Ask the AD -- December Edition
12/30/2009 | 12:00:00 | General
Dec. 30, 2009
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
There's a photo of you at the UNI game wearing an Under Armour jacket. Where can I buy one?
The team and administration's allotment of gear comes directly from Under Armour, and then it is embroidered locally through our equipment room. Some items made available to the team and staff are available only through the sideline program and are not available through retail distribution channels. We are working with both UA and our local retailers to try to find ways to provide these items, but given our market size, that is a difficult task. Typically, local retailers must purchase large minimum orders, and it becomes a risky venture for them if the items don't sell. In my opinion, the best selection of team-related gear is from 710 Book Store. I would check with them at www.seventen.com or at their location in Carbondale at 710 South Illinois Ave. I would also recommend checking with the University Bookstore. The Department of Athletics is going to be putting our on-line store out to bid very soon, and I guarantee it will contain the most Saluki gear to date with whatever company gets the bid, as this will be one of the stipulations in the contract.
Has there been any discussion that the NCAA would mandate that BCS teams must play away games against mid-major conference teams?
There has been no discussion on this, as the NCAA doesn't control the BCS. The BCS is controlled by the conference commissioners, so mandating that BCS teams would play away from home and reduce the amount of revenue that they would receive would realistically never happen. I was just reading an article in Street & Smith's Sports Business Journal where 81 percent of the BCS's total payout went to the Big Six conferences and 18 percent went to the other five coalition conferences (Mountain West, WAC, SunBelt, Conference USA and the MAC). So you can see, the NCAA has no say, and the BCS has no motivation to do so.
I am a proud member of the Class of 1964 and served three years as a student manager to the Salukis teams (1962-64). I was wondering if the school would consider naming the new football stadium "Alumni Stadium" if we could get many of the classes and members to donate?
The naming of facilities associated with Saluki Way are assigned as follows: First the value of the room, stadium, area, etc. is ascertained by multiplying the square footage of the area and by the cost per square foot. Then that value is divided in half (if the space is new) or by one-third (if the space is renovated), and that figure is what needs to be donated to associate a name with a specific space. Furthermore, the University reserves the right of final say regarding this process. Now, there is some flexibility to alter some of the numbers, if all parties (Athletics, Foundation, main campus, etc.) agree that a certain amount is the maximum that can be received for a specific area. Finally, the Board of Trustees reserves the right to bestow an honorary name to any facility. If there is no name selected to a specific area, such as the stadium or arena, then the Department of Athletics, in conjunction with the campus, will assign a placeholder name (such as Saluki Stadium) until a donor of an adequate amount can be solicited and approved. In theory, the stadium could be named Alumni Stadium, but it would be difficult to ascertain that each alumnus who donated gave to the specific purpose of naming the football stadium, since current alumni are now donating for all different reasons.
Are there any plans to incorporate any of the old stadium facade into the new stadium? Also, will the words Southern Illinois University be printed along the interior walls, along with the words Salukis?
The McAndrew Stadium facade will not be incorporated into the new stadium, but the main recognition piece for William McAndrew will be removed and incorporated, as well as the pyramid marker for the resting place of King Tut, the original mascot. In addition, several photos will be placed in and around the press box to honor the history of the stadium. The graphics team from 360 architecture is working as we speak with Jason King, our Associate AD for Facilities and the lead athletic person on this project, for all the graphics in and around the new football stadium. What I have seen to date is going to look very sharp.
If the school is forced to take the drastic measure of closing in the spring, how will that affect athletic programs?
Recently, Chancellor Dr. Sam Goldman and President Dr. Glenn Poshard have been very clear that SIU is not closing, so this is something we will not have to worry about. To answer your question in general terms, if any University had to close, then I would assume that athletic programs, just like all the academic programs, would cease to exist or be suspended until the University re-opened.
What are plans for the area where McAndrew Stadium is currently located after it's gone?
The site will be used to construct a Student Services facility, develop a campus courtyard and an Alumni/Foundation facility. There will also be additional parking. A timeline is yet to be determined, and the west side of McAndrew Stadium will stay up at least until the new football stadium is completed. The track and the east side stands will remain in place for the foreseeable future.
