the_way
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The Illest
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Post by the_way on Mar 25, 2005 15:55:25 GMT -5
Im sick of that BS about a new arena not being built in another "lifetime or two". It may be highly unlikely, but its definitely not gonna happen if we all have your damn attitude and just give up. We're supposed to take the "If we get one, fine" attitude? Thats the most ridiculous thing ever!!! This needs to be pushed and even if you're too lazy or incapable of understanding how important this is then others need to put in the time and effort. Anyone that was at the game at McDonough on Tuesday and at the game at the Colonial Center in South Carolina knows that getting an on campus arena is not simply a "nice thing to have" it is necessary! Please don't put words in my mouth. I'm being realistic here. I would love to have an on-campus facility, but the reality of that happening within the next lifetime is slim. Does that mean I'm giving up? NO. That just means I am tune with the reality at hand. Being honest with yourself is not the end of the world. We had a dynasty without an on-campus facility before, and we can have one again without one. But hey, if we get one, GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRReat. I'm all for it.
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DFW HOYA
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Post by DFW HOYA on Mar 25, 2005 16:21:30 GMT -5
Please don't put words in my mouth. I'm being realistic here. I would love to have an on-campus facility, but the reality of that happening within the next lifetime is slim. Major college football at Georgetown went down this same road, believing that paying rent at Griffith Stadium was a more confortable option than developing an on-campus facility. Georgetown had no contingency when the red ink arrived. If the University does not make a commitment in the next campaign to a facility suitable for major college basketball--for players, for coaches, for staff, and for students-- the program's future viability will be at stake. Let's not see history repeat itself.
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vagrant
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Post by vagrant on Mar 25, 2005 16:25:12 GMT -5
Here's an idea re: funding that I posted on the old board.
Georgetown is in a city with a majority African American population. In this great AA population there are a great number of high school students who are extrememly bright, who cannot afford a GU education, but who would be thrilled to attend GU. Several of the major corporations in the US are chaired by African Americans, and many others are chaired by GU alumni. A commitee should be established to present to these corporatins the following proposal: In exchange for a donation to help build the new Arena/Convoc. center whatever, GU will offer 25 or 50 of the brightest African American high school seniors in DC a full four year scholarship, books, tuition, food, etc. The bottom line financially for GU would be positive. The expense of the scholarsips would certainly be offset by the revenues from the Arena. The public relation impact in the community would be postive. For the corporations, the PR would be fantastic. They could be called the American Express /BET/etc. scholarship for the gifted AA student or whatever. But most importantly, we would educating tomorrow's leaders, and making America a better place. How do you do it from a tax perspective (certainly the corps would want the write off)? I'll let the accountants figure it out. I am floating out there for your thoughts.
vagrant
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the_way
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Post by the_way on Mar 25, 2005 16:28:46 GMT -5
Major college football at Georgetown went down this same road, believing that paying rent at Griffith Stadium was a more confortable option than developing an on-campus facility. Georgetown had no contingency when the red ink arrived. If the University does not make a commitment in the next campaign to a facility suitable for major college basketball--for players, for coaches, for staff, and for students-- the program's future viability will be at stake. Let's not see history repeat itself. I think you are misunderstanding what I am saying. Either way, we are in a bind financially. Who is going to fork over the type of money we need for the on-campus facility? We are not College Park. we are a small school to begin with. I'd rather have an on-campus facility over MCI anyday, but I do also know that money don't grow on trees.
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hoyahoyasaxa
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Post by hoyahoyasaxa on Mar 25, 2005 16:30:20 GMT -5
Here's an idea re: funding that I posted on the old board. Georgetown is in a city with a majority African American population. In this great AA population there are a great number of high school students who are extrememly bright, who cannot afford a GU education, but who would be thrilled to attend GU. Several of the major corporations in the US are chaired by African Americans, and many others are chaired by GU alumni. A commitee should be established to present to these corporatins the following proposal: In exchange for a donation to help build the new Arena/Convoc. center whatever, GU will offer 25 or 50 of the brightest African American high school seniors in DC a full four year scholarship, books, tuition, food, etc. The bottom line financially for GU would be positive. The expense of the scholarsips would certainly be offset by the revenues from the Arena. The public relation impact in the community would be postive. For the corporations, the PR would be fantastic. They could be called the American Express /BET/etc. scholarship for the gifted AA student or whatever. But most importantly, we would educating tomorrow's leaders, and making America a better place. How do you do it from a tax perspective (certainly the corps would want the write off)? I'll let the accountants figure it out. I am floating out there for your thoughts. vagrant Great idea.
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vagrant
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Post by vagrant on Mar 25, 2005 16:43:41 GMT -5
Sorry I am posting between seeing patients.
these scholies would not be for one time. I propose 25 or 50 scholies per year for the life of the Arena. therefore we could always go back and continue the deal if they ante up for renovations in the future.
Again the actual cost to GU is really only the room and board. The profits from the Arena far outweigh the cost.
vagrant
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Post by jerseyhoya34 on Mar 25, 2005 16:59:25 GMT -5
A couple thoughts for vagrant...
1) GREAT idea, but I am not sure that fundraising is truly the issue. Leaks out of McDonough and elsewhere suggest that it might be, but I think that is a cover-up.
2) The Administration typically frowns upon innovative ideas, especially as it regards fundraising. Many elements at GU fail to recognize that one must spend money in order to get money back. Granted, this has something to do with our financial situation, but also recognize that the HHC is not permitted to solicit donations from outside the DC Metro area. Then, we might understand why the "money isn't there" for McDonough.
3) Nothing will be accomplished until the University removes their requirement for a single donor to fork over am 8 figure donation.
4) Maybe we need another letter writing campaign about including McD in the upcoming capital campaign.
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hoya01
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Post by hoya01 on Mar 25, 2005 16:59:27 GMT -5
Has anyone asked the development office if a new arena will be part of the next capital campaign? I assume the silent phase of the next campaign will begin in the next 2 years or so.
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DFW HOYA
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Post by DFW HOYA on Mar 25, 2005 20:11:26 GMT -5
...also recognize that the HHC is not permitted to solicit donations from outside the DC Metro area. The Hoop Club mailing list is well represented outside the District and they've solicited gifts from outside DC for years. (One of the co-founders of the Hoop Club is from Georgia.)
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DanMcQ
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Post by DanMcQ on Mar 25, 2005 21:12:33 GMT -5
2) The Administration typically frowns upon innovative ideas, especially as it regards fundraising. Many elements at GU fail to recognize that one must spend money in order to get money back. Granted, this has something to do with our financial situation, but also recognize that the HHC is not permitted to solicit donations from outside the DC Metro area. Then, we might understand why the "money isn't there" for McDonough. Hello? HHC has solicited (and received) money from me for over 20 years, all of which I've lived in Wisconsin and Massachusetts, both decidedly outside the DC Metro area.
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TBird41
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Post by TBird41 on Mar 25, 2005 21:27:33 GMT -5
The more ideas we can come up with the better--the university needs to be pressured to do this and the more ideas that can be offered to it, the better. I especially like vagrants' idea. It would be great for all the reasons listed, and it would also put the residents in PR bind when they inevitably start giving the GTown flack for the arena. Instead of it just being an on campus arena they were trying to stop, it'd be a whole lot of scholarships for needy kids.
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Post by MickCollins on Mar 25, 2005 23:25:50 GMT -5
Money isn't the big issue. GU could raise the funds in a couple years if it wanted to. The problem is the area. The councilmembers and such in the Georgetown area are conservative as hell in regards to the area and need to be convinced that it would be a good thing. They already bitch about traffic,noise,litter,etc.. in the area around campus. They would be the ones who would block the permits and such neccsarry to get things done. GU would be all for it. Concessions,parking,souvenirs and all that stuff would all go to the U and not be split with partners at the MCI. To get it done, GU is gonna have to massage the locals.
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TBird41
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Post by TBird41 on Mar 25, 2005 23:45:27 GMT -5
The obstacles to a new arena seem to me to be:
1) Convincing the Admin that a new arena should be the next priority (after the MSF, new MSB building and new Science facilities)
2) Fundraising
3) Getting the plan approved by the neighbors.
Obviously, #2 and #3 can be worked on at the same time, but until the University is convinced that a new arena should be its next thing it adds to its to-do list, the neighbors aren't that important. And, from what Jersey's been saying, having a sizable donation in hand is the only thing that will get #1 accomplished, and that's the biggest obstacle to the new arena right now.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 25, 2005 23:53:59 GMT -5
I want an on-campus arena as much as anyone, but for the good of the university, I think its more urgent to get the MSF FULLY completed, plus the b-school, plus a new science building... then fire up the on-campus arena renovation. Of course two can occur at the same time, I just don't see the neighbors going for it or us having the load of money all at once to do such a thing.
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YB
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Post by YB on Mar 26, 2005 1:16:21 GMT -5
Look guys, this is not a zero-sum game. fundraising is often a matter of trust and compounds itself: when people see things their cash is funding that they like, they will give more, not sew up and say "I've given enough for this lifetime".
Neighbors are a problem; but as I've said for a year, the problem is money, mainly, and the will to make this mountain move.
I agree with DFW: This is a necessity, and no one should be burying their head in the sand to avoid the issue. I mean, I'm all for low-hanging fruit, but sometimes you have to make the critical investment!
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GUHoya07
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Post by GUHoya07 on Mar 26, 2005 1:17:24 GMT -5
The neighbors hate the students being off campus and causing problems. If they are smart they will realize that an on campus arena would only help them. The thing would be as far away from them as possible since McDonough is on the far end of campus. It would keep thousands of students occupied at games, concerts etc. rather than getting drunk off campus and causing hell at least for those couple of hours.
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SFHoya99
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Post by SFHoya99 on Mar 26, 2005 1:47:46 GMT -5
Money isn't the big issue. GU could raise the funds in a couple years if it wanted to. The problem is the area. The councilmembers and such in the Georgetown area are conservative as hell in regards to the area and need to be convinced that it would be a good thing. They already bitch about traffic,noise,litter,etc.. in the area around campus. They would be the ones who would block the permits and such neccsarry to get things done. GU would be all for it. Concessions,parking,souvenirs and all that stuff would all go to the U and not be split with partners at the MCI. To get it done, GU is gonna have to massage the locals. Hardly insurmountable. Money is the big issue, because it is ALWAYS the big issue.
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SaxaCD
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Post by SaxaCD on Mar 26, 2005 7:37:41 GMT -5
I want an on-campus arena as much as anyone, but for the good of the university, I think its more urgent to get the MSF FULLY completed, plus the b-school, plus a new science building... then fire up the on-campus arena renovation. Of course two can occur at the same time, I just don't see the neighbors going for it or us having the load of money all at once to do such a thing. But there are probably plenty of people like me who would give for a new arena way before donating to the business school or a new science building. I was an English major, so I'll let the Accounting and Chemistry majors pony up for those two, thank you very much. That's why the fundraising effort has to be a "targeted" one -- why not raise money for all of these projects from the people who support them most? I probably won't contribute ANYTHING to the next campaign unless either the arena is included in the plans, or unless McDonough fundraising is allowed a life of its own as a separate plan that tangibly moves forward.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2005 8:55:38 GMT -5
But there are probably plenty of people like me who would give for a new arena way before donating to the business school or a new science building. I was an English major, so I'll let the Accounting and Chemistry majors pony up for those two, thank you very much. That's why the fundraising effort has to be a "targeted" one -- why not raise money for all of these projects from the people who support them most? I probably won't contribute ANYTHING to the next campaign unless either the arena is included in the plans, or unless McDonough fundraising is allowed a life of its own as a separate plan that tangibly moves forward. I agree the fund raising should just be one big drive and push for billions of dollars, but this fact remains: if the university suddenly had a bazillion dollars tomorrow, they couldn't just go ahead and build ALL of these projects at once. The neighbors complained about the trucks hauling crap out for the SW Quad all the time, and that was for one centralized project. The admin would have to set a list of priorities for projects to be completed. While I would LOVE a McD renovation to be #1 on that list, looking at the broader picture I think #1 would be finishing the boathouse and MSF, #2 would be building the b-school and science building simultaneously (a la SW Quad), and #3 would be the McD renovation. The catch in all of this would be people donating money to GU with the EXPRESS purpose of a McD renovation. If there was that first large initial donation and more people followed and said "Here's $X, I only want it going to the convocation center" then that would change things... but as long as the university is just paying for things out of a giant fund, the McD renovation probably won't get bumped ahead of the b-school (which allegedly still needs about $20.5 million to complete) and science buildings (which is about $18 million behind the $30 million needed to start construction - with a final price tag of $100 million +)... not to mention the MSF (which is only in phase one - getting a new sub-surface and synthetic field at $1.4 million, with phase two being the super-structure we all loved in those pictures - and which allegedly needs another $12 million or so to complete the full price tag of $22.5 million).
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vagrant
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Post by vagrant on Mar 26, 2005 9:56:38 GMT -5
I've been around long enough to know that if there is money, they will build it. The idea of targeting major corporations for the purpose of building the new Arena would in no way affect the fundraising for the other aspects of physical plant improvements. In addition as a way to try to appease the locals, at Loyola Marymount and U San Francisco, for example, the locals are able to join the school health club for a very competitve price. Community enrollment in these two gyms is quite substantial. I don't buy the argument that our administration is unbending and that the new arena will not happen 'in my life time." I am with the voices that will make this happen.
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