Link: It's getting ugly at Grambling....

[Special K]

I can understand the players are frustrated, but c'mon guys, boycotting practice? You were 1-10 last year, 0-7 so far this year. The LAST thing you need to do is skip practice.

http://espn.go.com/college-football...grambling-state-tigers-team-boycotts-practice

 

[JBama_in_PCOLA]

They've fallen so far from when I was in school.


Sent from my iPhone

 

[B1GTide]

I read about that this morning. Sounds like Grambling should just shut down their FB program. When you have to bus players 750+ miles each way to a football game, and you don't have enough money to cover all of their meals while on these road trips, it is time to shut it down.

 

[mikes12]

Change the name to Grumbling?

 

[drfrankfree]

I think one of the biggest issues with these HBCU football programs is their insistence on playing the "(insert name) Classic" usually at these huge NFL type stadiums. While some have adequate fanbases and support, most do not. For example, Grambling and Alcorn are 2 1/2 hours apart, yet they traveled 10 and 12 hours respectively to play a game in front of 20,000 people in a 70,000 seat stadium. I'm not an accountant but the resources for this undertaking are simply not there and I cant imagine the revenue is either. If it is, then not feeding your players and providing them with adequate transportation is inexcusable. I would also note that this is the second time this year Grambling did this. They also went to play a Division II HBCU in front of 20,000 at Arrowhead Stadium. That is just asinine. There is no way the numbers can support this type of trip. This sounds like poor management from the administration on down. I don't blame the players one bit. These kids work their fannies off being told what a great "tradition" they are a part of only to be treated like glorified high schoolers. If the alumni want these games, let them kick in the funds.

 

[Al A Bama]

As BAD as Grambling is playing, they should have to walk or jog to their game in K. C.!

Why do they think they deserve to go in class on an airplane? Who's going to pay for it? The Federal Government?

If Bama was playing like Grambling and filling up Bryant-Denny with 10 to 20,000 paying customers, then they would need to
walk, jog, or ride a bus also!

 

[BigEasyTider]

I think one of the biggest issues with these HBCU football programs is their insistence on playing the "(insert name) Classic" usually at these huge NFL type stadiums. While some have adequate fanbases and support, most do not. For example, Grambling and Alcorn are 2 1/2 hours apart, yet they traveled 10 and 12 hours respectively to play a game in front of 20,000 people in a 70,000 seat stadium. I'm not an accountant but the resources for this undertaking are simply not there and I cant imagine the revenue is either. If it is, then not feeding your players and providing them with adequate transportation is inexcusable. I would also note that this is the second time this year Grambling did this. They also went to play a Division II HBCU in front of 20,000 at Arrowhead Stadium. That is just asinine. There is no way the numbers can support this type of trip. This sounds like poor management from the administration on down. I don't blame the players one bit. These kids work their fannies off being told what a great "tradition" they are a part of only to be treated like glorified high schoolers. If the alumni want these games, let them kick in the funds.

From my understanding, the "Classic" games are actually the most lucrative games for HSBC programs in terms of revenue, and expenses are relatively de minimis (especially when you stick kids on a bus). Getting 20,000 or 25,000 people in attendance at one of the "Classic" games held at a neutral site may not seem like a great deal, but that's a substantial turnout given that their typical home game draws in between 5,000 to 7,000 people (who are typically paying a lower ticket price, too).

Grambling has suffered a lot over the past 15-20 years, and it's basically a miniature shell of its former self at this point. Will they ever get back to what they once were? I think the answer is almost undeniably no, and the real discussion here -- of which this board in particular is not the proper forum -- is much more fundamental than mere amateur athletics, which is what is the continuing and ongoing need, if any, for HSBC's in modern America. Again, though, that's really a discussion for the non-sports board.

In any event, regarding the merits, this one does not make sense to me. I understand that the program is struggling and amenities are certainly lacking, but even so you are a football player on a team that has won one game in two years, and you are complaining about meals and convenience of transportation?

 

[RammerJammer15]

I think the Magic City Classic does the best in attendance, 50,000+ every year.

 

[BamaPokerplayer]

As BAD as Grambling is playing, they should have to walk or jog to their game in K. C.!

That made me LOL.

 

[TiderGreg]

As BAD as Grambling is playing, they should have to walk or jog to their game in K. C.!

Why do they think they deserve to go in class on an airplane? Who's going to pay for it? The Federal Government?

If Bama was playing like Grambling and filling up Bryant-Denny with 10 to 20,000 paying customers, then they would need to
walk, jog, or ride a bus also!

Is this a trap I want to answer this question so badly, but know politics is taboo.

 

[CrimsonNagus]

Just sounds like whinny college kids who think they are entitled to everything. If the school can only afford a bus, then skipping practice will not magically make a plane appear but, these are just college kids, we can't expect them to understand budgets, money and math.

I guess they could go the ASU route and use funny money to pay for stuff.

 

[TiderGreg]

After reading about the players actions, I would boot them al off the team and start a new. That is not the way to resolve a problem, a team boycot. Sad things is that people will feel sorry for them. Are they on scholarships?

I think the Magic City Classic does the best in attendance, 50,000+ every year.

The 2016 game at Legion Field

 

[LCN]

Just sounds like whinny college kids who think they are entitled to everything. If the school can only afford a bus, then skipping practice will not magically make a plane appear but, these are just college kids, we can't expect them to understand budgets, money and math.

I guess they could go the ASU route and use funny money to pay for stuff.

Since these are college kids , they certainly should .

 

[TommyMac]

Regardless of their W/L record they should be fed.

Kinda shows why paying players is not even remotely feasible.

Eddie Robinson must be spinning in his grave to see what's happened to his beloved program that he spent a lifetime building.

 

[Florida Tom]

Boy this is a tough one first reaction is yes just shut it down but if the school can't afford meals & transportation then maybe it's best to put football on hold until funds can be raised, & I'm not talking about government.

This is a Great Traditional school that someone let go down.

 

[BamaPokerplayer]

As much as I love CFB, it is a bad thing for so many schools.

 

[PacadermaTideUs]

Eddie Robinson is rolling over in his grave.

Off topic, but I can't figure out why someone would poorly photoshop the first photo in order to produce the second. Did that extra bit of crowd bother somebody?

I think the Magic City Classic does the best in attendance, 50,000+ every year.

After reading about the players actions, I would boot them al off the team and start a new. That is not the way to resolve a problem, a team boycot. Sad things is that people will feel sorry for them. Are they on scholarships?





The 2016 game at Legion Field

 

[Special K]

Regarding the "classic" games, don't forget that many of these are televised nationally, probably the only time most of these schools play on national TV during the season. I'm sure the revenue from that more than offsets the costs for the schools.

 

[Tide1986]

Off topic, but I can't figure out why someone would poorly photoshop the first photo in order to produce the second. Did that extra bit of crowd bother somebody?

I took it more as an indictment of the state of Legion Field than the actual crowd size. It looks like Legion Field is in a collapsed state in the photo-shopped version of the picture.

 

[TiderGreg]

Eddie Robinson is rolling over in his grave.

Off topic, but I can't figure out why someone would poorly photoshop the first photo in order to produce the second. Did that extra bit of crowd bother somebody?

No. It was intended as humor. That is Legion Field, remember it used to have Grandstands 5 years ago? I just projected out another 5 years and showed what it might look like at the present rate. I regret you though I was being racist.

"

The 2016 game at Legion Field