SoCon Football stadiums

I post similar comments every few years just to keep beating a dead horse. A wise man once told me that nothing in my business knowledge base (that's a BA, MBA, and 30+ years as a practitioner in various companies and organizations) was applicable in the world of intercollegiate athletics administration, nor in overall university development operations. And based on my experience with WCU, I couldn't agree more.

Universities and athletic departments usually hire 3rd party consultants to come in and tell them how much money they can raise in capital campaigns. They develop alumni and economic profiles that suggest that there is only so much philanthropic revenue available. So the university or the athletic department then sets a goal based solely on what they've been told, without any consideration of creative approaches or strategic plans for finding new or opportunistic revenue streams. Now think about that process for a moment. You have immediately limited your potential based solely off of what someone tells you what they think that you are capable of. In short, if that philosophy runs true, then our 2019 football team believes they are only capable of finishing in 8th place in the SoCon. because that's what others have told them they are capable of. So why even try?

The second part of that University logic is the old "well this is just how it's done with other colleges and universities". Guess what, WCU isn't another college or university. It's a very unique institution and locale, and that makes it challenging to go out and uncover new sources of revenue and support. But it can be done, and WCU needs to focus a little bit more positive energy into engaging with their fan base and not just the flavor of the month, identifying potential sources of revenue that can come from all over the region we serve (and that includes NC, SC, GA, and even East TN, and finally by getting in place a well-crafted and sustainable loyalty and relationship marketing campaign across the board. And stop hiring fundraising people who'll only be in place for 12-15 months at best. University development is a revolving door, and I meet a new representative from the Catamount Club on a regular basis. There must be some consistency in staff if you are ever going to really reap the benefits of a strong loyalty marketing and fundraising campaign.

OK, done for a couple more years.

I agree 100% regarding our previous club director. But fundraising isn't a one person show and you need support staff that can demonstrate that same type of loyalty and creativity. Save one or two, go back and look at just how many young people have been brought in as Assistant Directors only to be gone as soon as the next bigger school comes calling over the past 10-15 years. Now pair that with the University's Development office and look at their turnover. How can anyone expect to develop relationships that turn into contributions with donors if you barely have time to unpack your bags and find a place to live before your on to the next college town. And the kicker is that we keep doing it over and over and over again.

It's no wonder we are afraid to initiate a public campaign to raise money for stadium improvements, etc., because you don't know who's going to be around to get that work done. And as far as cooperation or coordination between Athletic fundraising and University fundraising.........please!

how big is this school and what kind of jobs do thier alums have?  Also do they win alot where alums think giving is a good investment?

Hope they get all the lights that are not working replaced!  Stadium is dark enough as it is.