Guest Series: John A. Delaney

[Metro Jacksonville]

Guest Series: John A. Delaney



In a new series, Metro Jacksonville takes a step back to listen to, promote, and discuss the editorials, personal accounts, and vocal opinions of some of the key players in the preservation and progression of our community. This week, University of North Florida President John Delaney.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2011-dec-guest-series-john-a-delaney

[comncense]

If only Downtown Jacksonville could grow as UNF has over the past few years. UNF is drastically different than what I remember it as in around 2000. Can't really say that about Downtown. Though I do appreciate the small steps that Downtown has taken. I predict that UNF will have a football team before anything major happens with downtown though.

[Tacachale]

^UNF football is a long way off, my friend. I think downtown's situation is improving incrementally, and I personally believe that UNF and our other colleges can and will help it along.

[duvaldude08]

^UNF football is a long way off, my friend. I think downtown's situation is improving incrementally, and I personally believe that UNF and our other colleges can and will help it along.

Why does UNF not have football? Seems kind of odd. Heck even Edward Waters has a football program LOL While we are on this subject, pardon my ignorance, but what makes a university or college a "big school" that gets recognized nationally? I never really understand that. For example, what would UNF have to to really get on the Map? Is it the program offerings? Somebody please explain

[Tacachale]

^As you might expect, the prez gets asked about football a lot.

Basically, UNF doesn't have football because it's very, very expensive. To do it right, as UNF would want to, you're looking at a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision program. A competent FBS program is an expense of $10 million at a minimum, in some cases much, much more. On top of that, schools have to spend equally on women's sports as they do on men's sports. So to start up FBS football from scratch, you're actually looking at spending $20 million a year.

Few FBS programs are self-sustaining, or even make a reasonable amount of money back from tickets or merch. Programs are typically funded through an athletic fee paid for by the students. For a school of UNF's size - about 16 thousand - this would be a very steep fee to raise that kind of money essentially just for one sport. There's also the matter of what we have to compete with - there are already seven D-I FBS teams in Florida, four of which are in power conferences, as well as the NFL and lower college divisions.

You can have a football program for cheaper in the lower divisions, as EWC and JU and many other smaller schools have done (EWC isn't even in the NCAA), but UNF doesn't intend to go that route.

[fieldafm]

To add, JU is looking at moving to a scholarship FCS football program in the next few years.  They feel they can perennially compete for an FCS national championship once they have a scholarship program (their current non-scolarship conference will finally get an automatic playoff bid next year).  Just to go from a non-scholarship to a scolarship program is going to cost the school another $1.5mm a year minimum. 

UNF would also have to add another women's sport if they went the football route as well(to comply with NCAA rules). 

Comparing Edward Waters (NAIA) to JU or UNF is not really an apples to apples situation.  There are many high school teams in this city that have double the budget EWC's football program has.  To that end, there are high school basketball programs in this city(ACD has two high dollar travel teams) that have a bigger budget than EWC's football program.. and that's not a knock on EWC. 

[Tacachale]

Also keep in mind that JU is private, and has a much higher tuition than the state schools like UNF. It's easier for them to justify the expense.

[KenFSU]

Throw in the logistics of where they would play (Everbank is way too big/expensive, and UNF's existing stadium (and surrounding infrastructure) isn't conducive to football)) along with NCAA attendance requirements (15,000 per game average or else you can get dropped), and it definitely does look like it's a long, long way off.

[JeffreyS]

UNF is a great addition to Jax.

[fieldafm]

Also keep in mind that JU is private, and has a much higher tuition than the state schools like UNF. It's easier for them to justify the expense.

UNF is in a much better financial position than JU, I can assure you.  That being said, JU's Athletic Department is really a model for schools its size.  Who else brings in the NCAA tournament and has as many sports teams playing in so many post-season tournaments?  Verlander has been an outstanding hire. 

I think Moon is going to do well over at UNF.  He was a real find, IMO.

[duvaldude08]

Well its been in the rumor mill lately about EWC building a stadium. I actually think it could benefit the city as well. The bad part about Everbank is that its TOO big to host alot of events. And I think we miss out on alot of opportunites because of that. If EWC can actually get this thing off the ground, and its a good size venue, I can see it having multiple uses.

[Noone]

TLOs.
A range of civic needs in the region.
I'm in. Who wants to be a 501-c?

[daveindesmoines1]

Can what you learned at UNF, like economics, help turn our US economy around? Me being a UNF graduate and living in a first of the nation presidential caucus; I like blogging about how to turn our US economy to that of full employment. I believe, we must rebound our housing market around, first.
Are our record high credit cards and students loans debt taking away fuel to our housing market? People do not qualify to purchase as much of a home due to these debt. Should new programs be started, so students can work their way through college; so they will not graduate with so much debt? This will help stimulate the housing market, by these students, once they graduate from college. These students will also have cash to purchase cars and furniture, as well. Thus increase jobs and tax revenues for states.
At the same time, we have thousands of baby boomers already retiring each day. Soon, many will not be able to drive. Can some college students deliver groceries and prescriptions or drive people to doctor's offices; in exchange, for some reduction in their student loans debt. Can new ramps and baths be installed by college students, as well?  If the money saved for people to stay in their homes longer is greater; as compared to the money spent for student loans debt. Then it would make perfect economic sense.
UNF can be a leader in our Presidential political season. Are there other ways to help stimulate our housing market? Are regressive taxes (gas, sales), forcing more people to rely on their credit cards for these fees? Should these taxes and credit cards debt be allowed as a tax deduction make sense?
Again, UNF could do research and develop new reports on ways to turn our housing market around. Then UNF will earn national stage by such endeavors; especially if these reports are quoted in a Presidential debate.