This fall, the Eastern Michigan University football team
travels to the University of Michigan, Northwestern University
and the University of Arkansas, a tough nonconference road
schedule by any measure.
But EMU Athletics Director Derrick Gragg has a goal to
establish more matchups with Bowl Championship Series (BCS)
conference schools — and bring them to Rynearson Stadium.
"We have a goal of bringing a premiere institution
to Rynearson Stadium," said Gragg, during the Board of
Regents' Athletics Advisory Committee meeting April 21.
 |
STUFFED TERRAPIN: The EMU
defense stops
a University of
Maryland running back during a
Sept. 27, 2003 game that drew
19,628 fans to Rynearson
Stadium.
Eastern Michigan Athletics Director
Derrick
Gragg wants to bring in
some more big-name programs
to
Rynearson Stadium in the future. |
Gragg mentioned that EMU was in talks with a major Big
Ten Conference team about establishing a possible two-for-one
agreement.
In a two-for-one agreement, a school traditionally known
for football will host two games against a school from
a mid-major conference and agree to travel to the mid-major
school once. For the mid-major school — in this
case EMU from the Mid-American Conference — it would provide
two important benefits for the program. One, it provides
two "guaranteed" or big-payday road games to help EMU fund
its athletic program. Two, it provides a marquee home matchup
that will likely draw more fan interest.
For example, in 2003, EMU hosted the University of Maryland,
from the Atlantic Coast Conference That game drew a crowd
19,628, according to statistics provided by EMU's Sports
Information Department.
"I would strongly encourage a two-for-one," said Regent
Phil Incarnati. "We need to get people used to coming to
our facility rather than Ford Field."
In the past, the Eagles have played games at Ford Field
against Army and in-state rivals Central and Western Michigan
universities.
The addition of a 12th regular season game in the
last few years has made it more difficult for programs
to fill out their schedules, which are typically slated
a few years in advance, Gragg said. But, it also can provide
opportunities.
For example, Gragg said that EMU and the University of
Michigan struck a deal a couple months ago for a game in
Ann Arbor Sept. 19.
"The $800,000 price tag will help us in many ways," Gragg
said of the guaranteed payday from the Michigan game. "We
have MAC membership dues, women's soccer field turf, enhancements
in football and a scoreboard project (to pay for)."
Last year's football schedule was ideal, said Gragg, pointing
to eight MAC games and four nonconference games.
"We like to schedule two guaranteed games (last year it
was Michigan State University and the University of Maryland),
one like opponent (Army) and one Division I-AA game, if
possible," Gragg said.
Gragg added that EMU has a 10-year agreement to play Army.
