"Ask the AD" from the MSU athletic site

Pretty pointless.

As an Arkansas football fan, I assure you that is awesome and the crowd really gets into it. I love the idea of doing that with our state flag. I'm pretty sure Moats read half of your comment though and got bored, as it was pretty long. But he was right when he said "your(sic) on track."
Showing this is a statewide school would go a long way toward making more passionate fans outside the ones that post here!
Go Bears

http://www.missouristatebears.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=204871231&KEY=&DB_OEM_ID=13800&DB_LANG=&IN_SUBSCRIBER_CONTENT=

March 18, 2011:

I am a proud graduate of Missouri State and I am tired of defending my alma mater to Missouri fans/alumni. There needs to be an annual matchup between the two schools. Are there any plans for moving forward with an in-state rivalry? Obviously I am referring to basketball series but the school needs a definitive rivalry game. You could make an argument for half a dozen MVC schools and possibly SLU but how often do you get to rub it in the face of one of their fans? I like the regional matchups with Arkansas and the Oklahoma schools, but who wouldn't rather beat Missouri? We are constantly walking among Mizzou fans and being referred to as the "little school", or not on the same level. I am tired of it, let's step up and make a name for ourselves.
- Adam D., Trenton, Mo.

Adam-
We would welcome an opportunity to play Missouri in men's basketball. Both teams have to be willing to play. If there was a financial incentive, such as a title sponsor, Mizzou may have more of an interest in playing. Currently the interest is one sided.

I watched both the UNI and Creighton games that were aired. Throughout both games the announcers show our attendance stats. I have enjoyed many Lady Bear games at Hammons Student Center with the crowd average of well over 6500. JQH is a wonderful arena and I think we all are very proud of this facility. I know it has to be paid for and ticket prices help do just that. The upper bowl and student sections are empty. Wouldn't it be to the university's advantage to lower the upper bowl ticket prices adding attendance numbers, and to reap the rewards of concessions and Bearwear sales. I know this has been a big issue on ticket pricing. I attend every Lady Bear home game and have the opportunity to get to a few road games. Last season we managed to get to Tulsa twice, Wichita and Jonesboro. All had cheaper ticket prices for floor seating than we do for our upper bowl tickets. We also went to March Madness although we lost in the first round. Any feedback would be wonderful. We love Coach Martin he has done some tremendous things for our school. I wish I could get to all home games both men and women. - Dwight M., Springfield, Mo.

Dwight-
We will continue to look at ways to fill JQH for Lady Bears Basketball in the most economical way. In doing so, we need to make sure we financially support the funding for the arena. We will continue to evaluate what is best for our fans and program overall. Next year, you will notice some changes. Coach Martin and Coach Milleson have had great seasons.


Mr. Moats, While watching the Fiesta Bowl, the announcer commented about how Connecticut had been Division IAA not that many years ago. With Missouri having a population in excess of 6 million people and only one Division I school, are there any plans or discussions around taking MSU to the next level in football? Thanks - Dave D., Des Moines, Iowa

Dave-
Missouri State competes at the Division I level in all sports. Football has two subdivisions within Division I, and MSU plays at the FCS level. In that light, your question is one I get asked quite often. It will take a change in philosophy from our Board of Governors and University leadership to even consider this as a possibility. Financially, it would be a major commitment from the state, university, alumni, fans and corporate community. Based upon our current situation, I think we are in the best conference for our program.

Mr. Moats, Two years ago, I was a season ticket holder. I unfortunately dropped my men's basketball tickets and did not renew. I called your ticket office early last summer and asked to be added to a list of people interested in season tickets. I was informed that there was no such list and I would have to call back sometime in July if I wanted tickets. I found it hard to believe that the sales staff could not be bothered to take my name and call me once current season ticket holders fulfilled their purchases. It just doesn't seem like good marketing. That being said, I still purchase tickets and attend most home games and also travel each march to the MVC tournament. I continue to support the bears. I would have purchased season tickets if I had been contacted. I hope to support the bears as a season ticket holder next season. - Chuck W., Nixa, Mo.

Chuck-
I apologize for the service you received. This is not how we want to treat perspective customers and former supporters. I can assure we will do better next time. Please feel free to call our office (417) 836-6382 to get more information so we can assist in the future. Thanks for supporting the Bears!!

I was wondering if MSU gets any tickets for the football game at Oregon next year and if there is a way to reserve tickets if they are available. Myself and other alumni are wanting to go to the game and were hoping as Alumni we could get tickets through Missouri State. Thank You - Matt R., St. Louis, Mo.

Matt-
We do, and we would love to have you join us for the trip. In the near future, we will be unveiling a travel package to Oregon through our Alumni Office. Stay tuned and watch for more details on our web site.

http://www.missouristatebears.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=204871231&KEY=&DB_OEM_ID=13800&DB_LANG=&IN_SUBSCRIBER_CONTENT=

June 15, 2011:

Looking at some of the Women's NCAA Regional sites, why has Missouri State and the MVC not hosted a 1st/2nd round pod yet? - Derek E., St. Louis, Mo.

Recently (2009) the MVC hosted the Women's Final Four. In most cases the NCAA tries to go to locations where the host team will participate. In order for us to secure a bid we would have to submit a bid to host. I think financially it would be in our best interest to submit a bid when our team will be more of a consistent NCAA participant.


Your answer (as I understood it) to the previous person's question was that to move up to FBS for football and a 'Big 12' type conference for basketball would require a significant change in Board of Governors' philosophy. Could you explain more fully? Or, could you point me in the direction of some resource that explains the role of the Board of Governors in determining athletic programs. Thanks! - Geniese S., Hesston, Kan.

Geniese-

The Board of Governors determines the overall philosophy of the University. That's what a Board is responsible for, to chart the course, in collaboration with the President. In order for us to consider a move to a different conference that decision first would have to be approved by the Board, which is the highest level. It would require a different funding model for athletics for starters, investment in facilities, Title IX considerations, salaries etc. Secondly, a conference would have to want us. We just can't decide we're moving to a new conference. You must be invited. I hope this helps. We're a long way away from anything like that happening. We're perfectly fine being members of the MVC.

http://www.missouristatebears.com/ot/ask-ad-homepage.html

October 5, 2011:

Q - As a SMS alumni and X-C/track letterman, who has basically been wiped off the MSU historical map along with a ton of other greater athletes who ran/competed for the program, I wonder why the Athletic dept has not gotten creative about bringing back Men's Track and/or Cross Country on the distance side only. Much like with the Ladies team, it would seem that a Men's Cross Country team (and distance only track events) could be more affordable as the framework of the X-C program already exists with the ladies program and efforts to fundraise to upgrade Plasters track is already planned. It would be very easy to re-establish a men's distance team at minimal additional costs as they would be competing the same meets/events and practice facilities the ladies participate in and use today? As the process goes to replace the Ladies coach - I hope, Kyle, you consider the option to bring back Men's XC and distance events for track. Cross Country in Missouri is huge and one visit to the MO state meet in Jeff City will show the huge popularity of the sport AND the quality of the student-athletes they can bring to MSU. When the Men's team was abandoned, they were very competitive, great history of success and had a great GPA, meanwhile, football is on scholarship probation and struggles to compete in 1AA, with talk of going to 1A? Having a more diverse view on athletic opportunities and being creative in generating them should be a focus across the entire athletics dept. Please consider creative opportunities when hiring the new coach and utilizations of synergies already in place with existing X-C program framework. If there can be goals to raise $3 million for locker rooms, training room and offices, 1-2 Million for lights and resurface the track, certainly adding 7-14 men athletes to an already existing framework is not worthy of crying poor about?? Thanks for the consideration. - Mike G., St. Louis, Mo.

A - Mike G.
Thanks for your years of dedication to your sport and for having so much pride in Missouri State. We are proud to have you as an alum and hope to see you back on campus soon!
Once we made the decision to go Prong 1 with our Title IX compliance plan -- proportionality based on the university's make up of males and females -- and continue to have Division I football, it makes it very difficult to add any male sports in the future.
The current ratio of our campus is 53.4 percent female and 43.6 male, which means we have to mirror those percentages on our athletic teams. This is probably our biggest challenge based on our current sport composite and financial situation. If the overall student body percentages shift and we can recruit more male students to campus, that dynamic could change in the future.
I fully understand your concern, and when we dropped a few sports in the early 2000's, it was a difficult decision for everyone involved. I hope this helps you understand the issue and how we meet compliance with the Federal Title IX regulations.

Q - Good Morning Kyle, just a few items I would like you to address .
1. Do you think it is wise to raise the price of Men's basketball tickets in this economic time? We drive an hour one way for each game and have to think about it for a long time before making that kind of purchase. Maybe we should whine like the lady bear fans and you will lower the prices for us also! It was a shame to lose Cuonzo, but as a Purdue Grad I am happy with Paul Lusk. I do worry though that as Cuonzo struggled his first year Paul may as well. Having been in the business as long as you have you know this could well be the case. My fear is that what has been built the last couple of years could set us back even farther if we struggle at all this year.
2. Please when they bring fans down from the upper bowl to the floor seats make sure they at least have on MSU gear, it frustrates me when I see them bring people down who do not even care enough to go buy a t-shirt to support the University.
3. A marketing Idea, give gold level and above season ticket holders one free pass to Prime Overtime Club to try it out. They may be inclined to purchase membership when they experience the product. Thanks for taking the time to read my rant and hope to hear from you soon. - Pat D., Kimberling City, Mo.

A - Pat C.
Thanks for your e-mail. We raised the prices this year slightly to help offset the cost of going to Las Vegas for the Multi-Team Event and an opportunity to play West Virginia and St. Mary's. The conference office has mandated all men's teams to schedule an MTE in order to improve our overall conference scheduling. This increase only addressed half of our game guarantee obligation. I felt like increasing the ticket price any more would be detrimental to our season ticket holders during these trying economic times.

I know our fans want a quality men's basketball product. As with anything there is a price that comes along with success. I can assure you we are very sensitive to ticket prices and our fans. I understand these are difficult economic times.

We are offering free admission to the Prime Overtime Club for the two home exhibitions. I hope you will join us.

Finally, I look forward to Coach Lusk and his first season. As with any new coach there will be a transition period. He has seven new players along with a new system he has to implement. I have complete confidence in his ability to lead our program. We need to support him and be as positive as we can as he starts his head coaching career with the Bears!!

Q - I apologize for the following question because I know you have probably been relentlessly attacked by a question like this. I heard today that Pitt and Syracuse have applied for the ACC. Since MSU has connections with the MAC via Men's Swimming and Diving and Women's Field Hockey, would it be realistic to get the Board to favor applying for the MAC. It's a smaller conference that we have a fair shot at winning 1 or 2 games early. Plus, it is a 13 team conference which is weird. And a follow up because I know money has a lot to do with it, how close is MSU financially to maybe adding more seats in order to qualify to be an FBS school? Again, I apologize but I have just been pondering this. - Joey H., Independence, Mo.

A - Joey H.,
You are right, this question has been asked a lot lately due to the conference realignment of the major conferences. At this time, I see no movement by MSU to go anywhere other than the MVC. The conference is very sound in all sports, and the FCS level of football is where we need to be based on the commitment and funding we have in place.

http://www.missouristatebears.com/ot/ask-ad-homepage.html
February 13, 2012:

Mr. Moats,

I am a alum and a alum of the football program, so it's very near and dear to me. I attend all home football and basketball games. Two questions: Are there any plans or thoughts of removing the track in Plaster and bringing the stands in closer? I really think this would really allow the student section to feel a part of the game. Not to mention, this would add to the appeal of new recruits. Secondly, I know that there is talk about the student side being renovated, is there an estimated time table on that? I know money is tight, but as an ex-Bears football player, I know what it feels like to be looked over as a team. To have the school behind them would boost their moral and I think the community.

Everyone loves Bears hoops, and they see that stadium and they know that MSU is serious about their basketball. You can't say that about football. Yes we need to win and winning will bring in more money, but so will better facilities, which will in turn bring in better recruits, and hopefully this all equals wins. I know we can be national champs, we all just have to go all in.
- Brandon T., Springfield, Mo.

Brandon-
President Smart has assembled a Football Task Force to address many issues relative to football. The results will be available later this spring. Your concerns are being addressed. In order for us to make significant changes, we need financial backing from alums and supporters. We thank you for all of your continued supporters.

Dear Mr. Moats,
This year I purchased Bears baseball season tickets for the first time. Although I have attended baseball games before, I am excited for this season and decided to go all out to support the baseball team this season. However, something was rather disconcerting. For a while now it has been advertised that student season tickets cost $20. Although this is true, when I went to the Missouri State Tix window in the PSU I was informed that there is an additional $5 fee. Although I am fine paying this fee and in no way am upset about it, I feel like it was misleading to advertise $20 season tickets to students if, in fact, it will cost us $25. I understand that it's a "fee" and not the actual price, so it's not technically false advertising or anything of the sort, but it is still misleading and somewhat dishonest. This is particularly true since the baseball ticket information page on the website does not mention a fee existing. I would simply recommend that in the future the full price, including the fee, be a part of the advertised price so that students are not mislead.
- Daniel B., Springfield, Mo.

Daniel-
You bring up a good point. Fees are usually assessed because there is a cost associated with the ticket company or credit card company. We can do a better job of communicating this in the future. Also, I am recommending that we don't charge students a fee for baseball season tickets. Please check back with us in a week or so and we may be able to refund you your $5.

Hey, Mr. Moats!
This basketball season has been exciting because we've had match-ups with non-conference schools like Oklahoma State, West Virginia, and soon Old Dominion. I love seeing that, and I know a lot of other students do. Any other schools you're working on facing next season?
- Garrett G., Overland Park, Kan.

Garrett-
We're always working on match-ups that will be beneficial to the development of our team, spike an interest with our fan base and help us financially. We will continue to work on getting games in the St. Louis and Kansas City areas since a vital part of our alumni base lives in these areas. It's very difficult to get bigger-conference schools to come to Springfield. However, we will continue to use our relationships within the basketball community to help better our schedule. In the meantime, we plan to continue playing multi-team events during the holidays which enables us to play BCS schools at neutral sites. Next Thanksgiving, we will be headed to Puerto Vallarta to play two such games. For more information, continue to check back at MissouriStateBears.com and with the Alumni Office as details are available. The MSU women will also participate in this tournament.

Dear Mr. Moats:

Why are we bad at everything that matters? And how is it that you seem to have absolutely no ideas on how to fix anything?

PS: You didn't happen to sign one of those Bill Rowe lifetime contracts, did you?

We're bad at everything that matters?? I wasn't aware of that.

Yes. Marketing. Fundraising. Ticketing. Game experience. What are we good at?

You might not think we're "good" at any of those (and I would agree with you), but since Moats has taken over, he (or the people who work behind him) has targeted at least three of those areas and has made visible progress in at least two.

I'm not exactly thrilled with how the Moats regime has gone so far, but I don't think he gets a fair shake on this forum.

I think Moats has done a great job. Only gripe is he's not as visible at games, but that's not what he's paid to do.

i've seen him at about every game i've been to. you just have to look under the hat on the floor.

Exactly. Bill Rowe did a great job as a public figure and saw MSU through it's transition from D-II to D-I. By the time he had decided to retire, it seems like Bears athletics reached a point at which it needed a true business man to continue the program's advancement, and Moats (at least to me) seems to be doing a good job at making the business decisions.