Yesterday, Craig Morgan of Fox Sports Arizona wrote an article about Todd Graham and his impact on ASU’s bottom line.
The reason we think this is an important read for Sun Devil fans is to appreciate the paradigm shift that Graham has affected through his passion, work ethic & commitment to ASU. This is about something bigger than football, but in the end it translates to the team that steps onto Frank Kush Field in the Maroon & Gold and represent us, Sun Devil Nation.
What has happened within the culture of Arizona State football is nothing short of remarkable, especially given the small amount of time that Graham and his staff have been in Tempe. But for those fans who don’t have the opportunity to follow the program more closely (and there are thousands), it’s easy to miss out on stories like this one.
Here’s a couple excerpts from Morgan’s article…
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According to senior associate athletic director Rocky Harris:
— Last season.. ASU saw a 20 percent increase in student attendance to help record its highest student attendance figure ever. The school now has the most student season ticket holders in the Pac-12 (about 12,000).
— From 2010-11 (Dennis Erickson’s final full fiscal year with ASU) to 2012-13, ASU has seen a 427 percent increase in football fund raising.
Graham’s message is so persuasive that a University of Pittsburgh alumnus jumped onboard the ASU bandwagon even though he has no ties to the university and Graham left his alma mater after 11 months on the job.
“He didn’t ask for my support. I offered it up,” said Joe Cosgrove, the president and CEO of Pentec Health, a privately-held health-care services company headquartered in suburban Philadelphia. “He was a little taken aback after that Pitt story and the things that were being said about him.” — “I’m thinking: ‘This is a guy who could be the CEO of a business. His leadership transcends sports and he has this quality that you just can’t teach.”
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It finally feels like we have a coach that represents what ASU fans have always wanted. In fact it’s becoming reminiscent of the program that Frank Kush built. Maybe we just lost our way.
The reality is that we have played all of 13 Games under Graham. Any outsider would think this guy hasn’t proved a thing. But for Sun Devil Fans that have been a part of the ride that has included 10 plus promising but ultimately disappointing years of football, the changes have been palpable.
Once this program sustains Top-20 rankings, higher-profile bowl games and championship trophies, outsiders will then wonder how it all happened.
And we’ll tell them.
Here is Craig Morgans article:
Todd Graham’s outreach helping ASU’s bottom line
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