From 2005: "Phase II may not expand seating capacity much, but might include two lighted practice fields, a strength and conditioning center, and a new headquarters for the athletic department. That name can be bought for $5 million."

http://www.csus.edu/indiv/s/shawg/articles/arena/your_name_here.html

OT, 6'5", 250#s, reportedly great grades... skipped football his junior year, so he is a late bloomer. Sounds like a sleeper. Montana and UNLV also sniffing around... Montana HC Stitt had an in home visit recently.

$2 Million, plus Interest ... A possibility may be that any donation requires matching funds... i.e., you get the $5 Million on the condition that you raise another $5 Million ... creates the big Mo (Momentum) and urgency.

Interesting thoughts ... is it possible that Terry Tumey was going to use Edwards $2 Million gift towards the softball complex (3.5 Million)? ... a day or two later articles appeared locally with the baseball coach pitching lights and covered batting cages, so it sounded like we were rolling ... was Tumey playing games with these announcements?... it seemed half baked ... then Interim AD Teresa Gould comes in, and after a few months pulls those plans... is it possible that she felt the funds might be more appropriate directed towards a certain grid sport?

If true, I really hope it is a facility that benefits all ICA.

Have we ever learned if we still have the $2 million lead gift from Mr. Edwards? That is key.

Hawk says he is the best coach he has ever been, now. He has contacts, and his Aggie connections go back 3 decades. Two were in the Sacramento playoffs this weekend. He also coached with Aggies who head up jc programs all over the state.

Foster will be valuable. Maybe he'll keep on an assistant or two for transition. If we have 7 or 8 commits, he only needs half a class. Congrats to Dr. Blue on the quick moves. Can Hawk land some studs or just as importantn, some overlooked players? Don't forget Parenteau as an example went from hot commodity and 7 offers, to ignored, to causing turnovers as a true Frosh for our D.

The team sounds very competitive in a pre-season tougher than Les' contract year (Hawkins senior year). League will be interesting.

Fugawe, excellent feedback on our secret athletics project.

FWIW, UCLA is now building the football specific Wasserman Center at approx. $65 Million, with 75,000 "gross square feet". This is UCLA (Pac-12 biggie) ... I just completed a little wine tasting, so my math could be wrong, but that's $866 per square... it sounds a bit like what we have planned with some kind of "corridor" to honor student-athlete graduates.

http://www.uclabruins.com/news/2015/7/14/210210191.aspx

I recall a brief tour I had of some Stanford training facilities that had large glass walls with lots of natural light and wood, and I was like "woooaaa"... if we built something multi-level where the Bob Foster end zone locker rooms are it could have that "wow" factor. I don't know how a generic square building in front of Aggie Stadium - where they have some long-term buildings planned - gets that impact and functionality. (I think they had new ICA headquarters planned n front of the stadium.) ... to be honest, I don't have a lot of trust with our architect-related decisions.

Does anyone know if this secret performance facility will be for all sports, or only for football? I really, really hope it is for all teams.

Don't underestimate the ability to blow money on red tape. One of many reasons why mega-donor Arrigilla ran the Stanford Stadium project, he said he could cut the construction cost in half.

Can I suggest cost per square foot? .. is that a decent gauge?

Don't forget all of the bloat that comes with the UC, California, and prevailing wage union costs... environmental costs / regs...

My understanding of FR is that you have to have one third of the funds raised before announcement, two thirds before construction starts.

Regarding any potential performance facility.

1. I hope all teams can use it.

2. I'm hoping for something with a little sizzle, not just a square building. I've heard alums mention a multi-story facility over one end zone so that the facility overlooks the field. It could even include an area for alumni events, and a rooftop deck to overlook the field and campus.

6th, should I be surprised that you're surprised? Maybe the culture still needs a lot of work.

Sounds great, he communicates very effectively...but Development probably wants to make the announcement. ... I hope he doesn't unnecessarily spill our gameplan before we play, we need the element of surprise.

Dr. Blue benefits from Tumey trying someone from outside, and things not working out. Bringing in Hawk helps mend some fences.

I sure hope we still have Mr. Edwards seed money.

Marketing? In Davis?

Big improvements already made. Pragmatic issues.

1. An audio system which works
2. Short game highlight clips for social media. Again we are woefully slow. Also helps recruiting. Ridiculous?

Game times. Maybe the earlier starts facilitate our competition getting back to the Midwest easier. Later start times also solve the heat issue, and mixes well w student nightlife.

Whoever can help us win!

FRom CoachingSearch.com.

"Fresno State: UNLV cornerbacks coach J.D. Williams andrunning backs coach Jamie Christian will join the Fresno State staff, according to Scout.com . Both spent two years at UNLV and are former Fresno State players"

Christian is a former Bulldog fullback and a top recruiter. (UNLV bio.)

Good man, he sent his versatile QB to College of Idaho which really helped Moroski.

True, but you know how large administrative structures work.. or don't... I don't know if the AS or Mrak put any geographic limits in place as part of the move to DI.

If we add it to the $2 Million (plus interest) that Mr. Edwards previously donated, the Train is rolling!

Davis Enterprise, October 5: "To that end, Blue and DeLuca already have reached accord with “a substantial funding source” of which an announcement is imminent."

http://www.davisenterprise.com/sports/ucds-deluca-hits-ground-running-as-new-athletics-development-chief/

Batting cages, Schall, and this new ramp up. Go Ags!

We certainly seem to land good WRs and TEs... but did they drop a lot of balls this year?

Recruiting more heavily, locally, has advantages.

Question: if a scholar-baller contacts us from Minnesota or Texas, can football pursue them?