Interesting interview with MTSU AD Chris Massaro

[Harry]

There will only be five home football games in the 2012 season. Why?

MASSARO: At some point when you do 2-for-1 (game contracts), you get caught in an odd year. So the return game to Georgia Tech catches you, and the home-and-home with Memphis catches you at the same time. And then there was the NCAA legislation, which at the time had been passed and now it’s on hold, that (allows universities to pay student-athletes full cost of attendance rather than just a scholarship). So thinking of the budget, (I) decided to go ahead and do a guaranteed (road) game until we see the financial impact of that.

What I’d like to do is avoid 2-for-1s because they do make scheduling hard in some years. We’d like to start some home-and-home (series) that we would consider competitive and also challenge ourselves with some modest guaranteed games in the future.

How far along is the construction of the new Floyd Stadium club level?

MASSARO: The center section is out, and we’re going to build it up with a wall. Basically, on the club level in the center section, the first five rows or so will be removed and that’s where the glass wall will be. The exterior look will be different, but once you go inside it’s going to be real nice.

It’s scheduled to be finished in July. (Club membership is available) with a $2,500 level into your BRAA membership. You also get other benefits in that category, obviously. And then it’s $350 per seat, which is far less than Florida Atlantic and North Texas charge (in their new stadiums).

Read More: http://www.dnj.com/article/20120220/BLUERAIDERS02/302200029