This is gonna be way, way, way, way off topic but I got to thinking about it today... why in the hell does the state of Alabama STILL not have a single JUCO with a football program? I was at the community college here today for a press conference and I got to talking with the b-ball coach there, all of his female and male sophomores are transferring to four-years this year (several to DI programs).
He told me that only one time in the six years he's been there have they not sent every single sophomore (and some freshmen) to four-years. So, my thing is with all of the talent that we have in this state, it blows my mind there is no JUCO programs. We have a kid here in Enterprise that is going to a JUCO in Kansas next year because his ACT wasn't high enough for the school he wanted (and is set on). We have so much talent in this state that ends up going to a DIII or JUCOs out of state, that would gladly stay closer to home for a chance to play at a JUCO and either get their grades up to go to a bigger 4-year or get seen by bigger schools. I just dont get it.
Supply and demand. If SW Alabama State JC started a football team, how soon could they get a full schedule of games? Where would they get the players? What players would want to come to SWASJC with limited visibility and games in order to get noticed by a bigger program? This new football team would need funding. Where does that come from? All of these questions have been answered by other JC programs and many are still struggling to survive.
I dont really understand your question. Where would they find the players? Dude, there are literally DOZENS (probably more) in this state that go out of state to JUCOs. That is probably the most simple thing to answer. Games wouldnt be difficult either with all of the JUCO conferences and teams in surrounding states. They would do it the same way South Alabama went from not having a football program to being a DI school within three years, same with Georgia State.
And what do you mean what players would want to go? The same type of players that go to Butler or Blinn College or the countless other JUCOS that draw in countless big time players each and every year. JUCO football (and basketball) have literally become D1 factories. Money would be the only argument that I could see but at the same time these same programs are willing to sink money into softball, baseball and football. I guarantee there are a number of cities/communities/boosters willing to help start up program(s).
Let me explain:
- Schedules are already planned out years in advance. How long do you think it would take to get on someone's schedule?
- A new school competing with the Butlers and Blinns isn't going to have much success in getting high level players. Academics isn't an issue so you want to go someplace where your talent can be showcased and seen (usually because you're surrounded by other talent that supports your efforts). You may be a great athlete, but if most of the best athletes are going to the Butlers and Blinns, you'll want to go where they go (not much different from Alabama).
- I agree that the talent pool exists. But would enough of them turn away from the existing programs to field a full team? How many of the existing JUCOs have full teams?
- A new program won't have much visibility. The first year you'll be dominated by freshmen players. Their success will determine the next few years of talent. It will take time to create something. Sponsors need sports to increase exposure to their brand. The more exposure, the more money a school can charge for sponsorship. Sponsors have many options for marketing dollars. The best place to spend sponsorship dollars is where you get the biggest return on investment.
- A brand new school comes with a lot of debt. Either the state or a entity needs to acquire the land, build the academic buildings, hire staff, develop curricula AND build the athletic facilities. Athletics don't drive the financial well-being of junior colleges. Are any of the Butlers or Blinns profitable?
- I do not think it would take long at all. Conference schedules are planned out but for small schools and JUCOs its done yearly.
- Yes, a new school with have to compete with those others but they would also have a pretty big advantage in proximity and if they bring in the right staff, especially one with big DI connections, the other wont be as big of a deal. Again I point to the South Alabama's and Georgia State's of the world that come from literally no program to a DI school in a matter of years and this is nowhere near that big of an undertaking.
- That would be something you, like every program, would have to fight for but there are plenty of kids that simply dont get full offers ANYWHERE (other JUCOs too) for whatever reason that you can build from. We all know plenty of kids that do extremely well in high school and simply never get that opportunity at the next level.
- In 2018-future you can make your own visibility, especially for a JUCO. Hell, imagine an outlet like AL.com doing a docu-series about the development of the program?
- Like I said, the money is the biggest hurdle but it is for every athletic program at these schools. It all comes to donors, state appropriations, grants, etc. But yes there are many JUCO programs that are profitable and looked at, especially in those smaller towns, as a big deal.
