I'm not Tony Frank, but if I had to guess it would be to get all of the logistics ready for the announcement. The Stadium Committee will be done with all their research and planning mid August, when they will present Tony Frank with all of the information. It seems responsible to have all of the information ready so it can be presented before making a formal announcement
Tony Frank also said he doesn't feel comfortable making an announcement when students aren't on campus
Tony Frank answers to the CSU Board of Governors.
He will have some explaining to do.
1) Are the students protected from increases in student fees?
2) Explain the financials. How much is raised. How much time is needed to raise the target amount. How much needs to be borrowed? Will the borrowing go against attendance projections? Student Fees? Network revenues? Is the university going to need to lend (subsidize) the initial costs? Will their be bonds, and under what terms? Discuss incremental revenue elements associated with the stadium. Explain the expectation associated with attendence, ticket pricing, sponsorship & naming rights, media revenue projections, donations, and licensing. How do these plans compare to peer institutions?
3) What is the faculty opinion? Will going forward with the project undermine Dr. Franks credibility with the chancellor and faculty members? Or does the project strengthen the trust and integrity held between leaders, faculty, students, and the community?
4) What exactly is the goal of building the stadium? Is it for a potential invite into an AQ conference? What can be done to mitigate risks should an invite to an AQ conference be delayed or never occur?
5) What is the impact on the environment created by building the stadium? Will there be analysis that supports the initial feasibility study?
6) Is the process open, transparent, and inclusive of all stakeholders?
7) What will become of Hughes if the stadium is built? What is the impact of not building the on-campus stadium?
8) If CSU is not entering into an arms race with the likes of Texas, Alabama, Ohio State and USC, then is a $250m facility really necessary to compete for the Mountain West championship?
9) Timing: given the economy, unemployment, tuition increases, state funding decreases and access to grants, is this the right project at the right time? Why does it have to be now? What happens if CSU waits?
10) What is the bid process to select contractors and the project plans?
These are some of the questions that Dr Frank needs to weigh in preparation for making his decision and selling it to the board and the community. The selection committee has lots of work to do between now and August.
