10 months into the job, is Larry Williams doing a good job?

[mu03eng]

Are you suggesting that you currently correspond with Buzz on a regular basis?  How else would would you know the current status of their relationship?  From an email from 5 months ago?

Good god, can you, Madtown and Ners take this to PM????  Seriously for complaining about Ners ruining threads(and he does) you guys do it just as much with your I can't let him win BS.  MOVE ON!

Staying within topic, Ammo, I think the board will be in thirds....no matter what a third will hate LW and blame him if Buzz leaves after this year regardless.....a third will say LW did the right thing and Buzz clearly isn't the guy because he left, and then middle third will weigh the job Buzz went to versus what he had, do the math and figure out what side to fall on.

I think, unfortunately for LW, he's dug a bit of a hole justified or not, that means Buzz has to go to a noticeably better job to win the middle third.

[Benny B]

I don't think it is that serious of a deal.  But, for BET or NCAA games, there is always a conflict between season ticket holders with points based upon donations to the B&G fund and for big dollar donors to the university that MU is courting, in this case Pilarz.  In the past, B&G donor points were weighted for seat location allotment, and that changed in NYC and long time point holders got moved upstairs only to note the hobnobbers in suits in the VIP sections. 

Supposedly, the AD was MIA during the rift, and B&G donors weren't feeling represented by LW.  It was rather odd to see Pilarz and LW enter and leave these games with pretty much of a cold shoulder reaction.  I think this has changed for the better, though, as the new folks settle in.  Minor but not a great first impression.

Understood; however, I don't agree with your first line... the IRS is always serious.  If you don't believe me, make a $1.00 mistake on your 1040 next year and when the IRS sends the friendly letter about your miscalculation, tell them you're not paying the $1.00 because you don't think it is that serious of a deal.

[79Warrior]

Actually, this begs the question:

If Buzz leaves for an equivalent program closer to TX, or a clear blueblood program, does Larry still take the heat?

For some, LW is clearly the wrong guy for the job, and nothing is really going to change that.

Well if Texas comes calling I would not lay that at Larry's doorstep. That said, with a highly rated class coming in he would have to be really pissed to leave behind all this hard work building this program.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

Impossible to know for at least 5 years. But from what I've seen and heard from my west coast satellite tv contacts: squirm.

Is this an "uttt ohhh!!!"?  Anything specific that's shareable?.

[4everwarriors]

I blame Crean.

[jmayer1]

Understood; however, I don't agree with your first line... the IRS is always serious.  If you don't believe me, make a $1.00 mistake on your 1040 next year and when the IRS sends the friendly letter about your miscalculation, tell them you're not paying the $1.00 because you don't think it is that serious of a deal.

Is this a joke?

[Dawson Rental]

Actually, this begs the question:

If Buzz leaves for an equivalent program closer to TX, or a clear blueblood program, does Larry still take the heat?

For some, LW is clearly the wrong guy for the job, and nothing is really going to change that.

A Buzz contact extension with smiles and good vibes from all concerned at the press conference would do the trick, I think.

[Dawson Rental]

Is this an "uttt ohhh!!!"?  Anything specific that's shareable?.

I believe that this was a tongue in cheek reference to Chicos Bail Bonds and Hoopaloop.

[Benny B]

Is this a joke?

Not to me.  But I don't go around misrepresenting the tax code to potential donors.

[GGGG]

I don't think it is that serious of a deal.  But, for BET or NCAA games, there is always a conflict between season ticket holders with points based upon donations to the B&G fund and for big dollar donors to the university that MU is courting, in this case Pilarz.  In the past, B&G donor points were weighted for seat location allotment, and that changed in NYC and long time point holders got moved upstairs only to note the hobnobbers in suits in the VIP sections. 

There is nothing wrong with this.  MU is still giving "priority" on sales to B&G holders versus the general public. 

[jmayer1]

Not to me.  But I don't go around misrepresenting the tax code to potential donors.

Neither did MU and your comment about being off $1 on your tax return is way off base IMO.

[Jay Bee]

Sorry to be late or ignorant here, but WTF??  If this is true, then whoever signed off on this could have put a class-action lawsuit target square on the B&G Fund.

For those of you wanting to run LW out of town, this might be your chance (if you're a B&G donor).  Call your local ambulance chaser and ask him/her what he/she knows about the IRS 80-20 rule (and what happens when purported benefits are not conveyed).

The level of benefits don't matter to the 80/20 if they're not ridiculously high.  The allowed deduction is a gross over-simplification that allows a tax benefit for a gift when you're receiving priority opportunities for athletic events.  Class action lawsuit?  smh.

I think it's safe to say Benny B is not a CPA or in the 1%.  Wow. 

[Dr. Blackheart]

MU self-reported this to the IRS. The T-Shirt Cops were hired to investigate.  Walker is running a story on this violation, and that Pilarz is getting a one mass suspension for Christmas. The Badger forums are reporting from their inside sources that the Pope is involved and that LWilliams gave him a mass robe and secretly drove him to South Bend during an unofficial open church visit in May.  Developing....

[Benny B]

The level of benefits don't matter to the 80/20 if they're not ridiculously high.  The allowed deduction is a gross over-simplification that allows a tax benefit for a gift when you're receiving priority opportunities for athletic events.  Class action lawsuit?  smh.

I think it's safe to say Benny B is not a CPA or in the 1%.  Wow. 

Just the response I'd expect from a bean-counter... takes everything at face value, completely misses the point, and makes a reference that's three months past its expiration date.

The issue is not with level of benefits that is being received, the issue is with not providing and/or inequitably allocating benefits that were promised.

[Jay Bee]

Just the response I'd expect from a bean-counter... takes everything at face value, completely misses the point, and makes a reference that's three months past its expiration date.

The issue is not with level of benefits that is being received, the issue is with not providing and/or inequitably allocating benefits that were promised.

No.  You're speaking about things that you do not understand.  Shhh.

[chrisvondra]

No.  You're speaking about things that you do not understand.  Shhh.

+1000. Classic internet response after being called out when clearly wrong from Benny.

[GGGG]

Just the response I'd expect from a bean-counter... takes everything at face value, completely misses the point, and makes a reference that's three months past its expiration date.

The issue is not with level of benefits that is being received, the issue is with not providing and/or inequitably allocating benefits that were promised.

Benny, the only thing they promised is "Priority to purchase Big East Tournament tickets" and "Priority to purchase Postseason Tournament tickets."

Source: http://www.gomarquette.com/bluegold-fund/preferred-season-tickets.html

It doesn't say that they have "sole priority" or even "first priority."  They have priority over the general public.  So since I am not a B&G member, and presumably you are, you have the chance to buy the tickets before I do.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

I think some may be directing their discontent at the wrong person. I highly doubt Larry Williams is the one orchestrating all this. I think it's Pilarz

[Goose]

PRN
Completely agree with you. LW is not the bad guy, if indeed a bad guy exists in the program.

[Dr. Blackheart]

I think some may be directing their discontent at the wrong person. I highly doubt Larry Williams is the one orchestrating all this. I think it's Pilarz

True...but my original point was many B&G donors were upset also that LWilliams was not representing them--his department's sponsors--in what became a very public situation. I am sure some were fueled by Benny's point, but my feeling it was more of an emotional one and it was certainly a bad first impression. As I said, it was minor looking back, but another hurdle, combined with others, that put him in a hole with supporters. LWilliams was to have spent the summer having meet and greets with some of these key supporters.

Don't forget, Cords also had many of these same issues like when introducing the points system, firing Deane, the Warriors name switch, GT's number, etc. Cottingham had long time relationships with many of these people as he was the one who built The Al.  They are still mad at MU for his firing.

[Jay Bee]

+1000. Classic internet response after being called out when clearly wrong from Benny.

Benny's speaking nonsense because s/he doesn't understand what s/he is talking about.  The school did exactly what they said they would do and there are no IRS issues.  

edited: my fault, CV. 

[Benny B]

No.  You're speaking about things that you do not understand.  Shhh.

Let's put it this way... I understand no less about said topic than you understand sarcasm.

[Silkk the Shaka]

I believe that this was a tongue in cheek reference to Chicos Bail Bonds and Hoopaloop.

'Twas. And I felt dirty the second I clicked post. I'll try not to do it again.

[jmayer1]

No, it's Benny who is wrong.  s/He's speaking nonsense because s/he doesn't understand what s/he is talking about.  The school did exactly what they said they would do and there are no IRS issues.  Great 4th post though - welcome.

He was actually saying your were right (calling out Benny's post and saying +1000 to your post).