This was great. Like many, i didn't want to give the clicks but the questions were good and Blum did very well.
It was brought up in another thread, but I think the "debate" about state dollars is still kind of tough to try to justify with the current education environment in the state.
I TOTALLY get the economic impact that sports have on the state. I just wish there was a way that some of the hotel taxes went to athletics and not general funds. This type of debate comes up often (tax break for a new thing in a town that will drive tourism or make a community more appealing, etc).
I think it is overplayed the "good programs increase applicants" for ISU....it seems MANY folks had ISU circled early on based on sports, or as an option for ag/eng compared to other schools. Sure, national attention and regional may direct eyes toward ISU and get applicants
Enrollment has been rather consistent the last 5 years or so at ISU. Let's say there was a "bump" of 300 students solely because of athletic success. That tuition wouldn't cover the likely cost of state support. And again could likely use that same money to increase enrollment by 200-300 in other ways.
Again, saying ALL this as a big fan...just hate the crossroads of priorities and where we are with all this.