Amount for Facility Upgrade

[gtapp]

If the number reported for the facilities upgrade is correct ($12M) why is that so hard to raise? Lafayette is raising (or has raised) $23M for just their football stadium and they are not really known as a football power house. UC Davis is putting almost $30M into their stadium. NDSU is raising $75 (not sure how much of that is ear-marked for athletics). MSU was in the top 15 in the nation for 1-AA attendence last year and we are trying to raise $12M of which only a portion is for the football stadium. What makes it so hard for MSU to raise money as compared to these other schools?

[BobCatFan]

If the number reported for the facilities upgrade is correct ($12M) why is that so hard to raise? Lafayette is raising (or has raised) $23M for just their football stadium and they are not really known as a football power house. UC Davis is putting almost $30M into their stadium. NDSU is raising $75 (not sure how much of that is ear-marked for athletics). MSU was in the top 15 in the nation for 1-AA attendence last year and we are trying to raise $12M of which only a portion is for the football stadium. What makes it so hard for MSU to raise money as compared to these other schools?

Experience!!!! MSU does not have the experience to chase such big dollars. It should be easy for a school the size of MSU to raise $25mm. He&&, there is so much money in Bozeman. Do they need to look outside the area. Get all those rich retired couples to support their new community. They moved here for a reason, now they need to show support and MSU needs to welcome them into the MSU family.

[catsrback76]

If the number reported for the facilities upgrade is correct ($12M) why is that so hard to raise? Lafayette is raising (or has raised) $23M for just their football stadium and they are not really known as a football power house. UC Davis is putting almost $30M into their stadium. NDSU is raising $75 (not sure how much of that is ear-marked for athletics). MSU was in the top 15 in the nation for 1-AA attendence last year and we are trying to raise $12M of which only a portion is for the football stadium. What makes it so hard for MSU to raise money as compared to these other schools?

Experience!!!! MSU does not have the experience to chase such big dollars. It should be easy for a school the size of MSU to raise $25mm. He&&, there is so much money in Bozeman. Do they need to look outside the area. Get all those rich retired couples to support their new community. They moved here for a reason, now they need to show support and MSU needs to welcome them into the MSU family.

It is DESIRE and organization. Putting the right people on the fundraising "team" and making a plan, advertising the benefits, and beating the fields is how you do it.

Money always flows to a "need" that people feel personally. Raising money requires people who can speak that need into corporate donors, private individuals and the alums.

The first step is the school administration. They have to get "hot" on it and make it a priority to create not only the concept but the team of fundraisers. They walk a political line with people percieving that sports is a of greater value than a "new science lab, or, dorm expansions etc etc.". It has to be driven from the grass roots if our President does not have the cahonnies to take the ball and carry it forward.

My guess is, it will take an organized alumni effort that is constant, persistent and demanding before we see the forming of an A-Team. Who has the desire? Who really wants it? That is who will lead this forward and see it built. 12 Million is nothing. There is lots of money out there and lots of ego's that would support it, IF, the need is presented correctly.