So BSU enjoys some sort of unique advantage that other schools can't hope to replicate that is based on the time and place of what they accomplished in the FCS and WAC...This is something we agree on. Would you say there is version of this unique advantage that could be categorized as a unique disadvantage? Just on it's face...the unique advantage that BSU enjoys over the rest of the MWC is a unique disadvantage for those schools relative to BSU. It follows that there would be versions of this along many axes that would affect a different number of schools differently. I appreciate the attempt to hand-wave and try to get me to ignore the fact that there are forces that keep Wyoming from competing at BSU's level beyond what is in control of anybody in Laramie....but the fact that you admit the existence of that ceiling at least lets me know you are not a lunatic.
The observation that Wyoming is one of the least competitive if not the least competitive school in the MWC is problematic. There is something in your single track focus on "accepting mediocrity" that I think would bear some fruit if it were to change at UW. The disagreement we have here is a matter of degree though. I do not believe that change alone is keeping us from being BSU-lite in the MWC, would you agree with that? I agree that the strategic plan is a load of horse-leavings. Goals and accountability for not meeting them would be fantastic. The problem is that the goals that are attainable may be far lower than you and I are willing to admit...that is what i'm depressed about. If the UW ad and prez started ranting and raving tomorrow about goals and consequences for not achieving them....and then followed through over the next couple years by firing everybody that can't win a championship or land top research dollars...or whatever other pipe dream you might have for UW, I would predict a exodus of the best people. It would happen involuntarily at first and then the rest would see the writing on the wall and leave. It must be done with clear eyes that acknowledge the issues that are unique to Wyoming. Out of curiosity..I did a quick check online on population growth in the county's that MWC schools are based in. University of Wyoming is dead last and it's not close. That stagnation alone is a giant challenge to UW. It's located in an economically stagnant place. That matters and nobody at UW can do a damn thing about it. I think you believe that just because I notice that, I'm shrugging my shoulders and saying..oh well!...I am not. We should expect better....but just saying "don't accept mediocrity" does nothing.
The frustration at the core of this discussion is that you seem to be blind to my statements of concern about budgets and what I said about holding UW administration to account. I have repeatedly said I share your concern about prudently withdrawing from the public purse...I have also said that there is a fair amount of complacency that should be rooted out...yet you still accuse me of having a one-track mind. It's no-win with you....I either focus on one thing and get accused of having a "one-track mind" or I consider multiple things and get told that I'm making it too complex.
To directly answer your final question...if nothing will change and we can spend some percentage less....then I say go for it. I think, given my previous comments, you should have been able to predict that. I am not in favor of going to FCS or whatever. As Dylan Thomas said, UW should "not go gentle into that good night".