This could be posted in the SIU game thread, but it's as much about the situation going forward. I think we would all do ourselves a favor to read this article by Todd Golden from Terre Haute about Indiana State's budget, facilities, coaching, marketing, and more, and consider the similarities to Loyola. Obviously they had a terrible season whereas ours was fairly good overall, but their fans want changes and improvements like we do. The reality is that it takes a lot more money to win than what we are currently spending.

Take a look: http://www.tribstar.com/sports/down-in- ... f35a7.html

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It's a very solid, in depth article. I think the good thing about our university is, although we might not be flush with as much cash as WSU, we're not in a terrible position. It helps that probably the largest line item for ISU's budget (facilities overhaul) is non-existent with us because of the new Gentile arena and Norville Center.

Unfortunately, as 86 and others have noted, our financial situation isn't great due in large part to MAP grant funding. It's not dire by any means, but we are running a pretty lean operation in athletics.

We need donors with deep pockets to fund this thing if we are going to compete regularly with WSU and others at the top of the league. Otherwise we're hoping for lucky breaks every few years.

You guys have identified a ton of things that we could do with more money that would directly benefit the team: practice facility, additional strength and conditioning coaches, increased recruiting budget, increased travel budget (flying to games more than a couple hours away), retaining coaches, buying better home games, marketing, fundraising... the list goes on and on. WSU has all that and more. Until the university or donors dramatically increase funding for the department, we're starting from a weaker position than a lot of the league.

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