Rumor: Home duals to be held at BJC beginning 2025-26

[mcpat]

I'd be okay if the big duals stayed in BJC simply for the attendance. But there's no reason Rider, American, Drexel, Indiana need to be in BJC.

But will Rider, American, Drexel and Indiana even have teams? I read something about Wisconsin being in trouble.

Ironically, if we are left with only 20-25ish D1 programs, but each have 30 schollies, there will be just as many D1 wrestlers on scholarship as there now. Prob more because many don’t give 9.9 now.

 

[Pennstate1985]

Kraft said that wrestling people need to understand this or they will get their tickets dropped.“.

What did Kraft mean by this?

 

[mcpat]

Maybe they can just make tuition cheaper

 

[Bob_Anderson]

Cael has been very vocal (as well as insiders) about how good Kraft is to the program. The 21.1 extra scholarships for the team is tremendous but it's not free. I'm skeptical about the 2 million number but even half of that covers the bulk of it.

The 21.1 isn't the only thing he's going for here. He also wants to address the current accounting deficit. Right now, the school is leaving wrestling money on the table, while wrestling is being subsidized.

 

[mcpat]

And revenue sharing starting next year. There’s a few million of revenue they can add

 

[creamery freak]

Jeez … I’m feeling a little queezy passing this along from meeting notes I received. Again, these are not quotes from Kraft, but, rather notes taken by an acquaintance who can be a bit hyperbolic about PSU affairs:
From meeting notes: “About the wrestling, AD Pat Kraft brought visual aids (slide presentation) to his talk about moving matches into the BJC. He said there will be two matches moved from Rec Hall to the BJC this year and at least 5 will be moved there next season. Their goal is to fully transition into the BJC by 2028. He already has the approval from the Board of Trustees to make his changes. Coach Sanderson was told that he needs to be on board with these changes if he wants to continue coaching at Penn State.” (Extraneous personal opinion removed). “ Kraft pointedly said there were plenty of PSU wrestlers out there that would love the opportunity to coach at their alma mater. “

Are there plenty of former PSU football players that would love the opportunity to coach at their alma mater? This sounds like BS.

 

[KlenderJoey]

According to my source, Kraft offered additional commentary on this change today. This is NOT a direct quote from Kraft …. rather it is my friends recollection of what he said: “ Kraft is talking about this again today. The room is hostile about this but Kraft said PSU can bring in another 2 million dollars every year for wrestling. He said Sanderson was not initially on board with this either but he kept explaining that this is a revenue thing. Kraft said that wrestling people need to understand this or they will get their tickets dropped.“.

All about the money. Nothing about the tradition. Absolutely insane in my opinion, especially considering Cael is not/was not on board.

 

[Lyons212]

The previous AD was criticized for not bringing in revenue. Now Kraft is being criticized for trying to bring in revenue.

Welcome to the new world of college sports. You can’t leave money on the table. It sucks, but if it brings in an extra few million dollars you have to do it.

 

[Nitlion1986]

The previous AD was criticized for not bringing in revenue. Now Kraft is being criticized for trying to bring in revenue.

Welcome to the new world of college sports. You can’t leave money on the table. It sucks, but if it brings in an extra few million dollars you have to do it.

The next thing we are going to see is Lehigh being ask to wrestle 3 out of 4 at the BJC and scheduling so 10 home meets are wrestled in the BJC every year.

 

[mcpat]

Now it looks a bit unbelievable. No way Kraft is saying some of that openly at a meeting.

 

[McScoreley]

Coach Sanderson was told that he needs to be on board with these changes if he wants to continue coaching at Penn State.” (Extraneous personal opinion removed). “ Kraft pointedly said there were plenty of PSU wrestlers out there that would love the opportunity to coach at their alma mater. “

This is majorly lost in translation. There is less than a 0% chance Kraft made this kind of ultimatum to Cael.

 

[Nitlion1986]

I also highly doubt anybody gave Cael and ultimatum. Nor do I believe for a second Kraft would make a statement such as "many alumni would love to come back and coach here". If however, he was pissed enough for some reason to make such a dumbassed statement he sure wouldn't make it anywhere that it may get repeated.

I also believe the economics are easy enough to explain, so I doubt very much this is something Cael has a huge issue with. Actually over the past couple of seasons Cael's messaging at times had me thinking he is preparing us for the eventual move with little tidbits here and there.

 

[Chickenman Testa]

So some of us are making up problems again? It never ends.

Wish the pearl clutching would be limited to concerns about pre-dual traffic backups in the parking garages

 

[Chickenman Testa]

Jeez … I’m feeling a little queezy passing this along from meeting notes I received. Again, these are not quotes from Kraft, but, rather notes taken by an acquaintance who can be a bit hyperbolic about PSU affairs:
From meeting notes: “About the wrestling, AD Pat Kraft brought visual aids (slide presentation) to his talk about moving matches into the BJC. He said there will be two matches moved from Rec Hall to the BJC this year and at least 5 will be moved there next season. Their goal is to fully transition into the BJC by 2028. He already has the approval from the Board of Trustees to make his changes. Coach Sanderson was told that he needs to be on board with these changes if he wants to continue coaching at Penn State.” (Extraneous personal opinion removed). “ Kraft pointedly said there were plenty of PSU wrestlers out there that would love the opportunity to coach at their alma mater. “

I will take “this never ****ing happened” for $400 Alex

 

[El-Jefe]

Have you guys been paying attention to what's been happening in college sports the last couple of years?

This is actually good news. It means the athletic department is making future plans with wrestling in mind and not just paying attention to football. And it means we will continue to have the resources available to keep the dynasty going 5, 10 years from now.

Whether there is anyone left to wrestle is another story.

Years? It's been decades.

I had friends at USC who had to donate to be eligible for student football tickets. This was around 1990.

PSU is always at the back of the line for monetizing opportunities, not just athletics. A $2.5B revenue Goliath that thinks raising money is icky unless by tuition bills.

But yeah, we gotta figure out how to ramp up to 30 scholarships and someday afford Cael's successor and double NLWC resident athlete funding. Not that these are urgent today, but Ira won't be around forever. Fail to plan, plan to fail.

Also how to overcome the new $20M/yr in Athletics revenue sharing. That **is** urgent.

I'd rather stay in Rec Hall, but not if it costs titles or someday puts the program at risk.

 

[Pennstate1985]

Years? It's been decades.

I had friends at USC who had to donate to be eligible for student football tickets. This was around 1990.

PSU is always at the back of the line for monetizing opportunities, not just athletics. A $2.5B revenue Goliath that thinks raising money is icky unless by tuition bills.

But yeah, we gotta figure out how to ramp up to 30 scholarships and someday afford Cael's successor and double NLWC resident athlete funding. Not that these are urgent today, but Ira won't be around forever. Fail to plan, plan to fail.

Also how to overcome the new $20M/yr in Athletics revenue sharing. That **is** urgent.

I'd rather stay in Rec Hall, but not if it costs titles or someday puts the program at risk.

I agree completely. The "buy-in" cost is minimal and effectively provides ALL the revenue we would need to sustain 30 scholarships and help fund the RTC, if it is all earmarked toward wrestling. I'm sure the gate receipts at the BJC will go into a split pot, but that's life. If PSU can earmark the "buy-in" fee to wrestling, then none of us should have an issue. It solves the financial issues ahead for wrestling with minimal individual cost.

 

[Pennstate1985]

Ira won't be around forever.

Norman Bates solved that problem decades ago.

 

[FatWoodchuck]

We, as Americans, are just plain screwed.

Priorities!!!

College NIL is not helping anything realistic it is not going anywhere, So yeah gotta figure it out somehow. Whatever.

 

[a_mshaffer]

We, as Americans, are just plain screwed.

Priorities!!!

College NIL is not helping anything realistic it is not going anywhere, So yeah gotta figure it out somehow. Whatever.

the price of entertainment and betting props !! Says a lot, eh?

 

[Callthestall]

Put 3 Matches a year in BJC.
1.A marque match with premium for tickets,
2. A match against military academy with discounted tickets offered to Vets.
3. A mid level match opponent with group discount sales for youth and high school programs.
All current tix holders have tix for those matches.
Make 50- 100 dollar donation per seat for season ticket holders. That's 350k-700k in revenue.
It still keeps some of the history of Rec Hall and allows guys like me a chance to see a couple of matches without potentially paying a premium for tickets.

 

[baccafarmer]

Now it looks a bit unbelievable. No way Kraft is saying some of that openly at a meeting.

After checking with a few others who attend QB Club on Wednesdays, it is certain that Kraft did NOT say such things publicly. The stuff about the shift to BJC is probably true, but, I doubt there is any real trouble in paradise.

 

[WPB_lion]

So what he's saying is, in order to BUY season tickets you MUST DONATE to the nlc. Nothing like corporate America telling you, if you want my product you must donate to my WORKERS first. LMFAO get the hell out of here **** him and the horse he rode in on!

It is THEIR product. They can market THEIR product however they want to maximize the funds received in any manner they believe is appropriate. If the demand for tickets is greater than the available tickets, I think it is appropriate that they give preference to people who donate to the NLC. They want to give perks to the people who support the athletic program. A large athletic department has to think this way if it is going to continue to participate in significant non-revenue sports.

 

[FatWoodchuck]

It is THEIR product. They can market THEIR product however they want to maximize the funds received in any manner they believe is appropriate. If the demand for tickets is greater than the available tickets, I think it is appropriate that they give preference to people who donate to the NLC. They want to give perks to the people who support the athletic program. A large athletic department has to think this way if it is going to continue to participate in significant non-revenue sports.

Yes they CAN DO WHATEVER THEY WANT. I won't be the blow hole on my knees begging for more is all I'm saying. If you're gonna listen to all thier demands of such then I guess on your knees is where you belong.

There is already enough greedretelling me what I have to do and what I have to pay. Nobody in ATHLETICS is gonna tell me I have to donate when I'm already paying what they ask. Cable gone, land line gone, pay cash as much as possible.

So let me guess you tip taco bell employees that take your order behind the register, right?

 

[FatWoodchuck]

It is THEIR product. They can market THEIR product however they want to maximize the funds received in any manner they believe is appropriate. If the demand for tickets is greater than the available tickets, I think it is appropriate that they give preference to people who donate to the NLC. They want to give perks to the people who support the athletic program. A large athletic department has to think this way if it is going to continue to participate in significant non-revenue sports.

I did cool down a little. To the point of perks I agree, there is no reason that if you donate $100,000 and I donate $100 annually that you should have first dibs on where you wanna sit.

But what your saying is pay more get more, should some one that put an order in after you get their merchandise ahead of you because they donated to the clerk?

If you say yes, I gotta hear how you believe this to fair and healthy on any level.

 

[Agoodnap]

Here's one of my fears. Look at MBB games and you'll see many prime open seats. That because people with money bought season tickets and only show for a few of the bigger games. I've been there in terrible seats while the best seats are empty and therefore the energy is zapped. Wrestling is too much of a niche sport to allow this to happen. Currently, having one or two BJC events per year has probably made Kraft he could do this twice a weekend, but this isn't football. I've got a few ideas, but I hesitate to suggest those right now

 

[McScoreley]

 

[a_mshaffer]

Here's one of my fears. Look at MBB games and you'll see many prime open seats. That because people with money bought season tickets and only show for a few of the bigger games. I've been there in terrible seats while the best seats are empty and therefore the energy is zapped. Wrestling is too much of a niche sport to allow this to happen. Currently, having one or two BJC events per year has probably made Kraft he could do this twice a weekend, but this isn't football. I've got a few ideas, but I hesitate to suggest those right now

my peeve here is that it isn't necessarily those rich people but companies or corporations. City uses taxpayers to build their stadiums, corp/companies buy the good seats via season tickets, and then they write them off as well. Tax payer pays the bill and doesn't get to go! Balto is a good example

 

[matter7172]

Here's one of my fears. Look at MBB games and you'll see many prime open seats. That because people with money bought season tickets and only show for a few of the bigger games. I've been there in terrible seats while the best seats are empty and therefore the energy is zapped. Wrestling is too much of a niche sport to allow this to happen. Currently, having one or two BJC events per year has probably made Kraft he could do this twice a weekend, but this isn't football. I've got a few ideas, but I hesitate to suggest those right now

So you're saying BJC could get Carvered?

 

[5q]

we need all the money we can get to compete with NIL and getting the best recruits.

PSU to have all home games at BJC to have more ticket revenue come in for the program.. NOOO..NOOO...NOO.

jesus, its a great idea and should happen.
lots of people can't get in to see their team they root for.

 

[Ski]

I did cool down a little. To the point of perks I agree, there is no reason that if you donate $100,000 and I donate $100 annually that you should have first dibs on where you wanna sit.

But what your saying is pay more get more, should some one that put an order in after you get their merchandise ahead of you because they donated to the clerk?

If you say yes, I gotta hear how you believe this to fair and healthy on any level.

You didn't buy your season ticket for life at a set price. You are rebuying it year after year at whatever the price is for that year. The school may have granted you first dibs because you bought it last year but why should the school be locked in to give you a set price every year when it can sell it to someone else for more? It is a market. Buy or don't. Someone else will.

 

[doubleboots]

You didn't buy your season ticket for life at a set price. You are rebuying it year after year at whatever the price is for that year. The school may have granted you first dibs because you bought it last year but why should the school be locked in to give you a set price every year when it can sell it to someone else for more? It is a market. Buy or don't. Someone else will.

Sounds like someone who doesn't have:

 

[Agoodnap]

my peeve here is that it isn't necessarily those rich people but companies or corporations. City uses taxpayers to build their stadiums, corp/companies buy the good seats via season tickets, and then they write them off as well. Tax payer pays the bill and doesn't get to go! Balto is a good example

Ok, "entities" with money. Either way, many of the best seats will sit empty without a plan and there will be no energy, IMO.

 

[ChillW]

Remember the the extra 21.1 scholarships that wrestling could add would require an additional 21.1 scholarships for women's sports as well. So double the amount that needs to be raised. A lot of ADs are requiring men's teams that want more to contribute to those matching scholarships. I've heard that from several coaches this fall.

 

[Pennstate1985]

Can we all agree that 30 - 9.9 = 20.1

Maybe if we find common ground there, we can move on to donation fees and ticket prices. 😉

 

[Ian]

They should flip with basketball. Teams have their own Cameron just waiting to rock it! What’s BB capacity, 6500? Create demand for tix. Rhoades will have a good program. Not so sure about Kieger.

 

[Sleepylion]

Can we all agree that 30 - 9.9 = 20.1

Maybe if we find common ground there, we can move on to donation fees and ticket prices. 😉

Was that a question?

 

[5q]

it is going to be brutal for non rev sports. universities will cut them versus going from 9.9 to 30.
so i agree, its not a good thing

 

[mcpat]

The thing about seat licenses is that you have an asset to sell when you no longer want or are able to attend.

 

[mcpat]

I did cool down a little. To the point of perks I agree, there is no reason that if you donate $100,000 and I donate $100 annually that you should have first dibs on where you wanna sit.

But what your saying is pay more get more, should some one that put an order in after you get their merchandise ahead of you because they donated to the clerk?

If you say yes, I gotta hear how you believe this to fair and healthy on any level.

Commie

(Jk)

 

[PSUAllTheWay]

I love Rec Hall as much as anyone but if moving to BJC provides the funding to keep the dynasty going, I'm all for it.