. . . .10-hour bus ride? Don't they rate a charter jet? Anyone know what's up? I imagine the first reply will be, "it's the economy, stupid." I just don't buy that.

Well...it just might be the economy. Our athletic budget, along with many others, has certainly taken a hit.

Should make them run back.

If it was good enough for the Junction Boys, it's good enough for the T&F teams.

I didn't intend to cast a negative on two nat'l titles, because I followed both teams on the internet and TV over the weekend, and raised a glass to both victories.

I simply recalled one of the Aggie tracksters commenting in a recent interview about the convenience of flying to track meets, and wondered why they weren't back sooner.

Maybe it is the economy, and the Athletic Departmet cost initiatives we've heard about. No matter, bring 'em home to a great welcome --

I think with no urgency at all regarding time and being in a neighboring state...maybe it's just the normal way to do things.

Right now, I bet they really don't care. I'm sure they're having plenty of fun on those busses.



Either way, you're right...bring'em home to a great welcome!

They actually are flying into Houston and taking busses from there.

So, I should have never originated this post in the first place. That's what happens without access to full information.

Excuse, please.

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Should make them run back.

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Bad idea, no distance guys. They wouldn't make it past Texarkana.

While I'm cetainly going to crow about these two great wins like I actually did something, in reality T&F doesn't pay the bills.

what he said, at least the crowing part!

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. . . .10-hour bus ride? Don't they rate a charter jet? Anyone know what's up? I imagine the first reply will be, "it's the economy, stupid." I just don't buy that.

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No. Never a charter jet. The track team always takes a bus to Houston or Austin, and sometimes Dallas & flies out from there. I think most of the other sports take charter jets out of Easterwood, but generally we take 50-60 athletes to normal track meets throughout the season, and the track budget doesn't have that sort of funding, even tho it is the largest track budget in the NCAA.

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While I'm cetainly going to crow about these two great wins like I actually did something, in reality T&F doesn't pay the bills.

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Now that we have the facilities, track actually pays for itself. It might even be making some profits...

Track does not come close to paying for itself. It receives little or no funding to host NCAA and Big XII meets. Even with the good attendance at home meets you have to provide for the equipment in the facility and the utilities for it along with staffing it with security, ticket takers, concessions. The indoor facility is a showpiece and a great recruiting tool but it does not come close to paying for itself.

Where I think the facilities can pay for themselves is hosting big events like conference or national title meets.

I think that is the model (in terms of facilities cost) they are using and Henry is connected enough to get those events here.

Track is probably one of the best minor sports to be dominant in because a lot of football players do track and also every four years you can have olympians showcase your program.