AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > April > 23 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USGeorgia State football can’t succeed
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Terence Moore
Guess Lefty Driesell really does enjoy this retirement thing. Just because he could, he lay in bed on Monday morning while doing an interview from his beach home in Bethany, Del.
As the Atlantic Ocean ebbed and flowed against his cottage, Driesell used his 75-year-old tongue to say with that famous drawl, “Always something to do around here. Gotta go get the car washed. See the doctor. Head down to the drugstore to get more pills. Brush all of that sand off the sidewalks. Put the chairs out on the deck, stuff like that.”
He laughed. He did so nearly as hard as when we discussed the lunacy under consideration at his old school.
Well, one of his old schools.
They’re talking about bringing football to Georgia State. “I don’t know. I mean, I guess it would be nice, probably, for the students, but I wouldn’t jump up and down about it, myself,” said Driesell, laughing some more. After he spent the early and middle part of his 41 years coaching college basketball at Davidson, Maryland and James Madison, he finished his final six seasons at Georgia State through 2002.
This is the same Georgia State that remained obscure despite Driesell’s charisma and effectiveness. This is the same Georgia State that is a commuter school, which means the college football loyalties for its students and faculty members reside around Athens, Bobby Dodd Stadium and various SEC cities.
This also is the same Georgia State that is contemplating the addition of a I-AA football program.
The plan is for the Panthers to play home football games at the 71,250-seat Georgia Dome, where the Panthers likely would have an average of 70,000 or so.
That’s empty seats.
“See, I coached at [James Madison], where they have Division I-AA football, and most of the schools at that level lose money,” Driesell said. “If this was big-time football, like at Georgia, Georgia Tech and Alabama, then I’d say go forward. You know what I’m saying?”
Yes, I do. Crazy ideas happen when you’re a little engine, and you can’t stand seeing other little engines churning up that steep hill. Worse, for Georgia State, Old Dominion is a little engine from the Panthers’ Colonial Athletic Association, and Old Dominion already has announced plans to play I-AA football in 2009 season. Driesell knows as much, especially since Old Dominion is in Norfolk, the site of many properties that Driesell owns around his native Virginia.
Said Driesell, “See, it’s different in Norfolk. The newspaper there, I mean, they talk about Old Dominion football every single day. They’ve got a full-page ad in there. Buy your tickets for something that isn’t even here yet. You can’t do that in Atlanta. [Georgia State] would go broke on advertising. You’ve got a lot of competition there. Georgia. Georgia Tech. You’ve got the Falcons. You’ve got the Hawks, and then you’ve got everything else.”
Everything but Driesell, with 786 victories and an induction into the recently formed National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. Georgia State was the losingest program in Division I basketball when Driesell arrived in 1997. Four years later, the Panthers went 29-5 along the way to slaying a potent Wisconsin team in the NCAA tournament.
Nobody cared. Even so, that’s not why Driesell retired on New Year’s Day 2003 to enjoy life with Joyce, his wife of 55 years. Red Auerbach once told Driesell it is time to retire when you get tired putting on your sneakers for practice. “I woke up, and I just said it’s time to quit putting my sneakers on,” said Driesell, who is thrilled Rod Barnes hasn’t reached that point.
Two months ago, Georgia State hired Barnes with hopes the former Ole Miss coach of eight decent seasons would resurrect Driesell’s success. But now the Panthers have this football thing. Said Driesell, who still attends Panthers games around Virginia, “Georgia State loses money in athletics right now, even in basketball, because we didn’t draw that well.
“We had a team that was 29-5, and we probably lost money that year. It’s a hard to draw right now in town, so I don’t know if financially they can handle it.”
They can’t.
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By GaStareGradStudent
April 23, 2007 10:16 PM | Link to this
Georgia State is in a transition period right now and a revoultion is begining. The school is building thousands of residences on campus and private developers are building as well. It is a perfect oppurtunity to solidify the campus and change the culture that is a communter school. It will happen.
By Kendell
April 23, 2007 10:20 PM | Link to this
It would make sense if they played at vacant Morris Brown College!!
By G'Vegas Dawg
April 23, 2007 10:35 PM | Link to this
Gotta start somewhere Terry. FSU was once an all womens college. GT was once just a trade school. I am glad they didn’t have a pessimistic journalist discouraging their programs. You quoted a 75 year old retired basketball coach that lives 1000 miles from Atlanta. However, your own paper just ran a story quoting Dan Reeves, a retired FOOTBALL coach from GA, talking about how GSU football wouldn’t only work, but prosper.
By James
April 23, 2007 10:44 PM | Link to this
I agree with Kendall……..play the games at Morris Brown. The real GSU is Georgia Southern University in Statesboro. If you have any doubt? We could get you on our schedule whenever your season begins.
Lefty….get your facts straight. Not every I-AA football school loses money, some actually makes money.
By Jonny
April 23, 2007 10:44 PM | Link to this
As an undergrad alumn and a current post grad student at Georgia State University, I think football is a silly proposition. I believe we should dedicate our energies to the existing sports by building a greater fanbase, particularly for basketball. We shouldn’t even consider football until a strong basketball tradition is built around an already built infrastructure. When we do that, then we can talk football at GSU.
By billy quinn
April 23, 2007 10:45 PM | Link to this
Terence, The more I read your collum the less I understand you. College football has had the largest impact on the most more African-American Males in the last 15 years than anything else. I played D2 football from 91-94, and first hand saw the opportunities lower level college football gave the lives of young men. Small college football programs give around 20+ scholarships a year. Almost equal to the total combined male athletic scholarships for all other sports. Many of my friends that would have never recieved a college education did so because of a “Money Losing” D2 football program. These men are now Teachers in their hometowns and very sucessfull role models for their younger generation. The purpose of a college is to prepare its students for life after college. Sometimes if the bottom line is red or black is not the issue.
By Makes Sense
April 23, 2007 10:48 PM | Link to this
Once again Terence is a hater…
I am a Tech guy. I’d love for GSU to have football because (a) that school has incredible potential because of leadership and location and football would help to make it “big time”; and (b) it may mean that a few thousand less people blindly throw their loyalty to UGAg.
I am also glad they have targeted the Dome, I was extremely afraid they would ask to use Bobby Dodd like that women’s professional soccer team did and screw our field up.
Now… for why Terence is a hater. Look at UCF. UCF is in a metro area and had a reputation as a commuter school. So what did they do… started playing 1-AA at the Citrus Bowl. In the 10-15 years since then, that school has focused on being a residential college (like GSU) and has moved up to the 1-A in football. As we speak they are building a beautiful on campus stadium. UCF does not have nearly the potential of GSU so there is no reason GSU can get there. I imagine GSU ends up as a C-USA type school in 10 years.
It is about time we had a third real football program in this state. It is a crying shame that being the football factory the state of Georgia is that so many of “our” kids have to leave home to play ball at places like Bowling Green because they want to play 1-A. If Mississippi can support three major football programs, Georgia certainly can too.
Don’t forget - GSU has a very smart and capable AD (I mean, she came from Tech…).
By McDonoughDawg
April 23, 2007 10:59 PM | Link to this
Leave it to a GT Fan to start the “Ugag” references. Way to go Makes Sense, your true colors come out. We are always on your mind, aren’t we?
By JJ
April 23, 2007 11:04 PM | Link to this
I am somewhat torn. As a GSU alum I would love to see it develop a sports team that the students and the city can get excited about following. In the South, it seems like if anything is going to be successful in that regard, it’s gonna be football. The school is going through a transformation process with getting rid of the Village at Georgia Tech as its primary student housing and moving students closer to campus. They are trying to beautify the area surrounding the campus and are soon going to be requiring freshmen to live on campus just as the more prominent local schools do. But school spirit is all but dead at what still is a commuter school. The Sports Arena is a nice facility for Division I college basketball but it’s rarely even half full. Right now I dont think the school can support football without generating more school spirit amongst its students. Perhaps, however, a new football team in the deep South would be a great way to usher in the new era at Georgia State and try to sell the new students on a more traditional college atmosphere in the heart of downtown.
By Beth
April 23, 2007 11:05 PM | Link to this
As a student at GSU, I’m really tired of Atlanta and the rest of Georgia looking down on us- do you know how that makes us feel? I agree that a lot of things will have to change for this to be a success, but it only takes one person with a dream. So have faith
By Brady Quinn
April 23, 2007 11:11 PM | Link to this
Every journey has a beginning. You can’t just start at the level of Tech & UGA (or Fighting Irish!). It’s just like starting a business. First you’ll lose money, then you should even out. If your product is good enough it will bring in profits. Lefty’s team at GSU wasn’t good and no one wants to see a losing team play. If GSU can market it right, it will be a success.
By michael
April 23, 2007 11:13 PM | Link to this
Terrence is a craphead. It’s just his job to incite people. Why does he care if GA State wants a football team? I say do it.
By Makes Sense
April 23, 2007 11:14 PM | Link to this
No McDonough, UGAg is not always on my mind. However, if I am going to talk about football on a board read most probably by UGAg people, I am going to toss insults at UGAg. You see, its fun to get under the skin of UGAg people. You UGAg morons are so sensitive when your “school” is made fun of because the only pride you can legitimately take in it is the on field exploits of 18-22 year old football players and female gymnasts.
Oh, and I have no problem with showing my true colors. I bleed white and gold.
By Beau
April 23, 2007 11:19 PM | Link to this
Hopefully the powers that be at GSU will come to their senses and realize that doubling the student fees to pay for four more sports team for the student body to ignore is not the way to build and nurture the university’s reputation. the fact-findig group points out that even with the doubling of student fees, the school will quickly dip into the red unless we can conjur up some alumni with deep pockets and a fan base eager to shell out money to watch a team battle gridiron heavvyweights like Old Dominion. Our school has athletes toiling away in obscurity now, why add to this with football and the three women’s sports the NCAA will require GSU to create if football gets the nod? The beaudry ford dorms someone spoke of instill visions of a penetentiary, not a new and vibrant university scene. the university needs classrooms, not locker rooms. the university needs to fight against the delusions of grandeur some have permited to sway the minds of an administration who will not be having to pony up for four new athletic programs like the students will have to if the football program and the necessary women’s sports get greenlit. the best thing dan reeves can do is take a look at this pipe dream and spell out to the university just how foolish their idea is.
By Robert
April 23, 2007 11:21 PM | Link to this
Driesell, don’t compare basketball sales to football sales. College football is a much bigger draw every year compared to basketball. People would attend Georgia State football games. As a student, I would drive into town on game days to watch college football because it is too hard/ too expensive for me to try and get UGA or GT football tickets. In today’s world, a school needs a football team in order to be considered a ‘big’ school.
By Swatguy
April 23, 2007 11:23 PM | Link to this
Terence, I think it is a great idea. As an Atlantian, I will support it. The pull will be for the University system and the media with Alumni to support it. I would start at Mo Brown and even buy it (they cant use it). There are plenty athletes in this 5 million metro area to recruit. With 35,000 students GSU should be a D-1 program in 10-15 years.
By Michael
April 23, 2007 11:36 PM | Link to this
Sure why not Football. There is a field over at Morris Brown that will never be used again and it is only minutes from campus; or three MARTA stops! Heck, Tech plays all of it’s games on Thursday nights any ways so I can go to both.
By Mary
April 23, 2007 11:41 PM | Link to this
As a recent graduate from GSU I have to say that for the students complaining about their fees being raised…suck it up! Our school has substantially lower fees than other major universities in our region. I personally feel that the students at GSU are primed and ready for something they can rally around, specifically something that can involve the entire campus like football. The idea that GSU is a commuter campus is simply outdated. A lot of students live on campus for their freshman year and then move off campus into local nearby apartments similar to many, many GT students. Why, why, why would you quote Lefty in an article about football? That’s just poor journalism!
By GSUStudent
April 23, 2007 11:47 PM | Link to this
The one thing that people don’t understand about GA State is how racially divided and hostile events can become. If we played at Morris Brown everyone will deem football as a “Black event” and no one will show up. Just like no Asians, Hispanics, or Caucasians show up to the basketball games. Let’s keep basketball on neutral territory so everyone will feel welcome, it’ll make ALL the students feel more comfortable.
By Makes NO Sense
April 23, 2007 11:52 PM | Link to this
That would make 2 GSU’s that Tech is afraid to put on the football schedule. Dawgs are still undefeated under Richt against the urine & white.
By Reality
April 24, 2007 12:07 AM | Link to this
I typically don’t agree with Terence, but he is dead on here. Georgia State cannot support a basketball team and is nothing more than a commuter school. Let’s look at the dichotomy of college football in Georgia: UGA - strong tradition and fan support (large alumni group in state) GT - has tradition but limited fan support and struggles with attendance (many alumni move back to New Jersey or Asia) GSU – good I-AA program, draws fans because there is nothing else to do in Statesboro
Where does that leave Georgia State? They have graduation rate of 40%, meaning students passively attend classes and drop out or transfer elsewhere. That doesn’t equate to a powerhouse loyal fan base. Non-alums would have to be attracted as fans, and considering there is already an ACC team right in town along with a SEC team up the road, what would the sell be – Come see inferior football? It wouldn’t be worth the cost to park at the Dome.
They need to focus on finding some footing academically before embarking on football.
By Georgia Tech sucks
April 24, 2007 12:23 AM | Link to this
GSU is an afterthought when it comes to football in this state…it goes UGA and then the stumblin wreck a.k.a. The revenge of the nerds. GSU needs to prove it can support its existing sports programs before talking about starting another huge sports program.
Regardless of what happens with GSU football one thing will always remain the same: UGA>>>GT
P.S.: Hey stumblin wreck nerds, my computer needs a-fixin. One of yall come get to work!
By Someone Move
April 24, 2007 7:21 AM | Link to this
I was going to write more in this blog, but some UGA fan’s trailor is blocking my way.
By Chris
April 24, 2007 7:33 AM | Link to this
I-A and I-AA are no longer the proper terms. The NCAA has changed them to Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and Division I Football Championship Subdivision.
Seeing as this is the paper for a major city I just thought it would be nice to use the correct terms, even if they’re long and awkward.
And as far as Championship Subdivision teams losing money is concerned, I went to James Madison, and when our team was horrible, nobody went to games, but as soon as they put a good product on the field the school went crazy for them. And this is at a school NOTORIOUS for not caring about their intercollegiate athletics with a smaller enrollment than Georgia State.
By Ben
April 24, 2007 7:37 AM | Link to this
I love GSU Period!
By Red Foreman
April 24, 2007 7:54 AM | Link to this
Terrance is a race baiter, hater and a general AJC liberal stooge!!!
I only have one question though…
Are you related to Cynthia Tucker????
Do you and Cynthia use the same Plastic Surgeon????
I bet it’s like sleeping with Homey da Clown, ain’t it!!!!
Terrance, you are a dumba$$.
By Dave
April 24, 2007 8:01 AM | Link to this
If Alabama can support four or five D1 programs, Georgia - with over double the population - can support a third.
Also, this isn’t Bowling Green - the Atlanta metro has 5 million people and many LOVE college football here.
If city/communter schools like UAB (Birmingham), UCF (Orlando) and USF (Tampa) can do it, so can Georgia State. I imagine C-USA would LOVE to have a presence in Atlanta.
Also, if GSU were to land the occasional home game versus a Georgia or Florida, they would sell out the Dome. For UF and UGA fans, it’d be like a home game in Atlanta in the familiar Georgia Dome.
By jcfromindy
April 24, 2007 8:05 AM | Link to this
GSU is well deserving a football team! whomever thinks otherwise is nutzo!
And no Kendall they can’t use Morris Brown Colleges stadium!!!! :)
MBC Alum
By Mrs. G.P. Birdell
April 24, 2007 8:12 AM | Link to this
I think it would be great to have another state university football team as well as a state U. that you don’t need over a 4.0 grade point average in order to be admitted. Tech and UGA have essentially become private schools! And getting football tickets at either school is not always possible as the tickets are long sold out. I think some marketing reasearch will show that there is a strong demand in the state of GA for a nice, non-urban campus school for “B” students with a football team - like the UGA we baby-boomers had.
By GSU Eagle Nation
April 24, 2007 8:25 AM | Link to this
GSU (Ga. Southern Univ.) is the only GSU. Ask us about football at a real college - 6 Rings. You need real college students not soccer moms trying to finish their education to build a program.
By Kyle
April 24, 2007 8:26 AM | Link to this
G’vegas dawg:
Dan Reeves is acting as a consultant for Ga State, of course he will say he feels football would prosper.
By Edward
April 24, 2007 8:30 AM | Link to this
I agree Terrence! You’ve hit the nail on the head. GSU doesn’t need or want a football team right now. Instead, they need to divert the money they would spend on creating a football team to building a better campus (buildings, library, hiring staff, etc.). GSU has more pressing needs than a football team.
By War Eagle
April 24, 2007 8:35 AM | Link to this
Once again, Terrance advocates Basketbrawl. GSU should DROP basketbrawl and concentrate on Football since that makes the most money and draws the most fans. Basketbrawl draws in the urban kids that only want to play ball and not study-it’s their stepping stone to the NBA and it’s soon to be 500 teams under the Jesse and Al plan. Football might do well under GSU. My only concern is, will any Tech fans jump ship?
By GSU Alum
April 24, 2007 8:36 AM | Link to this
Things to consider before GSU goes football: 1) GSU is a well respected university. 2) No one there sees them self as a “Panther”. 3) They don’t develop a sense inter-school competitiveness like students on other campuses. They are there for an education. 4) They go about their business, get out, and get on with life. 5) These graduates see themselves as GSU alumni, not Panthers. 6) The vast majority of non-GSU students/alumni view GSU as “the school for people who can’t get into UGA”. None of these people even know GSU has an athletic department. They wouldn’t care even if they did know. 7) We already have a well respected college in Atlanta with a long and largely glorious football tradition. Sadly, no one in this town other than its alumni gets too excited about them anymore. 8) How many of the aforementioned members of the populous are going to summon the energy to turn on the radio or TV, much less go to the cavernous, lifeless, and expensive to attend Georgia Dome in order to experience “Panther football”? 9) Wouldn’t GSU’s time and money be better spent on buying up the rest of downtown and putting it to good use?
By Brent
April 24, 2007 8:40 AM | Link to this
As a GSU alum, this is just low grade journalism. TM should be writing the obituary column and not about sports.
By Mike
April 24, 2007 8:52 AM | Link to this
I agree with Mr. Moore. If GSU has to have a football program, start at Div.III like Shorter College. Otherwise this is a waste of funds. Get the basketball program fixed first.
By Tim
April 24, 2007 8:53 AM | Link to this
I am already committed to buying season tickets to GSU football, and I wouldn’t care if they played in Conyers or anywhere else. I’m an alum and have been waiting a long time for this. I’ll help build this program any way I can. And to have Dan Reeves at the helm, it has to be a success.
By Robert
April 24, 2007 8:53 AM | Link to this
As a Georgia Southern University alumni, I agree with other posters that the acronym GSU, in reguards to football, should belong to the 6 time I-AA championship program. Seeing the headline “GSU football won’t work” on the front page is just lazy on the editors behalf.
By G'Vegas Dawg
April 24, 2007 8:57 AM | Link to this
Kyle - If you read the article Dan Reeves said that he wouldn’t be a consultant for GA. State. He said, and I quote, “A consultant is like a guy who knows alot about women, alot about sex, but can’t get a date”. He has plainly stated that he would only be involved on a much larger scale, perhaps coach? I don’t know what capacity he wants to be involved, but, it won’t be a consultant. At this particular press conference he was only called in to give his opinion as to if it would work or not.
By Jeff
April 24, 2007 9:08 AM | Link to this
Comparison to UCF does not work well, as far as football goes. The profiles of the schools themselves are similar—commuter school seeking to become residential—but in Orlando there isn’t other football to attend. Trying to pull fans from Tech, UGA, and the Falcons would be far from easy.
By Rob Class of 99
April 24, 2007 9:12 AM | Link to this
GO PANTHERS!!!
By Voice of Reason
April 24, 2007 9:15 AM | Link to this
Oh, Terence. Here you go again. It seems that the best way to get on the good side of your columns is to buddy up to you at social events. That’s the only reason I can think of that you take it so easy on your pals Mike Woodson and Paul Hewitt. If you bothered to read any of the press on GSU football - or spoken to AD Mary McElroy - you’d learn that the process to this point has been wholly exploratory. The university hasn’t come out and said, “We must have football.” All they’re doing is taking the temperature of the alumni base to gauge the feasibility of starting a program. Knee-jerk negativism like your column (and, by the way, what does a windbag old hoops coach know about starting football programs????) will only serve to distract the process of determining the real viability to start football at GSU. So Terence — maybe it’s about time for your next Mike Woodson puff piece. You can discuss it with him over dinner tonight.
By Mike D
April 24, 2007 9:17 AM | Link to this
Hi Mr. Moore,
I am glad you’re writing about the GSU football idea.
My impression is that due to Title 9 usually when a university adds football, they drop male scholarships in all the other sports instead of adding female scholarships. Is that correct?
I’d like to know what effect it would have at GSU.
I wonder if you could get someone in your department to print what the current GSU athletic scholarship apportionments are. How many to men? How many to women? Split between what sports?
Good work, as usual.
By Sam
April 24, 2007 9:19 AM | Link to this
Shorter College is NAIA, not NCAA Division III.
I went to grad school at Georgia State. I am not sure football is a good idea. I agree that it might be better to start small and move up, but no one wants to be that patient any more.
Sounds like some crazy idea a Tech person would come up with…
By Mr. T
April 24, 2007 9:23 AM | Link to this
1 - to the “real GSU” people: get a life. In Atlanta, GSU means Georgia State. This ain’t the Statesboro Journal-Constitution. 2 - I am a Georgia State Alum that spends more than $1,000 every year to have season tickets for UGA football. I would much rather give GSU that money and I am not alone. There are hundreds of us who spend our money at UGA or Tech. 3 - To Terence Moore: Seriously? You went and interviewed a 5,000-year-old basketball coach to decide if GSU football would work? Seriously? That’s like asking your mechanic to perform knee surgery or asking Michael Jackson about child rearing. Seriously? 4 - To those who say we should concentrate on basketball: Please remember that you are in the South…I suspect there are thousands of GSU alums who could care less about basketball but are glued to the TV Saturdays in the fall.I am a Panther.
By Richard True Blue Tiger
April 24, 2007 9:25 AM | Link to this
I think Georgia State will be fine with a D1AA football team. Yes, they should play at Morris Brown stadium, it is new stadium that is vacant. They should play at the dome if the they expected a big crowd, like when they play JSU or Southern University. If Georgia State schedule the games with JSU Tigers, Southern University, Jacksonville State, Georgia Southern and Alabama State that get would get them a jump start on fan support. Also, they need to get a band. They could used one of local High school bands until Georgia State get up to par.
By Mark David Anthony
April 24, 2007 9:26 AM | Link to this
Where they end up really playing is not settled, nor is what division they’ll play in. Coach Reeves’ job is to continue studying and building support. It doesn’t matter where they play, or in what division, what matters is that Georgians, and Atlantans, support football by a wide margin over basketball.
The basketball program can and will build a following when they’ve put a consistent product out there for a while. That was starting to happen under Lefty, but people want football. It is too hard to get tickets, and too expensive, for Tech, Georgia, and the Falcons. But beyond that, once there is a significant resident student body, they’ll supply a large number of butts in the seats.
BUT, the whole thing has to be done right, or it could still blow up.
I think it is worth pursuing, and I’m a supporter who will buy four tickets.
P.S. Kennesaw State, now the state’s third largest school, is also quietly making plans for a team. I’d buy their tickets too. I’m an alumni of both KSU and GSU. (I’m also a huge lifelong Falcons and Dawgs fan).
By TM must Go!
April 24, 2007 9:33 AM | Link to this
1st off: Nice pile on Terri. Here, Bradley shoots off his idiotic mouth and you follow it up with more drivel. While you’re jumping on GSU why don’t you go down to Shepards Spinal Center and tell the folks in rehab, not to waste their time trying to get better. Who cares whether they’ll walk again, right? I mean, will they be able to RUN? If they can’t what’s the point? I am sorry by what do you, or anybody other than GSU alums, students and faculty care about what GSU is doing in regards to starting a football program? If it doesn’t work out, well, at least they tried. I’m glad you weren’t around during the revolutionary war or we’d still be paying taxes to the crown.
What you and Bradley and all the other folks who want to crap on GSU are forgetting is that Atlanta has a vibrant economy that is stoked by business. Hey you know what? GSU is a business school. Maybe people will want to support that. Also Atlanta is predicted to double in population over the next 20 years and last I checked its getting harder and harder to get into UGA and GT. Wouldn’t it be nice for some of the great athletes from this area who CAN’T get into Tech or UGA be able to stay close to home and help build another program? GSU is going to grow with the city and I fully believe the city is going to do as much as they can to help support GSU. For GSU NOT to try and start a football program would only stifle its growth and hurt its perception in the community (as evidenced in these posts and moronic sports editors) as being small time. I applaud all those people who are willing to work hard to accomplish something worthwhile and difficult. It won’t be easy to get a football program off the ground much less make it successful, but the reward is in the work and in the ambition to be better than you are. Of course Terri, you wouldn’t know what that is like because you never try to be better than you are. You are just a hack race-baiting sports editor just biding time, throwing crumbs to the pigeons at the AJC until you thankfully expire.
By Michael Corbitt
April 24, 2007 9:34 AM | Link to this
Just because GSU gets a team in no way means that fans will be significantly pulled from UGA.
GA Southern has a 1-AA team and they’ll draw 18,000+, when they are winning. When their games are scheduled during or very close to a big or televised UGA game or the UGA-UF game, that number drops big time.
If anything, it might pull a few from Tech, seeing that they are both located in Atlanta.
Maybe GSU will be looking to eventually make the jump from D 1-AA to D 1-A. It does not look like VSU (D2), GaSou, or any other smaller GA program is making a serious attempt to join the big boys.
By Bugger
April 24, 2007 9:35 AM | Link to this
Big urban commuter school playing football in an oversized-for-their-needs stadium? Sounds like UAB. Has football there been a success. It’s been successful enough, I guess. So, why can’t GSU do the same thing, Teri? They can.
By Gene
April 24, 2007 9:37 AM | Link to this
Students are still paying for the “Lefty disaster.” This is all about the president of GSU rubbing shoulders with national personalities. Football absolutely will not work at GSU. Dr. Patton should get off this ego trip and focus on making GSU better at what it is.
By Mister T is stupid
April 24, 2007 9:39 AM | Link to this
A quarter of the students at the real GSU (Georgia Southern) are from metro Atlanta, with a large alumni presence here as well, so go bite yourself. GSU (Georgia State) is as non-descript here as it is in the rest of the state. It’s an afterthought. That’s why raising its athletics profile is good marketing. Go Panthers!
By MM
April 24, 2007 9:44 AM | Link to this
Good to see Terrance Moore’s research for an article on GSU football included talking to a basketball coach that’s 4 years removed from being at the school.
Didn’t Kevin Blackistone need a job a few weeks ago? It would have been an upgrade…
By Panther Pride
April 24, 2007 9:46 AM | Link to this
To all the “Real GSU” folks … http://www.gsu.edu … ouch, that’s gotta hurt.
By trademe
April 24, 2007 10:04 AM | Link to this
Why not give ‘em a shot? I say more power to them. With all the people migrating to Atlanta everyday, who knows? This gives one more venue for true sports fans!!!! Long live football at ANY level!!!!!
By Jim
April 24, 2007 10:08 AM | Link to this
Terence I usually don’t read your “work” because I have heard from folks that you can actually smell what you are full of while reading the articles you so eloquently put together. As a GSU alum I find it amazing that you know so much about the school and their “plans” to write an article about it. How many other articles have you put together on G. State? The AJC does not even have a tab for State on the sports page. Are you aware of the billion dollar project at State? Are you aware of the other options besides the dome that they are considering? Have you read the report that the consulting firm put together regarding the feasibility of a football program. Probly not. It takes people like you to make a program like GSU football work. Uninformed, ignorant, and close-minded people that feel they already know what the future holds are usually wrong and look stupid after something they said “can’t happen” does in fact happen. Maybe football at GSU won’t work but if you are gonna write about it, don’t use the former bball coach at the school in your article to mask your complete lack of knowledge regarding what GSU plans to do with football, let alone anything. You make yourself look stupid frequently. I admire your consistency.
By You wish
April 24, 2007 10:12 AM | Link to this
Nope, doesn’t hurt at all. You may have been gsu first, but the lovely little school down in Statesboro has a higher national profile. Now, go bite yourself. That will hurt.
By Mark David Anthony
April 24, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this
Bottom line… Terrance is muckraking, and fairly successfully from the looks of this comment section.
All of you who don’t know much about GSU right now would be very surprised if you fully understood it’s current status, and what it’s on the way to becoming. If you don’t already know about the exciting changes going on here, you will be very surprised at where we are in the national spotlight within 5 to 10 years.
We are already the second largest school in the state, and a huge economic factor in Atlanta, and all that is only growing, at a very rapid rate. GSU is projecting enrollment of 37,000 by 2015 (only 8 years away), which will make it the largest school in the state, given Georgia’s enrollment cap. The cap is good for UGA, helping it topgrade and increase its national reputation and academic status, and the growth is good for GSU and Atlanta, bringing in funding that helps GSU also increase its national reputation and greatly impact Atlanta’s and Georgia’s economy, while serving private and public sector career and job preparation needs.
We don’t do everything perfectly, and this is not a blind PR blurb, but the fact is that Dr. Patton is leading us in a direction that is good for everyone: the students, the school, the facutly, the staff, the city, and the state. He is a very smart man with extensive credentials and education in public administration, public policy, and community/urban planning. He simply would not be interested in football for GSU if he hadn’t closely considered its impact on the institution as a whole, and the community, and found it to be beneficial and desirable.
By the way, more details on the Main Street $1 Billion expansion can be found at http://www2.gsu.edu/~wwwmsp/index.htm.
By David
April 24, 2007 10:14 AM | Link to this
This is the College Football South and the Atlanta area alone has a bigger population than Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, etc.
Of course, Atlanta is used to big league sports, so D1 is the best option. In fact, D1 at GSU would be a sizable draw.
(I will refer to Georgia State as GSU since the folks in Statesboro are too scared to move up to the D1 level. I alone could win “6 rings” if I played pee wee teams. Grow a pair and move up to D1 - then I’ll show Georgia Southern some respect.)
As a side note, I think just the northwest metro are could support football at KSU. (That’s Kennesaw State - I don’t want to rile-up all the jealous Kansas State supporters reading this vent.)
By Panther Pride
April 24, 2007 10:24 AM | Link to this
“Nope, doesn’t hurt at all. You may have been gsu first, but the lovely little school down in Statesboro has a higher national profile. Now, go bite yourself. That will hurt.”
By what measure? Cows per acre? Mullet awards? 1st in tractor repair?
By Mr. History
April 24, 2007 10:27 AM | Link to this
Terence Moore ( as a racist white guy with some SERIOUS issues circa 1947 ): “Blacks can’t succeed in baseball.”
Terence Moore (as a racist black guy with some SERIOUS issues circa 2007 ): “GSU can’t succeed in football.”
IGNORANCE: Still color blind, Still rampant
By steve
April 24, 2007 10:28 AM | Link to this
I grew up in Marietta and went to college at that other GSU (Go Eagles!). Personally, I do not think football at Georgia State would work.
In Statesboro, life pretty much revolves around Georgia Southern. It is a typical college town. Georgia State is in a competely different situation - a commuter college in a city that already has football loyalties elsewhere.
I currently live in Birmingham and UAB has tried to build a football program and it is struggling for its existence. Georgia State should learn from them.
By mo
April 24, 2007 10:28 AM | Link to this
I think GSU football would work in Atlanta. See, Atlanta is in Georgia. Georgia loves football, period. Plus, football would draw more than basketball anyday.
Heck, Kennesaw State University is looking at a football program.
But if GSU had a team, I would go to the games.
By Danny O
April 24, 2007 10:30 AM | Link to this
Football is a lot of fun. But it is going to be a drain on the University. They will raise my student activity fees and I think we will have a very hard time drawing fans on Saturday when having to compete with Tech and UGA.
Why not promote the basketball program more? We’re now playing in a solid conference and a good year could bring us some national attention, thereby getting solid recruits for the future. Basketball has much lower costs than football and the potential for growth there seems to be much greater.
By Derrick
April 24, 2007 10:31 AM | Link to this
Georgia State Football will now be extremely successful! Why? Because Terrence Moore just gave it the KISS of SUCCESS by saying it will not work.
By WHEATIES Eater
April 24, 2007 10:33 AM | Link to this
If Terence Moore more added more fiber to his diet, he probably wouldn’t always be so constipated and grumpy all the time.
Flush that HATE away, T-MOORE-MONEY !!!!
By Adam
April 24, 2007 10:35 AM | Link to this
Terence, the more I read your column, the more difficult I find it that you are still employed. Find a source to interview that has actually had something to do with the school in the last 5 years.
Not only can GSU football work, but it will thrive. Many alums go to UGA and Tech games because their alma mater has no football program.
Don’t compare GSU football to the basketball program. Have you ever been to a GSU basketball game? I go to one per year…homecoming. There is very little interaction between the school and the alumni. If GSU hopes to kick off the football program, the best thing to do is get the alumni behind it. Students will support it…no need to worry about that.
Next time you decide to do a piece like this, interview someone that knows something about the current status of GSU…
By Bill
April 24, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this
I think its a great idea but only if done right. The Dome idea is crazy. Morris Brown stadium would be the logical choice. What better way to get people downtown on a Saturday afternoon than a college football game.
By dsmoothone
April 24, 2007 10:37 AM | Link to this
I think it’s time, past time really that GA State steps up and creates a football program. Maybe some other schools like Columbus State could also consider it. Football is part of the college experience. IT’s time. Mr. Moore, stop being so doggoned negative. Go Panthers. I’d buy season tickets!
By maurice
April 24, 2007 10:41 AM | Link to this
Like much of olde georgia. Think outside the box for a change. GSU need a football team. Jekyll Island and Underground Atlanta need Casinos. The media can not think for people, the media should only deliver the news opinions are irrelevant due to bias-ness and lack of research.
By jason
April 24, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this
Ya know, I went to http://www.gsu.edu and it took me to Georgia State University. And if I remember right, Georgia Southern College didn’t become a University until circa 1990, well after Georgia State.
Of course, all the farmer’s sons and daughters that can get through Georgia Southern sober have no idea what the school is supposed to be called anyway probably.
I’m sure it takes a real genius to get through Bulloch County High School with a GPA high enough to get the HOPE and move a short tractor’s ride from mommy and daddy to go to school. You can even go home and slop the pigs on mornings before school! How quaint!
By Go, Fighting Panhandlers!!!
April 24, 2007 10:47 AM | Link to this
If GSU does get a football team, I think they should rename the school mascot to something much more reflective of the pride and culture of the historic Downtown Atlanta community.
Forget “Panthers.”
GO, GEORGIA STATE FIGHTING PANHANDLERS!
By Joseph Grant
April 24, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this
I really don’t understand why so many people are concern with GSU now since the school is considering a football team. I will support the my school as I have always have, and I feel I am not the only fan of GSU.
GSU will always be known for more than sports, but a school that offers a great eduacation experince. I don’t think the school has to defend itself. Just keep on being GSU and let the rest of the Atlanta and the world watch as we grow!!
There is enough fans for everyone !!
By You wish
April 24, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this
“By what measure? Cows per acre? Mullet awards? 1st in tractor repair?”
No, the state’s agriculture programs are at UGA, ABAC, and Fort Valley.
The mullets are at UF.
Tractor design maybe.
Georgia Southern has a higher national profile in research in a number of sciences. And, of course, in sports. So go get yourself some football and stop hatin’ on us. I’m not hatin’ on you, just telling the fact that lots of people in this state have never even heard of Georgia State.
By Eagle Nation
April 24, 2007 10:54 AM | Link to this
I would welcome State’s program to Statesboro but you Panther Priders should not think for a minute that you will pull fans or players from GT, UGA, or Ga. Southern. Who would want to play there (where still in question too). State does not offer a true college experience.
By Texas Pete
April 24, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this
Although I live out in Texas, I would love to financially and morally support a Georgia State football team. Forget Terrance Moore and Lefty… Let’s make it happen!
By richard
April 24, 2007 11:03 AM | Link to this
i’m from old school, and want to know why most ball players have their pants legs below their shoes.i saw ken griffey jr(a favorate of mine)with his pantslike that.he should know better and have better respect for the game…
By brent
April 24, 2007 11:06 AM | Link to this
Never even bother listening to any idiot who would retire to a beach in….Delaware??? Of course Lefty does not really have a Hawaii kind of body anyway.
By Michelle
April 24, 2007 11:11 AM | Link to this
I am a GSU student who believes that it is about time that we attempted to have a football team. Some people don’t like basketball (myself included) but love football. It gives us the opportunity to show school spirit by attending a sporting event that we like. I am proud to be a GSU student, and I would like the oppotunity to show my pride in the Panthers!
By Danny O
April 24, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this
For the record I went to three State basketball games and at least ten Tech basketball games this year. Also went to two Tech football games.
By Michael
April 24, 2007 11:20 AM | Link to this
I am an alumni of both Georgia Southern (undergrad) and Georgia State (grad school). After looking at both diplomas on my wall I want to set the record straight to which GSU was around first. Georgia Southern was founded in 1906 and Georgia State in 1913. Not much differnce in age. If Georgia State does establish a football team, I can see a rivalry between both GSUs similar to the UGA-GT rivalry already after reading the comments in the blog.
By MJ
April 24, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this
I think GSU at least has to give it a shot. I graduated from Coastal Carolina University (Myrtle Beach, SC) in 2005 and the school brought in football my second year and began playing games my third year. The first year playing I believe they finished 5-5 and every year since then they have either won or finished in the top two of the Big South Conference. They are bringing in recruits that would normally be afterthoughts to Clemson and South Carolina, but would normally attend smaller schools such as Furman and Wofford. The Chants now have a good fan base and have actually stolen fans from Clemson and South Carolina. I believe now the team is bringing in tons of money also. The adminstration took the risk despite the school only having two successful sports (baseball and mens soccer) that didnt bring in much money. I think GSU could be successful if they bring in local metro area kids that are good just not good enought for Georgia or GT. If GSU has any talent at all people will come because GA is a football crazy state.
By You Wish
April 24, 2007 11:48 AM | Link to this
See, we can have disagreements in the family, too. My resume says I graduated from Georgia Southern College, because that’s what it was when I graduated in 1985 and what it says on my degree. I don’t cheat and retroactively claim the U when that’s not what it was when I went there. So, Georgia State was indeed GSU first.
By ZGOLDATOWN
April 24, 2007 1:04 PM | Link to this
Its so funny to see georgia southern fans in here crying about the “real GSU”. Goergia State University is the premiere urban research institution in the South. It also has a top 10 buisness school in the country, and a top 25 law school. Georgia Southern just recently became a University and have no national exposure for anything other than football. Georgia State, or GSU as the website of my school calls it, is in the A-Town. Georgia Southern is in Statesboro, enough said.
Start a football team, we desperately need it. I am a Panther.
By Andrew
April 24, 2007 1:07 PM | Link to this
Personally, I went to GSU (State, that is) and not Ga Southern because I don’t like the thought of getting herpes.
By Mark David Anthony
April 24, 2007 1:18 PM | Link to this
Southern has a higher national profile in research? I don’t think so.
I could be wrong, because I can’t find the official Southern numbers, but Georgia State brings in $60 million in research funding and generates $180 more in spending from that. GSU is actually one of the four research institutions of the University System of GA (UGA, Tech, GSU, and the Medical College). Southern is one tier BELOW that as one of the two regional Universities (Southern and Valdosta State).
By Hairy Dawg
April 24, 2007 1:52 PM | Link to this
This makes two AJC columns about how Georgia State football can’t succeed. Considering the sources, it sounds like Georgia State is on the right track, doesn’t it?
By Eagle Nation
April 24, 2007 2:56 PM | Link to this
There isn’t a riverly, two worlds apart in enviroments. One a true college town with college aged students. The other a place for strippers to ride MARTA too to complete their Higher Ed. GED.
By Rogers Park Rob
April 24, 2007 3:09 PM | Link to this
Alas Mr. Moore has weighed in. Thank you for declaring GSU football a pipe dream.
Now could you please let us know your thoughts on global warming.
By ED
April 24, 2007 3:28 PM | Link to this
Does Georgia State even have a football team yet? I guess the real GSU football program in the state goes to Georgia Southern University. I don’t care if Georgia State gets a football program going or not. One thing’s for sure though,if they do, they’d better win.
By steve
April 24, 2007 4:04 PM | Link to this
As I said earlier, I am a Georgia Southern alum currently living in Birmingham. I am certainly not opposed to Georgia State starting a football program. Many people thought the powers-to-be and Erk Russell were nuts for trying to start one at Georgia Southern.
But I think that the Georgia State folks should really take a good look over here at University of Alabama-Birmingham. UAB started at 1AA level and is now competing at 1A level. There attendance is so low that they may be forced to return to 1AA with new NCAA attendance rules. What little momentum the program had a few years ago is gone. This is a city where 95% of the folks are either Auburn or Alabama fans. They simply do not care about UAB. Even the UAB students are apathetic. To me UAB and Georgia State are very similar.
Basketball has been successful here and can be at Georgia State. I am just not sure that you can have the same hope for football.
By Jim
April 24, 2007 4:07 PM | Link to this
You won’t know until you try. Start small. If successful, then expand. GSU has a lot of money evidenced by their campus expansion. College football is huge in the Southeast and Atlanta being a metropolitan city, there’s space for another college football program. Look at USC and UCLA both located in the same city.
By Guy
April 24, 2007 4:09 PM | Link to this
Just one question, do you ever write anything positive?
By ED
April 24, 2007 4:40 PM | Link to this
The Board of Regents which is staffed with UGA and GT grads is not going to let Georgia State start a 1-A football program. They’ll do all they can to keep them at the 1-AA level, just like they have Georgia Southern. They don’t want any competition. Steve, Alabama has roughly half the population of Georgia, but they have FIVE 1-A football programs!
By steve
April 24, 2007 5:12 PM | Link to this
Ed, Yes, Atlanta is a much bigger city than Birmingham. However, that are not nearly as much entertainment options here as there is in Atlanta. Also, football is huge in Georgia, but it is a different world over here. Football is the number one topic of conversation here year-around. Being a native Georgian, it actually takes a lot of getting used to. Actually, I wish folks here paid more attention to other things! So if UAB cannot even average 20,000 fans in a football crazed city and state without all of the options competing for people’s time and money that Atlanta has, can Georgia State pull it off in Atlanta?
I truly with them success (unless they are playing the other GSU!) But they better at least talk to the folks at UAB first.
By Dirty Sanchez
April 24, 2007 5:28 PM | Link to this
Terrance, you never seem to amaze me with your doubting Thomas attitude….that’s the story of this damn city….
I bet back in 1990 when this city was a blip on the radar, you probably wrote an article at how this city was wasting it’s time in trying to get the Olympics..
For GSU this is an opportunity to become relevant. It is definitely a school in transistion and this would be a perfect opportunity to demonstrate what it could become…
By tsquared
April 24, 2007 9:12 PM | Link to this
should anyone actually listen to this guy? what makes his word valid?
By FRED
April 24, 2007 11:04 PM | Link to this
Terrence, can’t you find a conspiracy in this somewhere? Like the conspiracy that ”only” 8% of MLB player are African American when they represent less than 8% of the population from which MLB players are drawn.
By DB
April 24, 2007 11:37 PM | Link to this
I follow UGA and GT football. Bulldog fans are obnoxious, but I’ve always pulled for the Dawgs. As a student at State and in subsequent years I have attended many Jacket games. I actually enjoy their fans and gameday more, but they’re still 2nd in my pecking order. I have been a proponet for GSU football for a long time. It can do what the other sports programs have failed to do (no disrespect), create loyalty and pride to the 100,000 plus alumni in Metro Atlanta. Between Mark Bradley, Terri, and Bill Hartman, you have really opened my eyes. I’m ready to stop being a poser and give all my Red, Black, Blue, and Gold clothing to Goodwill. I am a Panther and will support this endeavor to completion. And BTW Terri, Yes, I would and WILL sit in the Georgia Dome and watch State play James Madison over the Georgia/Florida game.
By GSU Mens BB Fan
April 24, 2007 11:57 PM | Link to this
Hey Georgia State fans!
If you want to talk about Georgia State football or Georgia State sports in general come on over to our message board on CAAZone.com.
The link is: http://www.caazone.com/boards/viewforum.php?f=29
We’ve been talking about football for years over here.
By the way Terrence Moore is an idiot. If Florida and Alabama can support 5 or more DI-A/DI-AA football schools each then Georgia can support 1 more.
Georgia State fans don’t get discouraged by these naysayers in the media. Show your support and put a sock in all of their mouths.
As much as I love Lefty and what he tried to do at Georgia State he is dead wrong about this. This isn’t the same Georgia State as when he was here even 3 years ago.
This campus is changing and changing big time, we are adding more residencies, expanding our academic buildings, and pratically turning every block of downtown into Georgia State.
Please don’t give me this focus on basketball….basketball doesn’t sell so why should football sell rhetoric. This is the South, I am not even a football fan my self but I know that in the South football is king!
Football season is 6 months away and the media and the fans are already cooing about the upcoming season.
Like I said I am not a football fan, but I will be there when Georgia State has their first kickoff and I will be there for everyone after that.
I love Georgia State and I will support anything that makes the University better!
Awake Panther Nation and support your Alma Matter!
Go Panthers!
By swa
April 25, 2007 12:23 AM | Link to this
my nuts stink maine!
Go Panthers! Gt vs Georgia State would be a great rivalry…..one day. Ga State has a bunch of potential and I think football is a specatacular idea, especially in the ATL (College Football Capital of the South)
By Optimistic One
April 25, 2007 1:40 AM | Link to this
Football at G-State is a great idea.
As a graduate of G-State, I know first-hand that the student body is very eager for a football team. Thus, I’m sure the support will be there. It may not meet T. Moore’s unrealistic expectations but I think that it could be a success. Hopefully, the games would not be played at the Dome – too big, nontraditional atmosphere, too expensive. Morris Brown would be a great location. Plus, the money would be helpful for MB while they work things out. Furthermore, Homecoming in February is horrible and lame. Let’s make this change G-State.
If a committee member reads this comment, just remember to take the student body into account and not simply the costs associated with the program. If the school puts forth a good faith effort to build a solid program, the students, alumni, the city, and T.Moore will support.
By Big Nelly
April 25, 2007 2:17 AM | Link to this
T. Moore doesn’t no crap. The AJC doesn’t give Georgia State a bit of attention and now they are seeing that Georgia State is on the brink of exploding onto the Atlanta sports scene and taking attention away from the 2 “Big Boys”.
People are getting scared folks! The people at the AJC are just lazy anyways, they problably don’t want to have to do more work and cover another team!
Go Panthers! Go G-State!