SEC Bashing …

[Vespidae]

A recent series of posts in another thread was addressing the “elite” vision of itself that the SEC promotes. “It just means more.”

This morning, I was invited to a breakfast where an Asst AD at an SEC school addressed that.

He started by describing the economics. In just eight home games, the average vendor in an SEC town will generate 30% of his total revenue for the year. That’s also true for the local taxes, tourism, and similarly importance to area merchants. Games themselves require over 1,000 vendors to support. It’s a really, really big deal.

A recent out of conference game was a useful contrast. It took a week to prepare and travel. The host team provided no local support to help with travel, accommodations, security, escorts, loading or unloading. Visitors were not allowed to park trucks next to the stadium, but a distance away where all equipment, tech, etc had to be hand carried. When asked to help provide police escorts to get to and from locations, the host team charged them.

Locals, apparently, were unaware that a game was being played. As the gentleman described it, they were basically indifferent. “And that’s fine. We just value different things.”

On to the contrast to the SEC. “We don’t do that and we certainly don’t do that in the conference.” He described how each SEC school AD is an extension of his own. “If we need accommodations, say 200 rooms, I call the host and they take care of it. If I need security, they take care of it.” Loading/unloading occurs stadium side with designated areas. Security is provided along with police escort. He gave numerous examples of how all the SEC schools collaborate to create a positive environment.

Why do all of that? “Our only goal is to identify that fan and his family, who made the effort to attend a game, perhaps the only game he has been to in five years, or maybe ever .… to become a lifelong fan of the school and its team. That’s it.”

He went to add that school athletics department employees are usually not only alums, but have also been involved for 20, 25, 30 years. This translates into employees that will work 365 days a year. “And we do.“ He said his only day off last year was July 4.

He closed by referring back to the recent host who scoffed at his requests in the last game. “I can assure you that we will treat them very differently and with greater respect. We will provide them with what they need and no, we won’t send them a bill. Athletics, and football … it just means more to us.”

It was a very interesting perspective from someone off the field but very, very, involved.

 

[yeti92]

So it means more because of southern hospitality and these smaller towns being reliant on the fans to support their local economy, but I'm not sure what that has to do with SEC teams getting preferentially treated in polls relative to other conferences' teams? Maybe I missed a different conversation about SEC elitism.

 

[roadkill]

He started by describing the economics. In just eight home games, the average vendor in an SEC town will generate 30% of his total revenue for the year. That’s also true for the local taxes, tourism, and similarly importance to area merchants. Games themselves require over 1,000 vendors to support. It’s a really, really big deal.

In contrast to the ACC, whose teams are mostly in mid-to-large cities, most SEC teams are located in smaller towns. Big fish in small ponds. That obviously has a bearing on how the local community supports the team. The most notable exception is Nashville, and we all know where that team stands in the SEC pecking order.
This is a success factor that the ACC cannot change. As an aside, when was the last time GT had 8 home games?

On the other hand, I'm not sure how to take the anecdotal story of relative hospitality toward visiting teams. There may be intra-league policies on this type of thing that don't apply when playing OOC. Despite his example, I would be surprised if SEC teams at all OOC games were treated that badly.

 

[Vespidae]

So it means more because of southern hospitality and these smaller towns being reliant on the fans to support their local economy, but I'm not sure what that has to do with SEC teams getting preferentially treated in polls relative to other conferences' teams? Maybe I missed a different conversation about SEC eliti

I didn't address that. I'm addressing the background of "It just means more."

 

[Vespidae]

In contrast to the ACC, whose teams are mostly in mid-to-large cities, most SEC teams are located in smaller towns. Big fish in small ponds. That obviously has a bearing on how the local community supports the team. The most notable exception is Nashville, and we all know where that team stands in the SEC pecking order.
This is a success factor that the ACC cannot change. As an aside, when was the last time GT had 8 home games?

On the other hand, I'm not sure how to take the anecdotal story of relative hospitality toward visiting teams. There may be intra-league policies on this type of thing that don't apply when playing OOC. Despite his example, I would be surprised if SEC teams at all OOC games were treated that badly.

From what I gathered, the host team didn't really care much in general. However, a fan who attended that game described their treatment as absurdly bad.

 

[yeti92]

I didn't address that. I'm addressing the background of "It just means more."

So the thread title and first sentence in your original post are not tied to the rest of that post?

 

[Vespidae]

So the thread title and first sentence in your original post are not tied to the rest of that post?

They are tied to the other posts I mentioned. If you don't care for it, just go about your day. I found his perspective interesting and if it's not your cup of tea, no problem.

 

[JacketOff]

This is clearly regarding Auburn’s trip to Berkeley, and it sounds like the Barn is just bitching because everybody didn’t drop to their knees and slob on the almighty SEC knob. Pisses me off the Cal blew that game, they missed way too many opportunities to knock the SEC even further down from their high horse.

 

[4shotB]

I am not a huge fan of the SEC but anybody who pushes back on the idea that these schools don't emphasize athletics, most especially college FB, more than schools in other regions I think is arguing from a purely emotional and biased standpoint. I think we can compare spending if we were interested enough to take a deep dive (I/m not) into the topic.

 

[yeti92]

They are tied to the other posts I mentioned. If you don't care for it, just go about your day. I found his perspective interesting and if it's not your cup of tea, no problem.

Just trying to understand the connection and how this ultimately relates to Georgia Tech football, thanks.

 

[CEB]

A recent series of posts in another thread was addressing the “elite” vision of itself that the SEC promotes. “It just means more.”

This morning, I was invited to a breakfast where an Asst AD at an SEC school addressed that.

He started by describing the economics. In just eight home games, the average vendor in an SEC town will generate 30% of his total revenue for the year. That’s also true for the local taxes, tourism, and similarly importance to area merchants. Games themselves require over 1,000 vendors to support. It’s a really, really big deal.

A recent out of conference game was a useful contrast. It took a week to prepare and travel. The host team provided no local support to help with travel, accommodations, security, escorts, loading or unloading. Visitors were not allowed to park trucks next to the stadium, but a distance away where all equipment, tech, etc had to be hand carried. When asked to help provide police escorts to get to and from locations, the host team charged them.

Locals, apparently, were unaware that a game was being played. As the gentleman described it, they were basically indifferent. “And that’s fine. We just value different things.”

On to the contrast to the SEC. “We don’t do that and we certainly don’t do that in the conference.” He described how each SEC school AD is an extension of his own. “If we need accommodations, say 200 rooms, I call the host and they take care of it. If I need security, they take care of it.” Loading/unloading occurs stadium side with designated areas. Security is provided along with police escort. He gave numerous examples of how all the SEC schools collaborate to create a positive environment.

Why do all of that? “Our only goal is to identify that fan and his family, who made the effort to attend a game, perhaps the only game he has been to in five years, or maybe ever .… to become a lifelong fan of the school and its team. That’s it.”

He went to add that school athletics department employees are usually not only alums, but have also been involved for 20, 25, 30 years. This translates into employees that will work 365 days a year. “And we do.“ He said his only day off last year was July 4.

He closed by referring back to the recent host who scoffed at his requests in the last game. “I can assure you that we will treat them very differently and with greater respect. We will provide them with what they need and no, we won’t send them a bill. Athletics, and football … it just means more to us.”

It was a very interesting perspective from someone off the field but very, very, involved.

The points made in response to this are well taken. Not shocking to think that places like Oxford, Starkville, Athens, Tuscaloosa and Auburn (and many other college towns, not just SEC) derive a huge amount of annual income from Sept- Nov “tourism” associated with game days.

As for team treatment, I’d like to offer rampant speculation….

Auburn just played at Cal. Cal’s athletic department has some well documented financial burdens and are faced with the prospect of rapidly evaporating revenues. The number of SEC teams playing true away games out of conference leaves few possibilities that fit the “example” given… I wouldn’t be shocked if it was Cal, I wouldn’t be shocked if some of this “treatment” was unique to Cal, and I wouldn’t be shocked to find that the treatment Cal gave wasn’t almost entirely due to the unique situation Cal finds itself in right now.
All of this to say, IF my guess is correct, I am not sure this is the greatest example of life outside of the SEC…
And if I’m correct, ACC get ready!

 

[GT121314]

A recent series of posts in another thread was addressing the “elite” vision of itself that the SEC promotes. “It just means more.”

This morning, I was invited to a breakfast where an Asst AD at an SEC school addressed that.

He started by describing the economics. In just eight home games, the average vendor in an SEC town will generate 30% of his total revenue for the year. That’s also true for the local taxes, tourism, and similarly importance to area merchants. Games themselves require over 1,000 vendors to support. It’s a really, really big deal.

This 8 home games part is somewhat misleading. Of course a business makes near 30% of their total revenue over the span of 8 home games. That's a full fiscal quarter and then some.

 

[Roswellgoldmember]

I am not a huge fan of the SEC but anybody who pushes back on the idea that these schools don't emphasize athletics, most especially college FB, more than schools in other regions I think is arguing from a purely emotional and biased standpoint. I think we can compare spending if we were interested enough to take a deep dive (I/m not) into the topic.

I agree but I think there is some southern bias against the traditional BIG 10 teams. It means quite a bit there too.

 

[forensicbuzz]

I agree but I think there is some southern bias against the traditional BIG 10 teams. It means quite a bit there too.

Living here, it means quite a lot to the alumni and those with personal connections to universities. There is much less sidewalk involvement unless it's local to Eastern Michigan or Central Ohio (and maybe Central Pennsylvania).

 

[bke1984]

Meh. Let’s just beat ole miss and then ask them how much more it meant to them than us.

 

[forensicbuzz]

It's hard to see that the rest of the world doesn't care when you live inside the bubble.

 

[4shotB]

I agree but I think there is some southern bias against the traditional BIG 10 teams. It means quite a bit there too.

Agree 100%. I have a brother who is an OSU alum (the one in Columbus, not Stillwater). He has shared with me that one of the recent presidents of his school, if not the current one, understands and is one record saying that the status of the athletic department, more specifically the men's football team, is a key metric of their job performance and therefore retention. Same as it is at the SEC schools. This is in stark contrast with the attitudes of our previous school presidents, As in any organization, what matters dearly to the men and women at the very top of the pyramid tend to ripple down throughout the entire pyramid. This is why our new Prez may have more impact of the football program than the last or 4 FB coaches we have had.

 

[RonJohn]

At GT, the visiting trucks park right beside the stadium. I know because I usually have to walk around it to get back to my car. At FSU, the visiting trucks park inside the stadium to unload/load. I think you are making a determination that the SEC is better than everyone else based on one anecdotal experience. Did Auburn receive the same type of treatment at PSU? Were the people around PSU unaware that a game was being played? It is not wise to believe that only teams from the SEC treat visitors well based on one anecdotal experience. Especially when I am pretty sure that the experience was much difference two years ago in State College, PN

How often do SEC teams have true away games outside of the Southeast? I remember that when the mutts played ND that was the first time in the history of mutt football that they played a non-conference true away game outside of the South.

 

[LargeFO]

At GT, the visiting trucks park right beside the stadium. I know because I usually have to walk around it to get back to my car. At FSU, the visiting trucks park inside the stadium to unload/load. I think you are making a determination that the SEC is better than everyone else based on one anecdotal experience. Did Auburn receive the same type of treatment at PSU? Were the people around PSU unaware that a game was being played? It is not wise to believe that only teams from the SEC treat visitors well based on one anecdotal experience. Especially when I am pretty sure that the experience was much difference two years ago in State College, PN

How often do SEC teams have true away games outside of the Southeast? I remember that when the mutts played ND that was the first time in the history of mutt football that they played a non-conference true away game outside of the South.

Hardly ever. UF going to Utah was first since 1991 for them.

 

[orientalnc]

A recent series of posts in another thread was addressing the “elite” vision of itself that the SEC promotes. “It just means more.”

This morning, I was invited to a breakfast where an Asst AD at an SEC school addressed that.

He started by describing the economics. In just eight home games, the average vendor in an SEC town will generate 30% of his total revenue for the year. That’s also true for the local taxes, tourism, and similarly importance to area merchants. Games themselves require over 1,000 vendors to support. It’s a really, really big deal.

A recent out of conference game was a useful contrast. It took a week to prepare and travel. The host team provided no local support to help with travel, accommodations, security, escorts, loading or unloading. Visitors were not allowed to park trucks next to the stadium, but a distance away where all equipment, tech, etc had to be hand carried. When asked to help provide police escorts to get to and from locations, the host team charged them.

Locals, apparently, were unaware that a game was being played. As the gentleman described it, they were basically indifferent. “And that’s fine. We just value different things.”

On to the contrast to the SEC. “We don’t do that and we certainly don’t do that in the conference.” He described how each SEC school AD is an extension of his own. “If we need accommodations, say 200 rooms, I call the host and they take care of it. If I need security, they take care of it.” Loading/unloading occurs stadium side with designated areas. Security is provided along with police escort. He gave numerous examples of how all the SEC schools collaborate to create a positive environment.

Why do all of that? “Our only goal is to identify that fan and his family, who made the effort to attend a game, perhaps the only game he has been to in five years, or maybe ever .… to become a lifelong fan of the school and its team. That’s it.”

He went to add that school athletics department employees are usually not only alums, but have also been involved for 20, 25, 30 years. This translates into employees that will work 365 days a year. “And we do.“ He said his only day off last year was July 4.

He closed by referring back to the recent host who scoffed at his requests in the last game. “I can assure you that we will treat them very differently and with greater respect. We will provide them with what they need and no, we won’t send them a bill. Athletics, and football … it just means more to us.”

It was a very interesting perspective from someone off the field but very, very, involved.

This is a great post and a nice intro to an interesting new thread. Thanks.

A couple of thoughts (a couple here may become a menage au trois):

I have never been on a visiting football team at any stadium, but I played two years of DIII basketball. The pre-game hospitality we experienced varied greatly from school to school. Troy State treated us like family coming in for the weekend. We loved Troy, Alabama. Lumberton, NC? Not so much. The economics of the sports culture at schools varies greatly. Also, the importance of the sport varies a lot from school to school. Stanford has 36 varsity teams. Will football be as important there as it is at uga or Bama? Not likely.