Adding Sports?

NWICY

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Sep 2, 2012
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I didn't realize that the Athletic Department operated the entire IS Ctr until just now. Seems like instead having Facilities Planning and Management run everything but Hilton would make it a more campus wide effort. Also, this might help university leaders view the IS Ctr and CyTown as more of an area of campus that is important to a wider range of the university community. And the AD could then be more focused on running athletics.

That happened a couple of yrs ago once the CyTown project started coming around. Good bones in all those buildings but they need some updating.

Jamie got into a row with the citizens of Ames when he suggested they help with some of the costs, He went as far as they might have to be shut down till some money was found The city got wound up over that. I don't remember how it was resolved but no shows at C.Y. were cancelled that I remember.
 
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HawaiiClone

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That happened a couple of yrs ago once the CyTown project started coming around. Good bones in all those buildings but they need some updating.

Jamie got into a row with the citizens of Ames when he suggested they help with some of the costs, He went as far as they might have to be shut down till some money was found The city got wound up over that. I don't remember how it was resolved but no shows at C.Y. were cancelled that I remember.
The city definitely gets something out of having events there, but it's not a big city so maybe if they could just provide funding that they can afford.
 
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VeloClone

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I didn't realize that the Athletic Department operated the entire IS Ctr until just now. Seems like instead having Facilities Planning and Management run everything but Hilton would make it a more campus wide effort. Also, this might help university leaders view the IS Ctr and CyTown as more of an area of campus that is important to a wider range of the university community. And the AD could then be more focused on running athletics.
Hilton was the biggest part of the engine that kept the Iowa State Center anywhere near solvent for years. But then Jamie didn't want to have his teams relocate practices when there was a concert or other event in Hilton so Jamie pushed to take it over. He then learned the hard way that you can't make money in a building that doesn't have any dates because your sports teams have to practice in them every day. When they got a practice facility for the BB teams to practice in it was too late, the damage was done. All of the touring shows that used to have Ames as their first choice for a Central Iowa stop had learned to make Well Fargo work. Then he couldn't get a show unless he gave the farm away.

Without the Hilton financial engine (that it was) the rest of the ISC didn't have a prayer of coming close to breaking even.

The whole thing has been a mess.
 

AgronAlum

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eSports Team

Agreed. The competitive esports stuff my son watches is weirdly addicting, especially if you’ve played the game. I found myself watching the Rocket League Tournament for a bit this weekend with him.
 
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4cy16

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Agreed. The competitive esports stuff my son watches is weirdly addicting, especially if you’ve played the game. I found myself watching the Rocket League Tournament for a bit this weekend with him.
 

LeadersWifeLife

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I had a fairly disheartening conversation with Pollard at one of the Tailgate Tours last spring. I specifically asked about adding womens wrestling and he was very blunt about it not happening. When our 2 biggest rivals (Iowa and Oklahoma State) have already or are in the process of adding programs, its bothersome when I hear our AD say "nope, never".

Now I will say this, I do feel like the tripping point for some schools is that collegiate womens wrestling is freestyle, not folkstyle. So they are concerned that it won't be followed or understood by all. Which I kinda get, but in terms of ISU specifically, we have one of the best womens freestyle coaches already on staff :)
 

Proton

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I had a fairly disheartening conversation with Pollard at one of the Tailgate Tours last spring. I specifically asked about adding womens wrestling and he was very blunt about it not happening. When our 2 biggest rivals (Iowa and Oklahoma State) have already or are in the process of adding programs, its bothersome when I hear our AD say "nope, never".

Now I will say this, I do feel like the tripping point for some schools is that collegiate womens wrestling is freestyle, not folkstyle. So they are concerned that it won't be followed or understood by all. Which I kinda get, but in terms of ISU specifically, we have one of the best womens freestyle coaches already on staff :)
This is interesting, but I’m sorry to hear it. And I have to wonder if being behind Iowa timewise and almost certainly being outgunned by them is a factor too.
 

Mr.G.Spot

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This is interesting, but I’m sorry to hear it. And I have to wonder if being behind Iowa timewise and almost certainly being outgunned by them is a factor too.
It's money, that is, the lack thereof that will prevent.
 
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GoldCy

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How about bowling? Does union have lanes? HSs have teams. Didn't realize a lot of facilities don't have regulation lanes. I think Ankeny goes to Urbandale.

Actually, the equestrian suggestion makes sense.
 

AlaCyclone

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How about bowling? Does union have lanes? HSs have teams. Didn't realize a lot of facilities don't have regulation lanes. I think Ankeny goes to Urbandale.

Actually, the equestrian suggestion makes sense.
For folks who might guffaw at your suggestions, off the top of my head - Vanderbilt is a Bowling Power and has won a National Championship, and Auburn is an Equestrian Power and has won a National Championship. My point is "Build it, and they will come!" Winning National Championships is good exposure for a University - regardles of sport.
 
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