[Farm93]

I find it hard to believe they really expected to sell this kind of a deal. I just don't think the 59ers have those sorts of fans in meaningful numbers. And I will fully admit that we don't, either. It may be that in Alabama and Georgia, college football tickets are a sort of multi-generational heirloom, handed down through families for many decades. I don't believe there's any school in California with that kind of following.

Oh, I believe, they BELIEVED.  At the time of the stadium announcement it seemed as though B.e.ar football was on the cusp of becoming Boise State.  With all of the reasonably wealthy alums in the area, it probably seemed viable to get six figures from a handful of alums.

But a few things have changed.
C.a.l Football is not at the Boise State level now.
All semi-wealthy people in the USA feel a lot less wealthy in this economy
Since the seats are clearly not going to be scarce, the need to pony up funds to get into the building.

It is all so sad from a budget perspective.  With our State's budget problems the UC system does not have a slush fund to cover any "unanticipated" construction costs.  These construction costs are going to find their way into tuition increases or the slowing of the UC Merced campus.

At least Te.d.fo.rd got his stadium.  I can't help but wonder how many years he will coach there.

[Farm93]

I find it hard to believe they really expected to sell this kind of a deal. I just don't think the 59ers have those sorts of fans in meaningful numbers. And I will fully admit that we don't, either. It may be that in Alabama and Georgia, college football tickets are a sort of multi-generational heirloom, handed down through families for many decades. I don't believe there's any school in California with that kind of following.

Oh, I believe, they BELIEVED.  At the time of the stadium announcement it seemed as though B.e.ar football was on the cusp of becoming Boise State.  With all of the reasonably wealthy alums in the area, it probably seemed viable to get six figures from a handful of alums.

But a few things have changed.
C.a.l Football is not at the Boise State level now.
All semi-wealthy people in the USA feel a lot less wealthy in this economy
Since the seats are clearly not going to be scarce, the need to pony up funds to get into the building.

It is all so sad from a budget perspective.  With our State's budget problems the UC system does not have a slush fund to cover any "unanticipated" construction costs.  These construction costs are going to find their way into tuition increases or the slowing of the UC Merced campus.

At least Te.d.fo.rd got his stadium.  I can't help but wonder how many years he will coach there.