Eric_Soncrant

At most schools, cheerleading scholarships do not count towards title IX as it isn't considered a "sport".  USF cheerleaders don't really receive a scholarship, they do it out of their love for the sport and the school.  Same with the Sundolls.

Now there is a movement being led by the University of Maryland and their athletic director to make Cheerleading an official NCAA sport.  They have made it a varsity sport there and a few other schools have followed.  There are some people against this, like Varsity/UCA/NCA, because they stand to lose a lot of money.

Eric

Ah - sorry - I missed where it said "sundolls."

Anyway, since some of you seem knowledgable on this,

Anyone know if cheerleading scholarships count against title9?    If so, could you have like 50 cheerleaders to help offset football and make room for an additional mens sport?  It seems plausible.  And it would be cheap.  They could still only fly out the usual amount to away games and in the spring there's only 1 "road game" and it's in Orlando!!

I have no problem with them voicing their opinion but if they are so proud, why hide.  That's my issue with them and any one else that hides their identity while openly criticizing a public figure.  If you believe in it so strongly than why are you afraid for people to know who you are?

Eric

It says a lot about the individuals when they don't want to be identified.  Just wrong!

Eric

Danzer beat me to it.  I saw the schedule last night and saw the time difference so those going over can very easily support both groups.  Again best of luck to them all.

Eric

I liked what I saw from Howard personally.  When he was in the game we got into our offensive set a lot quicker than we have.  I'll be interested to see what kind of jump shot he has as I don't even recall him taking a shot.  I give a lot of credit to Louisville as they seemed to really focus on the perimiter defense, thus giving Gransberry a little more freedom inside.  Our guys didn't seem to have many easy looks on the outside.  It will be nice to see them gel over the next game or two.

Eric

I haven't seen the official schedules but I believe they are competing at the same time as my wife told me that it wasn't likely the cheerleaders would be able to get to the building the SunDolls were performing to cheer them on as they have done in past years.  UCA/UDA apparently changed a lot of things this year due to a lot of teams not competing and so now everyone only does their routine once as opposed to last years when there was a prelim and a final.

It scares me sometimes how much I know about this stuff. ;D

Eric

The band, cheerleaders, and sundolls are at games to support the team and provide entertainment during breaks in action.  That is their primary reason for existence and their funding by athletics (specifically the cheerleaders and sundolls).  However, a very important aspect for all of these kids is the opportunity to represent USF in a national competition and show everyone how talented they are.  Their routines last night was what they will perform.

Join me in wishing both the cheerleaders and sundolls good luck this weekend!  No matter what you think of thier outfits they are representing USF this weekend.  And it is always nice to win.

Eric

A couple of things on this.  First, I may be mistaken but I believe the performance tonight in the corral is just the cheerleaders doing their nationals performance.  They can't do it during a game because of having to set up mats and it just takes too long to set up during a game.

On the uniforms, and I explained this to bloomtown last night, dance teams throughout the country tend to have creative license on the colors they use for their performances.  I've been to the nationals several times and very few actually wear their school colors.  Last night was just a coincidence that we played Louisville.  Hindsight is 20/20.

Eric

Just to clear something up on their name, their company name is Authentic Team Merchandise.  Their stores are basically each a subsidiary of ATM, thus Bucs Heaven and Bulls Heaven.  

Eric

We are finalizing the details and we should start selling them in the next week or so.  You will also be able to buy last years if you didn't then as a package deal.  Stay tuned!

Eric

Wild:

I don't think you can fire a coach based on two losses to two top 15 programs.  Wait until we've gotten half way through the conference schedule and played some of the other teams.  I'm not saying you have to love him or hate him as that is for each of you decide.  But I am saying keep an open mind until February begins.

Thanks to those that support all of our programs.  Go Bulls!

Eric

And also keep in mind for those that can't afford it or don't want to, there are season tickets for both football and basketball that don't require a donation.  Obviously, you sacrifice some position but is there really a bad seat in RJS or the SunDome that aren't in the third level.

Eric

Wow, great conversation!

For those of you that are green jacket donors and haven't received your green jacket certificate or your lapel pin, please call the Bulls Club and we will make sure you get that if you qualify.  We haven't done away with them and I personally would love to see people donning these everywhere.  

Anyone with questions on anything can call me directly at (813) 974-3481 and I will handle your questions or requests personally.  I am out of the office until January 12th so if you can wait until then or call and leave a message and I'll take care of you upon my return.

My apologies for all the confusion, we really do aim to please.  This helps us about $1.5 million historically.  It's growing each year.  Thanks to all of you.

Eric

True or False

If 3 years from now the donor/ticket holder of record is lost at sea....the others will be SOL.

True!

If you can let me know who you are talking to so we don't mislead anyone else.  Thanks.

Eric

Ferdinand:

Actually in order to have the tickets for next season, you would need to make the entire contribution by June 30, 2007 and then you could go on the quarterly.  Your donation must be paid prior to end of the fiscal year.  The ticket guys should be telling you this as well.

Also, keep in mind the donation check must come from one person and only one persons name can be on the account.  We won't accept 8 checks to go towards one donation.  It's a tax issue.

If you have any specific questions feel free to call me in the office or I can answer your questions here.  Thanks for your interest.

Eric

For those of you that are basketball season ticket holders and donors at the appropriate level (Scholar Bull), just  a friendly reminder that due to increased attendance during the BIG EAST Conference basketball season, the pre and post game hospitality will be moves to the Corral.  The green and gold room just can't handle that kind of crowd.

If you have any questions, please call the Bulls Club offices or post here and we will try to answer them.

Eric  

Atually, that is not what we would have used.  Last year we were fortunate in that they allowed us to use extra ticket stock that they didn't need for the game.  PapaJohns didn't have extra ticket stock for us to use.  If we had gone to the Texas Bowl, they would have had extra ticket stock.  So the tickets you would get aren't tickets that can be used for games.

Eric

Hey guys:

I'll be back in the office on Thursday and check on this.  Before I left I know the situation was that PapaJohns.com Bowl could not provide actual ticket stock to use for this purpose.  So we were having to create something that looks like it.  But we have to go through licensing issues because of use of the logo and what not.  I'll keep you posted.

Eric

You mean.... the end of Bulliever's Fan Site Shop????????  

Honestly, we need to get behind one or two shops and fully support them.  Example: FSU fans buy FSU stuff from one of two places (other than cheap crap from Walmart) -- G & G and Bills.  We need to step up and support these stores that are the only ones supporting US!

Bulls Outfitter and maybe Bulls Heaven (it is athletics offical place)

Bulls Heaven isn't necessariy the official merchandiser of USF Athletics but they have the right to sell at the games and have been great partners.  But whatever helps Brad maintain this site is great.

And thanks for making the exclusion for our activities Brad.  For a second I thought I wouldn't be able to post watch party locations anymore!

Eric

ptimario:

Unfortunately, if anyone gave you tickets for current student athletes, that would be an NCAA violation.  So I am strongly encouraging everyone here not to help them out.  It is unfortunate but they could have gone to the SunDome and gotten a free ticket as well.  Tell them to check with their head coach to see if the Athletic Department is doing anything that the NCAA will allow to help current student athletes out.

Eric

SBC is staying at the Doubletree, our 2nd hotel with a bunch of other USF fans.  I'll check on the seating location as MagPie had the same question.  I've been corrected and a policy is being drafted.  Best bet is to stand in line tonight for ticket sales tomorrow to get the best seats.

Eric

$100 gets you a full all you can eat gourmet meal, full open bar, live band, and the opportunity to hang with 300 other Bulls fans in a great setting.  For those that went to the New Years Eve party last year same type of thing.  We are limiting it to 21 and over crowd.

For those with kids, we are also setting up a gathering similar to what we did after the pep rally in Charlotte last year.  This will happen Friday night as well.

With the pregame, kids 12 and under are only $15 and children 3 and under are free.

Eric

There shouldn't be any controversy about this. Florida earned the right to go based on winning their conference, while Michigan didn't. Michigan also did not play as difficult a schedule.

Based on that argument, what about Louisville.  They won their conference as well.  It's about putting the two best teams in the national championship game, not the two best conference champions.  I think you can argue for both Florida and Michigan and you can argue against both as well.

As I said in another thread, I hope both OSU and Florida lose.

Kyle:

All SBC members received an email on the trip from me through the SBC list serv.  You should check that.  If you didn't get it email me and I'll email you directly.  We are just keeping it among SBC for right now and there for I won't post it here.  Sorry.

Eric