From this morning's J/S:
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=760174
Strong wields influence behind scenes at Marquette
By DON WALKER
dwalker@journalsentinel.com
Posted: June 9, 2008
You can find him at most Marquette University men's basketball games, home or away.
Dick Strong has plenty of influence in Marquette's men's basketball program.
At the Bradley Center, he sits directly across from the Marquette bench.
To most fans, he's just a fan who probably paid a lot of money to secure a choice seat to watch the Golden Eagles play basketball in the Big East Conference.
He's not just any fan or supporter, however.
Ask anyone knowledgeable about the Marquette athletic program who is the biggest supporter of the Golden Eagles and the answer is always the same:
Dick Strong.
Four years after Strong's multi-billion-dollar mutual fund company unraveled after he and the firm he founded were targeted in an improper trading investigation, Strong now finds solace supporting Marquette men's basketball.
It is an unusual relationship. At many schools across the country, prominent benefactors are often publicly recognized for their money and support. At the University of Wisconsin, a public university, benefactors are routinely named and honored for their support.
But that's not the Dick Strong way. Or for that matter, Marquette's.
It is a testament to Strong's influence on the program that few people, either inside or outside the school, will even talk about Strong.
With the sole exception of Father Robert Wild, the president of the university, no athletic department official would agree to speak to the Journal Sentinel about Strong and his relationship with the program.
Steve Cottingham, the school's new athletic director, wouldn't talk about Strong either on or off the record. Greg Kliebhan, the school's vice president, turned down two requests to be interviewed.
Tom Crean left Marquette abruptly to become the head coach at Indiana University but nonetheless enjoyed a long, friendly relationship with Strong. Crean "politely declined" an interview request.
Crean's predecessor, Mike Deane, also declined a request.
The same is true for the school's new basketball coach, Buzz Williams. Williams, who was extensively interviewed by Strong, declined to speak about Strong.
Strong himself did not respond to repeated attempts to interview him.
For Strong, staying under the radar is nothing new. He was that way when he ran Strong Funds, an independent money-managing company he took years to build.
But after then New York attorney general Eliot Spitzer accused Strong of timing certain financial transactions to benefit certain clients, Strong settled for $175 million. Strong eventually sold his company - with nearly $34 billion in assets - to Wells Fargo.
Strong soon turned his attention to forming Baraboo Growth LLC, an investment firm with an office near I-94 and N. 84th St.
While Strong prefers to stay way out of the spotlight, sources say he plays an influential role in the program. It begins with financial support, but it recently included Strong's effort to help Marquette find a replacement for Crean.
As with everyone else connected with the Marquette program, Strong was blind-sided by Crean's decision to leave Marquette abruptly and go to Indiana University.
As Marquette scrambled to find a new coach, the search group settled on Williams, who had been an assistant to Crean.
It is the measure of Strong's influence with the program that Strong was the only booster who had a private interview with Williams only days before Williams' hiring was announced.
Wild said that was his recollection as well.
"I was in Washington and I was working on a search for a new provost, so it's very difficult to answer that question," Wild said. "I believe the answer is yes, but I don't have all of the details."
Wild said it was no secret that Strong was "very interested in the program. He cares a great deal about it. He became very good friends with Tom Crean, and Dick is somebody worth listening to, I think. There's obviously a number of people that we naturally feel can help us."
Wild said Strong had been helpful to the university in a number of ways. "I try to talk with people like that who can help us think better and more creatively about the program. They really care," Wild said.
One source who has worked with Strong and knows him well said Strong would do anything for Marquette.
"This will sound saccharine, but he's a Milwaukee guy," the source said. "How big is he? This would explain why Marquette is not Loyola or DePaul."
Another Strong friend said Strong was, by far, the major booster to the Al McGuire Center, the $31 million facility that provided a huge boost to the entire athletic program. Wild declined to confirm that, but said Strong "certainly would have pitched in."
"He does not like to be in the headlights," said a third source who knows Strong. "I don't think he has many friends. But he has been a huge supporter of the team, and he was the major donor for the Al McGuire Center."
George Reis, a Two Rivers money manager who knows Strong, used an old sales analogy to describe Strong's level of commitment. In a bacon-and-egg breakfast, the chicken is involved, but the pig is committed. Strong, Reis said, is committed.
"He does prefer to be in the background. But whatever Dick does, he does it to excess," Reis said.
During Crean's nine years with Marquette, Strong enjoyed access to the program that few Marquette fans have. Strong also arranged to bring in well-known and successful people to speak to the players, including Hall of Famer Bill Russell and military heroes whom Strong admired.
With a new basketball era about to start at Marquette with Williams, there is little doubt Strong will play a strong behind-the-scenes role.
At the press conference announcing Williams' new job, Cottingham thanked many people for helping him in the process, including Wild, university backer John Bergstrom and other prominent Marquette officials.
Strong was never mentioned. But for those close to the Marquette program, Cottingham didn't have to.
They already knew.
(http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/mu/img/jun08/strong609.jpg)
I rest my case.
Does anyone now doubt the process is flawed?
Results - si
Process - no
Did a little searching and found a good Fortune magazine article on Strong. Man he would be tough to work for!
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2003/11/24/353793/index.htm
Marquette basketball's money man
Written by: noreply@blogger.com (NY Warrior)
Here's a must read 'profile' on Dick Strong, the heavyweight businessman/Marquette basketball fan and benefactor. Why is it a must read?
"How big is he (Strong)? This would explain why Marquette is not Loyola or DePaul."
Don Walker of the Journal-Sentinel has the report (http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=760174).
http://www.crackedsidewalks.com/2008/06/marquette-basketballs-money-man.html
I guess we now know why Tom Pippins is doing stories on Buzz Williams in early June.
Let's review the series of events as they likely went down this week:
1. Don Walker asks MU to comment about Dick Strong's influence on Buzz Williams' hiring for a piece he's working on in the JS.
2. MU panics and arranges piece with Channel 6.
3. MU asks Rosiak to counter the negative publicity by publishing puff piece on Buzz in JS.
4. Buzz is asked to arrange for Rosiak to interview Gillespie for his blog.
Let's ask ourselves:
1. Why is MU still trying to spin this hiring? Are they hearing that much negativity?
2. Is it possible that the JS/Don Walker continues to hear so much negative reaction to this hiring that they decided to look into why MU hired such an inexperienced and seemingly unqualifed candidate?
3. Is it any coincidence that this firestorm has erupted the week season ticket invoices were mailed?
This hiring continues to be extremely flammable and MU is standing by with buckets of water at every turn. A couple questionable losses early next year and you're going to need a fire retardant suit to get into the lower bowl.
The fact of the matter is they're asking season ticket holders to pay high prices for a major college basketball program and they just hired a guy who probably couldn't have gotten an interview at Stevens Point.
It seems to me that after two months people are finally taking stock of what has transpired and they're genuinely pissed off. And it's not Crean's departure. It's this hire. It's been two months and you would have thought it was yesterday by today's Journal.
This could get very, very ugly in a hurry.
Quote from: RedWebster on June 10, 2008, 07:37:08 AM
3. Is it any coincidence that this firestorm has erupted the week season ticket invoices were mailed?
PRN ... is that you?
Anyhow, your attempt to characterize as a "firestorm" a puff piece about Buzz's family and a story about a major college ath;letic program that has - gasp! - an influential booster is quite laughable.
I can't believe I'm going to say this, but you were more interesting when you were nickname obsessed.
It's a conspiracy man! :o
The only new (eyebrow raising) bit of information in that article was that Strong interviewed Buzz before his hire.
Anyone surprised? Strong is the #1 donor for MUBB. To an extent, the MU coach is partially Strong's employee.
I highly doubt MU was in a "panic" because that non-surprising story was going to be published.
Quote from: THEGYMBAR on June 10, 2008, 06:53:21 AM
Does anyone now doubt the process is flawed?
I am not understanding the problem here. Do you think that a major financial underwriter of the basketball program should *not* be granted input into who the next coach should be? He's donated millions to the basketball program, but the University should just say "this is our decision...you are not a stakeholder" and shut him out? That would be moronic.
Quote from: RedWebster on June 10, 2008, 07:37:08 AM
The fact of the matter is they're asking season ticket holders to pay high prices for a major college basketball program and they just hired a guy who probably couldn't have gotten an interview at Stevens Point.
No, no, no... not even close. I don't even know where to begin with this ignorant statement.
Many times on this site there have been complaints about the lack of coverage in the local media regarding Marquette. Now they are giving our new coach some nice coverage and people think there is a conspiracy going on. I do not know how peole can handle life always looking for the negative. I believe Crean would have done anything he could to increase the coverage. The only significant coverage he got was when he refused to play UWM. Perhaps the local media did not like Crean and would not give him anything extra. Perhaps at this point they like Williams and therefore are giving him the coverage Crean would have loved to get. As long as we are on conspiracies, I have felt for a while that the Big East refs hated Crean. It will be interesting this year to see how the refs react to Williams.
Quote from: bilsu on June 10, 2008, 08:29:00 AM
Many times on this site there have been complaints about the lack of coverage in the local media regarding Marquette. Now they are giving our new coach some nice coverage and people think there is a conspiracy going on.
+1
To a degree, Dick Strong is MU's Boone Pickens (with a couple less 0's in his checking account, but still a lot more than the vast majority of us).
Quote from: Pakuni on June 10, 2008, 07:57:46 AM
PRN ... is that you?
This was also my immediate reaction when reading the very 1st ever posting of "RedWebster". :P
Quote from: Coach Norman Dale on June 10, 2008, 08:47:52 AM
This was also my immediate reaction when reading the very 1st ever posting of "RedWebster". :P
+1
Quote from: Sir Lawrence on June 10, 2008, 05:15:04 AM
then New York attorney general Eliot Spitzer accused Strong of timing certain financial transactions to benefit certain clients
Anyone know what happened to this Spitzer fella? I would expect a man of such high moral character would go far in politics.
Quote from: mu_hilltopper on June 10, 2008, 08:02:28 AM
The only new (eyebrow raising) bit of information in that article was that Strong interviewed Buzz before his hire.
Yes, that certainly made my eyebrows raise.
(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee41/roblowe14/beaker.jpg)
Saw some comments he must have been a tough person to work for. I never worked for him but I had the opportunity to play basketball with him years ago when he was at M&I prior to Strong C. Was a good player and yes played hard, very competitive individual in sports and business.
Later I had the opportunity to work with his company providing technology. His employees were treated extremely well and everything was FIRST CLASS. He hired extremely talented people who dealt fairly with vendors and business partners. I was in the computer business and it was a pleasure working with Strong C as they were above board ensuring a win win scenario for both our companys.
Quote from: Coach Norman Dale on June 10, 2008, 09:00:24 AM
Anyone know what happened to this Spitzer fella? I would expect a man of such high moral character would go far in politics.
+1 ;)
Quote from: MUDish on June 10, 2008, 08:46:08 AM
To a degree, Dick Strong is MU's Boone Pickens (with a couple less 0's in his checking account, but still a lot more than the vast majority of us).
Yup. The two men are similar in many ways as well. My dad was a geologist in the oil business for decades before passing, he used to tell me a lot of stories about Pickens. There is a great interview with Pickens this month in Fast Company magazine as well, definitely worth the read.
Both are highly intellectual men, when they become involved in something the go all in (not half arse), they admire strong leaders..no pun intended (admire military leaders, etc), etc. Happy to have him on board and helping MU out.
The comment about Loyola and Depaul vs MU is an important one. I did find it interesting that no one wanted to be on the record about him, however.
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on June 10, 2008, 09:59:05 AM
Quote from: Coach Norman Dale on Today at 09:00:24 AM
Anyone know what happened to this Spitzer fella? I would expect a man of such high moral character would go far in politics.
+1 ;)
+2
It's intresting to see that some folks simultaneously think that their own season ticket investement gives them the right to dictate the "flaws" in the coaching hiring process, but then turn around and are offended that Dick Strong has earned that voice based on his commitments to the program.
Apparently, those people feel there is a narrow range that qualfies one to know what's best for MU, to the exclusion of all others.
You don't buy season tickets: You don't deserve a voice
You contbute millions + personal commitment: You don't deserve a voice
How much less would Dick Strong have to support MU in order for him to be considered an equal.
It's clear that many of you feel that your voice deserves more attention than Strong's.
Why?
That Cnn Money article paints a pretty poor picture of Mr. Strong. I think its great to have such a passionate and competitive (not to mention wealthy) supporter for our basketball program but it seems quite humorous to me that a man with such an obviously poor ethical reputation has such a strong (pardon the pun) connection to a school that preaches Jesuit values and requires several ethics courses. I guess thats probably why Fr. Wild is the only person to actually acknowledge the relaitionship....
Quote from: MUONTOP on June 10, 2008, 10:32:57 AM
That Cnn Money article paints a pretty poor picture of Mr. Strong. I think its great to have such a passionate and competitive (not to mention wealthy) supporter for our basketball program but it seems quite humorous to me that a man with such an obviously poor ethical reputation has such a strong (pardon the pun) connection to a school that preaches Jesuit values and requires several ethics courses. I guess thats probably why Fr. Wild is the only person to actually acknowledge the relaitionship....
The NYT and CNN were Spitzers lap dogs. He used the media regularly to make his case before he filed charges. Wouldn't beleive half of it.
I would put some money down that RedWebster = Richard #1 from the Crackedsidewalks comments section.
Every major college program has benefactors that essentially run the athletic department.
Over at ND, who do you think fired Ty Willignham and hired Charlie Weis? Phil Purcell (former Morgan Stanley Chief) and Ed Debartolo (former owner of the 49s). They told the AD (White) to fire Willignham and they spear-headed the effort to hire Weis.
Further, why do you think Digger Phelps is a favorite to take over as AD at ND? You think Digger is qualified to fire Weis and hire his replacement? Of course not! He is even less qualified than Cottingham. However, it's not his concern. Purcell and Debartolo run the football program, not the AD.
This is the way the world works. Top programs have Dick Strong types running the show. And, yes, that is why MU is different than DePaul and Loyola. They don't have a Dick Strong.
Be lucky that MU's benefactor is not a Luther Campbell type. (Luther was the head of the rap group "Two Live Crew" and essentially ran the "The U" football program in the 1980s, when they gained their reputation as criminals.)
Finally, if you assume, like I do that Strong runs the bball program, I have to assume Strong was ok with Crean leaving for IU. Otherwise, Strong would not have allowed it (and he can). Further, Strong had to approve the hiring of Buzz (he interviewed him!). Since Strong has many millions and a lot of emotion tied into the program, if he's ok with the hire, I am too.
Quote from: AnotherMU84 on June 10, 2008, 12:18:14 PM
Every major college program has benefactors that essentially run the athletic department.
Over at ND, who do you think fired Ty Willignham and hired Charlie Weis? Phil Purcell (former Morgan Stanley Chief) and Ed Debartolo (former owner of the 49s). They told the AD (White) to fire Willignham and they spear-headed the effort to hire Weis.
Further, why do you think Digger Phelps is a favorite to take over as AD at ND? You think Digger is qualified to fire Weis and hire his replacement? Of course not! He is even less qualified than Cottingham. However, it's not his concern. Purcell and Debartolo run the football program, not the AD.
This is the way the world works. Top programs have Dick Strong types running the show. And, yes, that is why MU is different than DePaul and Loyola. They don't have a Dick Strong.
Be lucky that MU's benefactor is not a Luther Campbell type. (Luther was the head of the rap group "Two Live Crew" and essentially ran the "The U" football program in the 1980s, when they gained their reputation as criminals.)
Finally, if you assume, like I do that Strong runs the bball program, I have to assume Strong was ok with Crean leaving for IU. Otherwise, Strong would not have allowed it (and he can). Further, Strong had to approve the hiring of Buzz (he interviewed him!). Since Strong has many millions and a lot of emotion tied into the program, if he's ok with the hire, I am too.
Well said. Especially if you are not a giant, public University, if you want to be one of the big boys, you have to raise money. If you raise big money, this is what you have to deal with.
Quote from: MU06CU10 on June 10, 2008, 12:16:40 PM
I would put some money down that RedWebster = Richard #1 from the Crackedsidewalks comments section.
Yep, just read the comment section over at CS.
No question, that Richard #1 is Red Webster, who I also believe to be Harveys Wallbangers, who is reported to be our old friend PRN.
Although the names change (Have to say that I enjoyed today's "Road House" inspired choice of Red Webster), good to see that the content remains the same ... Insane rants that are filled with hyperbole, conspiracy theories, unfounded statements all while consistently beating to death old topics and issues.
Way to go, Richard#1RedWebsterHarveysWallbangersPuertoRicanNightmare!!!
I'll go out on a limb and suggest that DICKSTRONG is probably more qualified to interview and select high level managers (including a "manager" of our BBall program) than anyone in the MU administration.
(Who wants to spearhead the drive to sell yellow "DICKSTRONG" rubber bracelets to raise money for the athletic department?)
Quote from: BrewCity on June 10, 2008, 01:21:26 PM
I'll go out on a limb and suggest that DICKSTRONG is probably more qualified to interview and select high level managers (including a "manager" of our BBall program) than anyone in the MU administration.
(Who wants to spearhead the drive to sell yellow "DICKSTRONG" rubber bracelets to raise money for the athletic department?)
You may have a point there.
Quote from: BrewCity on June 10, 2008, 01:21:26 PM
I'll go out on a limb and suggest that DICKSTRONG is probably more qualified to interview and select high level managers (including a "manager" of our BBall program) than anyone in the MU administration.
+1
Quote from: RJax55 on June 10, 2008, 01:11:49 PM
Yep, just read the comment section over at CS.
No question, that Richard #1 is Red Webster, who I also believe to be Harveys Wallbangers, who is reported to be our old friend PRN.
Although the names change (Have to say that I enjoyed today's "Road House" inspired choice of Red Webster), good to see that the content remains the same ... Insane rants that are filled with hyperbole, conspiracy theories, unfounded statements all while consistently beating to death old topics and issues.
Way to go, Richard#1RedWebsterHarveysWallbangersPuertoRicanNightmare!!!
THANK YOU!
I knew I recognize the name Red Webster from somewhere.
Road House. Classic.
What's next? Using names from Hard to Kill, or Tango and Cash? (movies for guys who like movies)
Also, if that is PRN (which is certainly believable), then hooray to him for finding something else to bitch about. Now that Crean is gone, he has to work a little harder, but I knew he'd come up with something.
Next Topic: DJ's high socks and armband: we know (from PRN) that DJ only wears them to attract attention to himself because he is a selfish young man.
Quote from: Phi Iota Gamma 84 on June 10, 2008, 10:47:34 AM
The NYT and CNN were Spitzers lap dogs. He used the media regularly to make his case before he filed charges. Wouldn't beleive half of it.
Fine ignore half of it...but please don't be naive enough to believe that this man was completely innocent. All I was saying is its a little ironic that this man who seems to have some very flexible ethical lines is one of the most powerful men in our athletic department. If Marquette wants to remain competitive they need someone like Strong, theres nothing wrong with that and many programs around the country do. One thing is for sure though, you won't see any Dick Strong case studies in any of Marquette's ethics classes.
Quote from: AnotherMU84 on June 10, 2008, 12:18:14 PM
Finally, if you assume, like I do that Strong runs the bball program, I have to assume Strong was ok with Crean leaving for IU. Otherwise, Strong would not have allowed it (and he can). Further, Strong had to approve the hiring of Buzz (he interviewed him!). Since Strong has many millions and a lot of emotion tied into the program, if he's ok with the hire, I am too.
And how is Dick Strong going to prevent someone from leaving...that is absurd. The coaches are not slaves or serfs or anything of the kind. Dick Strong cannot prevent ANYONE from leaving if they wish to. Nor would he. If someone had another opportunity and wishes to exercise it then they're going to. Now, if you're going to suggest that if it came down to money and Strong wanted to put up more cash to save a coach, yeah that certainly could happen if Strong was so inclined, but he can't prevent anyone from leaving.
Quote from: MUONTOP on June 10, 2008, 02:39:46 PM
Fine ignore half of it...but please don't be naive enough to believe that this man was completely innocent. All I was saying is its a little ironic that this man who seems to have some very flexible ethical lines is one of the most powerful men in our athletic department. If Marquette wants to remain competitive they need someone like Strong, theres nothing wrong with that and many programs around the country do. One thing is for sure though, you won't see any Dick Strong case studies in any of Marquette's ethics classes.
The problem with Spitzer doing his strong armed shake-down strategy has been talked about for years. Is anyone "completely innocent" on anything? No. But what Spitzer did is basically reverse blackmail on many of these corporations and it cost Wisconsin many jobs because of his nonsense.
Quote from: AnotherMU84 on June 10, 2008, 12:18:14 PM
This is the way the world works. Top programs have Dick Strong types running the show. And, yes, that is why MU is different than DePaul and Loyola. They don't have a Dick Strong.
I think suggesting that Dick Strong "runs the show" is a bit strong. Clearly he has a great deal of access and influence. Money gets you those things in just about any enterprise, not just college athletics.
I don't doubt the administration wanted a coach with Strong's blessing, but I doubt he ultimately made the hire or calls the shots. Suffice to say, if Mr. Strong wanted his gardner named head coach and his nephew running the point next year, he wouldn't get his way.
Chico, just curious, what exactly is reverse blackmail?
Quote from: Pakuni on June 10, 2008, 03:08:53 PM
I don't doubt the administration wanted a coach with Strong's blessing, but I doubt he ultimately made the hire or calls the shots. Suffice to say, if Mr. Strong wanted his gardner named head coach and his nephew running the point next year, he wouldn't get his way.
You don't become Dick Strong by making stupid decisions like that. Do you think MU would hire a coach that Strong did not want? More specifically, if Cottingham said "I want Buzz" and Strong said "I do not", would Buzz be the head coach? Get real.
Hence, Strong runs the program.
And look, their is nothing wrong with this. This is how EVERY sucessful program works. Your naive to think that the AD runs the show. Money runs the show and those that pay for it, run it.
Quote from: Pakuni on June 10, 2008, 03:08:53 PM
Suffice to say, if Mr. Strong wanted his gardner named head coach and his nephew running the point next year, he wouldn't get his way.
Unless Johnnie Lacy's his nephew...
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on June 10, 2008, 02:47:31 PM
And how is Dick Strong going to prevent someone from leaving...that is absurd.
He'll buy off IU to find someone else like he did all the other schools that went after Crean earlier in the decade.
Point is, he did not want to buy off IU.
Something tells me Crean's relationship with Strong was strained at the end and this hastened his departure. The losses to GU and Stanford didn't help matters, but Tom probably was tired of being Dick's homeboy and was anxious to bolt.
I also find it odd that nobody wanted to comment on Strong in the article. Its common knowledge that he's quirky and a little strange.
OT: I find it strange no one wanted to comment on the obvious Dick Strong jokes. ;D
QuoteBut that's not the Dick Strong way. Or for that matter, Marquette's. ... Ah yes the Dick Strong way.
This thread is so random it's almost possible to comment on. I guess i'll sum up a bunch of thoughts:
1) Yes, if you have millions that you are willing to give to a university and want to be involved in the decision making process as to how that cash is spent, then they will let you be involved. This is true if you give them a bunch of cash to build a new dorm, practice facilities or hire a new coach.
2) MU does not controll the media, if a member of the media decides to take a positive spin on something it doesn't mean that mu somehow caused orchastraited that spin in order to create a 'puff peice'. If they had the level of control some of the early posts were posting there would be more of a focus on us and less on the badgers by our own local paper.
3) I don't care who Dick Strong is as a person, parent, friend, boss, or alliance partner on survivor. If he's involved in this basketball program and his decisions make it better than good, if they don't then i'll want him to back off and won't be able to do anything about it and will start complaining.
4) Anyone who thinks 'bad press' is throwing the higher ups at MU into a 'panic' is crazy. So some sports nerd website (rivals) who has never talked to buzz gave us a 'D'? Do you think this is brought up as a new business item at board meetings?
5) I'm actually more comfortable with the idea of strong doing our interviews, cottingham hasn't done anything to make me trust his personal evaluations more than anyone who built a billion dollar business.
6) Welcome back PRN. Do us a favor and stick around during winning streaks this year.
Quote from: AnotherMU84 on June 10, 2008, 03:29:04 PM
He'll buy off IU to find someone else like he did all the other schools that went after Crean earlier in the decade.
Point is, he did not want to buy off IU.
Are you suggesting Strong made contributions to other schools to leave Crean alone? So that is why Crean's name was often in the press when other jobs opened -- it was not b/c Crean was pushing it like some here have claimed -- but rather the ingenius development officers at those schools using him for fund raising.
Bad luck for Indiana. They obviously tried to do the same thing only to learn that the Strong well had run dry, and IU is now "stuck" w/ Crean as its head coach. And instead of Strong's huge contribution, Indiana has to continue to subsist on tax dollars and my far more meager contributions.
Quote from: RawdogDX on June 10, 2008, 03:56:59 PM
This thread is so random it's almost possible to comment on. I guess i'll sum up a bunch of thoughts:
1) Yes, if you have millions that you are willing to give to a university and want to be involved in the decision making process as to how that cash is spent, then they will let you be involved. This is true if you give them a bunch of cash to build a new dorm, practice facilities or hire a new coach.
2) MU does not controll the media, if a member of the media decides to take a positive spin on something it doesn't mean that mu somehow caused orchastraited that spin in order to create a 'puff peice'. If they had the level of control some of the early posts were posting there would be more of a focus on us and less on the badgers by our own local paper.
3) I don't care who Dick Strong is as a person, parent, friend, boss, or alliance partner on survivor. If he's involved in this basketball program and his decisions make it better than good, if they don't then i'll want him to back off and won't be able to do anything about it and will start complaining.
4) Anyone who thinks 'bad press' is throwing the higher ups at MU into a 'panic' is crazy. So some sports nerd website (rivals) who has never talked to buzz gave us a 'D'? Do you think this is brought up as a new business item at board meetings?
5) I'm actually more comfortable with the idea of strong doing our interviews, cottingham hasn't done anything to make me trust his personal evaluations more than anyone who built a billion dollar business.
6) Welcome back PRN. Do us a favor and stick around during winning streaks this year.
Great post, and great point.
The websites are read by "hardcore fans", but let's face it, that's only about 5% of the total fanbase (or less).
As far as big benefactors go just look at Phil Knight and his involvement with Oregon athletics. Their AD has no AD experience, doesn't even have a college degree, and just happens to be a good friend of Knight. Money talks.
1. Dick Strong demands anonymity so no one at Marquette would speak, except Fr. Wild.
2. Dick Strong does not interfere in any way, shape or form with Marquette's coaches or the administration. One member of the Administration they are surprised how little he exerts himself. He stays out of the way and asks for nothing. The priveleges he has been granted are because they were offered to him by MU, not because Strong asked, much less demanded.
3. Dick Strong was not advised about TC's actions until after he had signed the IU contract (termed letter of understanding) per my sources. That was probably intentional because Strong may well have assisted MU in besting the IU offer.
4. Strong is a quirky guy but he and his wife a very well liked people by their friends and contemporaries.
5. Strong along with a few other wealthy alums were involved in the hiring process. Some, like Strong offered their assistance while others tried to force a different result. Strong was consulted and assisted in a few areas.
6. If you thought Strong was "guilty" of anything in the Spitzer investigation (remember the feds and SEC took a pass on investigating Strong), I offer this: Spitzer was a prosecutor who allowed a very wealthy man to buy his way out of a prosecution--contrary to the rules of ethics for prosecutors. Spitzer either brings a case or he doesn't. Instead, he blackmails this wealthy guy, taking nothing from him or his heirs--only his charitable giving--perhaps taking money which may have been earmarked for Marquette or other Milwaukee-area charities. Dick Strong will still pass the same money down to the next generation and won't go cheap on any vacations as a result. Spitzer was building his case for a run for governor on the backs of Strong and others. So we now know who the whore was. Dick Strong MAY have stradled an ethical line, but in the wake of the Spitzer self-destruction, how can anyone say anything negative about Strong with any certainty?
Quote from: AnotherMU84 on June 10, 2008, 03:29:04 PM
Point is, he did not want to buy off IU.
Perhaps. However in this case he might not have wanted to get into a bidding war with Mark Cuban.
Quote from: Coach Norman Dale on June 10, 2008, 04:04:47 PM
Are you suggesting Strong made contributions to other schools to leave Crean alone? So that is why Crean's name was often in the press when other jobs opened -- it was not b/c Crean was pushing it like some here have claimed -- but rather the ingenius development officers at those schools using him for fund raising.
Bad luck for Indiana. They obviously tried to do the same thing only to learn that the Strong well had run dry, and IU is now "stuck" w/ Crean as its head coach. And instead of Strong's huge contribution, Indiana has to continue to subsist on tax dollars and my far more meager contributions.
Use his financial firm (past tense now) to exert influence on the unversities endowment and/or that University benefactor to "go find someone else." It's not as simple as a check to the general fund. It might be a phone call to the billionaire running the other unversity bball team and asking him to "do me a favor". Might be more forecful. Whatever it takes.
I still get the sense you poeple still think basketball people actually run the basketball program. They only do when the program stinks.
Even Coach K has to answer to Darla Moore and Bill Gross
Quote from: Marquette84 on June 10, 2008, 04:41:46 PM
Perhaps. However in this case he might not have wanted to get into a bidding war with Mark Cuban.
Cuban is involved, but more involved with trying to get the football off the ground. He already has a bball team to occupy himself.
If he was involved with the bball to the level you imply, Bennett would not have been able to say no.
Quote from: AnotherMU84 on June 10, 2008, 03:25:47 PM
More specifically, if Cottingham said "I want Buzz" and Strong said "I do not", would Buzz be the head coach? Get real.
Hence, Strong runs the program.
If Dick Strong tried to force the administration to hire Coach X and Fr. Wild was intensely opposed to Coach X, would Coach X be hired? Get real.
Hence, Dick Strong does not run the program.
I'm curious, though. What exactly are your connections with Marquette and/or Marquette athletics that you can make such bold proclamations?
First off -- Dick Strong thank you for your ongoing support of Marquette University.
In terms of keeping Crean at Marquette -- well Strong could have made an offer he couldn't refuse. 8-) No Godfather approach but a $ one.
On the legal questions Strong faced -- Spitzer didn't have the case so it didn't go anywhere. The rules were changed in the industry and Strong moved on. Spitzer got some temporary political jack out of it. The double standard came back to do in the now former governor. Remember JFK's dad -- Joe Kennedy made money by the market rules of the day and was later asked to head up the Securities and Exchange Commission to close the rules that made him super rich.
Living in Oklahoma I can tell you if you're a sports fan of a specific college you would rather have Strong than Boone Pickens. Both are intelligent and with a wild of steel. Pickens totally calls the shots at Oklahoma State. Sean Sutton despite being the son of the Legendary Eddie Sutton couldn't keep his job once Boone wanted a change.
Of the cast of characters involved with the Marquette hiring I'd trust Strong more than anyone else.
Quote from: AnotherMU84 on June 10, 2008, 03:29:04 PM
He'll buy off IU to find someone else like he did all the other schools that went after Crean earlier in the decade.
Point is, he did not want to buy off IU.
Come on....that is so silly. Look, I can see Strong coming in to help MU match an offer like with KO or another coach leaving. Point is, Crean left before any match could be had. In fact, Crean said in follow-up interviews he was sorry he left the way he did but part of it was because he didn't want to have to face some of those folks...I interpreted that as he didn't want to have to go through some of the save tactics that MU probably would have gone through to save Crean, including Strong.
A bit cowardice, but when you know someone for 9 years some people don't want to face others. Some just cut the cord, write the Dear John letter and that's the end of it.
But to suggest Strong is buying off (or would buy off) other departments to prevent a coach from going...I'm sorry, I need a lot of reynolds wrap for that one to creat a tinfoil hat. Just not buying it.
Strong is a behind the scenes kind of guy. It's why I said earlier today that no one commented on the article (except for Wild). I should have put a wink next to that statement....there's a reason why no one comments because that's the way Strong wants it.
Just be happy we've got Dick Strong on our side and on Milwaukee's side. He does a lot of great things for MU and for the city of Milwaukee. But he isn't out there buying off programs. That doesn't mean he was sorry to see Crean leave, but my guess is that if it came down to money, he would have helped to keep Crean in the fold. Crean left for reasons beyond money.
Quote from: Pakuni on June 10, 2008, 05:33:36 PM
If Dick Strong tried to force the administration to hire Coach X and Fr. Wild was intensely opposed to Coach X, would Coach X be hired? Get real.
Hence, Dick Strong does not run the program.
I'm curious, though. What exactly are your connections with Marquette and/or Marquette athletics that you can make such bold proclamations?
I know Dick Strong
You're assuming that Strong would try and force someone totally unqualified on MU. He would NEVER do that.
And since he would never do that, Father Wild will never say no to him. That's Tantamount to saying no to his millions. That will NEVER happen
Hence, Dick Strong runs the basketball program. Not the University, just the basketball program.
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on June 10, 2008, 06:17:40 PM
But to suggest Strong is buying off (or would buy off) other departments to prevent a coach from going...I'm sorry, I need a lot of Reynolds wrap for that one to create a tinfoil hat. Just not buying it.
Strong is a behind the scenes kind of guy. It's why I said earlier today that no one commented on the article (except for Wild). I should have put a wink next to that statement....there's a reason why no one comments because that's the way Strong wants it.
Are you suggesting benefactors don't get involved with the other University when they try and steal their coach?
I suppose you think Donovan really had a "change of heart" in not going to Kentucky. No money or under the table deals were involved (all legal if they do not involve recruits or players, it how business is done). No, it was Billy and his wife and consciecne talking things over the kitchen table.
Quote from: Gato78 on June 10, 2008, 04:37:55 PM
1. Dick Strong demands anonymity so no one at Marquette would speak, except Fr. Wild.
2. Dick Strong does not interfere in any way, shape or form with Marquette's coaches or the administration. One member of the Administration they are surprised how little he exerts himself. He stays out of the way and asks for nothing. The priveleges he has been granted are because they were offered to him by MU, not because Strong asked, much less demanded.
3. Dick Strong was not advised about TC's actions until after he had signed the IU contract (termed letter of understanding) per my sources. That was probably intentional because Strong may well have assisted MU in besting the IU offer.
4. Strong is a quirky guy but he and his wife a very well liked people by their friends and contemporaries.
5. Strong along with a few other wealthy alums were involved in the hiring process. Some, like Strong offered their assistance while others tried to force a different result. Strong was consulted and assisted in a few areas.
6. If you thought Strong was "guilty" of anything in the Spitzer investigation (remember the feds and SEC took a pass on investigating Strong), I offer this: Spitzer was a prosecutor who allowed a very wealthy man to buy his way out of a prosecution--contrary to the rules of ethics for prosecutors. Spitzer either brings a case or he doesn't. Instead, he blackmails this wealthy guy, taking nothing from him or his heirs--only his charitable giving--perhaps taking money which may have been earmarked for Marquette or other Milwaukee-area charities. Dick Strong will still pass the same money down to the next generation and won't go cheap on any vacations as a result. Spitzer was building his case for a run for governor on the backs of Strong and others. So we now know who the whore was. Dick Strong MAY have stradled an ethical line, but in the wake of the Spitzer self-destruction, how can anyone say anything negative about Strong with any certainty?
This needed to be quoted.
Dick Strong was busted for "market-timing." That means he traded in and out of the Strong mutual funds "after the fact." All told for a man worth nearly a billion dollars at the time, Spitzer said he made maybe $600k off these illegal trades over many years.
It was a stupid stupid move on Strong's part. While illegal it was a practice that literally hundreds in the securities business regularly did at the time. Akin to driving 75 on the highway, illegal but most do it.
Spitzer should have had Strong pay a still fine, restitution and move on. Instead Spitzer was an out of control and crushed him and in the process ruined his firm (it was sold to Well Fargo for a fraction of its value before the scandal). In killing the Strong funds, Spitzer wound up costing a few thousand people their jobs in Wisconsin. How did this serve justice? But this was the way Spitzer operated and many hated him for this (google "Ken Langone NYSE Spitzer" if interested). This is why they cheered on the floor of the NYSE the day Spitzer announced he was resigning.
Strong made a mistake but the punishment was outrageous for the crime.
Personally, I like when people choose to supprot MU and especially MU BB. We could not survive without it. But I also believe that no matter how much you contribute, you should not expect to get a voice in how to run it. I wonder how he got the voice - did he insist, or did MU think, wow - we should let him have a say here or this support might go away. I hope neither. I hope it was a courtesy interview that did not determine the outcome. But what do I know?!
Quote from: 4everwarriors on June 10, 2008, 06:20:32 AM
I rest my case.
What case? Name a successful University with out big time benefactors.
Quote from: 79Warrior on June 10, 2008, 07:40:58 PM
What case? Name a successful University with out big time benefactors.
Come on Dude, I said early on Strong hired Buzz and I meant it. Problem being few believed me until now.
Quote from: AnotherMU84 on June 10, 2008, 03:29:04 PM
He'll buy off IU to find someone else like he did all the other schools that went after Crean earlier in the decade.
Point is, he did not want to buy off IU.
\
Yeah, he will buy them off. give me a break.
Look how far we've come in the last 10 years. I'm cool with Dick Strong running things.
Quote from: TheManInGold on June 10, 2008, 03:49:43 PM
OT: I find it strange no one wanted to comment on the obvious Dick Strong jokes. ;D
We've got a pretty good one in the esteemed journalist: Michael Hunt
Quote from: AnotherMU84 on June 10, 2008, 06:53:15 PM
Akin to driving 75 on the highway, illegal but most do it.
That is so true. His personality is such that he does indeed "push it" to the limit. The "all in" quote is spot on. I'm very glad he is taking that approach to MU BB.
I wish we had 10 more Dick Strongs.
Anyone who wants to donate a ton of money is fine with me.
I know I can't do it, but if I did, I'd expect to have some input if I wanted.
Dick Strong=Awesome name!
Remember if your Dick Strong lasts greater than 4 hours please seek a physician... ;D
Quote from: 4everwarriors on June 10, 2008, 07:45:12 PM
Come on Dude, I said early on Strong hired Buzz and I meant it. Problem being few believed me until now.
I don't think anybody doubted that Strong had some influence--after all, he's the one paying the bill.
What many are trying to figure out is where you get off assuming that you're smarter than Strong. You keep acting as if YOU know better than Strong. Better than Wild. Better than Crean. Better than Cottingham. You, apparently are the smartest person in college athletics.
If you're so damn smart, GO GET A JOB WITH SOME OTHER PROGRAM. Your brilliance obviously could be used by any of the 300+ D1 programs that draw fewer fans than MU, win fewer games, garner less respect, and don't have the same positive PR.
Boo freakin hoo that MU won't listen to you. Why are you still whining about it here. If you think you're a better AD than Cottingham, go use your steallar repuataion on a real challenge. Volunteer to pick the next coach for Savannah State and turn them into the new UNC or UK. You obviously know exactly how. You think you can run a university better than Wild, then go find one. You know which AD to hire. Which coach to bring on board. Which boosters to keep out of the program. What opponents to schedule. What plays to run.
You obviously know it all. So go prove it somewhere.
Maybe then someone here will care.
Quote from: Ready2Fly on June 10, 2008, 03:25:02 PM
Chico, just curious, what exactly is reverse blackmail?
I call it reverse blackmail because it's the government doing it and they don't get in trouble for it. Legal extortion might be another word for it.
Threaten a company or individual, drag them to court, get a settlement out of them before a single conviction.
Quote from: AnotherMU84 on June 10, 2008, 06:28:41 PM
Are you suggesting benefactors don't get involved with the other University when they try and steal their coach?
I suppose you think Donovan really had a "change of heart" in not going to Kentucky. No money or under the table deals were involved (all legal if they do not involve recruits or players, it how business is done). No, it was Billy and his wife and consciecne talking things over the kitchen table.
Of course benefactors get involved....but I don't think you're following the timeline here. Crean was gone before Strong even had a chance to react. Would Strong have reacted...who knows. It's a moot point on this specific topic.
I was more puzzled by your original quote saying that Strong can prevent someone from going...are you still sticking to that statement?
Here is what I heard ~ Dick wanted Tom to run his sales office and he wanted Buzz to run the basketball team.
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on June 10, 2008, 10:43:02 PM
I was more puzzled by your original quote saying that Strong can prevent someone from going...are you still sticking to that statement?
Ok, let's play the word games.
No I'm not talking slavery. But if Strong wants to, he can influence/change a situation. Given his role in the program, he can change the outcome of events. That's what I meant.
If Crean wants out, you and I read about it and/or post messages about it. But we cannot change that outcome. Strong has the influence and means to change the outcome, and he does and has.
Crean leaving means one of two things:
1) Strong was simply not given any chance to change it
2) Strong did not want to change it
You believe Crean's departure was basically #1. I SUSPECT that #2 also played a role in Crean's departure. My guess (and that is all it is) is Crean got certain messages/body language from Strong that it was time to leave. So, when the message came to Strong that Crean left, I'm guessing (again) he was not as shocked by it.
Finally, given Strong's role in the program and Cottingham's "newness", the AD is not in a position to go from paying a HC almost $2m/year to an unproven assistant $600k/year UNLESS Strong approves. If Cottingham wanted to hire say Larry Brown at $2.5m/year and you told me Strong disapproved, I might buy that. But I'm not buying that Strong threw his checkbook on the table to get a high priced coach and Cottingham refused his money and fought him to hire Buzz. Strong approved.
So, if Strong is ok with Buzz, I am too. If Strong is part of the hiring process, and Fr. Wild said he was, then the hiring process was fine. Moderators, please delete the 10,000 posts about the flawed process because they were all wrong.
Fair enough...and my apologies. I get torqued off when people scrutinize some of my postings to the nth degree (even asking for proof at times or worse implications) so I shouldn't be doing it to you. No question Strong has strong influence that can certainly play an important role with the program and who the coach is, etc.
He would certainly be one of the 5 or so people that they would run it by for a blessing a long with another prominent BOT member(s) that have been mentioned here already. Hopefully it works out.
Quote from: AnotherMU84 on June 10, 2008, 06:20:15 PM
I know Dick Strong
You're assuming that Strong would try and force someone totally unqualified on MU. He would NEVER do that.
I know Barack Obama. That doesn't mean I have any special insight into every aspect of his life.
And no, I'm not suggesting Strong would try and force someone totally unqualified into the position.
Rather, I'm suggesting that if he and Fr. Wild - each of whom want what's best for the program - have a legitimate difference of opinion, Fr. Wild wins out. And, that being the case, Dick Strong
does not run the Marquette basketball program. Judging by the learned Gato's remarks, it sounds like Mr. Strong does not want or try to run the Marquette program.
I have no doubt he has a great deal of influence and that Fr. Wild and others listen to and respect his opinion. But influence does not equal control.
But, for the sake of argument, let's say you're correct. At least now we know once and for all who was behind the "Gold" fiasco.
Quote from: Pakuni on June 10, 2008, 11:29:56 PM
I'm suggesting that if he and Fr. Wild - each of whom want what's best for the program - have a legitimate difference of opinion, Fr. Wild wins out.
This is a theoretical argument that is not going to happen.
Wild has basically told us that Strong runs the program and he only watches from a distance.
From Roisak's blog, April 15, 2008
http://blogs.jsonline.com/muhoops/archive/2008/04/15/father-wild-on-crean.aspx
[excerpt]
During the search for a new coach, Wild said he met with Buzz Williams, the new Marquette coach. Wild said he did not meet with any other candidate.
"I had not met Buzz previously," Wild said. "I heard good things about him. I knew he was Tom's number one assistant and Tom was very happy with his assistants, probably happier than he had been, and would have certainly taken Buzz to Indiana in a heartbeat.
"But we had a sense that here was somebody who was willing to work hard, someone who was hungry to succeed, and who had the drive and work ethic and, of course, the recruiting skills to give us the sense that he could be the one to make this program go forward."
Wild said he spent time with Williams to learn about his personal life. "I heard his story, which I found very impressive. It seemed to me that there is tremendous human potential in this man," Wild said.
While Wild credited the team of Marquette officials and influential alumni for the hard work they put in to find a new coach, he also said the Big East Conference was a big help as well.
"There's high motivation within the conference to see the basketball programs succeed, along with football," he said.
---------------
In nine months, Father Wild never met with Buzz. Father Wild is telling you he has no opinion about the personnel in the bball program. He's only going to look at them from a moral character point of view, as a Priest should. To be clear, I have absolutely no problem at all with this role. It is entirely appropriate. In fact, if Father Wild was grilling Buzz about the swing offense, I'd be a little worried.
Running the bball program does not mean Strong is the dictator of the program. He understands that are limits and parameters. And a Jesuit school like MU, and an influential person person like Father Wild, are going to demand a certain level of moral character in their personnel. Strong has been associated with the program for over a decade and has delievered within these guidelines. So, where is this conflict you keep talking about?
Second, Father Wild also said;
Wild credited the team of Marquette officials and influential alumni for the hard work they put in to find a new coach. Now let's not get picky and point out Strong is not an alum. He meant Strong. So, Father Wild is approving of Strong's role in the program.
Conclusion - Strong runs the program. Be happy for it. He's good at it and I'm glad we have him.
P.S. In putting this post together, I read the last line and it struck a cord with me (I must have missed it the first time around). Is Father Wild telling us all is not well in the Big East between Football and Basketball Schools? Now that BE commish Tranghese announced he is retiring next year, maybe their is much more to the power struggle between the football and basketball schools in the Big East than seen on the surface?
Maybe this part should be broken out as a separate thread?
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on June 10, 2008, 10:43:02 PM
I was more puzzled by your original quote saying that Strong can prevent someone from going...are you still sticking to that statement?
Chicos, only Trevor Mbakwe can prevent someone from going! ;)
Quote from: AnotherMU84 on June 10, 2008, 05:01:00 PM
Cuban is involved, but more involved with trying to get the football off the ground. He already has a bball team to occupy himself.
If he was involved with the bball to the level you imply, Bennett would not have been able to say no.
I don't knwo anything about cuban and football but I know that his bball team isn't keeping him so busy that he doesn't have time top place numerous bids on the cubs.
I know Barack Obama.
Pakuni - Any chance you are Barack Obama?
I know Barack Obama, and you, Pakuni, are no Barack Obama.
Quote from: BrewCity on June 11, 2008, 09:27:10 AM
I know Barack Obama, and you, Pakuni, are no Barack Obama.
I'm far more eloquent, but he's better at picking churches.
Quote from: Pakuni on June 10, 2008, 11:29:56 PM
I know Barack Obama. That doesn't mean I have any special insight into every aspect of his life.
Did you get him a good deal on his mortgage? ;)
Quote from: downtown85 on June 11, 2008, 01:45:22 AM
Chicos, only Trevor Mbakwe can prevent someone from going! ;)
Excellent...well played