Youngstown State

[yote14]

yoteforever you sound like you have the same mindset I do on the current state of the football program. I would ask one additional question on top of all the VERY valid and TRUE points you referenced.

Why is our university not making the investment first? It's easier for state fans/alumni when they see their university making the investment in the programs first. All of the programs. Our lack of alumni giving is because of our lack of university investment. I know I have said it a 1,000 times but where do we spend all of our money? We have an academic staff roughly 60% of state (671 sdsu vs. 423 USD) with an endowment twice the size. There has to be some money somewhere in that endowment we could invest into the football program. If not when people look to invest why are we not doing a better job of selling the need for money in the athletics program versus building a huge endowment we cant use on areas where the university is struggling to survive? Dont get me wrong a huge endowment is a nice problem to have but not if we cant use it in the areas we need to use it.

Donars will never give money on the level we need until the university steps up first and makes that investment to set the tone. And the university needs to do a better job allocating funds. The "coyotevision" is a perfect example to me. It's lightyears behind other schools with much smaller budgets and followings the the U. WHY? Why are we always last in line to do things instead of first?

[usdguy99]

Does anybody know the breakdown of student fees dedicated to athletics and/or athletic facilities between the 2 schools? If I remember correctly, SDSU students are paying much more dedicated fees than USD students. I may be wrong, but it would be interesting if this could be shared.

[jackl]

www.usatoday.com/sports/college/schools/finances/

[yotefan]

Thanks Jackl. Do you or JackJD know if losing equestrian and bringing other sports along to comply with Title IX will reduce your overall budget significantly or will it stay roughly the same? I was surprised to see UND so high on the list, especially above NDSU, but I know hockey is a huge expenditure for them.

There was an earlier question as to the University's commitment on raising the profile in athletics and making the improvements needed to our campus facilities. I agree more needs to be done, but no improvements can be made to the Dome until the arena is built. We are closing in on getting all of the money raised to have the arena project paid for and then the renovations can begin at the Dome. Some are not happy with the current Dome plans. The rendering that has been shown of what the new Coyote landing in the Dome will look like is simply a rough sketch however, it can and will be as grand or as simple as the money will allow in the end.

USD has been and is continuing to send staff out to strategically "beat the bushes" of potential high end donors because those are the gifts that are going to get us across the finish line on the arena, track & field, and soccer complex right now. They are also seeking the gifts that will potentially lay the seed money for the Dome improvements, but the arena is priority 1.

We need these big gifts, like all successful athletic programs, and the Dana Dykhouses of the world are literally program savers. USD should be so lucky to have an alum as successful and generous as Dana. Hell, I wish he were a USD guy every time I see what they have planned up in Brookings because it will be nice and boy was it needed. With that said, USD has guys like Dana, but as yoteforever said, it takes commitment and big time guts to throw that kind of money after a project that may not have a return on your investment for 5, 10, or even 15 years, if it all.

It's that kind of a donor coupled with the $300 gifts like NccYote's and others on the board who give less and give much more and our collective butts in the seats that will create the buzz, support, and resources that this program needs to compete and be successful. Both kinds of donors are important to what USD is trying to do and both play critical roles in what we're trying to build. (Edit: And, I would argue, the interest and commitment of one, drives the interest and commitment of the other.)

As for the USD administration, I can assure you President Abbott is committed to USD athletics and is making sure the trajectory is continuing to rise, but he can only do so much. It is the continued interest and support of USD fans that he can't control. If you haven't been to a game, get to one and bring a friend with you. If you haven't joined the Howling Pack, join and get a friend to do the same. You may think its just a drop in the bucket and it won't make a difference, but you add enough drops in the bucket and pretty soon that difference is substantial.

[usdguy99]

Dec 17, 2014 13:56:00 GMT -6 yotefan said:

Thanks Jackl. Do you or JackJD know if losing equestrian and bringing other sports along to comply with Title IX will reduce your overall budget significantly or will it stay roughly the same? I was surprised to see UND so high on the list, especially above NDSU, but I know hockey is a huge expenditure for them.

There was an earlier question as to the University's commitment on raising the profile in athletics and making the improvements needed to our campus facilities. I agree more needs to be done, but no improvements can be made to the Dome until the arena is built. We are closing in on getting all of the money raised to have the arena project paid for and then the renovations can begin at the Dome. Some are not happy with the current Dome plans. The rendering that has been shown of what the new Coyote landing in the Dome will look like is simply a rough sketch however, it can and will be as grand or as simple as the money will allow in the end.

USD has been and is continuing to send staff out to strategically "beat the bushes" of potential high end donors because those are the gifts that are going to get us across the finish line on the arena, track & field, and soccer complex right now. They are also seeking the gifts that will potentially lay the seed money for the Dome improvements, but the arena is priority 1.

We need these big gifts, like all successful athletic programs, and the Dana Dykhouses of the world are literally program savers. USD should be so lucky to have an alum as successful and generous as Dana. Hell, I wish he were a USD guy every time I see what they have planned up in Brookings because it will be nice and boy was it needed. With that said, USD has guys like Dana, but as yoteforever said, it takes commitment and big time guts to throw that kind of money after a project that may not have a return on your investment for 5, 10, or even 15 years, if it all.

It's that kind of a donor coupled with the $300 gifts like NccYote's and others on the board who give less and give much more and our collective butts in the seats that will create the buzz, support, and resources that this program needs to compete and be successful. Both kinds of donors are important to what USD is trying to do and both play critical roles in what we're trying to build. (Edit: And, I would argue, the interest and commitment of one, drives the interest and commitment of the other.)

As for the USD administration, I can assure you President Abbott is committed to USD athletics and is making sure the trajectory is continuing to rise, but he can only do so much. It is the continued interest and support of USD fans that he can't control. If you haven't been to a game, get to one and bring a friend with you. If you haven't joined the Howling Pack, join and get a friend to do the same. You may think its just a drop in the bucket and it won't make a difference, but you add enough drops in the bucket and pretty soon that difference is substantial.

All I will say to your post is something I have brought up in the past in regards to donors. In my opinion, our athletic staff does a great job of going after the donors that give the big gifts (small pool) and gives little time or resources to going after the much larger pool of those willing and/or able to give smaller amounts. Now I'm not talking $100 or $200 or even $500, but I would sure think they could find 100 donors to give $1000 than 1 donor to give $100k on a regular basis. I've heard multiple times that we aren't in that "phase" of the campaign? The question I have asked and will continue to ask is, when is that "phase"? I've given to the project without being asked but there may be people out there that will not give unless asked as they can't give the 6 figure gifts. Just my opinion...

[nccyote]

Lets start a Powerball pool on this board. We could all chip in a buck every week. If we hit it big, boom, new dome!

I kid, I kid. I know we are all frustrated with the current situation of USD athletics, but we need to lighten the mood a little, huh.

[yote14]

I agree with keeping the conversation positive but if valid problems like the one usdguy99 stated never get put on the table how will they ever get better? I have heard multiple people state that same issue usdguy99. There has to be a reason a lot of these donors with money are not investing in the program.

It seems like we have created a culture in Vermillion of avoiding tough problems/issues by always trying to spin everything as a positive or talking down anyone that raises valid issues as not being a true fan. Some things are not positive. The Dome renovations being taken off the table last minute secretely cannot be spun as a positive of "well at least the arena is being done". The football team being extremely under funded cannot be spun as a positive of "It's possible to win with a small budget".

I feel like these are the conversations that need to take place for things to change. Otherwise our kids will be on this board stating the same flaws and weaknesses we have now in 20 years just like people talked about how underfunded the football program was 25 years ago and nothing has changed.

[yotefan]

usdguy99, I hear you. The HP has been going after gifts of all sizes for some time with the help of Chris Kassin and Mark Maturi before him along with the help and encouragement of its board members. If you look at the numbers, they are doing and have done a great job in that respect. Jon Schemmel has been doing a fantastic job going after the big ticket donors at the same time. As far as the "phase" comments you've been hearing, there has never been any phases per se on the athletic side of the fundraising that I've been aware of and its been a "we're happy to take your money whenever" approach, however there has been such an approach on the Onward side of the fundraising campaign that at first got big donations in place behind the scenes and then went to the "public phase" after a significant amount had already been raised. nccyote is correct, its not doom and gloom, but we need some folks to step up and make a singular commitment to football soon. A Powerball winner would sure be a good start to help that cause! =)

[usdguy99]

Dec 18, 2014 8:53:28 GMT -6 yotefan said:

usdguy99, I hear you. The HP has been going after gifts of all sizes for some time with the help of Chris Kassin and Mark Maturi before him along with the help and encouragement of its board members. If you look at the numbers, they are doing and have done a great job in that respect. Jon Schemmel has been doing a fantastic job going after the big ticket donors at the same time. As far as the "phase" comments you've been hearing, there has never been any phases per se on the athletic side of the fundraising that I've been aware of and its been a "we're happy to take your money whenever" approach, however there has been such an approach on the Onward side of the fundraising campaign that at first got big donations in place behind the scenes and then went to the "public phase" after a significant amount had already been raised. nccyote is correct, its not doom and gloom, but we need some folks to step up and make a singular commitment to football soon. A Powerball winner would sure be a good start to help that cause! =)

I'm sure we talk to the same group of administrators and fundraisers from the athletic department and I have been told on multiple occasions that there are phases of the fundraising cycle. I'm not knocking the efforts of the HP and it's great seeing the increased numbers, but I'm specifically referring to the arena/dome renovation projects.

[nccyote]

The dome does need a major face lift. The black curtains back in 2004 was putting lipstick on a pig. The concourse and restroom renovation was nice but it still doesn't come even close to meeting the needs of the dome crowds. For the Dome to compete with the top venues in the league, from a football standpoint, there is a lot to be done. Lets start with coaches offices and meeting rooms. What we have now is a joke. A couple converted classrooms aren't going to cut it when you're going up against NDSU and State's new facility. New locker rooms are needed also. We need concourses and permanent seating on both sides, with a connecting landing in one of the endzones like the UNIdome. Underneath the new grandstand on the west side there could be a new weight room and offices. That would be a start. There is much to be done when it comes to bringing the Dome up to league standard.

[nccyote]

What exactly was supposed to be done in terms of Dome improvements before they were cut from the plans?

[yotefan]

usdguy99, I just did some checking because you had me intrigued. You are correct, there was a reference of "phases" that happened when a group of football alumni were contacted about raising the money for the new jerseys. It was not an official campaign, but more or less an acknowledgment to that specific group that had inquired just about football that there was a need to focus on improving the funding of that particular program. The new jerseys were the proverbial low hanging fruit to get people fired up and so starting with the jerseys was referred to as the first step or "Phase 1" I'm told. The next, as nccyote just pointed out, is improving the locker room, meeting rooms, etc... and then the Dome itself. Hopefully that helps shed some light on the topic.

[fightsd]

Dec 18, 2014 15:14:01 GMT -6 yotefan said:

usdguy99, I just did some checking because you had me intrigued. You are correct, there was a reference of "phases" that happened when a group of football alumni were contacted about raising the money for the new jerseys. It was not an official campaign, but more or less an acknowledgment to that specific group that had inquired just about football that there was a need to focus on improving the funding of that particular program. The new jerseys were the proverbial low hanging fruit to get people fired up and so starting with the jerseys was referred to as the first step or "Phase 1" I'm told. The next, as nccyote just pointed out, is improving the locker room, meeting rooms, etc... and then the Dome itself. Hopefully that helps shed some light on the topic.

I'm just tired of all the ambiguity about what they are actually doing to improve. I'm pretty sure this is the first I've heard of the specific goals in terms of dome renovation. Thanks yotefan. Wouldn't it make sense that we just take these one at a time and just get it done? We need to have somebody come out and say, "OK, we need $XXX,XXX to renovate the meeting rooms and offices. Would you like to contribute?" People are much more willing to donate when they know exactly what it's going towards, especially in a world where we get hit up for cash every other week from the USD foundation. Let the public know what we need and how close we are to making it happen.

[yotefan]

Totally agree and I think we'll start seeing something like that soon. The arena has really taken up a lot of time that would otherwise have been devoted to those types of plans. Now that we're closing in on raising the final dollars to get it paid for, I think we'll see some progress in that department. You are absolutely correct that it needs to happen and soon.

[yoteforever]

Dec 18, 2014 14:31:20 GMT -6 nccyote said:

What exactly was supposed to be done in terms of Dome improvements before they were cut from the plans?

nccyote,

All I can do is tell you what was said to me when they made their call on me. I'll probably miss some stuff but I'll give you what I recall. To start with, they were going to put permenant bleachers on the west side, matching the east. In essence, it would look a lot like UNI. That's what scares me now, is we just put money in for new bleachers, which I think is their idea of a temporary band aid on the situation.

Next, and you have to realize that the Arena plans have changed, but when it was scheduled to be deeper than now what is planned, there was a drawing I saw that had brand new football offices on the southwest corner of the Dome, complete with several meeting rooms, film, lounge, etc. Part of those offices were in the new building, and they were knocking a hole in between the two, and I remember that the head coaches office sorta sat on top of the field. Hard to explain, but imagine walking In to the head coaches office from the south/southwest, and it was a pretty good sized office, and the windows were covered with curtains. If you drew back the curtains, you were looking down onto the playing surface of the Dome. Pretty cool. I think there were 12 offices, 4 film rooms, a lounge, a reception area, and the head coaches office if I remember correctly. But it was all upstairs and partially connected to the Arena.

To me, that was pretty impressive. The head coaches office in particular was cool, as like I said, when you drew back the curtains you would look down on the surface of the football field. The schematic I saw then showed the field at night, backlit in a cool way, and was dang impressive.

This is the plan that many of us made our pledge based on this. So when I tell you that there are a number of football players thinking about withdrawing their pledge because they have changed the plans so dramatically, I'm not kidding. By far and away, the largest group of former athletes making pledges are football players. Next has been track and field, cross country, and then men's basketball. That's the rub amongst the former footballers, is this plan was shelved, with nothing going to the Dome, and it upset a great deal of them, and understandably so. This is an issue that has to be dealt with. Personally speaking, I would understand if someone withdrew their pledge based on those facts.

Hopefully you sorta get the picture of what was originally sold to us.