PEZZIMENTI: No football in future for the Bonnies

[bleacherbum]

One of the most hotly debated topics among St. Bonaventure alumni and supporters over the last few years has been football.

Can a football program survive at Bona? And is it worth it?

Perhaps now, the issue can be put to bed.

It doesn't appear the pigskin will be returning to campus any time soon.

Though football discussion has been tossed back and forth among the school's higher ups, there hasn't been serious talk of bringing back a sport that folded under economics strain in the early 1950s.

"We look at all different kinds of ways to improve things here. Football is one of the things that's come up," athletic director Steve Watson said. "(But) it's not in our immediate plans. I don't know what would happen that would make it become a part of our plan.

"I can safely say that now we're looking at strengthening the 14 sports that we have here right now. We're not looking at expanding at this point."

n Watson was hardly surprised that women's lacrosse coach Tony Zostant resigned last week to take the job at Binghamton University.

"He kind of epitomizes one of the coaches (at Bona) that does more with less," Watson said. "I knew that he was the type of coach who would be extremely marketable. There were a couple of lacrosse jobs that were open this spring and summer. I knew there was some interest out there in the lacrosse world in having Tony as a head coach."

To be certain, Zostant boasts glowing credentials.

The two-time Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year built a program in its infancy six years ago into a consistent power in the conference. The Bonnies earned a national ranking in 2006 and made the A-10 tournament four times in a half dozen years under Zostant.

Zostant's job won't be easy at Binghamton, though. The Bearcats are coming off a 4-13 season and are 12-59 in the five-year existence of the program.

The school will likely have a successor in place before the start of classes later this month.

The school will likely have a successor in place before the start of classes later this month.

n The floor portion of the Reilly Center upgrade is now complete.

"Bob Lanier Court," as it's called now, has a lighter tone than the previous floor. And Lanier's autograph graces the floor at the hash marks on both sides of the court.

Other changes include a gigantic running wolf logo at midcourt that extends nearly from 3-point line to 3-point line. The lane areas are no longer painted except for brown colored "A-10" logos in the middle.

"It's sharp. It's bright," Watson said. "To me, it lights up the whole arena. And it's the first step."

The scoreboards on both ends of the arena will also be replaced, and so will the arena's aging sound system. In addition, the large padded basket supports will be scrapped for baskets that will hang from the arena ceiling, like they used to.

"That's going to improve sight lines behind the baskets for our fans and bring back a little tradition to the Reilly Center," Watson said.

He expects the project to be completely finished by October.

(Vinny Pezzimenti is a sports writer for the Olean Times Herald.)

[mwibh23]

The baskets hanging from the ceiling will be an awesome addition as well. I remember the student section behind the rim would be packed but if you didnt have the best seat then you could see have of the game.

Hopefully the team can improve as dramatically in the coming years.

I LIKE IT!!!

[koab]

The two-time Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year built a program in its infancy six years ago into a consistent power in the conference. The Bonnies earned a national ranking in 2006 and made the A-10 tournament four times in a half dozen years under Zostant.


Doesn't this support expanding non-scholarship programs (men's lax) and using the additional funds to strengthen the other programs/facilities?

[Roger Dorn]

koab said:

The two-time Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year built a program in its infancy six years ago into a consistent power in the conference. The Bonnies earned a national ranking in 2006 and made the A-10 tournament four times in a half dozen years under Zostant.


Doesn't this support expanding non-scholarship programs (men's lax) and using the additional funds to strengthen the other programs/facilities?

Wouldnt adding a non scholarship program cost money, not bring more in?

[mwibh23]

jermaineclement said:

koab said:

The two-time Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year built a program in its infancy six years ago into a consistent power in the conference. The Bonnies earned a national ranking in 2006 and made the A-10 tournament four times in a half dozen years under Zostant.


Doesn't this support expanding non-scholarship programs (men's lax) and using the additional funds to strengthen the other programs/facilities?

Wouldnt adding a non scholarship program cost money, not bring more in?

It would seem that way to me as well.

Questions: If the sport is non-scholarship or club, would it still be handled by the A.D.?

[rusty]

KOAB: Where did you read that LAX wins = more money to invest in other programs. When is the last time you're bought tickets for a Soccer, Baseball, Softball or LAX game at Bonas. That's right, they are non-revenue sports! No matter how much they win only one thing remains constant, they will cost more to run. Wins = more expensive coaches. And don't think that potentially higher Subway or McDonalds of Olean promotional dollars is going to support another team on campus. That will only pay for more fridge magnets and wallet schedule cards!

[koab]

Maybe the students who will come to play the sports?

Sorry but I don't have time to educate you today. Go back and read some very well thought out posts by Clubber and Sneakers.

[spils84]

I have a little time to educate Rusty...

Additional programs (academic and athletic) = additional students
Additional students = additional revenue
Additional revenue = additional programs

[Roger Dorn]

With enrollment increasing this year and having hit some record highs in the past 5-6 years, I dont see the dire straights where we need to go out looking to add sports teams to get more students. I have heard stories about the dorms being so full that they had to close some of the lounges and turn them into triples, it doesn't seem like a school with an enrollment issue would have these types of problems.

Plassman hall, Rob/Fal, Doyle, Francis, and the RC are all in needs of upgrades/repairs. That would be a much better place to spend the money than a new sports team and all of the expense that comes with it. Not only would these make SBU a better place for current students, but it would also improve the appeal of the school to potential students. If more students are what your after why go after one specific group when upgrades to campus have a positive affect on all types of students.

[clubhouse]

What would the marketing campaign look like to attract male lax players? Come to SBU where even your home games are on the road?

Apparently the school can't accomodate the current programs with nice facilities, adding more programs isn't going to rectify the problem. Sure more students brings in additional revenue but it also has additional costs. If adding more programs was a money maker, why not offer every program imaginable?

[koab]

Sorry you guys are right, adding more students and using a portion of those funds to help with the goal of strengthening other programs/facilities is just stupid. Wasn't thinking

Have to go someone wants fries with their burger.

[treedoyle]

spils84 said:

I have a little time to educate Rusty...

Additional programs (academic and athletic) = additional students
Additional students = additional revenue
Additional revenue = additional programs

It isn't that simple. Even if you're talking athletics alone, you have to drastically change your infrastructure to accommodate new athletes, new staff, supplies, insurance, equipment, etc.

In the grand scheme of things, for SBU as it is right now, lacrosse is not and should not be a priority.

[EddieBall]

A new soccer/lax complex (field) is on the athletic budget agenda, I believe... although our other A-10 (DI) teams are "non-revenue", SBU really has no choice but to kick it up a notch, if we expect to compete at this level. The sooner this happens, the better. Go Bonnies!!

[bleacherbum]

The # 1 biggest need at SBU right now is a turf field for the current soccer/lacrosse programs to use for practice and games (although a new pool is a close 2nd).

Lights would be an added bonus on that turf field, but let's just get the field first, worry about lights for soccer/lacrosse and baseball field later.

It is ridiculous that SBU teams have to travel 20 miles to a local high school to play "HOME" matches.

Women's soccer has 10 out of 19 matches at home, it has been a very dry summer, but if we get a wet autumn, the current soccer field will be a mudpit in no time.

Wasn't Corning Glass considering being a corporate sponsor for a new turf field ? Hope that is still in the works !

[Roger Dorn]

bleacherbum said:

The # 1 biggest need at SBU right now is a turf field for the current soccer/lacrosse programs to use for practice and games (although a new pool is a close 2nd).

Lights would be an added bonus on that turf field, but let's just get the field first, worry about lights for soccer/lacrosse and baseball field later.

It is ridiculous that SBU teams have to travel 20 miles to a local high school to play "HOME" matches.

Women's soccer has 10 out of 19 matches at home, it has been a very dry summer, but if we get a wet autumn, the current soccer field will be a mudpit in no time.

Wasn't Corning Glass considering being a corporate sponsor for a new turf field ? Hope that is still in the works !

Have you seen the condition of Rob/Fal or Plassman lately? Athletic improvements should always come second to academic ones. Your talking about improving a field that is used maybe 30 times by a tenth of the schools population instead of upgrading living quarters or academic buildings. Fix the university buildings than fix the atheltic facilities.