Coach needs 37,341 favors to boost FAU team

 

DAN LE BATARD

 

dlebatard@herald.com

 

 

The old pioneer is so weary. He has coached under Bear Bryant and Don Shula. He helped raise quarterbacks Jim Kelly and Bernie Kosar. He wears a Super Bowl ring on one hand and a national championship one on the other, both of them earned in our town, for our town. He did nothing less than invent college football in South Florida.

 

But now, at 70, Howard Schnellenberger wanders around his little Florida Atlantic University campus, asking to speak to classrooms for just a minute, interrupting lunches, handing out free tickets, begging for fans.

 

''I encourage and request and plead with people to please come watch our kids play,'' he said.

 

He has helped South Florida so much over the decades.

 

But now he needs South Florida to help him.

 

He needs 37,341 of you, to be exact.

 

Schnellenberger's oldest son remains in the hospital, out of the coma but still dying from a rare form of cancer. And yet the old coach still goes to work every morning, believing in the power of underdogs and small miracles. It is what gets him out of bed on those most difficult mornings.

 

His is the heaviest weight, a helpless parent unable to do anything for a sick son, but the one thing that offers daily escape is the college game he made matter down here, and the one he is trying to make matter at FAU now.

 

He has devoted most of his last five decades to football, and seen his programs grow not unlike his oldest child. From the 1972 Miami Dolphins he helped prod toward perfection as an assistant, to the 1983 University of Miami Hurricanes that produced maybe the greatest surprise in South Florida's sports history, Schnellenberger has always been at the center of a swaying football crowd.

 

But now the cheering has quieted.

 

And he needs 37,341 of you, to be exact.

 

At 4 p.m. Saturday at Pro Player Stadium. If Schnellenberger can somehow lure that many fans for a game between FAU and Florida International, he'll have the average home attendance for the season needed to move even closer to the Division I status he seeks to make his program nationally relevant.

 

It is a tough sell, especially with Miami, the program he built, playing Virginia Tech across town at 1 p.m. for the Atlantic Coast Conference title.

 

But Schnellenberger is familiar with the feeling of looking up and being awed by the size of the mountain. When he arrived at UM, he told his wife it was ''a coach's graveyard.'' The Hurricanes had averaged 13,000 fans a game the season before he arrived.

 

With 37,341 of you Saturday, FAU will average 15,000.

 

''These kids deserve South Florida to reach out,'' he said. ``These kids have done everything you can possibly ask them to do. The only thing they can't control is how many people come out to watch them.''

 

And if he doesn't get the crowd he needs?

 

''The worst of all worlds,'' he said. ``Puts the whole process back a year.''

 

FAU, a minor-league team in a big-league town, is trying everything.

 

All students in the tri-county area, high school and college, will be allowed in free with a student ID. More than 200,000 $2 tickets have been passed out all over town. There will be giveaways and raffles and entertainment and a party at the stadium, and five people will run on the field for a minute grabbing at $1 million.

 

FAU students will even be given extra credit during this week of final exams for attending an off-campus school function.

 

The old promoter in Schnellenberger is desperate. He needs to draw one last crowd. He believes he can make FAU a Top 20 team within five years, and he's OK with being the only one who believes that.

 

Every college in his rear-view mirror -- Miami, Louisville, Oklahoma -- is presently in the Top 10. Kids today, they don't appreciate history, but they can on Saturday, for three hours, out of respect for an ambassador and a pioneer and a South Florida legend.

 

Schnellenberger needs you this holiday season.

 

You in the mood to help?

say what you want about le batard but the man can f***ing write. thats a great article, i actually want to go to the stadium right now. i havent decided if im going yet but this is a push in that direction.

I don't understand... is there a reason they need to average 15k for the year?

 

And what does his kid in the coma have to do with anything?

 

I hope the fans show up and show Howie the support he obviously wants and maybe needs if not just for himself but for the kids as well.

I don't understand... is there a reason they need to average 15k for the year?

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FAU and FIU are both in a transition phase to move to Division I-A football. To remain in I-A football, every school has to average at least 15,000 fans per game, otherwise they may lose bowl eligibility and if they continue to average less than that can be demoted to a I-AA team. However, because FAU and FIU are in their transition year, we have to average those 15,000 per game or else we have to repeat the transition year which means no bowl games and no I-AA playoffs, both schools basically played for pride this season because there was no reward at the end of the season.

 

In my opinion, the rule is pretty worthless, a lot of things can mess with attendance numbers that doens't mean a school should be completely demoted to I-AA football. Take FIU for example, we had our first two games very close to sell outs and because of the hurricanes that came through Florida, one game was cancelled and the other was postponed with FIU and FAU both having to rework their schedules, the game tomorrow was in fact supposed to take place on November 20th. I also happen to know that FIU makes money off of football with the fan support we already receive and as our attendance increases our finances will also increase, there's no reason why we should remain I-AA when we have the finances to remain in I-A football as we continue to build tradition at FIU and FAU.

 

If FAU doesn't make that number tomorrow, don't be surprised for both FIU and FAU to join along with the other schools in I-A football who didn't make that number to make a big push to the NCAA to remove the 15,000 average attendance rule.

Thanks for clearing that up, I think Dan should have went into more detail about that whole situation, maybe he did in another article.

 

Good luck with getting those fans though. I was FAU and FIU in DIA so I can rag on FSU and UF fans that they might have the 4th and 5th best football programs in the state.

No problem. I just feel bad for some programs that have more established teams and just because they are having a down season, they are being forced to move to I-AA football. Even if FAU doesn't make that number tomorrow, I think the NCAA will grant them a waiver because just like FIU, the hurricanes messed up their schedule as well. They started the season off 3-0 all on the road and had huge hype going into their home opener and that was postponed and they played 2 more road games to start the season for a total of 5 and for some time lived out of a hotel because the campus dorms were closed off.

Pretty good comparison article in the herald:

 

Link

 

FAU VS. FIU: WHO HAS THE EDGE?

 

QUARTERBACK

 

? FIU: Redshirt sophomore Josh Padrick has come a long way in two years, from being a high school option quarterback to directing a pro-style offense. His touchdown numbers (11) are not on par with last season -- due in large part to running back Rashod Smith's strong season -- but Padrick is just 8 yards from another 2,000-yard passing season.

 

? FAU: Senior Jared Allen is the unquestioned leader of the Owls and a possible NFL draft selection. Allen has thrown for 2,243 yards and 11 touchdowns this season. Danny Embick is a solid reserve.

 

RUNNING BACKS

 

? FIU: Smith silenced all who doubted the 5-9, 191-pounder this season with FIU's first 1,000-yard rushing season. Smith, whose compact running style makes him hard to tackle, also has set the school mark with 12 TDs this season.

 

? FAU: Doug Parker was on pace to become the Owls' first 1,000-yard rusher. But, after being held to just 14 yards last week, Parker has 819 yards.

 

RECEIVERS

 

? FIU: Last season, the trio of Harold Leath, Cory McKinney and Chandler Williams made numerous big plays for FIU. This season, Samuel Smith, a brawny and speedy freshman tight end, joined the group.

 

? FAU: Suspensions have wiped away two of the biggest targets: TE Anthony Crissinger-Hill and WR Admin Taylor. WR Roosevelt Bynes is a game-breaker.

 

OFFENSIVE LINE

 

? FIU: The unit has come a long way since allowing 48 sacks its first season, yielding only nine sacks this year. Four of the five linemen have started every game this season.

 

? FAU: Injuries have caused the Owls to shift their line several times this season, and the cohesion still is not there yet. LG Jarrid Smith's return to health helps.

 

DEFENSIVE LINE

 

? FIU: The Golden Panthers have not been as consistent as originally thought to be with a switch to the 4-3 defense this season. Injuries have not helped, either.

 

? FAU: The Owls have 27 sacks and have allowed 1,416 yards rushing in 11 games. The Owls are stout up front with a senior-laden line.

 

LINEBACKERS

 

? FIU: FIU's linebackers just about match FAU's, but the overall defense allows an average of 213.9 yards rushing.

 

? FAU: OLB Chris Laskowski gives FAU the edge. Opposing coaches frequently point to Laskowski as the person who makes the Owls' defense thrive.

 

DEFENSIVE BACKS

 

? FIU: Two ( Greg Moss and John Haritan) of the four starters are out. The freshman reserves hung in against FAMU last week, but FAU's offense will present a stiffer test.

 

? FAU: The secondary is the Owls' strength. Willie Hughley is a shutdown corner. The safeties have great range and can deliver punishing blows.

 

SPECIAL TEAMS

 

? FIU: Kicker Adam Moss has been sensational this season, hitting 12 of 16 field goals and setting the school record with a 52-yarder. Senior punter Doug Jones has had his best season. Kick returner Julius Eppinger has done well in place of injured Greg Moss.

 

? FAU: The Owls' special teams block kicks with regularity. Unfortunately, they allow some blocks as well. K Mark Myers and P Mike Brown are exceptional.

 

COACHING

 

? FIU: Don Strock and his staff have presented some creative game plans this season, but executing those plans has not always been easy.

 

? FAU: Howard Schnellenberger's national championship and experience wins this category. Strock does a good job, but experience wins out.

 

INTANGIBLES

 

? FIU: The Golden Panthers would love to finish the season with their first win against the Owls, but can they overcome their second-half stigma, like they did last week vs. FAMU?

 

? FAU: This is the last game for FAU's inaugural class. The Owls have won two straight and are looking for their 20th victory in two seasons.

 

? Bob Emanuel Jr.'s prediction: FAU 27, FIU 23

 

? Pete Pelegrin's prediction: FIU 36, FAU 33

I'll be there, trying to get people to go with me. Gate B right?

im literally on the verge of flipping a coin to decide between church and the FIU game.

go to church.

i aint going to either. church started a little earlier and i really dont want to go out right now.

So now that the game is over, does anyone know what the attendance was? Did they meet the 37k mark?

The attendance was not close to 37K....16,262. A little disappointing, but still a good game. FAU won 17-10. Both FIU and FAU officials seem confident that the attendance rule will either be eliminated or not apply to the schools because of outside factors (hurricanes). FAU by the way finishes the year at 9-3 which is the best record in the state. If Miami wins their bowl game, they can only tie it. GO OWLS!

I have some pics from the game up in my photo album.

 

http://public.fotki.com/cubanprncs81/fiu_s...l-1/fiu_vs_fau/

stinks that they couldn't make it

 

maybe they could sneak onto UMs schedule as a home game at PPS or something

 

I know that Idaho does things like that to hit the attendance mark

stinks that they couldn't make it

 

maybe they could sneak onto UMs schedule as a home game at PPS or something

 

I know that Idaho does things like that to hit the attendance mark

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That's the other reason why I think this attendance rule is stupid. A lot of schools are doing it, I know Idaho is trying to do it wish Washington State but there's a few others who are doing similar things. They are playing "home games" at the opposing teams stadium.