2200 days of Brad Edwards

[JPgmuswim]

Hopefully they don't have a contract if they are faulty.

They do when you have a faulty school President, most of us here lived through that period of Mason history.

 

[Herndon]

So, I think most of us are on board with the hiring of Dave Paulsen (even though some of us are taking a wait and see approach).

At George Mason, mens basketball is the bell cow, and hiring the right guy is one of the more important duties of an AD.

Does anybody have strong feelings about the job he's done otherwise? I remember when he came in, his supposed expertise was in fundraising. Has that improved?

How about involvement with the community/alumni/fanbase?

These are not rhetorical questions, I genuinely haven't paid close enough attention to know, and I'd love to hear the insight of those who have.

I think two years is long enough to have established a heading, and I'm curious if people are happy with the heading.

So, same question. What have we seen in the last 2 years to encourage us?

as before, this is not a rhetorical question, I'd actually like to hear folks opinions, what they like that has happened in the last 2 years what they don't like that has happened in the last 2 years.

I'll start by saying I've gotten more regular contact from fundraisers reaching out to me even though I'm a very small time donor. I'm firmly of the belief that grass roots fundraising from guys like me is really important to long-term success of the program.

 

[Five Two]

I sent this to some friends of mine after the news of the contract extension was made public:

I like what he has done. I think he does catch a break in that the bar was set low coming in after O'Connor. But getting a naming rights deal, apparel deal and practice facility are huge for the school and he should take credit.

Brad's biggest priority remains fundraising, IMO. We don't have enough $$ to do the things I would love to see addressed:
Facilities:

• new/renovate arena- EBA's bones are good but its 30+ years old and its past its prime. without suites, its hospitality offerings are far behind its peers. so whether we build a brand new arena or gut EBA, where is the $$ going to come from?
• Mason stadium- home to 5 teams, i'd love to see us have seperate track-and-field facility and soccer/lax facility. But if that doesnt happen, then the current stadium needs upgrades. metal bleachers, no suites, no bathrooms, no concessions, etc, etc. Again, where is the $$ coming from?
• Softball, volleyball, wrestling facilities seem to be competitive when compared to our peers as those have been given the investments needed
• Baseball had new dugouts and backstop, but i think everything else is on hold until $$ comes in to build a grandstand.

• Its unfortunate we couldnt work out a deal with either the Potomac Nationals, Wizards/Mystics or DC United. The P-Nats are building a brand new stadium in Fredericksburg. The Wizards/Mystics are opening their new WNBA/GLeague facility soon and DC United selected a spot in Loundon County for their USL team. I know O'Connor and team got burned on the softball facility and many of those folks are still on staff. I understand they are gun-shy on partnering on a facility. But partnering with a pro softball league is a bit different than partnering with a MLS or MiLB team. Ted was never building in Fairfax, but one of the other two would have made sense. Easier said than done and for all I know, they may have had discussions with all three. Regardless, that ship has passed.

Olympic sports:

• The performance of our olympic sports is disappointing, to say the least. I know moving from the CAA to the A10 was a step down in everything except hoops. I think there is enough talent in the DMV for most of our sports to be near the top of the A10. Did we have any team reach the NCAAs last school year? I dont know if its that we don't offer the full amount of scholarships allowed by the NCAA (I know for sure baseball and women's soccer are fully funded), if the facilities are way behind, if our coaches aren't talented enough, etc, etc. But the results speak for themselves and its a problem.
• I think our model is wrong. Without football, there is no reason a division I school should have 22 sports. I believe the minimum required by the NCAA is 14 or 16 and I think Xavier and vcu are at that #. We can be Title IX compliant with 14 or 16 sports more competitive by re-allocating budget from the sports we remove. You all have heard me say this for years and i know it will never happen.

Fan interest:

• This is really tough and I don't know where the cycle starts. Most locals and alums don't care. Is that because we don't win? Or is it because we don't win consistently in order to build that loyalty? Is it because we don't give people a reason to care? I don't think we need a Dave Paulsen show on MASN like ECU has for their basketball coach. Thats "EAST" Carolina, not "NORTH".... Who knew there was demand for ECU hoops. I would say that buying that time on MASN isn't worth it. But how about a podcast hosted by Bill R with DP weekly? Thats content a sponsor looking to get in front of a small, but loyal fanbase could invest in.
• Get the students to games. period. I like how they've invited certain groups to sit down near the floor and give them free pizza. a good start. need more and more ideas. I've always believed that getting a student to invest in the team means they are more likely to become season ticket holders after graduation

Brad has built the foundation to take us to the next level. Lets hope he sticks around long enough to see of the above get fixed

 

[masonjoe]

Can we please get some decorations on the practice facility walls, what an embarrassment

 

[Falco]

I expect donations to be up at the end of this season. Winning cures everything.

Loyola to Build $18.5 Million Athletics Practice Facility
http://loyolaphoenix.com/2018/02/loyola-build-18-5-million-athletics-practice-facility/

 

[mkaufman1]

So, same question. What have we seen in the last 2 years to encourage us?

as before, this is not a rhetorical question, I'd actually like to hear folks opinions, what they like that has happened in the last 2 years what they don't like that has happened in the last 2 years.

I'll start by saying I've gotten more regular contact from fundraisers reaching out to me even though I'm a very small time donor. I'm firmly of the belief that grass roots fundraising from guys like me is really important to long-term success of the program.

In the last 2 years we've seen:

Practice Facility open
Locker Room/team lounge upgrade
Video boards in Eagle bank
Lighting in Eagle Bank
Partnership with Learfield

These are very nice and needed investments, albeit overdue. Going forward I saw the priority is to build an extension out to the Practice Facility with coaching staff offices and other bells and whistles. I suspect the fundraising for that will start sometime this season once the locker rooms are done. As far as the arena goes, I think that's probably going to be on the plate after the phase 2 is done. The priority from the get go was to really get the basketball programs up to snuff with facilities (that excellence plan that has been talked about in articles on gomason). They may seem basic but I suspect you can't build on top until you have the basic set in.

Personally I love what I'm seeing. I know its specific to the basketball programs, but all around things are much better whether its facilities, overall fundraising, or even communication. I'm really excited to see the teams show what they can do on the court.

I'm still convinced winning cures all for program interest, and once this program gets to where it needs to be you'll start seeing more interest. They have to win big (continuous NCAA appearances, A10 championships) for things to really skyrocket. I think there is more interest than many of us give credit for, its just that you don't see the butts in the seats to the quantity that some of us would like.

Anyway enough of my babble.

 

[GSII]

The NOVA Snobs won't come unless they feel like they are part of something big time. And we simply aren't big time. Untill then, expect the same 20yr old grumble about attendance.

 

[GMUgemini]

The NOVA Snobs won't come unless they feel like they are part of something big time. And we simply aren't big time. Untill then, expect the same 20yr old grumble about attendance.

I'm pretty sure there is a sizable Fairfax population that actively hates the university being there at all, let alone the basketball team.

 

[gmujim92]

Once the practice facility is done, my wish would be to begin work on a modern 7,500-seat arena.

I’m sure Cabrera and the BOV are reluctant to take on major debt service for a non-academic building, but unless the university’s bond rating is bad, it can still borrow money at very attractive rates.

Float $100M in bonds and build it on land the university already owns. Keep EBA for shows and other stuff.

Given our fundraising limitations, that’s the only way it’s gonna get done unless we wait another 50 years.

 

[JPgmuswim]

Once the practice facility is done, my wish would be to begin work on a modern 7,500-seat arena.

I’m sure Cabrera and the BOV are reluctant to take on major debt service for a non-academic building, but unless the university’s bond rating is bad, it can still borrow money at very attractive rates.

Float $100M in bonds and build it on land the university already owns. Keep EBA for shows and other stuff.

Given our fundraising limitations, that’s the only way it’s gonna get done unless we wait another 50 years.

I would imagine they’d be more likely to follow what U of R did to the Robins Center. They spent 17 million upgrading it, adding their club level for big donors, and by doing that shrinking their seat capacity from 9,071 to 7,201. I know a couple years back Brad and company were down checking it out.

With the new Entertainment Sports Arena (Mystics, Wizards Practice facility) and the 1 year old Anthem(6k cap. concert venue) in DC I’m afraid we will be seeing EBA used less and less for shows and events. Hope I’m wrong.

 

[MasonSAE4]

I would imagine they’d be more likely to follow what U of R did to the Robins Center. They spent 17 million upgrading it, adding their club level for big donors, and by doing that shrinking their seat capacity from 9,071 to 7,201. I know a couple years back Brad and company were down checking it out.

With the new Entertainment Sports Arena (Mystics, Wizards Practice facility) and the 1 year old Anthem(6k cap. concert venue) in DC I’m afraid we will be seeing EBA used less and less for shows and events. Hope I’m wrong.

I think it's going to be difficult to reduce capacity with the university growing. The place still has to be able to hold events like graduation, and with the university targeting an enrollment of well over 40,000 I don't see them going that route. Maybe by a little but not by 25%.

 

[gmujim92]

I think it's going to be difficult to reduce capacity with the university growing. The place still has to be able to hold events like graduation, and with the university targeting an enrollment of well over 40,000 I don't see them going that route. Maybe by a little but not by 25%.

EBA is booked on many days because of various university functions. It’s why we needed a dedicated practice facility and why we need a smaller arena just for sports.

 

[MasonSAE4]

EBA is booked on many days because of various university functions. It’s why we needed a dedicated practice facility and why we need a smaller arena just for sports.

I tend to agree with you, although if the team gets to where (I think) DP is going to get it, we can put more than 7500 in the building. My freshman year in 2010/11 I know we were putting more than that in the building most games even if it wasn’t sold out. I get that that was a really good team, but success in the A10 will generate more interest than success in the CAA.

 

[Cedric Dempsey]

Can we please get some decorations on the practice facility walls, what an embarrassment

I bet they’ll take your credit card #. Shoot Brad an email.

 

[GMUgemini]

I tend to agree with you, although if the team gets to where (I think) DP is going to get it, we can put more than 7500 in the building. My freshman year in 2010/11 I know we were putting more than that in the building most games even if it wasn’t sold out. I get that that was a really good team, but success in the A10 will generate more interest than success in the CAA.

The 2011 team had over 9,000 at the Northeastern game. That tells you of the potential exists if we get a consistent team playing high quality basketball in the building.

 

[Jack Strop]

EBA is booked on many days because of various university functions.

And then some! EBA is booked tonight. Just flipping channels after the Redskins game and I landed on CBS-WUSA-9 which is airing live PBR from Fairfax, Virginia! Nope, that's not Pabst Blue Ribbon, but the one-and-only Pro Bull Riding.

It's completely surreal to see a bull trying to shake off some thistleheaded, stiff-necked cowboy with Mason's logo and green n' gold seats in the background.

I hope they can get out the smell of cow pies, mule muffins, and horse fritters before Mason Madness!

 

[GMUSig03]

I bet they’ll take your credit card #. Shoot Brad an email.

give.gmu.edu

 

[Dawgs99]

Anyone know anything about the progress of the locker room project at EBA?

 

[gmujim92]

Anyone know anything about the progress of the locker room project at EBA?

Last I heard, it’s supposed to be done by the start of the season.

 

[By George.]

"We're a big-time program in a big-time city and we need to act that way." - Brad Edwards

Interview with Brad here -

http://giantkiller.co/2018/10/13/interview-brad-edwards-mason-madness-2018/