listed. The problem is those students end up making friends and build ties to the other school, so they do not end up transferring. Instead of building a stronger alumni base, they build a weaker one. Just a dumb strategy.

 

[stinger78]

The new admissions regime does not like children of Alumni....his stated goal is to change the culture of the school and you cannot do that with multigenerational traditions. He wants to be trendy and global

Trendy and global does not grow a local alumni base that supports the athletic programs of the school.

That is no problem if athletics doesn’t matter, as it hasn’t for GT in a long time. If it does matter, then that approach will not work. International and globally diverse students are not typically influenced by a football program, whereas local legacies are often so… I was.

 

[forensicbuzz]

Trendy and global does not grow a local alumni base that supports the athletic programs of the school.

That is no problem if athletics doesn’t matter, as it hasn’t for GT in a long time. If it does matter, then that approach will not work. International and globally diverse students are not typically influenced by a football program, whereas local legacies are often so… I was.

I think the biggest thing Key and team are doing to improve the sidewalk and local fans for GT is going out and bringing in local kids. These kids come from local communities and when they come to GT and are successful, that is a positive for GT in that community. Continuing to do that and being successful on the field will go a long way to changing the perception of GT locally. There are many locals who are looking for a reason to like GT.

 

[Randy Carson]

Man, I dunno...is that what we really want to be a part of?

Instead of the never-ending arms race, perhaps forming a "Southern Ivy League"—the Kudzu League—and cheering for the brave and bold against smaller schools like Wake, Duke, Davidson, the Citadel and Elon on quiet Saturday afternoons, while Southern belles sashay around the veranda sipping mint juleps, might be more enjoyable.

Would we be happier watching real student-athletes play for the love of the game instead of stressing over every single transfer portal rumor?

Sorry...I just needed a moment. Please continue.

 

[stinger78]

While being a millionaire might not hold the same weight that it did a few decades ago, it still matters, a lot. As a young person (26) I can promise you that the word millionaire still carries weight. You and a lot of people on this board are older, successful people who have grown your worth and been surrounded by other successful people for many years. Your perception of wealth and what is considered normal is much different from what the average person sees as “normal.” Less than 10% of the US population is a “millionaire”, and less than 10% of that group is under the age of 35. That means less than 1% of the U.S. population is both under 35 and a millionaire. Debating far being a “millionaire” gets you in today’s world compared to the past is a very different point than saying the word carries no weight. The overwhelming majority of people in the United States will never be a millionaire, and most will never even come close.

Very good poast!

 

[RamblinRed]

If you compare the demographics of who watches college football and the demographics of the schools that consistently perform the best in the sport, you will see that GT does not really fit into that group.

In terms of the schools that tend to perform best they are large state schools that have a high percentage of in-state students and a large 'state' fanbase. They also tend to have a high percentage of white students.

GT doesn't have any of that. It takes a smaller percentage of students from in-state than other public schools, it's graduates leave the state at a higher rate than graduates at other schools. It's percentage of minority and foreign students is higher than at large public schools. GT has the smallest undergraduate enrollment of any P4 public school.

For years GT has basically been a private school masquerating as a public school. While I have no doubt the current administration would like the sports programs to be stronger than some previous administrations, at the end of the day the vast majority of its time and effort is spent trying to make it the best academic school it can be.

I believe GT can have a very good college football program - one that can occassionally make the expanded CFP when everything comes together, but I do not believe GT can have an elite college football program - it just doesn't match the dynamics necessary for that to happen.

For all the talk about money discrepancies - it hasn't been TV money that has been the driver there. Last year SEC schools got $7M more per school than ACC schools from their media contracts (it is going to get much worse over the next decade), the difference in revenue is primarily being caused by what these large state schools can raise in additional revenue. They make so much more money from their large fanbases and that is something GT will never catch up to, no matter which conference it is in. tOSU makes almost as much revenue from its home football games as GT's entire athletic budget. It's a numbers game.

 

[stinger78]

Been saying this for a long time. As the sport has moved more snd more money driven, the small schools have struggled more and more. Money is exploding now and smaller schools simply cannot keep pace. ND, for obvious reasons, is the exception.

 

[southernhive]

If you compare the demographics of who watches college football and the demographics of the schools that consistently perform the best in the sport, you will see that GT does not really fit into that group.

In terms of the schools that tend to perform best they are large state schools that have a high percentage of in-state students and a large 'state' fanbase. They also tend to have a high percentage of white students.

GT doesn't have any of that. It takes a smaller percentage of students from in-state than other public schools, it's graduates leave the state at a higher rate than graduates at other schools. It's percentage of minority and foreign students is higher than at large public schools. GT has the smallest undergraduate enrollment of any P4 public school.

For years GT has basically been a private school masquerating as a public school. While I have no doubt the current administration would like the sports programs to be stronger than some previous administrations, at the end of the day the vast majority of its time and effort is spent trying to make it the best academic school it can be.

I believe GT can have a very good college football program - one that can occassionally make the expanded CFP when everything comes together, but I do not believe GT can have an elite college football program - it just doesn't match the dynamics necessary for that to happen.

For all the talk about money discrepancies - it hasn't been TV money that has been the driver there. Last year SEC schools got $7M more per school than ACC schools from their media contracts (it is going to get much worse over the next decade), the difference in revenue is primarily being caused by what these large state schools can raise in additional revenue. They make so much more money from their large fanbases and that is something GT will never catch up to, no matter which conference it is in. tOSU makes almost as much revenue from its home football games as GT's entire athletic budget. It's a numbers game.

This is spot on!

 

[TromboneJacket]

If you compare the demographics of who watches college football and the demographics of the schools that consistently perform the best in the sport, you will see that GT does not really fit into that group.

In terms of the schools that tend to perform best they are large state schools that have a high percentage of in-state students and a large 'state' fanbase. They also tend to have a high percentage of white students.

GT doesn't have any of that. It takes a smaller percentage of students from in-state than other public schools, it's graduates leave the state at a higher rate than graduates at other schools. It's percentage of minority and foreign students is higher than at large public schools. GT has the smallest undergraduate enrollment of any P4 public school.

For years GT has basically been a private school masquerating as a public school. While I have no doubt the current administration would like the sports programs to be stronger than some previous administrations, at the end of the day the vast majority of its time and effort is spent trying to make it the best academic school it can be.

I believe GT can have a very good college football program - one that can occassionally make the expanded CFP when everything comes together, but I do not believe GT can have an elite college football program - it just doesn't match the dynamics necessary for that to happen.

For all the talk about money discrepancies - it hasn't been TV money that has been the driver there. Last year SEC schools got $7M more per school than ACC schools from their media contracts (it is going to get much worse over the next decade), the difference in revenue is primarily being caused by what these large state schools can raise in additional revenue. They make so much more money from their large fanbases and that is something GT will never catch up to, no matter which conference it is in. tOSU makes almost as much revenue from its home football games as GT's entire athletic budget. It's a numbers game.

I think that the percentage of minorities in this is a bit misleading. I imagine the more relevant factor is what generation of American the student is and where they grew up. If they are 4th generation or higher and grew up in the South, they are much more likely to align with the traditions of the area no matter where their ancestors came from. I also think that winning enough can overcome some of these factors. I know people who didn’t know the first thing about football before coming to Tech who then became diehard fans after seeing us beat teams like Clemson and georgie when Paul Johnson was head coach.

In short, if you start beating good teams (and not falling on your face immediately afterward like we did in 2015 and 2017), then the support will follow.

 

[stinger78]

I think that the percentage of minorities in this is a bit misleading. I imagine the more relevant factor is what generation of American the student is and where they grew up. If they are 4th generation or higher and grew up in the South, they are much more likely to align with the traditions of the area no matter where their ancestors came from. I also think that winning enough can overcome some of these factors. I know people who didn’t know the first thing about football before coming to Tech who then became diehard fans after seeing us beat teams like Clemson and georgie when Paul Johnson was head coach.

In short, if you start beating good teams (and not falling on your face immediately afterward like we did in 2015 and 2017), then the support will follow.

Football is king in the south and midwest. As a southern institution, students that come from southern states will have an easier time creating a close ID with GT athletics. Those that come from outside the south will have a bit harder time. However, those from the south that stay in the south after graduation have the easiest path to becoming a passionate fan. This is the magic formula for large state schools, IMPO.

Getting the right students at the school is the first task. The second is to win consistently.

GT used to be much better at both of these. The whole diversity culture of world class academics does not help us vis athletics.

 

[gte447f]

Football is king in the south and midwest. As a southern institution, students that come from southern states will have an easier time creating a close ID with GT athletics. Those that come from outside the south will have a bit harder time. However, those from the south that stay in the south after graduation have the easiest path to becoming a passionate fan. This is the magic formula for large state schools, IMPO.

Getting the right students at the school is the first task. The second is to win consistently.

GT used to be much better at both of these. The whole diversity culture of world class academics does not help us vis athletics.

GT is a world class academic institute. Sorry, but getting the right students to build a football fan base should not even enter into the equation for student admissions.