ILLINI Donors withholding $$$ untill AD fired

[Room510]

This from Chicago Tribune regarding their new AD Mike Thomas.  Don't think things would ever become this public at MU, but not hard to imagine something similar happenning in another year or so.

****************************************************************************************************
Bowsher represents a cross-section of the disgruntled fan base — high-profile donors whose discontentment begins with Thomas.

Bowsher and two other donors, whose aggregate contributions are estimated to total more than $1 million, told the Tribune they planned to stop contributing beyond current commitments until a change was made at athletic director.

Loss of financial support would come at a bad time for Illinois as it tries to raise funds for its Assembly Hall renovation project. Thomas said he didn't believe many donors had cut ties and hasn't had conversations with any who have.

"My university has been hijacked by a bunch of outsiders. I am absolutely furious," one of the big donors said. "I am absolutely finished. The checkbook is sealed. I am done.

"I don't know anyone who's excited or enamored with this current AD and the direction he is taking this administration. This isn't about Tim Beckman to me. ... I don't fault Tim Beckman for taking the job. It's obviously a terrific opportunity for him."

Bowsher is an Illinois alum who said he has been contributing time and money to the university for more than 20 years. His issues stretch well beyond the athletic department to the university board of trustees and former President Michael Hogan, but his experiences with Thomas have left him questioning his leadership ability.

"I don't think Mike Thomas is capable in any fashion," Bowsher said. "He's extremely weak from a personality standpoint. I don't see anything there that would tell me we would have success with him as athletic director."

[avid1010]

it would only take one donor at MU

[forgetful]

The sad part is that these "Donors" are more concerned about sports than they are about the school.  It is no wonder that the quality of an education in the US has been in decline for quite some time.

[Skatastrophy]

The sad part is that these "Donors" are more concerned about sports than they are about the school.  It is no wonder that the quality of an education in the US has been in decline for quite some time.

Athletic success directly impacts the number of donors and prestige of a university.

Marquette's Final Four benefited Marquette.  More donors, more applicants, better name recognition.  It's the best advertising that money can buy!

[forgetful]

Athletic success directly impacts the number of donors and prestige of a university.

Marquette's Final Four benefited Marquette.  More donors, more applicants, better name recognition.  It's the best advertising that money can buy!

I didn't say sports can't benefit a University, just that when it becomes only about sports that is a problem.  There are Universities that siphon money away from education to maintain a sports program, because it makes donors happy.  In many of these cases, the donor's then donate more to sports, but not necessarily more to the actual University as a whole, leading to a decline in the quality of the education. 

Marquette is very fortunate that their sports program is turning a profit.  They need to make sure they continue that.  We are one mistake away from the program costing the University millions annually.  If this occurs, that money will come from the academic departments, leading to a decline in the University as a whole.

This is precisely why Marquette should never try for D1 football.  They can't possibly bring in enough money to not affect the University as a whole.

[avid1010]

Athletic success directly impacts the number of donors and prestige of a university.

Marquette's Final Four benefited Marquette.  More donors, more applicants, better name recognition.  It's the best advertising that money can buy!

I understand what you are saying in regards to $$$ and national recognition, but are you saying the university offers a higher quality education today than it did prior to the final four?

[chapman]

I understand what you are saying in regards to $$$ and national recognition, but are you saying the university offers a higher quality education today than it did prior to the final four?

Maybe, maybe not.  But it is perceived that it does.  And in cases like this, perception is reality.

[Skatastrophy]

Maybe, maybe not.  But it is perceived that it does.  And in cases like this, perception is reality.

Not just that, but money buys better facilities.  Better facilities and national recognition are currency to buy better staff.

With the drastic increase in applicants over the past 10 years, Marquette has been able to be more selective about the quality of student we've been accepting (I seriously couldn't get in with the GPA/SAT I had when I started in 1999).

Those two things combined are quickly raising the academic profile of our university.

Now, all of that being said... it's hard to prove that there's anything more than a correlation between athletic and academic success.  But, as always, I believe I'm right ;p

[Benny B]

Not just that, but money buys better facilities.  Better facilities and national recognition are currency to buy better staff.

With the drastic increase in applicants over the past 10 years, Marquette has been able to be more selective about the quality of student we've been accepting (I seriously couldn't get in with the GPA/SAT I had when I started in 1999).

Those two things combined are quickly raising the academic profile of our university.

Now, all of that being said... it's hard to prove that there's anything more than a correlation between athletic and academic success.  But, as always, I believe I'm right ;p

While I agree with the spirit of what you're saying, the GPA/SAT phenomenon is one not unique to Marquette.  I'm sure many (perhaps most) of UW alums admitted prior to 1992 (1st Rose Bowl under Barry) would be going to a dash school if they graduated HS today with the same academic record.

[GGGG]

While I agree with the spirit of what you're saying, the GPA/SAT phenomenon is one not unique to Marquette.  I'm sure many (perhaps most) of UW alums admitted prior to 1992 (1st Rose Bowl under Barry) would be going to a dash school if they graduated HS today with the same academic record.

Actually it was 1988 when they changed their open admissions policy.  I believe that was the last year that you were guaranteed admittance to UW-Madison by finishing in the top half of your high school graduating class. 

Not sure what role football success played in their subsequent growth in reputation since then.  It is always going to be more important for private schools since they don't have the natural constituencies that publics have.

[jsglow]

This from Chicago Tribune regarding their new AD Mike Thomas.  Don't think things would ever become this public at MU, but not hard to imagine something similar happenning in another year or so.

Really?  You have some evidence that big money donors to MU are unhappy with the current state of affairs?  They're upset that Steve Taylor lives in Carpenter Tower?  Or that there's been notice given to the players to stay out of trouble?  Or that the team is depicted in this year's video with backpacks?  Or that possibly the best recruiting class since the Three Amigos shows up in 10 months knowing full well that they'll be held accountable both on and off the court?

On the contrary, I would have expected big money donors to be livid over the Chicago Tribune headlines in 2011 that fairly or unfairly put our university in a very poor light.  I'll promise you that Fr. Wild and then Fr. P fielded numerous 'Clean this crap up!' phone calls.

[jsglow]

Not just that, but money buys better facilities.  Better facilities and national recognition are currency to buy better staff.

With the drastic increase in applicants over the past 10 years, Marquette has been able to be more selective about the quality of student we've been accepting (I seriously couldn't get in with the GPA/SAT I had when I started in 1999).

Those two things combined are quickly raising the academic profile of our university.

Now, all of that being said... it's hard to prove that there's anything more than a correlation between athletic and academic success.  But, as always, I believe I'm right ;p

There's no question that Marquette's national profile has improved dramatically since the dark days of the early 1990's.  Factors include prolific fundraising, successful athletics, especially after entering the BEast, and an ambitious campus construction and beautification program and many other factors.  I personally give most of that credit the Fr. Wild.  I believe he may go down in history has one of our great university presidents.  Now we're annually blessed with full Frosh classes any university would envy.

[Benny B]

There's no question that Marquette's national profile has improved dramatically since the dark days of the early 1990's.  Factors include prolific fundraising, successful athletics, especially after entering the BEast, and an ambitious campus construction and beautification program and many other factors.  I personally give most of that credit the Fr. Wild.  I believe he may go down in history has one of our great university presidents.  Now we're annually blessed with full Frosh classes any university would envy.

I'm calling bias on this one.

[jsglow]

I'm calling bias on this one.

Right.... he brings down the averages considerably!

[avid1010]

Not just that, but money buys better facilities.  Better facilities and national recognition are currency to buy better staff.

With the drastic increase in applicants over the past 10 years, Marquette has been able to be more selective about the quality of student we've been accepting (I seriously couldn't get in with the GPA/SAT I had when I started in 1999).

Those two things combined are quickly raising the academic profile of our university.

Now, all of that being said... it's hard to prove that there's anything more than a correlation between athletic and academic success.  But, as always, I believe I'm right ;p

works both ways, imho.  i think less of many institutions because of the programs they run/people they employ.  i'm not sure bigger is better...i think mu has expanded their degree options too wide in some areas...