Midwestern took a gamble last year when they were one of the few universities selected to compete at Cowboys Stadium for the LSC Lone Star Football Festival.
It paid off.
The MSU Mustangs football team bulldozed their way to victory last September and will be given the same opportunity to shine in the enormous arena in the fall.
The conference signed a two-year contract with the Cowboys and was approved by all of the universities.
“The only dollar amount is the rental fees that fluctuate with the amount of usage,” said Charlie Carr, athletic director. “The ticket revenue goes to the conference and divided among the schools that play.”
The Lone star Conference will now be a two-day festival with games on Sept. 14 and 15.
“Last year we had, between our students, alum and fans, brought more people than anymore,” Carr said. “We sold on campus about 4,000 tickets.”
MSU has drawn the Friday afternoon slot and will be playing at 4:00.
“With being as close as it is to our campus and with the number of alumni we have in the Metroplex and its Cowboys Stadium,” Carr said. “How many people get to say they played in that arena. To me it wasn’t even a thought. It would do so much for our university, students, program and for our alumni.”
Even though Charlie Carr said he isn’t happy with the time, he is honored that MSU has this opportunity.
Another prospect for the MSU football program was offered by CBS who want to air a game next season for their Division II Game of the Week.
Carr has yet to make the decision on which game he would like CBS to cover.
“There is a chance we can play on Thursday Sept. 12 at Cowboys Stadium and have it broadcast on T.V.” Carr said.
“The other side of that coin is if we are going to be featured on that Division II night there is a side of me that would want to feature Wichita Falls and Midwestern State.”
A home game gets better visibility to the university than Cowboys Stadium, Carr said.
If the university wanted CBS to film during a home game, Carr said he would prefer against Angelo State University the weekend of Oct. 13.
Dr. Howard Farrell, vice president of university advancement, said having a presence in the Metroplex not only works for future recruitment, but it also gives a positive name to Midwestern.
“Playing at Cowboys Stadium will literally be seen by millions of people who live in that area,” Farrell said. “It is truly a win-win situation.”
Farrell said CBS‘s desire to feature MSU football speaks volumes about the success of the university.
“The game gives people an opportunity to go to the stadium and watch their alma mater and participate,” he said.
MSU president Dr. Jesse Rogers will make the ultimate decision that would have to be made by May.
“One up is that it features the Cowboy Stadium idea for the conference, but then the other side is that if we are going to move a game to Thursday then why not have it here and feature our campus and the community,” Carr said.
The Division II broadcast would be on regionally live on air and syndicated nationally.
“You don’t get the chance every day to show off your university and your team on a national level,” Carr said. “It is a tough decision, but at least we have a choice. They think enough of our program showcase us on T.V. We just want to do what’s best for the university.”
