I am with you Coach Clark

[appgrad95&97]

Honest question. Does football presently pay for it's self ?

yes- we report to the Knight commission our ticket sales-donations and media contract. Football pays for itself.

So it does not include student fees?

Student Fees are 30% of our Athletic Department Revenue:
https://knightnewhousedata.org/fbs/sun- ... university

Donor Contributions are 23%
Ticket Sales are 15%
Instutional/Government Support is 12%
Conference/NCAA Distributions/Media Rights/Post-Season Football is 8%
Corporate Ads/Sponsorships and Licensing is 5%
Competition Guarantees are 5%

$46.47M in Revenue in 2023
$46.38M in Expenses in 2023

Compared to
$29.7M in Revenue in 2015
$30.65M in Expenses in 2015

Correct on Student fees… $13.7M & 100% of that is needed to cover $13.7M in facilities debt. Our athletic department, much like the academic side of the university is over leveraged. It may all look pretty, and in places needed, but comes at a cost.

One of these things is not like the others:

Total Athletic Dept Debt

This is a serious question: Am I reading this correctly; we've basically added $10 in athletics' debt since 2019, while we've gotten less competitive in the conference?

[Bigdaddyg1]

Can someone maybe pull this data and post- over the last 10 years how have we finished in the Sunbelt for every sport we compete in (would exclude a sport like wrestling since it’s a separate conference).

[BallantyneApp]

our athletic debt is bonds for the end zone project+ app 105- not discretionary funds to maek the program better.

This is why the East side project fell apart- if we could have borrowed $$ at 2.5% its great but at 6.5% it doesn't make sense.

[pop5app]

our athletic debt is bonds for the end zone project+ app 105- not discretionary funds to maek the program better.

This is why the East side project fell apart- if we could have borrowed $$ at 2.5% its great but at 6.5% it doesn't make sense.

Did the east side thing really fall apart?

[BTK2000]

our athletic debt is bonds for the end zone project+ app 105- not discretionary funds to maek the program better.

This is why the East side project fell apart- if we could have borrowed $$ at 2.5% its great but at 6.5% it doesn't make sense.

Yep


students pay $297 into university debt every semester but there is a hodge podge of outstanding bonds ranging from athletics to physical plant. It does look like convo and the athletics office is paid off though but the total long term liabilities excluding leases and employee benefits is $352,000,000. The end zone retirement is tricky because I believe it’s in part covered revenue from the facility. I also am unsure what percentage of monies from booster donations or the Appalachian fund flow to the long term liabilities and more specifically athletics debt.

Either way there is still $39million outstanding on The end zone facility with an interest rate of 4.14% as of June 2023. The university can often borrow at much lower rates than the average person because bonds are fairly safe investments. I can’t find apps rating but the states is AAA rated so I guess there is that

Sauce
https://studentaccounts.appstate.edu/si ... s_v3_1.pdf

Last page

https://controller.appstate.edu/sites/d ... _audit.pdf

Page 34-35

[BeauFoster]

our athletic debt is bonds for the end zone project+ app 105- not discretionary funds to maek the program better.

This is why the East side project fell apart- if we could have borrowed $$ at 2.5% its great but at 6.5% it doesn't make sense.

Did the east side thing really fall apart?

No, but it has been delayed due to dependence on other projects kicking off, which were delayed by a botched presentation to the BOG

Edit to add that Gillen and others are presenting to the BOG this week for the indoor facility, getting that approved is the next step in the process. Once that is up, we will request approval for the east side. We’ve lost over a year at this point.

[311neers]

our athletic debt is bonds for the end zone project+ app 105- not discretionary funds to maek the program better.

This is why the East side project fell apart- if we could have borrowed $$ at 2.5% its great but at 6.5% it doesn't make sense.

Did the east side thing really fall apart?

No, but it has been delayed due to dependence on other projects kicking off, which were delayed by a botched presentation to the BOG

Probably for the best.
Let's focus on winning games before we go into expansion mode. And if we do expand down the road, make sure to have enough funds and enough contingency funds to complete the project as the scope details. If we need $150M, don't start it until we have $200M.
Also, maybe spend dollars on improving the current stadium in the meantime. Add some dang speakers and improve the quality of the scoreboard speaker ASAP.

[pop5app]

our athletic debt is bonds for the end zone project+ app 105- not discretionary funds to maek the program better.

This is why the East side project fell apart- if we could have borrowed $$ at 2.5% its great but at 6.5% it doesn't make sense.

Did the east side thing really fall apart?

No, but it has been delayed due to dependence on other projects kicking off, which were delayed by a botched presentation to the BOG

Edit to add that Gillen and others are presenting to the BOG this week for the indoor facility, getting that approved is the next step in the process. Once that is up, we will request approval for the east side. We’ve lost over a year at this point.

Thanks for a “to the point” explanation. Just my 2cents but I think the delay is a blessing. I personally hope we are reevaluating that plan. Thanks again.

[NewApp]

Can someone maybe pull this data and post- over the last 10 years how have we finished in the Sunbelt for every sport we compete in (would exclude a sport like wrestling since it’s a separate conference).

Where do sports we have discontinued fit?

[Stonewall]

our athletic debt is bonds for the end zone project+ app 105- not discretionary funds to maek the program better.

This is why the East side project fell apart- if we could have borrowed $$ at 2.5% its great but at 6.5% it doesn't make sense.

Did the east side thing really fall apart?

No, but it has been delayed due to dependence on other projects kicking off, which were delayed by a botched presentation to the BOG

Probably for the best.
Let's focus on winning games before we go into expansion mode. And if we do expand down the road, make sure to have enough funds and enough contingency funds to complete the project as the scope details. If we need $150M, don't start it until we have $200M.
Also, maybe spend dollars on improving the current stadium in the meantime. Add some dang speakers and improve the quality of the scoreboard speaker ASAP.

All of the above. Well stated.

[appgrad95&97]

our athletic debt is bonds for the end zone project+ app 105- not discretionary funds to maek the program better.

This is why the East side project fell apart- if we could have borrowed $$ at 2.5% its great but at 6.5% it doesn't make sense.

Did the east side thing really fall apart?

No, but it has been delayed due to dependence on other projects kicking off, which were delayed by a botched presentation to the BOG

Edit to add that Gillen and others are presenting to the BOG this week for the indoor facility, getting that approved is the next step in the process. Once that is up, we will request approval for the east side. We’ve lost over a year at this point.

That totally ignores the "fully funded" lie.

[ArmantiWaterSafety]

Probably for the best.
Let's focus on winning games before we go into expansion mode. And if we do expand down the road, make sure to have enough funds and enough contingency funds to complete the project as the scope details. If we need $150M, don't start it until we have $200M.
Also, maybe spend dollars on improving the current stadium in the meantime. Add some dang speakers and improve the quality of the scoreboard speaker ASAP.

Still not entirely sure why our sound system is so bad on the scoreboard considering how relatively new it is. I do think the money would be much better spent on LED lighting, sound, and redoing some concrete. A general facelift to improve gameday experience. I think unfortunately we're going to be on a downward trend for attendance for a bit. I certainly don't expect us to be on a P4 level of stadium experience but to charge what we're charging now, we need a better experience, especially with the current state of the product.

[311neers]

Probably for the best.
Let's focus on winning games before we go into expansion mode. And if we do expand down the road, make sure to have enough funds and enough contingency funds to complete the project as the scope details. If we need $150M, don't start it until we have $200M.
Also, maybe spend dollars on improving the current stadium in the meantime. Add some dang speakers and improve the quality of the scoreboard speaker ASAP.

Still not entirely sure why our sound system is so bad on the scoreboard considering how relatively new it is. I do think the money would be much better spent on LED lighting, sound, and redoing some concrete. A general facelift to improve gameday experience. I think unfortunately we're going to be on a downward trend for attendance for a bit. I certainly don't expect us to be on a P4 level of stadium experience but to charge what we're charging now, we need a better experience, especially with the current state of the product.

Amen. To only have 1 speaker in the stadium that is on a hill 200 yards from the NEZ is wild. We spent $50-100M on the NEZ and didn't add a speaker! LED lights would be a nice addition for students, young fans, recruits and most importantly the PLAYERS that like it. These late October and November games essentially become night games after 3:30-4pm with the time change, sun setting behind the west side and shade.

[bcoach]

I own my own business. But what I am about to say applies to businesses I have run for others. Boards I have sat on to include city councils, trade associations, and volunteer organizations. I have always said " If this were my money would I spend it this way, or on this project". OR " Would I take out a loan for this if I had to sign for it". If I wouldn't, I didn't.
One of the biggest problems we have in this country is people spending other peoples money.
and that's all I got to say about that ( borrowed from a very smart man )

[GreatAppSt]

I've stewed on this awhile but here goes. "I’ve seen it mentioned that DG will not terminate Coach Clark after December 1st due to the absence of a full-time Chancellor.

If that’s the case, it would suggests that DG is simply a bureaucrat not an actual leader the athletic department needs.
I believe that inaction on DG’s part would be viewed more unfavorably than standing pat and passing the buck so to speak to the incoming Chancellor. This could potentially lead to DG’s replacement as well. That’s just my perspective. thoughts?....

[appgrad95&97]

our athletic debt is bonds for the end zone project+ app 105- not discretionary funds to maek the program better.

This is why the East side project fell apart- if we could have borrowed $$ at 2.5% its great but at 6.5% it doesn't make sense.

Did the east side thing really fall apart?

No, but it has been delayed due to dependence on other projects kicking off, which were delayed by a botched presentation to the BOG

Probably for the best.
Let's focus on winning games before we go into expansion mode. And if we do expand down the road, make sure to have enough funds and enough contingency funds to complete the project as the scope details. If we need $150M, don't start it until we have $200M.
Also, maybe spend dollars on improving the current stadium in the meantime. Add some dang speakers and improve the quality of the scoreboard speaker ASAP.

Where were you two years ago when the "fully funded" nonsense was going around? There has to be a limit on the promises that are made. The IPF will add (probably) another $15 million in debt. And let's not ignore that the stadium itself is in need of maintenance.

I really can't believe how many people believed an East side tower was going to be a thing soon. Even at 3% the interst payments alone would put the athletics' department in the red.

I think we need to take a step back. We need to prioritize finding a coach who can make us proud of the product on the field. But heck, what have I been right about.

[Bootsy]

I've stewed on this awhile but here goes. "I’ve seen it mentioned that DG will not terminate Coach Clark after December 1st due to the absence of a full-time Chancellor.

If that’s the case, it would suggests that DG is simply a bureaucrat not an actual leader the athletic department needs.
I believe that inaction on DG’s part would be viewed more unfavorably than standing pat and passing the buck so to speak to the incoming Chancellor. This could potentially lead to DG’s replacement as well. That’s just my perspective. thoughts?....

Are you quoting a comment you heard someone make? So much speculation gets tossed around on message boards, it becomes difficult to remember who said what.

While I have no knowledge of his plans, I have commented here that I don't believe DG would fire Clark unless the next Chancellor has been named.

High-profile decisions like this aren't made in a bubble; you need input from multiple sources and political air cover to defend your decision when (not if) some fans/donors get upset.

[t4pizza]

I've stewed on this awhile but here goes. "I’ve seen it mentioned that DG will not terminate Coach Clark after December 1st due to the absence of a full-time Chancellor.

If that’s the case, it would suggests that DG is simply a bureaucrat not an actual leader the athletic department needs.
I believe that inaction on DG’s part would be viewed more unfavorably than standing pat and passing the buck so to speak to the incoming Chancellor. This could potentially lead to DG’s replacement as well. That’s just my perspective. thoughts?....

What makes this a bit complicated is that most new chancellors want to name their people so if you name one beforehand, it may discourage some from seeking the job. Same thing is going on at UF where they have an interim as well. So, it isn't that DG can't or won't, it is likely that the interim, who it ultimately falls on, has too much to lose and very little to gain by making such move so may be telling the AD to stand down. At the end of the day, DG still answers to the Chancellor (interim or not). And yes, I do think it may lead to DG being replace as well.

[WASU 93]

I've stewed on this awhile but here goes. "I’ve seen it mentioned that DG will not terminate Coach Clark after December 1st due to the absence of a full-time Chancellor.

If that’s the case, it would suggests that DG is simply a bureaucrat not an actual leader the athletic department needs.
I believe that inaction on DG’s part would be viewed more unfavorably than standing pat and passing the buck so to speak to the incoming Chancellor. This could potentially lead to DG’s replacement as well. That’s just my perspective. thoughts?....

What makes this a bit complicated is that most new chancellors want to name their people so if you name one beforehand, it may discourage some from seeking the job. Same thing is going on at UF where they have an interim as well. So, it isn't that DG can't or won't, it is likely that the interim, who it ultimately falls on, has too much to lose and very little to gain by making such move so may be telling the AD to stand down. At the end of the day, DG still answers to the Chancellor (interim or not). And yes, I do think it may lead to DG being replace as well.

Politics aside, it seems to be a little shallow to measure DG based on whether he fires Clark in the time frame that some fans want. Seven months ago the basketball team that should have been basking in a successful season and plotting future success was heading for all directions not-named Boone, and he negotiated a new contract for Kerns and stabilized the situation. Just like the Head Coach, the environment for an AD has changed drastically with the NIL and the Transfer Portal (and that doesn't include any time spend on potentially ever-changing schedules and potential Super Conference/realignment fallout + managing a budget and the constant turnover of staff that comes with being a G5/mid-major program.) Having Chancellor backing as these decisions are made is a normal part of the process.

[AppSt94]

I've stewed on this awhile but here goes. "I’ve seen it mentioned that DG will not terminate Coach Clark after December 1st due to the absence of a full-time Chancellor.

If that’s the case, it would suggests that DG is simply a bureaucrat not an actual leader the athletic department needs.
I believe that inaction on DG’s part would be viewed more unfavorably than standing pat and passing the buck so to speak to the incoming Chancellor. This could potentially lead to DG’s replacement as well. That’s just my perspective. thoughts?....

So are you suggesting that the only justifiable action is termination?

A new Chancellor is likely going to want to select his/her own AD, who in turn would want to pick their head coach.