Everyone keeps talking about Poggi is spending big money but these other schools have groups of alumni who support their schools athletic department. These schools have way more money then St. Frances. It's laughable when I hear people say well Poggi is bankrolling them when in fact if we check how much money is brought in from alumni to these other schools St. Frances with Poggi would be at the bottom of the list.
Yeah, I know Poggi is personally investing money.... but obviously McDonough, Gilman, Calvert Hall, Loyola are not hurting.
I live across the street from McDonough. Know not all of their students live there, but a portion do. I believe the tuition is $40k+ for those that do live on campus.
The amenities on the campus rival that of some small private colleges.
One of the arguments I'd make back to the MIAA schools which backed out, is how does what St. Frances is doing, different from what the other private schools are doing?
Yes, St. Frances is bringing high end athletic talent; but the local private high schools all go out recruiting in public middle schools. Looking for the best athletic talent they can bring on.
Then they often go back and play the public high schools, that they effectively raided talent wise.
I've never heard a public school make a claim that their kids were at a physical risk playing the private kids.
I think this boils down to $ more than anything. The elite private schools don't want to be embarrassed on the field. They want to project that they are the best option.... to keep the enrollments coming in, and to keep the checks coming in from Alumni for further investments.
When their teams were getting whupped on by St. Frances, that probably wasnt good for their respective egos.