(09-13-2023 06:50 PM)mainejeff Wrote:  

(09-11-2023 03:08 PM)Sitting bull Wrote:  Again, just back to reality, Charleston and Delaware aren’t going anywhere.

If you click your heals and say this a few more times...maybe they won't leave.

Will it work getting you to leave?

(09-13-2023 06:55 PM)82hawk Wrote:  

(09-13-2023 06:50 PM)mainejeff Wrote:  

(09-11-2023 03:08 PM)Sitting bull Wrote:  Again, just back to reality, Charleston and Delaware aren’t going anywhere.

If you click your heals and say this a few more times...maybe they won't leave.

Will it work getting you to leave?

OMG...stalking me on the Tribe board now? How pathetic.

I think that some of you underestimate how difficult it might be attracting new members North of Delaware if the Blue Hens leave the CAA.

(09-13-2023 07:49 PM)mainejeff Wrote:  I think that some of you underestimate how difficult it might be attracting new members North of Delaware if the Blue Hens leave the CAA.

Yeah, it's been really tough with Monmouth, Stony Brook, Albany and now Bryant joining. Said the same about attracting Southern schools when JMU left. In come NC A&T, Campbell and Hampton.

One thing we won't underestimate is your capacity to attempt to stir the pot on other school's boards by posting stupid stuff.

(09-14-2023 04:37 AM)Tribe4SF Wrote:  

(09-13-2023 07:49 PM)mainejeff Wrote:  I think that some of you underestimate how difficult it might be attracting new members North of Delaware if the Blue Hens leave the CAA.

Yeah, it's been really tough with Monmouth, Stony Brook, Albany and now Bryant joining. Said the same about attracting Southern schools when JMU left. In come NC A&T, Campbell and Hampton.

One thing we won't underestimate is your capacity to attempt to stir the pot on other school's boards by posting stupid stuff.

I'm talking about all-sport adds, doofus.

(09-14-2023 04:55 AM)mainejeff Wrote:  

(09-14-2023 04:37 AM)Tribe4SF Wrote:  

(09-13-2023 07:49 PM)mainejeff Wrote:  I think that some of you underestimate how difficult it might be attracting new members North of Delaware if the Blue Hens leave the CAA.

Yeah, it's been really tough with Monmouth, Stony Brook, Albany and now Bryant joining. Said the same about attracting Southern schools when JMU left. In come NC A&T, Campbell and Hampton.

One thing we won't underestimate is your capacity to attempt to stir the pot on other school's boards by posting stupid stuff.

I'm talking about all-sport adds, doofus.

Monmouth, Stony Brook, A&T, Campbell, Hampton. Easy on the name calling. We may be face to face some day.

I think Bryant or Albany would accept an invitation in a heartbeat. So far I think Monmouth has been the best add, hopefully their bball turns it around. It won't happen but looking north we should set our sights on Holy Cross. If we look south I'd rather see us continue to try to snag SoCon teams instead of Big South--adding Wofford and Holy Cross would help the academic reputation of the league.

These are my suggestions accepting the reality we probably won't ever leave the CAA.

*If we lost UD and CofC and backfilled with HC and Wofford and switched to ESPN+ I would be a happy camper. If we backfill with Bryant and Charleston So. or Albany and sign another flosports contract my interest in the league will fall to a new all time low. And this year's football/bball schedules have it an all time low--first year I haven't subscribed to Flo...I'm sure I'm not alone.

(09-14-2023 07:27 AM)W+M4TW Wrote:  I think Bryant or Albany would accept an invitation in a heartbeat. So far I think Monmouth has been the best add, hopefully their bball turns it around. It won't happen but looking north we should set our sights on Holy Cross. If we look south I'd rather see us continue to try to snag SoCon teams instead of Big South--adding Wofford and Holy Cross would help the academic reputation of the league.

These are my suggestions accepting the reality we probably won't ever leave the CAA.

*If we lost UD and CofC and backfilled with HC and Wofford and switched to ESPN+ I would be a happy camper. If we backfill with Bryant and Charleston So. or Albany and sign another flosports contract my interest in the league will fall to a new all time low. And this year's football/bball schedules have it an all time low--first year I haven't subscribed to Flo...I'm sure I'm not alone.

Hit the nail on the head here. Bad teams plus a bad media deal is an absolute backbreaker for growing the fanbase.

Quote:If we backfill with Bryant and Charleston So. or Albany and sign another flosports contract my interest in the league will fall to a new all time low. And this year's football/bball schedules have it an all time low--first year I haven't subscribed to Flo...I'm sure I'm not alone.

It's hard for me to imagine how to improve the CAA without blowing it up and starting over, but your suggestion of adding a solid Patriot team + a solid SoCon team is a noble effort. In any event I would hope that we would at least get a divisional system with some protected cross-division rivalries for scheduling purposes, because it feels a little silly for us this year not playing Delaware *or* Villanova *or* New Hampshire. Richmond is the only conference game on our schedule that elevates my heart rate.

(09-14-2023 10:13 AM)A Quest Called Tribe Wrote:  

Quote:If we backfill with Bryant and Charleston So. or Albany and sign another flosports contract my interest in the league will fall to a new all time low. And this year's football/bball schedules have it an all time low--first year I haven't subscribed to Flo...I'm sure I'm not alone.

It's hard for me to imagine how to improve the CAA without blowing it up and starting over, but your suggestion of adding a solid Patriot team + a solid SoCon team is a noble effort. In any event I would hope that we would at least get a divisional system with some protected cross-division rivalries for scheduling purposes, because it feels a little silly for us this year not playing Delaware *or* Villanova *or* New Hampshire. Richmond is the only conference game on our schedule that elevates my heart rate.

I know Campbell and A&T weren't on your radar any more than Monmouth and Hamption were on ours, but I think you will be surprised going forward how good those additions end up being. A&T is at the top level school academically and a top level HBCU with national recognition. Campbell has been building their school and athletics program under the radar for quite some time. They have a really nice, newer basketball facilty and have ramped up their football program which had been on the shelfp for quite some time. I can tell you that they have a highly respected law school and pharmacy school in the state of North Carolina as well. Both should be good adds in football as their recruiting improves in the CAA, Campbell baseball has been top level for quite some time, and Campbell has had some pretty good basketball teams, even in the Big South. I think that will improve in the CAA as well. The Southern wing of the CAA has a lot of potential even if Charleston should leave. The N/S divisional setup will make it a lot easier to bring on decent southerh schools going forward. High Point would jump at replacing Charleston i'm sure. And I still think UNCG is on the table.

(09-11-2023 10:02 PM)Rocco Wrote:  

(09-11-2023 09:46 AM)Tribe32 Wrote:  We have no money in our reserve funds. We have several sports that are only hanging on based on donor support including parents of the athletes. We have a big Title IX issue.

The vision that we must have going forward includes what sports we want to have and which geographies do we want to play and recruit. Anything farther away or more expensive makes no sense at all in the short run. Maybe Mann is discussing a new conference with other peer schools, but unless there is traction there, moving from the CAA does nothing right now.

https://news.wm.edu/2022/07/21/william-m...ni-giving/

We have the money. We just choose not to spend it on sports because the school doesn't think sports are important. You get what you fight for.

This quote from today’s Hark! (W&M News) reinforces what Rocco is saying:

”This summer, the university began phase one of a $700-plus million comprehensive housing and dining facilities project that will renovate or replace 80% of its campus residences and provide two new, modern dining spaces. The first new student housing is anticipated to open in fall 2025.”

(09-14-2023 12:00 PM)ScottyB757 Wrote:  

(09-11-2023 10:02 PM)Rocco Wrote:  

(09-11-2023 09:46 AM)Tribe32 Wrote:  We have no money in our reserve funds. We have several sports that are only hanging on based on donor support including parents of the athletes. We have a big Title IX issue.

The vision that we must have going forward includes what sports we want to have and which geographies do we want to play and recruit. Anything farther away or more expensive makes no sense at all in the short run. Maybe Mann is discussing a new conference with other peer schools, but unless there is traction there, moving from the CAA does nothing right now.

https://news.wm.edu/2022/07/21/william-m...ni-giving/

We have the money. We just choose not to spend it on sports because the school doesn't think sports are important. You get what you fight for.

This quote from today’s Hark! (W&M News) reinforces what Rocco is saying:

”This summer, the university began phase one of a $700-plus million comprehensive housing and dining facilities project that will renovate or replace 80% of its campus residences and provide two new, modern dining spaces. The first new student housing is anticipated to open in fall 2025.”

The housing and dining project is primarily funded by a public-private partnership however. William and Mary is not spending most of that money.

(09-14-2023 12:00 PM)ScottyB757 Wrote:  

(09-11-2023 10:02 PM)Rocco Wrote:  

(09-11-2023 09:46 AM)Tribe32 Wrote:  We have no money in our reserve funds. We have several sports that are only hanging on based on donor support including parents of the athletes. We have a big Title IX issue.

The vision that we must have going forward includes what sports we want to have and which geographies do we want to play and recruit. Anything farther away or more expensive makes no sense at all in the short run. Maybe Mann is discussing a new conference with other peer schools, but unless there is traction there, moving from the CAA does nothing right now.

https://news.wm.edu/2022/07/21/william-m...ni-giving/

We have the money. We just choose not to spend it on sports because the school doesn't think sports are important. You get what you fight for.

This quote from today’s Hark! (W&M News) reinforces what Rocco is saying:

”This summer, the university began phase one of a $700-plus million comprehensive housing and dining facilities project that will renovate or replace 80% of its campus residences and provide two new, modern dining spaces. The first new student housing is anticipated to open in fall 2025.”

The College also spent millions of dollars on new performing arts facilities.

Curtain goes up on William & Mary’s spectacular, new performing arts facilities

I mean, considering we are an academic institution first and foremost, I don't think it's that crazy to prioritize spending on those type of facilities.

Our dorms and dining halls are pretty pedestrian compared to most other schools.

Let’s put it this way, we need a new indoor convocation center and upgrades to our outdoor convocation center(s). Virginia gives us the money or else we cut in-state admissions by 10%.

(09-14-2023 12:50 PM)TDenverFan Wrote:  I mean, considering we are an academic institution first and foremost, I don't think it's that crazy to prioritize spending on those type of facilities.

Our dorms and dining halls are pretty pedestrian compared to most other schools.

Agree on that and it’s not as if we haven’t ignored athletics. I never thought I would see the quality of upgrades at Zable Stadium which are just spectacular. When I think back on the west side and the wooden press box, what a jewel we upgraded. I know Kaplan bugs many but I still go into W&M Hall and am somewhat amazed we have a facility that large and available for basketball.

(09-14-2023 12:50 PM)TDenverFan Wrote:  I mean, considering we are an academic institution first and foremost, I don't think it's that crazy to prioritize spending on those type of facilities.

Our dorms and dining halls are pretty pedestrian compared to most other schools.

I hate this out-of-control arms race among colleges today. So many universities are building needless luxury amenities. Gotta keep the applicant numbers high or else your US News ranking will slide. No one considers the ridiculously high tuition and resulting student debt. Who cares about that when there are fancy wellness centers and spa-like rec facilities to enjoy? Graduation (and the accompanying crushing debt and dismal job prospects) is far in the future.

(09-14-2023 02:41 PM)TribeFan1983 Wrote:  

(09-14-2023 12:50 PM)TDenverFan Wrote:  I mean, considering we are an academic institution first and foremost, I don't think it's that crazy to prioritize spending on those type of facilities.

Our dorms and dining halls are pretty pedestrian compared to most other schools.

I hate this out-of-control arms race among colleges today. So many universities are building needless luxury amenities. Gotta keep the applicant numbers high or else your US News ranking will slide. No one considers the ridiculously high tuition and resulting student debt. Who cares about that when there are fancy wellness centers and spa-like rec facilities to enjoy? Graduation (and the accompanying crushing debt and dismal job prospects) is far in the future.

I agree to an extent, but I think a lot of our dorms are pretty out of date. Some of the freshman halls still don't have AC, and it's routinely 90+ in Williamsburg in August/September.

Also, if we really want to go down that rabbit hole, pretty sure athletic fees add to the tuition more than these dorm enhancements do...

(09-14-2023 12:50 PM)TDenverFan Wrote:  I mean, considering we are an academic institution first and foremost, I don't think it's that crazy to prioritize spending on those type of facilities.

Our dorms and dining halls are pretty pedestrian compared to most other schools.

Kaplan is pretty pedestrian as well, yet the school can't seem to find the money to renovate it. They can fund other pet projects but somehow the trough is empty when it comes to athletics. You get what you fight for.

Some of the folks here more connected mentioned in past discussions that when football needed something funded, Laycock had a list of donors outside of the athletic department he would hit up for the money so no one else got it, and he got the project done. The basketball program would do the minimum required for funding but didn't work at cultivating the donor base. I think about this a lot whenever the discussion turns to fundraising. I'll probably think about it more when I'm sitting in the renovated part of Zable in a couple weeks.

Todd Boehly alone is worth 5.3 billion dollars. Guessing he has 1.6 million under the cushions of his couch. What are we doing here? This shouldn’t be hard. Stop ******* around and get the athletics complex done.