Dear Editor
The citizens of Cache Valley have a critical choice of which elements of our history we wish to build upon. On the one hand, we have a proud entrepreneurial tradition. We enjoy the artifacts of leadership in our economic, religious, cultural, and academic institutions. Logan's downtown was once a financial center. Cache Valley is a breeding ground for innovative, energetic youth. Typically, they need to leave the area to continue to innovate. Meanwhile, we are subject to the ravages of a low income economic model (a less impressive, more recent development).
Utah State's pride is reeling from the loss of Riley Nelson. No one represents our history of achievement better than that young man. Utah State needs to rise to the occasion. As to athletics, a plan needs to be forged based on the realities of Division I football. A program without 50,000+ fans in the stands will not be competitive. Try as Logan might, 10,000 people constitute the core fan base. This number is sufficient for basketball, but woefully lacking for football. Part of the problem can be attributed to losing seasons, but not all. There are many losing programs in the big football conferences with high attendance levels.
What would cause more people to come? We need to find out. I am not sure that we have tried. We should be particularly concerned about the opinions of people in our region who routinely organize successful events. How could we get them to host their activities within the stadium during games? North of Salt Lake to Eastern Idaho and Western Wyoming, there are over 2 million people without access to Division I football other than the Aggies. Can't we get them to host their parties within our own? Think about it. If you were going to have a family reunion or a town party or a business event at the stadium, what would you want? Comfort would be a plus. Hard seats in scorching heat or freezing rain or snow are not very inviting. Perhaps hospitality suites would be of interest. If such facilities could be available year-round, some shared financing could be possible.
Think of the marketing possibilities -- not only for Loganites, but for business people in surrounding communities with commercial or social objectives of their own. Closed circuit tv could be a bonanza. Other forms of entertainment could be brought together (has anyone seen the swarms of cloggers in shiny outfits that overwhelm Lagoon each year?). By accommodating the preferences and interests of social leaders in our region, we can enjoy the fruits of innovation together. Thoughtful, informed innovation of this kind is our heritage. We need to have more of it.
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