Total Red said:TheTruth said:that's also why it needs to be communicated that an entry level league is not the endgame.
We had an administration that told the fans that we could be Kansas St. It didn't move the needle. Donations remained sparse and the much needed Hancock renovation still had to wait until student fee funds could be secured. If Redbird Nation really wanted to FBS we would be there.
You make a good point, Zenger was big on words but not a good fundraiser, but you're mistaken if you think "Redbird Nation" will be the ones who decide if the football program competes with its peers. That is ALWAYS a top down decision, if you don't have an administration that is committed (as Illinois State has never had) it can't be done. University presidents, A.D.s and in some cases coaches drive those type of movements, fans do not. College sports are a business and customers don't insist over and over that you improve your product offering, they merely move on to another product that gives them what they want. The fans are not to blame here, lack of a plan and/or lack of execution of a plan by the administration are to blame.