SDStadium.org Blog

By Veronica Pacheco

With the stadium issue looming over our heads like a dark bulbous cloud waiting to burst, many are wondering what role, if any, Aztec Football plays in the big picture. 

I had a chance to sit down with San Diego State's Athletic Director, Jeff Schemmel, earlier this week and walked away with a lot of information and insight as to where SDSU stands on the San Diego stadium issue. 

Few people realize that SDSU played without an agreement during the 2008 season. And, there has been no clear indication nor any mention in the media confirming whether or not the Aztecs have an agreement in place for the upcoming 2009 season. 

Mr. Schemmel confirmed that a new lease agreement has been reached with the City for a five-year contract that requires a five-year advance notification clause if the Chargers do in fact leave and the City decides to go in a different direction with Qualcomm stadium. Whether this is a hand-shake agreement or a formally executed one remains unknown at this time. 

Schemmel stated that the school is prepared to look at different options to build a stadium at their expense somewhere in the county, but it is unclear how such an project would be funded. Since SDSU is a public learning institution the necessary money could be derived from any number of places including student fees, bonds or proposed tax measures.

However, that still leaves the questions of "where?"Since support for such proposals is scarce in San Diego and available land is even moer scarce, what would happen to the Aztec football program if the required location, funding, litigation, etc cannot be resolved in that five-year window? 

The Chargers have spent seven years thus far and made only modest progress.  Therefore, partnering with the Chargers in their efforts to build a new stadium makes the most sense for the future of the Aztecs Football Program.

It would appear that the SDSU Athletic Director agrees. Mr. Schemmel stated that they have a very good relationship with the Chargers and are in constant communication with the organization.  SDSU very much wants the Chargers to stay in San Diego and be a vibrant part of this community; it is a mutually beneficial relationship.  He reiterated the school's support on the stadium initiative and noted that a new stadium would present wonderful opportunities with regard to club seats and box sales. These incremental revenue opportunities are not currently available to SDSU.

When asked what he viewed as the optimal stadium solution, his answer was direct and to the point.  In order for a workable College/NFL stadium to be contructed in San Diego County, two things need to happen.  First, the design of the stadium would have to afford great home field advantage with a comfortable 40,000-person crowd on Saturday and 70,000 on Sunday.  Second, the agreement must allow for SDSU to retain the revenue they generate on Saturday's games. 

One thing is for sure; getting a new stadium built in San Diego is a win-win situation for a number of reasons.  It would be a new home to not only the Chargers but the San Diego State Aztecs as well.  It might just be what is needed to bring a championship to this city on the professional and collegiate level.  Can someone say Three Rivers Stadium and the rise of the Steelers in the 1970's?  Anything is possible, and we hope that this dream of a new stadium and all the promises that it holds becomes a reality for San Diego residents and Charger and Aztec fans alike.  Jeff Schemmel appears to share this vision and our goal.