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Date Posted: 08:40:12 02/07/03 Fri
Author: campion109
Subject: Alumni Are Pi**ed!!!!!!!


I fear some significant backlash regarding the school's decision to drop both football and hockey.

Is six years enough to gauge the success (or lack thereof) of the football program? The admin totally screwed up the Homecoming weekend routine. They were overwhelmed by the attendance during the first two years, so they moved the date deeper into the autumn (or close to winter). They instructed the security force to "harrass" any groups that were loitering around in the lots after kickoff. Alumni would drive five hours with their kids to go back to campus only to get harrassed incessantly by FU security. If they wanted this program to succeed (even in a cost-controlled environment), they could have accomplished it.

Here's one email I got today from one Alumni:

I have an idea.
Just close the school.
You suck, FU. Go F yourself.

A well rounded institution must be able to offer more than just the revenue sports. Yes, it cost the University money but, not having Alumni back in the Autumn will cost the University money, as well. And think about the marginal (or extra) applicant that applies to Fairfield because of fall football - or the local residents that are looking for something to do with their kids on a crisp fall day in CT?

I am not going to just sit here and watch this school lose what I believe can be a significant program as far as Alumni participation and/donations are concerned. I, again, suggest that, we, as active Alumni and Boosters, write letters, emails, or make phone calls to Gene Doris, Fr. Kelley, or even Roger Lynch and urge them to reconsider this decision...

I think it's best for Fairfield to offer the same services/athletics as the schools that are considered in our peer group: BC, Holy Cross, etc.

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Replies:

[> Were Alumni part of this decision -- JoeStag, 09:17:05 02/07/03 Fri

Campion109,

Great point on the Alumni view. Was the Alumni consulted on this type of decision. Alumni pledge money every year, and we just raised 100Million for the Capital Campaign, Does the University know where the Givers want that money to go???? Should the School have asked the Alumni if they wanted a Football program, and were they willing to FINANCIALLY support it????? Should there have been a $5 Million capital campaign for Football?????

On the other hand, how well has the Alumni Financially supported Football. Obviously not enough. At schools like BC, HC, and Fordham, I am sure that Alumni and Friends have stepped up to the plate and targetted money to that Program.

Maybe this is the time to ask Alumni. But the question should be 3 fold:

- Should be drop Football
- Should we keep FootBall in the MAAC
- Should we upgrade Football to true Division 1-AA (if checked please send check for xxxx dollars)

I would vote for #3.


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[> Re: Alumni Are Pi**ed!!!!!!! -- DitchMitch, 09:17:28 02/07/03 Fri

Good post. Heck, how can we even think of ourselves in the same peer group as Holy Cross or BC? We now won't have "major" sports that even Sacred Heart (Football and hockey) and Quinnipiac (hockey) have.


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[> Then why didn't more alums go to football games? -- Stagsfan, 12:41:21 02/07/03 Fri

Any alum in the local area who is angry at this decision yet never themselves bothered to attend a football game is a hypocrite. Fairfield Prep was severely outdrawing us in attendance, I mean come on, it's embarrassing.

The MAAC football league was a big mistake from the beginning. It should have been Patriot level from the start, and better marketed. It had so much potential, including two Big East teams in St. John's and Georgetown.
But it never caught on.


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[> [> Re: Then why didn't more alums go to football games? -- ghostman, 13:46:21 02/07/03 Fri

Football had a lot going against it from this fans prospective. Among other things:
Inferior stadium.
Hassle while tailgaiting - had to buy a pass - not fan friendly - FU didn't make us feel welcome with this one.
Game times competed with big time games - would rather watch Big Ten/SEC or other games.
No history with the team - if the program was around when i was at school, I might have had more of an affinity for it.
I didn't know anything about the recruits - with non-scholarship football, I couldn't say we got a big time caliber player over a Big East program.
Mid Major national championship contenders? - come on guys - conference champs, i'll buy into.


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[> [> [> Re: Then why didn't more alums go to football games? -- Stag '73, 14:48:34 02/08/03 Sat

As an "old" alum who attended football games for years
with a fellow alum,enjoyed the spirit evoked by
the players and the crowd.
I would be happy to donate to the Stag football team,
club or not club, to keep football Stagmania alive.
I have fond memories of playing for the club Stags back in
'72. GO STAGS!!!


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