Economics. You got an 8000 seat stadium then you can't afford a $ 2M per year coach. We already have 9200 season ticket holders. Why would we cut off our nose to spite our face?
We usually have three or four games per year that draw over 10,000 people. If recruits are an issue why don't we bring in recruits for just the bigger games? Do a system like the Thunder does. If a donor or prime seat holder can't make it to the game, call the ticket office and let these tickets be sold. He'll get credit for the tickets being used (as far as qualifying for selected NCAA tickets) and fans who wouldn't expect prime seats get their chance.
I don't see any benefit whatsoever in a smaller arena. I've been going to OU games since 1966 and wasn't that pleased with the old Fieldhouse. The parking was almost impossible and the seating was uncomfortable.
Secondly, a lot of people are grousing about the Thunder. That's the wrong attitude. The Thunder is wanting to work with OU, even has scholarships established. Instead of complaining, We should be using the fact that a professional team is nearby as a recruiting tool. Buddy Hield has been to several Thunder games. So has Ryan. I've got to think that any recruit with pro aspirations might like attending a school where on occasional Sundays he might like to go see LeBron or Kevin in person and is only twenty minutes away from doing so. You can't do that at Iowa State or Kansas State or at Arkansas or at Missouri.
