ASU Coach Anderson Speaks To Jonesboro Chamber

College football season is just around the corner and Arkansas State University football coach Blake Anderson said he believes his team will score a lot of touchdowns this year.

Meanwhile, chamber officials are also hopeful that the team’s success over the past several years and a good team this year will help the local economy score a touchdown as well.

Anderson spoke to the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce Power Breakfast on Thursday morning about the upcoming season and the impact the team will have.

Anderson said a fan-friendly environment and good play will be a mainstay this year. As for the future, Anderson said the team has been compared somewhat to Boise State.

The Idaho school, which plays its games at a stadium with blue turf, has become a national power in college football in the past 15 years.

“Our goal is to put Jonesboro and ASU on the national stage,” Anderson told the group. “To bring the media here and bring people here to visit and go to your businesses.”

Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce President Mark Young said the home games each year bring visitors to Jonesboro.

In addition to going to games, Young said people will go to restaurants after the game as well as visit downtown Jonesboro.

A study commissioned by ASU looking at the 2012 season supports the idea.

The study showed a $7.7 million economic impact on tourism, while the program helps to create about 1,900 part-time jobs.

“Football is more than ticket sales. It is tailgating supplies, souvenirs and game-day gear, fuel-up vehicles and generators, and often eats out pre- or post-game – along with concessions consumed within the venues. While the activities of our fans inside our local area are not a part of the tourism impact, the import substitution of other entertainment to the local economy is significant.

These are weekends that area residents are not leaving for alternatives, and not taking their tax dollars with them,” the study noted.

SEASON AHEAD
Anderson also spoke about the upcoming season.

“We need our players to stay healthy,” Anderson said.

ASU starts its season Sept. 5 at USC in Los Angeles, then has its home opener for Paint the Town Red Sept. 12 against Missouri in Jonesboro.

ASU also has four games on national television this year – the USC game, on the Pac 12 Network; Oct. 13 at South Alabama (ESPN2), Oct. 20 at home against La.-Lafayette (ESPN2) and Nov. 5 at Appalachian State (on ESPNU).

Other games on the schedule are home games with Missouri State (Sept. 19), Idaho (Oct. 3), Georgia State (Oct. 31) and Texas State (Dec. 5); as well as road games against Toledo (Sept. 26), La.-Monroe (Nov. 14) and New Mexico State (Nov. 28).

The season ironically ended last year with a loss against Toledo in the GoDaddy Bowl.

Anderson said he is hopeful for a strong season.

“It is just the beginning (for us). Seven and six is not good enough, we’re here to win championships,” Anderson said.