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(Mostly OT, but I'll get more response here:)
How does TCU Athletics afford a baseball team and we can't?
I know football pays for their stuff now, big time, but before that, how'd they do it?

More $$$ for athletics at TCU. They did, however, cut mens soccer several years ago. Their womens soccer facility is first class. New office, dressing and training facilities scheduled for that area of campus - (the two stadiums share a parking lot). We never had any money for baseball when we had baseball. We did baseball half-a$$ with corresponding results. If we had a big buck$ guy who wanted baseball at SMU, we'd have it (and we wouldn't be playing at Reverchon Park).

Bergermeister wrote:More $$$ for athletics at TCU. They did, however, cut mens soccer several years ago. ....

Didn't know that. Thanks.

We had baseball and it sucked in the early 80's. We had to get rid of a sport. Please don't make me dig up the laundry list of schools that have jetisoned sports over the years, which includes a heck of a lot more successful athletic programs than SMU.

Anyway, the choice was between soccer and baseball. Soccer was great and used an existing on campus facility. Baseball stunk and used an off campus facility. At this time, college baseball was an afterthought-the epitomy of a non-revenue sport. The decision wasn't that hard under the circumstances. I don't think anyone at the time expected college baseball to gain any sort of popularity.

Now, creating a team is hindered by lack of space, money and Title IX.

Dooby: "... At this time, college baseball was an afterthought-the epitomy of a non-revenue sport. The decision wasn't that hard under the circumstances. I don't think anyone at the time expected college baseball to gain any sort of popularity."

Those were the key points, we did it half-a$$, an afterthought, & who would ever imagine baseball being so popular as it is now - when it never was. SMU's sports history is nothing but "what-ifs".

NavyCrimson wrote:

Dooby: "... At this time, college baseball was an afterthought-the epitomy of a non-revenue sport. The decision wasn't that hard under the circumstances. I don't think anyone at the time expected college baseball to gain any sort of popularity."

Those were the key points, we did it half-a$$, an afterthought, & who would ever imagine baseball being so popular as it is now - when it never was. SMU's sports history is nothing but "what-ifs".

I meant that college baseball was an afterthought in the national consciousness, not just at SMU.

Soccer should be huge for the next couple of days.

Our baseball team just about out-drew basketball in terms of average attendance this year...

ReedFrawg wrote:Our baseball team just about out-drew basketball in terms of average attendance this year...

You guys have a great baseball team this year. Congrats and...Beat UCLA!

Yeah, nice comeback over FSU!

35straight: "Soccer should be huge for the next couple of days."

And then it dies - again. I'd love to see the revenue & expenses of a competitive or winning baseball program vs. soccer. I think we would all be nicely surprised. GO BASEBALL!!!

And of course, GO TCU!!! I know we'll have a house divided here at home when I'm rooting for the Frogs while my son - UCLA. GO FROGS!!!

DFW doesn't even support it's professional baseball team. I know World-Series level TCU baseball is outdrawing it's unbelievably bad basketball team, I just don't find that to be impressive.

Will a middle of the pack baseball team draw ANYTHING at SMU?

No

mr. pony wrote:(Mostly OT, but I'll get more response here:)
How does TCU Athletics afford a baseball team and we can't?

SMU plays soccer instead of baseball. TCU plays baseball instead of soccer.

"Will a middle of the pack baseball team draw ANYTHING at SMU?"

Who says it'll ALWAYS be a middle of the pack? TCU did this in 7 years! Go Frogs!!!