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Post by hoyaparents on Nov 17, 2009 14:33:41 GMT -5
DFW HOYA, you say change is coming. Care to share.
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Post by hoyaparents on Nov 17, 2009 11:49:39 GMT -5
CAhoya07, win or lose, the program needs a change in direction.
Let's win one for the seniors.
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Post by hoyaparents on Nov 17, 2009 10:16:54 GMT -5
98hoya, we have tried to arrange a meeting with the AD and the Gridiron Club, without any success to date.
I suspect we need to wait until after this season is over. but it is on our to do list.
If we get the new organization off the ground, the intent is to be constructive, not a gadfly.
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Post by hoyaparents on Nov 17, 2009 9:38:02 GMT -5
I had lunch yesterday with a Trustee of Fordham University. He explained the cooperation between the University, the Athletic Department and the alumni to make a commitment to their football program.
I am not advocating that GU follow the same path to full scholarship, but wouldn't it be nice just to have the opportunity to sit down with the GU administration, the athletic department and the alumni to discuss the future, and chart a course.
I'm willing to buy to coffee and cookies.
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Post by hoyaparents on Nov 13, 2009 7:45:18 GMT -5
[Edited. Please keep budget figures offline. E-mail to discuss.--Admin]
This is the gap we face. You're right, building a new MSF is not the problem. If we want to be competitive in the PL, its all about financial resources.
Georgetown has the highest tuition in the PL, the least amount of aid, and the worst facilities. It's the perfect storm.
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Post by hoyaparents on Nov 12, 2009 12:04:22 GMT -5
nyalum, one of the ideas being discussed for the new football alumni organization would be to take over the broadcasting rights to Hoya football games.
Earlier in my carrer, 70 and 80's, I owned radio stations in upstate New York, New Jersey, Arizona, Texas and New Mexico. During those 20 years, we orginiated hundreds of radio broadcasts of high school football and basketball games. In addition, our Texas station had the radio rights to the Sun Bowl in El Paso, and our upstate New York station originated Army football from West Point.
Twenty years ago it was a technology challenge, ordering dedicated telephone lines for remotes, today the technology make it much easier.
A well produced pre-game, play by play and post game broadcast for Hoya fans, alums and parents would greatly enhance the football program and its image. and would not be expensive undertaking.
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Post by hoyaparents on Nov 12, 2009 9:52:24 GMT -5
eb59, The Gridiron Club is nothing more that an extension of Hoyas Unlimted and the Athletic Department, there is no independence whatsoever.
Leadership is hand picked by Hoyas Unlimited and coaches.
I have been around universities for a long time in various capacities including a Board member. University as very territorial, they want to control everything, that is the nature of the beast.
As stated in a previous post, we are exploring forming a new organization independent of the Gridiron Club, not for the purpose of being adversarial, but to act in the overall best interest of the football program and the football alumni in terms of fund raising and, with one voice, providing input as to direction of the goals of the football program.
We have been waiting for the new AD to be announced. I had asked Lenihan to arrange a meeting with Porterfield about a month ago, but nothing ever came of that.
I will keep you all posted as to progress, if any.
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Post by hoyaparents on Nov 11, 2009 23:05:39 GMT -5
I had hoped this would be a meaningless game for the Spiders, but with the loss last week and a drop to #4 in the polls, and a tough match-up next week against William & Mary, Richmond will be coming to play, at least in the first half.
I recall last season the discussion with Muir as to why this series was even scheduled, there is no upside for the Hoyas. I believe the score last year was 48 - 0. and the game stats were even worse than the score.
Play hard, be safe.
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Post by hoyaparents on Nov 10, 2009 22:34:48 GMT -5
gwhiz, Coach Kelly's future is out of our hands. I am trying to focus on the bigger picture.
Does GU want to compete in the Patriot League on par with the other schools? If the answer is yes, then resources and facilities are at the heart of the problem.
I remember when my son was being recruited. I was blown away by some of the facilities at peer schools.
At GU, some of our kids played at high school facilities that put MSF to shame. You think it doesn't matter to these kids, and thei parents, sorry, I don't buy it.
Better coaching, sure, why not, but that's not enough.
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Post by hoyaparents on Nov 10, 2009 15:58:32 GMT -5
derhoya, how many times have I heard that one, lay off, "he's only a volunteer." Okay then, wrong volunteer.
As I understand it, there are funding problems with the new Science Building, so that's not on the immediate horizon. I don't know what comes first, but my understanding is that MSF must be completed before the BB training facilities.
Does any one else have any info on this?
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Post by hoyaparents on Nov 10, 2009 15:41:09 GMT -5
RBHoya, when Brian Kelly was hired by Cincy the foundation was already in place. The first phase of the stadium renovation was complete, funding for the program was committed.
The young 28 year old with great aspirations for the future is not coming to GU under the circumstances you laid out for him. He would be better off being an assistant in an established program and working his way up the ranks. If he is truly any good, he knows that.
Any finally, Muir did not fire Benson because he wanted a change, there were other circumstances at play. Kevin Kelly was dealt a bad hand from day one, the timing could not have been worse.
I am not defending Coach Kelly, but as I have said in previous posts, throwing the coach under the bus is not addressing the underlying problem.
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Post by hoyaparents on Nov 10, 2009 13:29:28 GMT -5
RBHoya, prior to assuming the Presidency of Cincy, Nancy Zempher met with groups of alums from around the country to express her vision.
When the topic of Cincy joining the Big East was raised, many of us were negative. I told her that unless the university was prepared to make a commitment to athletics, we would go from top dogs of Conference USA to also rans in the Big East. Zempher made it clear that she understood the challenges at Cincy, and was committed to making the necessary investment.
She lived up to her statement in spades. The football facility was expanded, I understand that it will be going through another renovation shortly, an athletes village with training facilities was constructed, and the money just keeps flowing in. The basketball program is progressing, but still has a way to go. The facilities are first class.
I graduated 40 years ago, this year a group of my classmates and frat brothers are planning a reunion trip to whatever bowl game the Bearcats play in. Many of us have not seen each other since graduation.
Athletics is a catalyst.
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Post by hoyaparents on Nov 10, 2009 12:47:01 GMT -5
exorcist, I never said Georgetown should or would be Cincy in football. I just stated as an example as to how success on the gridiron has equated to success in the bank account and in community and alumni involvement.
Per a previous post, the same success was realized at Davidson.
Two years ago we started the Georgetown Football Parents Association, and have raised tens of thousands of dollars from Hoyas football parents in support of the football program. Yes, these are the same folks that are also shelling out big bucks to pay tuition and other costs.
This was done outside Gridiron Club and the university. Why, because we knew from the get go that they did not have the ability to implement the plan. There were no complaints from the university or the NCAA, the Gridiron Club was delighted to accept the funds raised, $ 60,000. in the first year.
The Georgetown Football Parents Association is now the model for other parent sport groups at GU.
The Georgetown Football Alumni Association, (tentitive name) will seek to accomplish to same goals, create unity in the alumni community, seek financial support for the program, and help to create a "football culture" at GU.
Obviously, the "football culture" at GU will not resemble Texas, Tennessee or USC, it will be GU's football culture, a group of football alumni and friends of the program who understand why we play this game, why we compete.
The lessons learned on the gridiron, how to win, how to lose, (we're good at that), how to compete, teamwork, sacrifice and commitment, are life lessons.
One last point, the football field and related improvements must be completed before new practice, training and locker room facilities for basketball team and other GU sports.
If the basketball program doesn't upgrade its facilities to be competitive with other Big East programs, we will also end up with a basketball problem. Go back and reread JT's comments at the basketball dinner several years ago.
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Post by hoyaparents on Nov 10, 2009 11:14:52 GMT -5
exorcist, you should change your screen name to the "undertaker."
We do not intend to violate any rules, and certainly would only move forward with the consent, knowledge, and approval of the university.
Alway being contentious and negative resolves nothing. How about a positive thought for once.
Nothing ever get accomplished if you start with the premise that it will never happen.
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Post by hoyaparents on Nov 10, 2009 10:45:42 GMT -5
bigmike, development office is still looking for a lead gift, my understanding is the revised plan is in the $ 16 to $ 18 million range.
exorcist, I am not saying we will be Cincinnati or Texas, we are Georgetown. But doing nothing is unacceptable.
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Post by hoyaparents on Nov 10, 2009 10:39:43 GMT -5
98 hoya, could not disagree with you more. GU is one of the top 25 universities in the country, its track record in raising funds and overall endowment as compared to its peer institutions has been dismal.
GU has to make a commitment to athletics to stimulate the fund raising. It would be interesting to look at the numbers for admission applications, and overall fundraising numbers after the final four run several years ago.
I would bet that the numbers went through the roof.
The burdon for raising the funds for football must be shouldered by the football alumni and friends of the program. However, we have been burned once, it will not happen again. GU administration has to make a commitment.
And lastly, with respect to the Gridiron Club. this is a dysfunctional organization. It lacks leadership and direction, and has had no plan to build a football culture or raise meaningful funds. Don't count on the Gridiron Club to take the lead.
A number of alumni, parents and friends have been discussing forming a new organization, separate and apart from university, Hoyas Unlimited and the Gridiron Club, to take the lead in reconnecting with the 1,200 football alumni, and building a "football culture" at Georgetown.
Will keep you posted.
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Post by hoyaparents on Nov 10, 2009 9:03:09 GMT -5
I received the following email communication from the Alumni Association of my alma mater this morning:
"....... great progress in our Proudly Cincinnati campaign, almost $ 530 million raised so far, the great visibility that come from a standout athletic program led currently by a surging football team, increasing integration between the university and its community, and a raising tide of Bearcat pride throughout the student and alumni family. It's a great time to be a Bearcat."
GU, make the commitment, it will pay itself back in spades.
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Post by hoyaparents on Nov 9, 2009 16:34:33 GMT -5
gwhiz, I want to fix it, not put a band-aid on it.
Who is going to come in and coach under these circumstances? Two years from now if we only win a game or two, will you be asking for the head of the new head coach.
Yes, the coaching has been as issue, but its not the underlying problem.
If changes are going to be made, we need to deal with all the isuues, change the culture, and make a commitment to be successful in the future.
There has been no commitment to be successful, just excuses and plenty of b.s. from the athletic administration.
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Post by hoyaparents on Nov 9, 2009 15:04:33 GMT -5
To compete in the Patriot League is going to take a considerable investment. Are the University and the alumni prepared to make that investment?
ODU and Fordham are making the commitment to upgrade there respective football programs.
Is GU's Administration ready to make that kind of commitment? I doubt it. But if we were, I'd be one of the first to write a check.
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Post by hoyaparents on Nov 9, 2009 13:26:42 GMT -5
Big East, get serious. We cannot even compete in the Patriot League.
How's this. Drop out of the Patriot League, go independent for a few years. Pick a schedule where we can compete, get some wins under our belts, build some success and fan and alumni interest, then, apply to a conference where we can be competitive in a budgetary environment we can manage.
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