NO FANS AT CYCLONE GAMES?

[BryceC]

The problem is what mens sport can Iowa State cut to remain in compliance with title IX?

Well, let's look at it. I assume nothing with track is on the table since JP is a huge track guy. I assume Wrestling is too popular to kill at ISU. That basically leaves golf. Been a good run for them, but shut it down. I'd go with Tennis on the women's side or softball.

 

[cyfan92]

Title IX get's abolished and we really don't have a budget issue. That's the easiest way to make up for losses in revenue

Edit: I don't want this to happen nor do I think it will happen. Just saying we could really lean up the budget to cover lost football revenue

 

[Trice]

The idea that the Foundation money would be used to support athletics is just absurd.

Obviously some portion of that endowment belongs to and supports athletics, and Pollard will do whatever he sees fit.

But you're correct. People seem to think the endowment is like a big bank account you can just draw on when you need and it just doesn't work that way.

 

[cyfan92]

I think, realistically, there will be football and fans. The right move for ISU would be to hold all classes virtually, but they are refusing (currently) to make that call because they fear it will affect tuition income. They're making decisions entirely fiscally currently. Which I understand, but find irresponsible.

In a perfect utopia, I agree. But dollars and cents run the world. It's a cold truth. Plus the appropriations from the State will most definitely be smaller going forward. So they HAVE to protect revenue where they can.

Universities are built upon a house of cards with huge deficits and cheap financing. Take away a lot of revenue and it all comes down

 

[Angie]

In a perfect utopia, I agree. But dollars and cents run the world. It's a cold truth. Plus the appropriations from the State will most definitely be smaller going forward. So they HAVE to protect revenue where they can.

Universities are built upon a house of cards with huge deficits and cheap financing. Take away a lot of revenue and it all comes down

I refer you back to the actual scientific and economic study on how dealing with a pandemic via quarantine that disagrees with your conjecture.

I understand that this is convenient and not a fun short-term decision, either financially or entertainment-wise. But it's better than getting sued by 40k fans, players, and staff when they all get the 'Rona.

 

[BryceC]

I think, realistically, there will be football and fans. The right move for ISU would be to hold all classes virtually, but they are refusing (currently) to make that call because they fear it will affect tuition income. They're making decisions entirely fiscally currently. Which I understand, but find irresponsible.

Doing the responsible thing is incredibly difficult right now, or even knowing what that is.

They don't fear it would effect tuition, they know it. For example, if I was an incoming freshman or sophomore, and I wasn't allowed to go on campus, I'd just do a DMACC year online. That would be a no brainer for sure. ISU has been steadily increasing enrollment for 20 years, they have increased increased services to support the student population, and the budget is continuously more reliant on tuition. If they have a 10k drop in students which seems entirely likely even with in person classes, I can't imagine what that would do to them.

Like it or not, this is the same motivation driving the AD.

As far as the AD getting sued, I'm guessing every ticket will be printed with a "If you use this to attend ISU events you're forgoing any right to sue" language on the back. Probably the same for employees and vendors.

 

[Cyclad]

I found the 2018 ISU Athletics revenue (income) statement. This is for all sports. The numbers, rounded to the nearest 1M, in order were:
Media Rights 28M, contributions 21M, ticket Sales 16 M, NCAA and Conference Distributions 12M, other 4M, student fees, parking and concessions, licensing all 2M and Bowl game 1M.

Replying to myself. 2018 athletic expenses in order, rounded to nearest 1M too:
Coaches salary 14M, support staff 13M, Facility Debt 11M, Administration and Overhead 11M, scholarships 9M, travel 5M, Other 4M, equipment, games expenses, Memberships all 3M, recruiting, fund raising and marketing, athlete meals and bowl game all 2M, and Medical and Guarantees each 1M.

 

[BryceC]

I refer you back to the actual scientific and economic study on how dealing with a pandemic via quarantine that disagrees with your conjecture.

I understand that this is convenient and not a fun short-term decision, either financially or entertainment-wise. But it's better than getting sued by 40k fans, players, and staff when they all get the 'Rona.

Everybody going into the stands is going to sign some sort of waiver, or there will be language about any spectator will assume all risk printed on every ticket. Of that I'd bet my entire life savings on.

 

[cyfan92]

I refer you back to the actual scientific and economic study on how dealing with a pandemic via quarantine that disagrees with your conjecture.

I understand that this is convenient and not a fun short-term decision, either financially or entertainment-wise. But it's better than getting sued by 40k fans, players, and staff when they all get the 'Rona.

Iowa passed a law already addressing this: https://news.bloomberglaw.com/coron...-bill-protecting-businesses-in-virus-lawsuits

They will amend it if they need to cover more entities

 

[HFCS]

Title IX get's abolished and we really don't have a budget issue. That's the easiest way to make up for losses in revenue

How much could they save by turning the least revenue neutral sports into full ride academic scholarships? You'd be granting the same net level of assistance for less money.

I was a better student than a wrestler, yet I had more scholarship opportunities in wrestling than from my classroom work.

 

[Gibbon]

Only 1/12 Iowan's has been tested. So until there is a test for every person, yes we can have more. Plus there is a difference between the antibody test and the active test. We need more of both and it needs to be instant (or minimal lag time) and available on-demand. For example. I wish my parents could go get tested and not have to wait a day or two to know it's safe for them to hold their first grandchild this fall.

The incidence rate of COVID in the population is still relatively low, so the antibody tests would have a low positive predictive value. When the rate of false positives is greater than or equal to the amount actual positives, the antibody test is useless to assess population exposure.

 

[Angie]

Doing the responsible thing is incredibly difficult right now, or even knowing what that is.

They don't fear it would effect tuition, they know it. For example, if I was an incoming freshman or sophomore, and I wasn't allowed to go on campus, I'd just do a DMACC year online. That would be a no brainer for sure. ISU has been steadily increasing enrollment for 20 years, they have increased increased services to support the student population, and the budget is continuously more reliant on tuition. If they have a 10k drop in students which seems entirely likely even with in person classes, I can't imagine what that would do to them.

Like it or not, this is the same motivation driving the AD.

As far as the AD getting sued, I'm guessing every ticket will be printed with a "If you use this to attend ISU events you're forgoing any right to sue" language on the back. Probably the same for employees and vendors.

While that is true for some, there are also major state universities (UMass, AZ State, among many others) who have been increasing their revenue via online classes. There is a market for it, even if it looks different than our current one. Adults may be more likely to attend classes if they don't have to leave work to do it. There is flexibility here. And many universities have already made the decision.

That's great for people who walk into the game, yes. But that doesn't stop tailgating. People have sued for far more superfluous reasons than this. I'm not saying that they'll win, but it would cost time and legal fees to fight.

 

[RealisticCy]

Who cares what the virus 'knows'. When it comes to the virus, its all about managing community risks. Some activities will unfortunately be essential, and we have to do those, but we can drop the ones that aren't. Attending a football game is about at the top of the list for nonessential activities.

Either way its a ******* stupid comparison. When was the last time you were ever crowded in as much in a hyvee as you are in a stadium?

Or spent 6 hours tailgating before you spent 3.5 hours buying groceries?

Good gravy, that health board has a lot of Veterinarians on it.

Ames has a metric **** ton of veterinarians.....NADC/NVSL/CVB complex between Dayton and I-35, College of Vet Med, Vet Diagnostic Lab, plus BI/Merck/other private animal health companies have offices/labs in Ames in the research park.

The idea that the Foundation money would be used to support athletics is just absurd.

Agreed.....tax revenue numbers are going to be interesting (secondary education funding will take a hit, as K-12 won't and shouldn't be affected), as is the fall enrollment. Hate to say it, but the university and society in general can survive without the athletic department.

That being said, if it would absolutely 100% guarantee that 12 football games would be played I would advocate for an empty stadium in a heartbeat.

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

Title IX get's abolished and we really don't have a budget issue. That's the easiest way to make up for losses in revenue

I think it's heart is in the right place but Title 9 should have been amended or replaced years ago.

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

Or spent 6 hours tailgating before you spent 3.5 hours buying groceries?



Ames has a metric **** ton of veterinarians.....NADC/NVSL/CVB complex between Dayton and I-35, College of Vet Med, Vet Diagnostic Lab, plus BI/Merck/other private animal health companies have offices/labs in Ames in the research park.



Agreed.....tax revenue numbers are going to be interesting (secondary education funding will take a hit, as K-12 won't and shouldn't be affected), as is the fall enrollment. Hate to say it, but the university and society in general can survive without the athletic department.

That being said, if it would absolutely 100% guarantee that 12 football games would be played I would advocate for an empty stadium in a heartbeat.

This is rather optimistic to what has been happening for the last 30 years.

 

[CyGuy5]

Don’t we already have a thread about this

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

Don’t we already have a thread about this

This is more specific to the announcement most recently made. Carry on thread police.

 

[cyfan92]

I think it's heart is in the right place but Title 9 should have been amended or replaced years ago.

It needs to be fixed, for sure. But I really like having women's sports so that young girls in our community have people to look up to. Plus our women's sports have historically been more competitive as a whole than our men's sports in the conference and nationally

 

[Angie]

Iowa passed a law already addressing this: https://news.bloomberglaw.com/coron...-bill-protecting-businesses-in-virus-lawsuits

They will amend it if they need to cover more entities

As you mention, currently it doesn't cover all entities. Also, this part:

"The law proscribes people or their estates from bringing a civil action against a business unless the person is hospitalized or dies because of the disease."

Let's say fifteen people get hospitalized after a mass outbreak, and one dies. It's speculated that an average, 6-day COVID hospital stay would be about $73k. Since stays of 20 days are more common, let's put that at $200k per person. That's $3mil just in hospital stays (not ICU). That doesn't account for pain and suffering, etc.

There is also the matter of marketing and recruiting, even if there is no lawsuit. Just as Iowa opponents for recruiting will be saying, "Hey, come here, we aren't racist" for the next 10 years, our opponents will be telling recruits, "Hey, don't go to ISU - they don't care about your health. We'll protect you."

 

[CyGuy5]

I think it's heart is in the right place but Title 9 should have been amended or replaced years ago.

Title 9 is what killed ISU baseball right?