Ask the AD -- December Edition
12/30/2008 | 12:00:00 | General
Dec. 30, 2008
This is the latest installment of our monthly feature called, "Ask the AD." If you have questions for Saluki Director of Athletics Mario Moccia, feel free to submit them by e-mail.
E-Mail a question to Mario Moccia
Are there any plans to add an ATM prior to the renovations or to equip the concession stands with the ability to take debit cards?
Will Patterson -- the General Manager of Saluki Sports Properties -- and I approached a local bank as part of an overall package, and they agreed to put an ATM in the arena as soon as possible. We had to work on some University issues, but all the hurdles have been cleared. I do know that in a location such as this, an ATM is a money-loser for the bank, but it is a big convenience that we have been missing for our fans, and it will offer some advertising awareness for the bank. I would hope that we would have this in the arena well before the start of the 2009-10 basketball season. The equipping of concession stands to take credit or debit cards are something that could be added once the facility is completely renovated, but this is something that we will tackle down the road.
Why can't we get a single sign on I-57 noting the exit to Carbondale with the SIU Logo on the sign? It seems an age-old unanswerable question why we must share an exit sign with both Southeastern Illinois Community College and John A. Logan and get bottom billing on that sign. It was pointed out to me the other day that when exiting the bypass heading to SIUE, there is a single sign that indicates Southern Illinois University without the reference to "E" or Edwardsville.
The University and/or athletic department certainly could put a billboard on any roadway they choose, as long as we agree to pay the going rate. I can't speak for the University on this specific topic, but I know that they have increased the overall marketing budget and are focused on increasing enrollment from throughout the state. Terry Clark is the leader of this effort and is a very sharp guy. I know there is a big focus on Chicago, since it has such a big population center, but I know he is looking at other areas of the state as well as locally. I know the institution is committed to improving our marketing efforts and outreach. I discussed your question with our Assistant AD for Marketing, Mark Gazdik, who serves on some University-wide marketing committees. He tells me the University has purchased a number of billboards throughout southern Illinois, and they are waiting for some remaining strategic boards to become available, then a full billboard campaign will begin in conjunction with a greater marketing campaign. Short answer, the motions have started, and you will hopefully see them soon. From an athletic standpoint, we are going to review some costs and perhaps have a billboard or two going into the 2009-10 season.
I read that SIUE's Vadalabene Center has undergone a $6 million renovation. How was that funded, especially in light of the Saluki plans for the arena renovations?
I spoke to Dr. Brad Hewitt the Director of Athletics at SIU-Edwardsville, and he told me that a renovation plan had been in place for several years. Their bleacher system (24 years old) was shot, and the replacement cost would have been exorbitant, so discussion returned to the renovation and redesign process from previous years, along with a search for funding. Last year, their students passed a facilities renovation and maintenance fee that can be used for classrooms, student activities and student services areas. Since Kinesiology is taught in the facility, intramurals are played in the gym in the off season, and intercollegiate athletics is part of student life, the justification was there to use this funding source. The students supported the administration's decision.
We have a White Out. We have a Maroon Out. Why can't Saluki basketball have a Black Out? The Salukis had an alternative black jersey a few years back.
We actually discussed having a Black Out promotion last year, in addition to the White and Maroon Outs. I wasn't here when the team had black uniforms, but my understanding was that there was a lot of backlash from the alumni and administration when they were introduced. We decided to just try the white and do a good job with it before we got too creative. I think basketball and football could sport a specialty jersey from time to time, but would like the primary look to be maroon and white for obvious reasons. We will eventually try a "Black Out" promotion, but might just ask the fans to do this for a TV game, and then in the future if we do get a specialty uniform, could try it at that time.
A recent addition to the athletics website has been the vendor Replay Photos, which has allowed fans and alumni to order some of their favorite Saluki sports images. I've ordered a picture from the Southern Illinois selections, but they are all sports-related. Other schools offer selections of campus aerial shots. Can we get pictures of SIU's campus buildings and aerial images?
After the new year, the Department of Athletics and the Department of Photocommunications, headed by Phil Bankester, are going to get together to discuss a host of issues, this being one of them. Now that this method of photo distribution and vending is becoming more and more prominent, we are going to have an all encompassing meeting to make sure we are all on the same page, how we can best serve the public and also maximize our revenue opportunities. I'll make sure I share this topic with them when the time comes.
Regarding the proposed price tag of $83 million for Saluki Way, will that remain the same, even though the bids are lower than originally anticipated? Will it allow you add more amenities for the athletes, coaches and fans, or will you keep the plans as-is and look come in under budget?
The $83M price tag is going to stay firm throughout the entire process. We have only received three bids back so far from a total of more than 40, so we will have to wait and see what the marketplace is. January 14 and 21 are the two dates we will be getting a large portion of bids back, and that should tell us what direction we are going in. As I indicated in the past, if the bids come back higher than our budgeted figures, we will have to cut elements of the project back to meet the budget. If we are under budget, we can take some or all of the "alternates" that all projects carry. This could be a nicer scoreboard, upgrades to existing facilities, for example, or purchasing a better quality of seat for the arena, etc.
With the cost of construction falling off significantly, would there be any consideration to adding a second tier in modular form to the midfield portions of the football stadium now?
Once again all the bids need to come in before any plans are made. An addition of another deck to the new football stadium can be easily done since it is built in a modular fashion, but would cost significantly more than any savings on the project would produce. If we find a need after sustained sellouts, or if the University ever made the decision to go to the FBS level of NCAA football, we could certainly add a second level. Once the project is completed, we will have a better idea where we stand on this.
Are there any thoughts about selling pieces of 'The Mac' to students, alumni or just fans, so we can have a lasting memory of Saluki history?
We are in the process of calling all schools that have made a move from old to new football stadiums and getting ideas of what they did with the old facility, as well as how they marketed the last year of the existing facility for the final season. We should have some plans in place within a 60 to 90-day period and will roll out the plans for all to see. We will have to check with University guidelines on "giving away" items from the stadium, since we are a state institution but will try to address all the red tape we might encounter before we begin.
