robert.cessna@theeagle.com
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So what do you think of Texas A&M signing a multi-year contract with the Texas Hurricanes of the Southern Indoor Football League that will allow them to use the McFerrin Multi-Purpose Facility?
Hey, anything to help pay the bills, right? Besides, we’re only talking about a handful of games, six according to the director of marketing for the league-leading Louisiana Swashbucklers, who is helping the Texas Hurricanes relocate to Bryan-College Station.
We might not be able to say whether this is a good deal or not until all the facts are in or maybe after a the team plays here for a year. How much money are we talking? What about parking and concessions? How will this work with A&M’s spring sports?
The SIFL opener this year was April 18. The 13-week regular season will end July 11.
The Hurricanes, who opened the season as the Texas Pirates, had their home opener in Houston on April 19. Well, on April 19 the Aggie baseball team played host to Nebraska, which was a day after the football team’s Maroon and White Game.
Obviously, the Hurricanes might want to schedule around baseball, but also will have to contend with A&M’s other spring sports.
It will be interesting to see what kind of fan base the Hurricanes will have. And could they take potential fans away from A&M? Even if the Hurricanes play their first games on the road, they would have to play a couple home games in May, so it will be almost impossible to avoid some sort of conflict.
Besides, the team is relocating here in part because of A&M football and its great following. The team’s plan is to load up the roster with Aggies, Sam Houston State Bearkats and Blinn Bucs.
The team recently signed former Blinn/Kansas State standout Michael Bishop. But how many $8 tickets can a 33-year-old washed up quarterback sell?
And what former A&M football players — not in the NFL — might sell a few tickets? What about Jorvorskie Lane?
That though, isn’t A&M’s worry. The Aggies have made a few extra bucks off the McFerrin Multi-Purpose Facility, which might pave the way for getting revenue from other facilities.
Bryan-College Station businessman Uri Geva tried to bring indoor football to B-CS for the 2005 season, but couldn't work out a lease with Reed Arena. Geva is the co-owner of the Brazos Valley Bombers, who are in their third year in the Texas Collegiate League, of which he is president. Geva has done a great job with Bombers. It will be interesting to see what would have happened if he'd been able to work out a deal with A&M four years ago.
A&M didn't have the McFerrin Center back then. And the athletic department didn't have to worry about paying back a $16 million loan.
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Posted by: 12Aggie On: 7/6/2009
Comment Title: Miller58 is a 2%
Good, please don't buy any tickets 2%.
Posted by: miller58 On: 7/5/2009
Comment Title: TURGEON LEADING A&M TO THE BOTTOM TIER? tu TO THE TOP TIER?
My personal opinions:_____After 3 miserable signing classes, that have created a bare cupboard of now 6 diffrence makers in the current class, we are headed to the bottom tier and paying few bills?_____Looking to the next class, tu is really continuing to put it to us!_____ Already for 2011, tu has committed (1) LaMarque SG Julien Lewis (2) F DeAndre Danionals ranked #36 nationally (3) G Myek Kabongo ranked # 18 nationally (4) G Sheldon McClellan ranked # 27 nationally_____A&M needs 6 more difference makers in just this current 2010 class, just to catch up with Turgeon's past recruiting class failures?_____miller58
Posted by: On: 7/3/2009
Comment Title: Get over yourself
Dude, I don't know who you are; but why would anyone care whether or not you buy a ticket to any A&M sporting events or not. Geesh! Like your $100 bucks matters more than anyone else's. I'm sure when $Bill had his secretary read him the Eagle this morning that he probably freaked out and changed his evil ways just to make you happy. Anyway, I'm excited about the chance to watch some more football. Heaven knows all the teams I've been rooting for have really let me down the past 10 years (Yikes! has it been that long) maybe this team can give us something to cheer about without costing too much!
Posted by: miller58 On: 7/3/2009
Comment Title: RE: Bobby12thman
My personal opinions:_____Bobby, don't worry about the facilities being used up!_____I am not buying a ticket to another A&M sporting event, until a new football coach signs 14 or more 4*/5* difference makers in some(?) future February?_____ I expect many Ags to follow suit!_____miller58
Posted by: miller58 On: 7/3/2009
Comment Title: ARE YOU GOING TO USE UP A&M FACILITIES TO WATCH THESE TEAMS?
My personal opinions:_____Some teams and their ranking:_____Utah State #116_____Arkansas State #114_____New Mexico #106_____UAB #95_____Iowa State #91_____A&M #84_____Kansas State #74_____Baylor #66._____And we are expected to lose more games than we win?_____miller58
Posted by: Spring Ball Fan On: 7/3/2009
Comment Title: Bring it, Yeah!
Hey Big, I completely agree. By late Spring, I could totally go for some football too. Especially if its a local team made up of guys we've all grown up watching. I see it as win-win for everyone. As far as it competing with "other Spring sports"...this is College Station and it is football afterall; I think it will do just fine.
Posted by: This Could be Big! On: 7/3/2009
Comment Title: I Love Football
I don't know about y'all, but I love football! I especially like the idea of watching some familiar faces who still have the heart to play. Look at the sports section right now... there are no good stories, and the only person commenting is that Miller fool (so that doesn't count.) Right about now, I'd watch XFL if it were on; so you know I would love to watch guys like Bishop and Lane beat up on some other teams in high scoring indoor excitement for only $8.00 a ticket. Bring it, yeah!
Posted by: On: 7/2/2009
Comment Title:
Why leave the Houston market for this one. Facilities maybe, but don't you need someone to watch this stuff which is akin to roller derby. The fans are faced with a drive. Get your money up front A&M. Hope you make enough to pay for damage and vandalism brought on by the out of town game attendees.
Posted by: On: 7/2/2009
Comment Title:
If they wanna make some $, do not put $bill in charge of setting ticket prices! He would make you donate $2000 just for the chance to buy the $8 tickets. I think it is funny that $bill has the highest ticket prices in the big 12 and still has a budget shortfall.....sound like california! Maybe $bill will leave A&M for a position in Obama's cab. Increase spending, increase taxes increase everything but winning and quality of life!
Posted by: Bobby12thMan On: 7/2/2009
Comment Title: Don't like it!
Texas A&M facilities should only be used to support A&M athletics, or maybe a high school event to promote A&M. How much money does the athelitic department expect to gain when tickets are only selling for $8.00? IMO bad call.