The Ivies aren't boycotting us or G-Town. They are boycotting our facility. Yale agreed to schedule us starting in 2008 after we had demonstrated an intention to install a FieldTurf field. The Ivies may not play big-time football anymore, but they are used to first-rate facilities. The grass field at Coffey had a reputation as one of the one surfaces in I-AA football. When the Ivies had to schedule Fordham as part of the PL/Ivy scheduling agreement, they hated coming to Coffey. Once released from that scheduling obligation, few Ivies kept Fordham on the schedule. -- FORDHAM RAMS FOOTBALL FORUM

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Subject: The Ivies aren't boycotting us or G-Town. They are boycotting our facility. Yale agreed to schedule us starting in 2008 after we had demonstrated an intention to install a FieldTurf field. The Ivies may not play big-time football anymore, but they are used to first-rate facilities. The grass field at Coffey had a reputation as one of the one surfaces in I-AA football. When the Ivies had to schedule Fordham as part of the PL/Ivy scheduling agreement, they hated coming to Coffey. Once released from that scheduling obligation, few Ivies kept Fordham on the schedule.

Author:
JoltinJoe
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Date Posted: 15:37:49 12/09/04 Thu
In reply to: OldRam 's message, "Whither thou goest" on 13:13:07 12/09/04 Thu

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Thanks for the info. I know it's semantics but they are boycotting us until we do something about our facilities.I assume that if/when we fix the field, the other Ivies will follow? I am sure they also don't like having all the seats on one side of the field. Meanwhile...what? (NT) OldRam 16:00:56 12/09/04 Thu

All I was saying that the Ivies don't have something "personal" against Fordham, they just didn't like our field. You know, "It's business, not personal." But as Smar points out below, we've had a substandard facility for a long time. Our out-of-conference schedule consists of teams with similar substandard facilities. From a facilities standpoint, you reap what you sow, I guess. If you wonder why Lehigh gets top-notch OOC games, and we don't, just spend an afternoon at Goodman Stadium one Saturday afternoon, and the answer will become obvious. (NT) JoltinJoe 16:13:07 12/09/04 Thu

I think being in the same town as Columbia plays a factor in this. After all, the Ivies already get their NYC exposure by playing Columbia so we don't really offer them anything new there. Yes our facilities are substandard, but our marketing and fan relations program is almost non-existent and it shows in our mediocre attendance. Also, the fan experience suffers from the poor concessions and lack of opposing bleachers. I know that Fordham has absolutely huge upside potential, especially with the FieldTurf and lights, and now it's a question of whether Fordham wants to reap the benefits. (NT) -- DamnRam, 19:26:19 12/09/04 Thu

DamnRam - You and I agree on just about every issue concerning Fordham Athletics. But you must understand something - our installation of FieldTurf on Coffey Field is a stopgap, temporary measure to stabilize our facilties so we can function at our current level. If we want to be successful in the future, we MUST build a real football stadium and Convocations Center ASAP. Your comments on the board make it seem like these stopgap measures are permament. If they are, we will be an also-ran in sports for many years to come. I hope you realize that. (NT) -- Rambacker, 20:48:08 12/09/04 Thu

We are actually in agreement on the overall points but I think in disagreement over timeframes. (more inside) -- DamnRam, 09:09:39 12/10/04 Fri

I disagree on the timing issue. With a professional AD and staff we can begin promoting properly and combined with a competitve program in football and basketball, get plenty of fans much sooner to games. You get what you wish for - if we make it clear that we don't expect first rate atheltic facilties for 10 years, that's what will happen. If alums make it clear that we want a capital campaign created now for this purpose, we have a good chance of seeing that happen. Let's not lower our expectations. (NT) -- Rambacker, 08:37:03 12/11/04 Sat

It's not a matter of getting what you wish for, it's a matter of getting what we have earned. We only have what 5-6 home games a year, and we don't come close to filling the stands for more than 1 or 2 of those. I think it would take easily 5-10 years to build up the fan base, pack the stands we have, and raise the funds for a new stadium. Given that realistic scenario, during that time we might as well have at least a decent field, lights, and renovated lockerrooms. With our very low giving rate (now down to 13%) the alums have made things crystal clear. (NT) -- DamnRam, 15:37:37 12/11/04 Sat

That's the way Fordham has done it in the past. We will be doing things differently in the future. When the management study is finished, we will be taking action immediately on capital projects. The timeframe can be much faster, and should be if we make it a priority. You'll be surprised how quickly things will happen starting next year. In the interim, I would suggest not adding fuel to the arguments of those who resist positive change. Athletics time has come, and we will see action. Be a believer, not someone willing to wait a decade. (NT) -- Rambacker, 21:04:11 12/11/04 Sat

Your post about expecting quick action doesn't make sense -- DamnRam, 14:04:45 12/12/04 Sun

For several reasons, I won't get into specifics here as far as projected capital planning. Let me just say this - it is important that all alums make their opinions clear if you'd like to see state-of-the-art athletic facilities. It can happen if we work to make it happen. The current capital campaign will be replaced soon by another, which could include athletic facilties. It's up to us. But posting that it can't happen for 10 years is innacurate and detrimental to this effort. (NT) -- Rambacker, 22:33:12 12/12/04 Sun