WEST ZONE (REALLY LONG)

Nov 2, 2004, 2:40 PM

When I first heard CTB mention that we were behind in

facilities development and that an upgrade was necessary

for us to recruit against and therefore compete on the

field against the teams in our conference and on our

schedule, I must admit that I was skeptical. Then I

heard TDP say the same thing. Again, I was not convinced.

In fact, I was becoming tired of the constant emphasis

on money from the athletic department as a means of

growing our program and recruiting athletes. I am a child

of the "Old Days" (Graduated in 1965) and have been

accustomed to the "Family Friendly" cost of a day of

football at CU. The emphasis on money even prompted me

to purchase a parking space at Tiger Park so I would be

free to discontinue my IPTAY membership (member since

1966) and still have a parking spot when I attended

games.....I figured I could always purchase tickets

outside of the stadium on game day.

I have since COMPLETELY reversed my position. I have

reciewed what has been done at our competitor's

institutions and am disturbed by what I see. I have

purchased seats in the West Zone and perhaps more

importantly, I have realized that this gesture alone

does not guarantee success. While the administration

is out raising large sums of money for this project

through naming rights, etc.(which is outside of the

average fan's budget), I have conclude that there is

much the "average" fan of CU can do to help.

I (as many of you) have been involved over the years

in a number of church fund raisers from building

programs to World Hunger campaigns and have watched

as people decide for themselves what "sacrifices"

they are willing to make to support what they consider

to be a worthwile endeavor. In reviewing my own ability

and willingness to sacrifice something for this cause,

I noticed the following:

- I drink (on Average) two(2) medium soft
drinks from Hardees each day at a cost of
about $1.50/drink. This equates to about
$60.00/month.

- When my wife and I attended a movie last week
we spent $26.50 for tickets, drinks and
popcorn. We also went out for dinner prior
to the movie at a cost of about $30.00.
The total cost was about $56.50.

I have therefor pledged to myself that I will cut my soft

drink comsumption in half...saving about $30.00/month

and will reduce my dining out/movie going by two(2)

times per year.....a sacongs of about $113.00/year.

The total annual savings will be about $473.00 which

I will round up to $500.00 and will donate this amount

to the West Zone Project. The results of this pledge

are:

-West Zone receives $500.00
-I sould be healthier (less soft drink)
-I will save taxes of $125.00-$150.00
(depending on tax bracket and who wins
election)
-Will spend more time with my wife in
conversation.

My point is that we all spend money foolishly from time

to time on things that we really don't need and are

actually better off without. Each of us can examine

our own habits and make choices of things we can do

without(temporarily or permanently) that can benefit

this project (West Zone). These could be:

-reduce consumption of:
-soft drinks
-coffee
-cigarettes
-eating out

-cut out:
-one or two movies/year
-one round of golf

-Etc

You get the picture.

We have an average of 75,000 fans in attendance on a

given Saturday. If 70,000 are Clemson fans and these

are represented by 17,500 families(4 fans per family)

and each family pledged a minimum of just $57.14 to

the West Zone, the West Zone would receive $1,000,000.00

from the "average" fans.

POST ######:

I traveled to College Station for the Texas A&M game

and came away so impressed by the treatment I received

from their fans that I joined the 12th Man Foundation

(their version of IPTAY) and have subsequently talked

with their executive director. He spoke of their

commitment to facilities and the positive effect

it has had on recruiting. Their publication that is

similar to the Orange & White had an article in the

Oct 16 edition where a current player is discussing

how valuable facilities are to recruits. He says

"Tradition is graet. For me the tradition here is a

big deal. But for a guy who comes from a small town

in Texas he needs something flashy to catch his eye.

That's what this place does and that's what we needed"

He is discussing the Bright Football Complex that is a

part of Texas A&M's commitment to facilities.

Tommy Bowden and Terry Don Phillips are RIGHT. we need

to get behind this program and support it to the very

best of our ability.

GO TIGERS!!!!!!!

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