1868Alumni wrote:
I think it's time we stop comparing apples and oranges. The SEC school has twice as many alumni, big time donors (Tyson, Jones, Walmart family, Hunt Family, etc...), SEC TV contract worth $32.7 million a year, and plays an easily recognizable opponent every week that has their own fan base buying tickets.
If we are going to be comparing UCA to anyone it should be FCS Schools. In the meantime we could all do more to support the bears, such as celebrate the victories, join purple circle, create fans at an early age, and encourage high school age kids to take a campus tour and apply. Meanwhile the university could do more to partner with companies/industries to do research, pursue mega donors, advertise games/season tickets, and stop the decline in enrollment that has been a constant during the last 10 years.
There is no doubt UCA does not have the resources to compete with the piggys and you are correct in pointing out we should develop our own resources and programs. Most of us understand UCA's biggest issue is the lack of support from our own alumni and improving that support and loyalty requires the most effort. I think a lot of the frustration is that many of our alumni support they pigs with donations and attendance and never come to a Bear game. So, in effect, we are fighting with the pigs for what should rightfully be ours.....the faithfulness and loyalty of our alumni. Having said that, it's our issue to cultivate, support and bring them home. Obviously, this is not an easy challenge or we would have succeeded long ago.
A lot of people I know got their undergrad degree at UCA (and loved it) but ended up going to graduate school there and stayed there. So that doesn't help. It is what it is at this point.