Southeastern NEWS

                                                       Southeastern Louisiana University
                                           Public Information Office
                                           SLU 880, Hammond, LA 70402
                                           504/549-2341/fax 504-549-2061
                                           publicinfo@selu.edu
                                           
    Date: 2/4/98
      Contact:                           Rebecca Tucker 1

SLU FOOTBALL INTEREST SURVEY RESULTS RELEASED
     HAMMOND -- Results of a Southeastern Football Interest Survey indicate that there is
general support for the return of football to Southeastern, but not at the expense of other
programs.  The survey findings, compiled by Applied Technology Research Corporation of
Baton Rouge, were presented Feb. 4 to the 17-member Panel to Assess the Feasibility of the
Return of Football to Southeastern.
     "The panel has been gathering information which is needed to answer the question of
whether the return of football is a feasible option for Southeastern," Dick Sharp, panel chair and
former Southeastern basketball standout, said.  "It was interesting to note from the survey that
many constitutents including students, community, and particularly alumni, believe that football
should return to Southeastern and will still pay for itself.  It was also interesting to observe that
the support for its return diminishes by all groups if football detracts from other programs."
     The objective of the survey was to measure various defined populations with regard to
interest and rationale for favoring or opposing the return of football to Southeastern, willingness
to pay for football at Southeastern and position on trade-off scenarios most likely to accompany
the return of football to Southeastern.  
     Populations polled to date as part of the survey were faculty and staff, students, alumni
and community members, and only the results of the surveys of these groups were presented at
the Feb. 4 meeting.  Other populations which are currently being surveyed are Development
Foundation Board members, area businesses and corporations and elected and appointed
officials.  Those results are tentatively scheduled to be presented to the panel on Feb. 11.
     The survey was distributed to all 479 of Southeastern's full-time faculty, whose response
rate was 63 percent, and to all 703 full-time staff members, whose respose rate was 62 percent.

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Football Survey Results
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     The survey was administered by telephone to a representative sample of 400 students
enrolled at Southeastern during the fall 1997 semester and to 250 dues-paying alumni residing
within 100 miles of Southeastern.  Also telephoned were 350 community residents age 18 or
older who live within 25 miles of Southeastern.
     The survey found that with the exception of Southeastern faculty, the general position is
favorable toward reinstituting football at Southeastern.  However, a majority of faculty, staff,
alumni and community residents said they would oppose the return of football if it would take
money from other programs at the university.
     Those who favored football's return said that it would build school spirit and attract
students.  They said it would be good "in general," as well as good for the school and students. 
Some said they would like to see football reinstated because, as football fans they "like football"
and because former students want it back.
     Opponents said returning football would be a financial drain and take away from
academics.  The survey also showed that most respondents think the return of football to
Southeastern will have a positive impact on the community and that they expect it to enhance
campus life, fund-raising efforts and homecoming activities.
     With the exception of faculty, respondents believe football's return will not affect funding
for other programs.  Students and community residents think football will pay for itself, while
faculty and staff do not and alumni opinions were divided.  Those who think football will pay for
itself were most likely to favor its return to Southeastern.
     Detailed copies of the survey results are on reserve in Sims Memorial Library, the
Athletic Department and the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment.
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