MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama President Gordon Moulton joined head football coach Joey Jones on Wednesday’s edition of the Joey Jones Show, where the two discussed the progress of the Jaguars’ new football program, its finances, facility construction and plans for the program’s debut season in 2009.
The program was approved by the university in December 2007, and in the roughly 11 months since, South Alabama has assembled a roster of a little more than 100 players. About 800 people have signed up online for the new marching band.
Fast Track to Division I
Moulton said South Alabama is on pace to move from inception to Division I competition faster than any program in NCAA history. He acknowledged that the accelerated timeline could mean some difficult seasons early, but said both he and Jones believe the approach is best for the program.
Moulton noted that future matchups with larger programs, including a scheduled 2013 game against Tennessee, can help the program both financially and in building its roster.
Jones missed the previous week’s show because he and his staff traveled to Kentucky to observe how the Wildcats’ coaching staff conducts its daily routine.
Jones said practices have been going well and that his players and staff have worked to maintain their competitive edge even though the team has no opponents on its schedule this fall.
Paying for the Program
Moulton said the football program, including staff and scholarships, will cost about $5 million per year, with costs expected to rise as the program moves fully into Division I football.
He stressed that the program’s funding has not drawn on the university’s academic budget. “Not a single nickel” has come from the academic side, Moulton said. The money to date has come from supporters and student fees, an arrangement designed so the program would not operate at a deficit during its first years.
Moulton said the effects of the slowing national economy on college athletics were not yet known.
Facilities and Stadium
Construction is under way on a new football field house, and work continues on the team’s practice fields. Jones said the grass practice field is nearly complete and the artificial turf field is well along.
The university has also added more than 1,000 beds on campus through The Grove student apartments, and a new Student Recreation Center is under construction.
The Jaguars will play their home games at Ladd-Peebles Stadium under a five-year agreement that was being finalized. Any future on-campus stadium would need to be funded privately through the community and the university.
Uniforms and Band
Jones said he is working to finalize the colors and design of the team’s uniforms and took a preliminary design to Moulton’s office this week. The marching band is also finalizing its uniform ahead of its first appearance in 2009.
Tickets and Marketing
Travis Toth, South Alabama’s new marketing director, also appeared on the program. Toth said he has been working with campus organizations to build support for Jaguar athletics.
Toth said Monday night’s basketball exhibition at the Mitchell Center drew just under 3,000 fans, including 706 students. The athletic department plans concerts on the steps of the Mitchell Center during basketball season, and the baseball program will hold concerts before or after a number of its games.
The 2009 football schedule will include at least six home games, and Jones is working on a possible seventh. Football season tickets cost $75 and go on sale to the general public next week.
For basketball, fewer than 150 lower-level season tickets remain at the Mitchell Center. Upper-level season tickets cost $50 for 16 home games.
Recruiting Travel
Jones said he may miss an episode of the show in December because of a recruiting trip to Texas, and that he is planning something special for national signing day.
The show is hosted by Lee Shirvanian.
