Rick Dickson Responds
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March 2, 2001
Rick Dickson - First of all, I want to thank everyone for sending in your questions and concerns. I hope the information below helps address some of those. Please keep the questions coming in and we will post the answers on a regular basis. Now, let's get to the questions and answers...
On the 2001 and Future Football Schedules
Dear Mr. Dickson,
I understand through some of the local media that you, as Tulane AD, are trying to cancel the football games between Tulane and LSU and also Clemson for this year. IS this so? If so, WHY? It means so much to this state and to all the fans to continue this over 100-year rivalry. It is also rumored that you want to bring in Southern U. to the Superdome in place of LSU. I know the schedule was already made before you got to Tulane, but Tulane needs to look at playing BIG TIME TEAMS if this football program wants to grow and be nationally recognized. If you had a Notre Dame come to the 'Dome instead of a Navy or similar team, just that will draw 50,000 fans. That's my personal opinion. If Tulane wants to compete in BIG TIME football, we better start scheduling BIG TIME teams. I am only saying this as a fan. A long-time fan. I understand the money issues. We keep playing those LSU and Notre Dame type teams, we will knock off a few and that will only help this team with finances, fan attendance and recruiting. Please respond to me your thoughts, it will be greatly appreciated
Thanks
Bill Kocke
Donaldsonville, La.
Rick, now that the 2001 football schedule is finalized, what can we look forward to over the next 4-5 years?
Arthur Eshleman
Jefferson, LA
Rick Dickson - In regard to the 2001 schedule... First, we placed a priority on securing five home games. We asked Clemson to flip the series to start here in New Orleans, and they declined. From there, through a lot of juggling, we were able to secure a fifth home game by scheduling Southern. We never considered canceling the LSU game this year. We did make a request to consider moving the date to accommodate another potential opponent. I think we've achieved a better balance in our schedule with three home games in September, one in October and one in November in 2001. We believe this better positions our team for success. It's a very competitive schedule with six bowl teams and nine teams that posted winning records in 2000. It should make for a great 2001 season and something that our fans will be able to get excited about.
For future scheduling...first of all, the Conference USA schedule will go to eight games next year - four at home and four on the road every year. There will not be a year where we have less than five home games and we could have as many as six. For the non-conference schedule, we would like to schedule at least one game each year with a nationally high profile program like Florida State, Oklahoma, Michigan, as well as a game with teams that are similar, in many ways, to us. These would include Navy, SMU, Rice, Northwestern. And we want one game where we are matched with programs that we should have some advantages over. We want to do that within the overall objective of selecting teams from each category that create some level of interest -- whether regional opponents, national or traditional rivals.
On Ticket Prices
Would you consider reducing basketball single game ticket prices to $10 a ticket for adults and $7 or $8 for kids next season? I believe we need to put fannies in the seats and prices are too high. I buy season tickets and will at any price because I love basketball and Tulane sports. But I saw something this hoops season that disturbed me. It was at the Tulane vs. Loyola game. A young 20-year-old guy walked up to the ticket window at Fogelman and said he wanted a ticket. The lady said that'll be $14. He was stunned. He walked away. We need people to walk in the gym...not out of it.
Randy McClain
Baton Rouge, La.
Rick Dickson - Our philosophy in terms of ticket pricing for all events is to make the events affordable, accessible and enjoyable. For example, we are doing everything we can to make sure we have affordable options for both season and individual game tickets, along with family packages, for the 2001 football season. We also want to offer some upper end tickets with a better menu of amenities.
Overall, we want our season ticket holders, including faculty, staff and students, to receive the best value because they provide the highest level of support. On the other hand, we still want someone who is coming in as an occasional ticket buyer to have an affordable option.
On Scheduling Conflicts
Mr. Dickson, Although I know it is probably too late, is there any chance that the women's basketball game times could be changed this weekend? I am a season ticket holder in that and baseball, and would love to not have to choose which games to attend. Thank you for your time. ROLL WAVE.
Dennis C. Fremin
New Orleans, La.
Rick Dickson - One of the things we've instituted this year is a master schedule and schedule approval system which we review each week. We try to avoid conflicts for any events which we have the ability and the prerogative to schedule ourselves. Where we have control of the events and the times, we try to schedule in the best interests of our student-athletes, fans and staff. It's very challenging to provide staffing to similar home events. In some cases, it's difficult to schedule events independent of each other because dates and times are affected by other factors like conference scheduling or television. That is what happened to us at Homecoming this year where television dictated the (football) game time and it's affected other sports as well.
On A Football Facility
Does Tulane have plans to build an on-campus or near-campus football stadium in the future? As a Tulane alum, I would love to see this happen. I think an on-campus stadium would increase student attendance and improve school spirit, as well as create a more collegiate atmosphere at the games. Plus, it could be used for other Tulane sporting events.
Carter Santos
Smyrna, Ga.
Mr. Dickson: I am curious as to the extent to which Tulane is investigating or considering the possibility of building an on- or near-campus football stadium. From the comments I've read, I've heard that you, President Cowen and Coach Scelfo all agree that an on-or near-campus stadium is a key ingredient to the sustained success of the Tulane football program. I for one would like to express my enthusiastic support for such an idea, although I realize that there are obstacles (e.g., land) which must be first overcome. Roll Wave!!!
Austin E. Carter
Atlanta, Ga.
Does it not make sense to find a way to play football close to campus, like at Tad Gormley? We would drive down to more games and I think we are not alone. The Superdome is not for us! We are alumni and fans. There is just something to playing football outside. Timothy F. Vaughn Monroe, La.
Rick Dickson - We're currently undergoing a master planning analysis of all of our athletic facilities. From this process, we expect to come to a conclusion about which direction we are going to pursue in order to best position all of our programs for long-term success. Both our competition and practice facilities are being reviewed. I'm very pleased that we're undergoing a thorough exercise and that we will come up with the right solutions.
On Joining the SEC
Rick,
Just want to let you know I think you are doing a great job! Tulane athletics has not been given the attention it needs for some time and I am glad someone of your caliber has finally taken over. I think Tulane is a sleeping giant because of all the athletic talent in Louisiana and the surrounding states. We could easily have the success of a Miami type program. I look forward to the upcoming season. I do have one question. As a former SEC school, is there any chance Tulane can get back in that conference? I think leaving the SEC was a huge mistake by Tulane because we lose all that money that comes from revenue sharing with those teams. Times have changed and conference affiliation means a lot now. I think the SEC would consider us again because of our market (New Orleans) and our past membership in the conference. Any thoughts?
Keep up the good work!
W. Carter Santos
Rick Dickson - I don't expect to see any conference realignment or expansion in the near future because of the long-term television contracts which all of the BCS (Bowl Championship Series) conferences have recently signed. As a newcomer to Conference USA, I am pleased with the development of the league and having come from a BCS conference (the Pac 10), I would say that the development of Conference USA is also recognized nationally.
On the LSU-Tulane rivalry
Is there any chance we will re-kindle the rivalry in sports between LSU and Tulane. As a Tulane graduate and a New Orleans native, I remember attending Basketball and football games as a child. I missed that rivalry in college...especially in football. I think it would be great if we could open the lines of communications with the new LSU AD (after Dean retires)...and talk about all possible ways to start up the rivalry again. I think not only will Tulane and LSU benefit, but the entire State of Louisiana.
Rajesh Contractor
New York, NY
Rick Dickson - As a newcomer to the scene, I recognize the historical importance and significance of one of the oldest traditional rivalries in the country. We currently compete with LSU in only a few sports, and we feel those competitions are mutually beneficial. And, of course we will open the 2001 football season there. It is certainly high on our radar to initiate steps to reconnect and create a multi-sport rivalry that would be beneficial to both universities as well as fans from both schools.
