Completely agree that, of the variables you listed, the 2 programs are relatively comparable. You could even argue that our coaching staff have better personalities and are more accomplished. That said, one program has been landing 5* and top 30 classes the past few years and the other struggles to land a 4* player and sits closer to the top 50. In the NIL era, the difference is very notable. It's why I think you can likely make an argument that any donations to facilities, etc., should go to NIL first. Get talent -> Win games -> expand fan base/donors
Illini Football 2024
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Completely agree that, of the variables you listed, the 2 programs are relatively comparable. You could even argue that our coaching staff have better personalities and are more accomplished. That said, one program has been landing 5* and top 30 classes the past few years and the other struggles to land a 4* player and sits closer to the top 50. In the NIL era, the difference is very notable. It's why I think you can likely make an argument that any donations to facilities, etc., should go to NIL first. Get talent -> Win games -> expand fan base/donors
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
I'm not saying they're the same, I am saying Illinois has a very large and relatively wealthy alumni/fan base that has proven it will (in principle) support winning teams, and if it "believed" in the football program, we simply would NOT be "small potatoes." One insider insinuated that we got a very significant influx of NIL cash this year.
I can definitely agree with you here. I love Bret and Co. (they are CERTAINLY the best I think we can do), but the lack of uptick in recruiting does indeed worry me. We really need to be channeling more of the donor base into effectively BUYING a couple of difference makers, period.
I think the use of facilities as a recruiting incentive has lost the impact it once had. How different really are the weight rooms b/w schools for example? I think everyone is close enough there now that it doesn’t matter. The dough, if possible, should be put to nil.
How is is nil even set up? Can donor money be put toward nil? What are the stipulations, if any? Can they partner with local car dealerships to make a player the face of their marketing push for the Memorial Day blowout sale? Is it set up like an endowment or pension fund that gives distributions?
How about hiring a finance whiz to manage and grow the nil “trust fund”? More money to distribute. Then illini football success will be tied to economic factors lol.
How is is nil even set up? Can donor money be put toward nil? What are the stipulations, if any? Can they partner with local car dealerships to make a player the face of their marketing push for the Memorial Day blowout sale? Is it set up like an endowment or pension fund that gives distributions?
How about hiring a finance whiz to manage and grow the nil “trust fund”? More money to distribute. Then illini football success will be tied to economic factors lol.
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Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
This is what's so weird about it ... I don't think most of us have any idea! The only thing for sure is that the schools with the most NIL money are the best off ... where exactly that money comes from (e.g., reinvested athletic revenues, general alumni donations, donations from a super wealthy fan, general community funds, etc.) is a bit of a mystery to me, at least from place to place.
I thought about this for roughly 5 minutes…. No idea if it’s possible or not
How about instead of the traditional fundraising pushes of $100mm for stadium renovations and the like, they do one to create an initial $50mm NIL ‘investment’, projected to earn 8-12% managed by “illini football finance fund”. They then somehow distribute a portion of the interest and re-invest the other. Theoretically they’d have millions to spend on nil each year, that would only grow as time goes on if managed well
How about instead of the traditional fundraising pushes of $100mm for stadium renovations and the like, they do one to create an initial $50mm NIL ‘investment’, projected to earn 8-12% managed by “illini football finance fund”. They then somehow distribute a portion of the interest and re-invest the other. Theoretically they’d have millions to spend on nil each year, that would only grow as time goes on if managed well
We will need to step up NIL and make sure we remain a desirable, competitive program people watch. Sooner or later, a new realignment will come, and if we're left behind, we will lose a lot of potential media revenue that helps support all programs for men and women.
I'm sure Josh and the athletic department are working on it, but as a university, there are so many rumblings that we've pissed off or alienated people that could have been significant donors to athletics. (Kahn, Andreessen, Robert Johnson). You'd think we were an Ivy or Stanford, but even they know the worth of ridiculously wealthy donors.
I'm sure Josh and the athletic department are working on it, but as a university, there are so many rumblings that we've pissed off or alienated people that could have been significant donors to athletics. (Kahn, Andreessen, Robert Johnson). You'd think we were an Ivy or Stanford, but even they know the worth of ridiculously wealthy donors.
Relevant for the topic. Mizzou lands 4* in-stater. They are unfortunately not a rival anymore. They play at a much different level these days
Brutal. I really wanted this guy. He will be a good one.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Has a bill even been floated to do the same thing in Illinois for high school recruits and NIL?? It's frustrating what a chicken and an egg thing this is. We really shouldn't be always losing recruits to an Iowa or Wisconsin in this age of NIL, for example. The ONLY reason to accept that logically is "That's how it's been lately." But that's dumb and lacks vision! The building blocks are here, and we need to really galvanize the untapped donor base here to get recruits in the first place.
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The bill is kind of overrated in it's impact. They just have had way more support.
Illini92and96
- Austin, TX
All this talk of trees. Are you trying to throw some shade here??This article about upcoming stadium renovations was posted in the Conference Realignment thread...
Upcoming NCAAFB Stadium Renovations
... and it got me thinking. If the money started flooding in, what would be your wish list for Memorial stadium? I really just have three main ones:
1. Move the students to the main stands and turn the NEZ into a family friendly concourse of sorts. It would improve the gameday atmosphere, you could charge more for those concourse tickets if you added easy access to food/beer and it would provide another fun alternative for a viewing experience at Memorial Stadium.
2. Fix the damn Horseshoe. I know I cannot shut up about this one, but it's frustrating to have a stadium that is breathtakingly gorgeous on the east and west sides and then have the south side be such an eyesore that doesn't fit the rest of the stadium in any way.
3. Give Grange Grove a bit more character. Don't get me wrong, I love Grange Grove, and it has helped immensely to improve the gameday atmosphere. However, it very much has the feel of if an AI was asked to create a "tailgating space," haha. Flat, utilitarian square with orderly lots. Too much about Memorial Stadium is "orderly," we need some unique quirky components! Plant some trees and actually make it a GROVE. Is this the most strictly logical thing to do to maximize tailgating space? Of course not. Would it give the place way more atmosphere and create a cooler environment? Absolutely.
For #2, I would love something like the planned SMU design in the linked article above, and I think it would fit into our south end zone space really nicely:
Ideally, the exterior would also have some component of brick/column architecture to tie it together with the rest of the stadium, too.
For #3, I mean come on ... compare the relatively bland layout of Grange Grove to what it would be like if walking through those gates was like entering a mini tailgating forest!
ILLINOIS
OLE MISS
GEORGIA
AUBURN
People can start to talk about Southern climates or whatever, but I'm pretty sure you can plant trees in Champaign! We literally have a few giant trees right in the middle of Grange Grove, and across the street there is a tailgating area with many more trees. Sorry for the random rant, but I think it would really give Memorial Stadium some nice charm.
Illini92and96
- Austin, TX
Agree. We need to win enough games to keep fans engaged and hopeful, and that any year an upset or two and we can be looking at 8-9 wins. 5-7 is disappointing, but nothing like the 0-12 or 2-10 debacles we have endured. 5-7 I engage. 0-12 I have to look away.
Already happening
We have literally never endured an 0-12 season. We’ve gone 0-11, sure, but only poverty schools go 0-12.
This (bolded). Many of our fanbase find pleasure in touting the the success of our basketball program and referring to us as a "basketball school". Yes, we have had some success in basketball and I'm happy for you basketball fans. However, football pays the bills as evidenced by the changing conference landscape driven by the sport's greater national popularity. I suggest that categorizing ourselves as a basketball school is counterproductive. We better support and promote our football brand or we may someday find ourselves on the outside looking in.
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
It's essentially 7am. Could someone please open the Grange Grove gates.
Let's play some football!!!
Illini92and96
- Austin, TX
Good catch. That changes my assessment.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
feel pretty good about our O. not so much about our D (I'd love to eat some crow). hopefully, we can bring in 2 instant impact guys in this transfer window. this is a critical year for Henry: no more mulligans
illinidarrin
- from parts unknown
TentakilRex
- Land O Insects between Quincy-Macomb-Jacksonville
No spring game thread?
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