Texas State President & AD On What Being In the Pac-12 Will Do for Texas State | 365 Sports

Texas State University's move to the Pac-12 conference marks a significant shift in its athletic and academic strategy, as discussed by President Kelly Dampus and Athletic Director Don Corel. The decision, driven by a desire to compete at a higher level and increase national exposure, promises to enhance recruitment, fan engagement, and financial opportunities. The university's rapid enrollment growth and investment in athletics, notably hiring football coach GJ Kenny, underscore its commitment to leveraging sports as a "front porch" to showcase its academic and cultural strengths. This transition aims to elevate Texas State's profile on both athletic and academic fronts.

• The movement of Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC has triggered a wave of conference realignments, affecting 36 schools in the FBS.
• Texas State University is transitioning to the Pac-12 Conference, signaling a significant shift in its athletic strategy.

"If in fact the athletic department in some cases is the front porch to a university, what does this mean for Texas State?"

• The quote highlights the perception of athletics as a key gateway to enhancing a university's visibility and reputation.

• Universities often claim athletics as crucial but may not invest adequately, expecting athletics to self-sustain.
• Texas State's leadership emphasizes the need for strategic investment in athletics to enhance the university's profile.

"If you really believe it's a front porch university, you really need to invest in it."

• This underscores the necessity of financial and strategic support for athletics to fulfill its role as a prominent university facet.

• Kelly Dampus, President of Texas State, and Don Corel, Athletic Director, have been pivotal in steering the university towards conference realignment.
• The leadership team anticipated the need for strategic positioning in the face of potential realignments.

"My job as a president is to fund the guys with the big ideas. And Don had the big ideas."

• This indicates the collaborative effort between university leadership and athletics to position Texas State effectively in the realignment landscape.

• The move to the Pac-12 is driven by the desire to compete at a higher level across various sports, enhancing the university's athletic stature.
• The Pac-12 is viewed as a top-tier conference, promising increased competition and visibility.

"I think the Pac-12 is going to be a top five football conference in the country."

• The quote reflects the confidence in the Pac-12's stature and the opportunities it presents for Texas State's athletic programs.

• The transition is expected to elevate Texas State's national brand, improve recruiting, and boost student-athlete retention.
• Financial benefits are anticipated through increased ticket sales, donations, and fundraising for capital projects.

"We think this is going to open up doors to a broader national audience."

• This highlights the strategic benefits of conference realignment in expanding the university's reach and resources.

• The announcement of joining the Pac-12 has generated significant excitement among coaches, staff, and student-athletes.
• The decision has been met with enthusiasm, signaling a positive outlook for future competitions.

"When we walked in, there was just a level of excitement in that room. You could just feel it."

• The quote captures the palpable excitement and optimism within the Texas State community regarding the new opportunities.

• The decision to join the Pac-12 was carefully considered, involving extensive discussions and negotiations.
• The process involved maintaining ongoing communication with Pac-12 representatives and other stakeholders.

"We've been tracking media and Texas State and Pac-12 and rumors and it goes back to September."

• This illustrates the prolonged and complex nature of the realignment process, involving strategic planning and negotiations.

• Texas State University is undergoing significant changes, focusing on both academic and athletic growth.
• The university is actively transitioning into a new conference, requiring strategic planning and approval processes.
• The move involves financial considerations, such as a $5 million buyout clause, requiring board approval.
• The transition is marked by a series of negotiations and meetings, culminating in a formal invitation to join the new conference.

"We went from like anxiety like you're never sure till they actually get signed to great joy and now just like determination like we got to make this happen."

• The transition from anxiety to determination highlights the emotional journey and commitment to making the conference change successful.

• Texas State is experiencing rapid enrollment growth, with a significant increase expected in the coming years.
• It is the most applied-to school in Texas among high school seniors, indicating its popularity and appeal.
• The university has a strong focus on education, historically being a teachers college and graduating more future Texas teachers than any other university globally.
• Texas State aims to become an R1 research institution by 2027, aligning itself with prestigious universities like Harvard and Yale.
• The university's academic success is reflected in high retention and graduation rates, contributing to student success with minimal student debt.

"We'll be the biggest university in the Pack 12. We have almost 41,000 students last fall. We'll be at 43,000 students this coming fall."

• The statement emphasizes Texas State's rapid growth and its position as a major player in the Pack 12 conference.

"We are going to be an R1 institution by the end of 2027."

• This quote underlines Texas State’s commitment to enhancing its research capabilities and aligning with top-tier research universities.

• Athletics plays a crucial role in promoting the university and attracting attention to its strengths.
• The success of the football program, led by coach GJ, has been pivotal in enhancing the university's value and visibility.
• Athletics provides a platform to showcase the university’s broader offerings, including its academic excellence and campus beauty.

"That's what athletics allows me to do. Would could you imagine without this happening this week, you guys inviting me to come talk about Texas State? It wouldn't happen right now."

• Athletics serves as a gateway for broader discussions about Texas State University, highlighting its importance in the university's marketing and public relations efforts.

"Without GJ and without the turnaround of our football program, we're not sure, but maybe we're not having this conversation right now."

• The success of the football program under coach GJ is crucial, serving as a catalyst for the university's increased recognition and conference transition.

• GJ Kenny's involvement has significantly boosted Texas State's football program, leading to increased exposure, revenue, and attendance.
• His competitive nature and enthusiasm have been pivotal in energizing both the team and the fanbase.
• The university anticipates further success and views the Pac-12 as a strategic path to the college football playoffs.

"He's super competitive. He's so excited about this league. He's ready to go toe-to-toe with everybody."

• GJ Kenny's competitive spirit is a driving force behind the program's current and future success.

"It's translated into great crowds for us, more revenue for our department, more exposure for the university and for the athletics department."

• Kenny's influence extends beyond the field, positively impacting the university's financial and reputational standing.

• Texas State's first bowl game on December 26, 2023, was a landmark event, marked by an unexpected shortage of beer during the game.
• The event highlighted the enthusiastic support from fans and became a memorable story that continues to be shared.
• Texas State emphasizes having fun and creating unique experiences, such as planning press conferences in distinctive campus locations.

"We went to our first bowl game in December 26, 2023... And by the third quarter, the stadium was out of beer."

• The anecdote underscores the passionate fanbase and the vibrant atmosphere surrounding Texas State's games.

"We could have had this on our club level at our football stadium, but you know what? Everybody has one of those."

• Texas State prioritizes distinctive and engaging experiences for their events, setting them apart from other institutions.

• Joining the Pac-12 involves increased travel costs, but Texas State anticipates greater efficiency in travel logistics.
• The transition from the Sun Belt Conference involves replacing long bus trips with more direct flights, potentially saving time.
• The university is prepared to invest more in travel to accommodate the new conference alignment.

"We're aware of the travel cost increase... but we actually think we'll be more efficient."

• The shift to the Pac-12 is seen as a strategic move that, despite higher costs, will streamline travel and enhance the program's efficiency.

"You're flying into places with a lot of their international airports or directly in the cities that you're going to."

• The logistical advantages of flying directly to major cities are expected to outweigh the traditional travel challenges faced in the Sun Belt.

• Texas State's overall athletic success, including their football program, has been crucial in their attractiveness to larger conferences.
• Significant wins, such as the victory over Baylor, have elevated the university's profile and aided in recruitment efforts.
• Texas State's games attract large viewership, demonstrating widespread interest and support for the program.

"We've won our conference commissioners cup three out of the past four years here in the Sun Belt Conference."

• The consistent success across various sports highlights the comprehensive strength of Texas State's athletics.

"We had more people watched our first bowl game, 2.8 million people watched that game."

• High viewership numbers for Texas State's games indicate a strong national interest and validate their media strategy.

• Texas State's athletic program is not solely focused on football and basketball but aims for success across all sports.
• The university's strategic vision involves leveraging their athletic achievements to enhance their reputation and competitive standing.
• Future goals include maintaining and building upon their current success to achieve national recognition and further conference accomplishments.

"Being successful in all the sports also played a huge role in this effort as well."

• The emphasis on a well-rounded athletic program is central to Texas State's strategy for future growth and recognition.

"Everyone pays attention to men's basketball and football, but being successful in all the sports also played a huge role in this effort as well."

• The holistic approach to athletic success underscores the university's commitment to excellence across all sports disciplines.

• Athletics can significantly enhance a university's reputation and serve as the institution's front door, attracting attention and prestige.
• Historical examples, such as the University of Oklahoma, illustrate how successful sports programs can elevate the university's profile.
• The success of athletic programs can create a halo effect, suggesting that if athletics are thriving, the university must also be excellent in other areas.

"I want to build a university that the football team can be proud of."

• This quote highlights the idea that athletics can be integral to a university's identity and prestige.

"There's a halo effect of athletics that actually tells people that if athletics is good, the whole university must be great as well."

• The perception of a university's overall quality is often influenced by the success of its athletic programs.

• Texas State University has a rich athletic history, including national championships in 1981 and 1982, which are celebrated and preserved.
• The university is looking forward to new opportunities as it transitions to the Pac-12 conference, which could open doors previously inaccessible.
• The institution aims to honor its past while embracing future possibilities to enhance its athletic and academic standing.

"We embrace the heck out of that history. You can't miss that 1981 1982 national championship signage when you're at UFCU stadium here."

• Texas State values its historical achievements and uses them as a foundation for future growth.

"This is for those alums, you know, for those past student athletes. They want this as badly as we do."

• The university's efforts are driven by a desire to honor past achievements and satisfy the aspirations of alumni and former athletes.

• Revenue sharing in college athletics presents challenges, especially in balancing budgets and meeting financial demands.
• Texas State University views revenue sharing as a differentiator among peer institutions and has proactively prepared for its implementation.
• The university aims to retain and attract student-athletes by offering competitive financial incentives, recognizing the business-like decision-making process of athletes.

"The Autonomy 4 or Autonomy 5 conference schools would it would be a breeze for them. They can find $20 million in the seat cushions of the waiting room outside the athletic department's office."

• There is a misconception that larger conference schools can easily handle revenue sharing, but many face financial challenges.

"We believe and even before the deal with the Pac 12 was struck that revenue sharing would be a differentiator among our peer institutions."

• Texas State sees revenue sharing as a strategic advantage to compete with institutions of higher reputation but perhaps fewer resources.

"You've got to be able to share revenue at a level that makes a difference because in many ways these student-athletes are making business decisions that each of us would make."

• The university acknowledges the importance of financial incentives in attracting and retaining student-athletes, who make decisions based on potential earnings.