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Post by FLCATAMOUNT on Dec 1, 2018 18:31:53 GMT -5
Enlighting comments. First, thank you. Is there anything that you feel comfortable sharing that most of us have an interest in? Sounds like you have more contacts than most of this board as you are vested. Is the department aware of the strife on this board and among some with admin? Did the share any insight on chancellor search? Facility updates? Track coach? Baseball team updates? Forthcoming changes within coaches in football? Specifics, not really, but I will say there are very important people who read this board and they are listening to what is being written. Your comments about administration athletics and the university are not going on deaf ears. But nothing is changed overnight and it’s never fast enough for anyone’s liking. I get that and they know that drives people nuts. The Cat Club’s annual fundraising is what is going to get things done. People want facility upgrades but yet are those same people complaining the most going to pony up some dough, big money or small money, to make it happen? Most likely not. Also if anyone knows how the state works nothing for facilities will be done quickly even if announced. NC is in shambles right now with education as most of us know. Also, as many have heard before, if it doesn’t help our athletes win it’s probably not high on the radar of facility upgrades. Doesn’t mean it will never happen, just means it’s probably not a priority. As far as the chancellor search, I’m not sure exactly where that is but I do know, and have spoken to them, there are a few who do understand the value of athletics to the university. They understand we need a chancellor who is going to do more than give some high fives here and there and actually run the school like a business. Unfortunately they are just advisory roles really since the BOG’s will make the decision on who gets the job. I’ve heard nothing about coaches. That’s probably a tad “higher than my pay grade” allows, per say. I’m not trying to tell anyone what to do with their money but every time someone stops their donations it puts the cat club and athletics just a small bit behind and that slows down everything. I truly believe that if the cat club continues to grow at the rates it has in the years past we will start to see the changes we all want. If we had a better year in football probably none of us would be even talking about reducing donations or arguing over who should be fired etc. You are missing the boat on the giving. The total budget for athletics has grown slower than the giving to the Catamount Club has grown and during the same time we have increased enrollment. That is because Chancllor Belcher was curtailing the funding that would normally to to Athletics from the University. To me that is bait and switch and lying plain and simple. So don't be all high and mighty about what people should do with their money. We need to stop giving and force the administration and BOT to pony up. You say that as the cat club grows athletics will grow more but that is not allowed by the administration. You also say falsely that the only way to fund facilities is with private donations. None of Apps facilities have been funded by private donation. They asked the BOG for the money. Instead Western asks for money for parking garages. Don't be so gullible. You have drank the Kool-Aid.
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Post by wcu72 on Dec 1, 2018 18:52:58 GMT -5
Enlighting comments. First, thank you. Is there anything that you feel comfortable sharing that most of us have an interest in? Sounds like you have more contacts than most of this board as you are vested. Is the department aware of the strife on this board and among some with admin? Did the share any insight on chancellor search? Facility updates? Track coach? Baseball team updates? Forthcoming changes within coaches in football? The Cat Club’s annual fundraising is what is going to get things done. People want facility upgrades but yet are those same people complaining the most going to pony up some dough, big money or small money, to make it happen? Most likely not. Also if anyone knows how the state works nothing for facilities will be done quickly even if announced. NC is in shambles right now with education as most of us know. Also, as many have heard before, if it doesn’t help our athletes win it’s probably not high on the radar of facility upgrades. Doesn’t mean it will never happen, just means it’s probably not a priority.That is just blowing smoke up everyone's butt. It's the same thing that ALL previous administrations have puts out since the Big Cat Club was formed. ALL FUNDS GIVEN TO THE CATAMOUNT CLUB GOES TO SCHOLARSHIPS. all monies given to the CC will continue to go to scholarships until scholarships are fully funded for ALL sports In other words, Catamount fans will have to double the current giving level from $1.5 to over $3 million per year to cover fully funding scholarships before the CC will do anything about facilities. The LAST THING THAT SHOULD BE SAID IS TO GIVE TO THE CATAMOUNT CLUB IF YOU WANT FACILITY UPGRADES The University must handle the funding for facilities until the Cat Club can raise 3 to 4 million per year. The university must handle facilities through bonds, student fees, other resources, and maybe gifts to the university, specifically designated for facilities.
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Post by wcu77 on Dec 1, 2018 19:31:01 GMT -5
It's great that CC contributions go for scholarships but we do not have the large wealthy donor base of other universities to rely solely on that. The administration needs to increase their funding and commitment as well to help out substantially. We can not continue to ask for increased donations from members and expect that to be done without seeing some tangible improvements, both on the field and in the administration's support. There will come a point, otherwise, where donations will decrease and we may be approaching that point.
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Post by FLCATAMOUNT on Dec 1, 2018 19:37:15 GMT -5
It's great that CC contributions go for scholarships but we do not have the large wealthy donor base of other universities to rely solely on that. The administration needs to increase their funding and commitment as well to help out substantially. We can not continue to ask for increased donations from members and expect that to be done without seeing some tangible improvements, both on the field and in the administration's support. There will come a point, otherwise, where donations will decrease and we may be approaching that point. I look for Catamount Club support to go down this year, now that the administration and BOT's sneaky incompetence has been exposed.
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Post by wcuecu2010 on Dec 1, 2018 20:22:58 GMT -5
I will continue to buy season tickets for football and donate as much as I fiscally can. I know that for the next 2 years, while I have a stepson in high school and while he plays traveling soccer that I will no longer be able to enjoy the Purple Zone or Paws Porch since their increase in level, but I have every intention of keeping the reserved parking I enjoyed near the stadium in Belk lot. I need to speak to the Catamount club about it really to see how they will work with me, will determine how much I give. If their fiscal giving year didnt end at the halfway point of the year and were like other programs (in the state) that go from 1/1 to 12/31, I could double my giving.
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Post by wcatradio75 on Dec 6, 2018 8:29:53 GMT -5
It's great that CC contributions go for scholarships but we do not have the large wealthy donor base of other universities to rely solely on that. The administration needs to increase their funding and commitment as well to help out substantially. We can not continue to ask for increased donations from members and expect that to be done without seeing some tangible improvements, both on the field and in the administration's support. There will come a point, otherwise, where donations will decrease and we may be approaching that point. I was one of the loud protesters when the change in membership fees and levels came about. I quickly found out that this board and our emails to the white building are read. I did not receive a written response, but someone told me EVERYONE had seen what I wrote. We seem to have a situation with the administration - right now - where it doesn't matter if we give ten cents or ten thousand dollars. It won't change until we get a chancellor and BOT that are willing to put what is legally allowed in NC. We are the important part of athletics currently, and appreciated by the department. What it nothing changes from up top? Do you want to give up on Western? That's a personal decision. I think (for several reasons - not including fairy dust) that we will see improvements to the facilities in the next few years. For that reason, and also because my wife (not a Catamount) said she supports the increased cost of staying at our level of commitment next year and we will do that - even though it's more than we planned.
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Post by WesternFan on Dec 6, 2018 20:58:39 GMT -5
It's great that CC contributions go for scholarships but we do not have the large wealthy donor base of other universities to rely solely on that. The administration needs to increase their funding and commitment as well to help out substantially. We can not continue to ask for increased donations from members and expect that to be done without seeing some tangible improvements, both on the field and in the administration's support. There will come a point, otherwise, where donations will decrease and we may be approaching that point. I was one of the loud protesters when the change in membership fees and levels came about. I quickly found out that this board and our emails to the white building are read. I did not receive a written response, but someone told me EVERYONE had seen what I wrote. We seem to have a situation with the administration - right now - where it doesn't matter if we give ten cents or ten thousand dollars. It won't change until we get a chancellor and BOT that are willing to put what is legally allowed in NC. We are the important part of athletics currently, and appreciated by the department. What it nothing changes from up top? Do you want to give up on Western? That's a personal decision. I think (for several reasons - not including fairy dust) that we will see improvements to the facilities in the next few years. For that reason, and also because my wife (not a Catamount) said she supports the increased cost of staying at our level of commitment next year and we will do that - even though it's more than we planned. Everyone has to make their own mind up about giving to the university. Everyone can continue to give at current levels, or increase their level or reduce their level, that's a personal decision and NO ONE should be on the board talking about hurting athletes. I for one will make a significant reduction in my giving level, for many reasons. If the new chancellor and BOT ever decide to 'invest" in athletics, I'll reconsider whatever level I'm giving at, when and if, I see a serious commitment to athletics, and not just talk. I don't mind trying to fund scholarships only if the university is taking care of facilities, but as long as the folks in the white building do their double talk, about why things can't happen, I'll remain firm in my reduced giving.
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Post by bigcatfan on Dec 11, 2018 13:25:38 GMT -5
The Cat Club’s annual fundraising is what is going to get things done. People want facility upgrades but yet are those same people complaining the most going to pony up some dough, big money or small money, to make it happen? Most likely not. Also if anyone knows how the state works nothing for facilities will be done quickly even if announced. NC is in shambles right now with education as most of us know. Also, as many have heard before, if it doesn’t help our athletes win it’s probably not high on the radar of facility upgrades. Doesn’t mean it will never happen, just means it’s probably not a priority.
The Catamount Club has been growing their contributions for a very long time, and have made great strides in the amount of scholarship money raised each year. And yes, that must continue if we are to get to a competitive level for all sports. But therein is part of the problem.............fundraising is on the rise, and athletic performance has not been. That's not an argument, it's a simple statement of fact. So it's understandable that people are frustrated and looking for answers, and it's understandable that there is grumbling when donor and benefit levels change and become more exclusive.
And Catamount Club donations have very little, if anything, to do with the state of athletic facilities, operational budgets, etc. Of course the more that is raised for scholarships, the less financial impact on operational costs is realized. Yet when was the last time there was any effort to coordinate a fundraising effort for a new facility or facility improvement, that was met with resistance from Catamount Club members? I don't' recall a single instance of that happening since my involvement with WCU tracing back to the early 80's.
And finally, I'll politely argue with anyone who says that improved facilities don't help a program win. Perhaps facilities don't translate specifically to performance, but it dang sure does with recruiting and community support. And both of those are highly correlated to strong and successful programs.
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Post by bonsaiburke on Dec 13, 2018 13:13:35 GMT -5
And finally, I'll politely argue with anyone who says that improved facilities don't help a program win. Perhaps facilities don't translate specifically to performance, but it dang sure does with recruiting and community support. And both of those are highly correlated to strong and successful programs. I get what your saying but I don't think you will ever meet a player who decided not to join a school because of their press box (aka the rat hole).
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Post by bigcatfan on Dec 14, 2018 8:09:34 GMT -5
"I get what your saying but I don't think you will ever meet a player who decided not to join a school because of their press box (aka the rat hole)."
Obviously true, but I'd bet that a new press facility along with suites or boxes for business entertaining could catch the eye of potential corporate sponsors, and that puts money in the bank. A video board in Ramsey would make attending a basketball game a much more enjoyable experience in today's digital age, thus boosting attendance and ticket revenues. A clubhouse with locker rooms at Hennon would be very appealing to baseball prospects that might see our current facility as second rate. And yet somehow those things aren't viewed as being positives for creating winning programs? Makes me scratch my head, but I've been doing that for 30+ years.
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