Countdown to Hewitt's Next Longevity Bonus

[disgruntled]

That's a terrifying answer.

I believe Ripley's Believe It or Not runs twice a year. Could this be the TV appearances Cabrera is referring to?

 

[wijg]

I have been having the same feeling as Pablo with regard to Cabrera's statements. Unfortunately, his and Edward's statements can be interpreted very widely.

On the end of season review, that could be interpreted as "we can't talk about it now, but he is gone at the end of the season", but the pessimist could also interpret as trying to shut people up and hoping they forget about it after the season is done.

On the "national tv" comment, it could just be having to spin it positively that we are not currently wasting our money, but the pessimist could also read it as him being naive and actually thinking the current situation is acceptable, at least to ride out year 5. What really scares me is that those are similar comments that I have heard some high end donors make to defend Hewitt, etc.. Again, maybe they have good poker faces.

So, unfortunately, I think we are stuck with him at least through the bonus and through the end of the season (unless AC and BE have really good poker faces). After that, who knows...

The one thing I will point out again is that if you want Hewitt gone, that you politely let those in charge know it. If you don't plan to come back until Hewitt is gone, let them know it. Make the decision to keep him as hard as possible.

 

[Pablo]

Only 1300 donors at such a large school is truly terrible. I think the ball is being dropped at creating the experience as an undergrad to make them want to turn around and donate/return to homecoming/become a season ticket holder/etc. Build the foundation with the undergrads and the alumni will take care of themselves.

It should be noted that 1,300 donors is the goal, not the actual number of donors so far this fiscal year.

 

[99 Patriot]

I'm growing somewhat concerned that he could make enough excuses to get another year.

• Mayimba/Lockett not available
• Copes...
• Look how good the center I brought in is
• This new conference is tough
• Look at these great recruits we have coming in
• We beat vcu for a half

Each game BE and AC see a full Green Coat room, BE can bring a former Redskin buddy with him and be treated like a rockstar and then they sit it an atmosphere where we have had a surprisingly decent student section on one end and of course a great band on the other. Yes, wins would be better, but knowing the atmosphere wasn't THAT much better during all those 20 win seasons, maybe it's just not worth the cost.

I realize this has been talked to death on these boards, but we may very well be the vocal minority. I hope not, but it's possible.

 

[wijg]

I'm growing somewhat concerned that he could make enough excuses to get another year.

• Mayimba/Lockett not available
• Copes...
• Look how good the center I brought in is
• This new conference is tough
• Look at these great recruits we have coming in
• We beat vcu for a half

Each game BE and AC see a full Green Coat room, BE can bring a former Redskin buddy with him and be treated like a rockstar and then they sit it an atmosphere where we have had a surprisingly decent student section on one end and of course a great band on the other. Yes, wins would be better, but knowing the atmosphere wasn't THAT much better during all those 20 win seasons, maybe it's just not worth the cost.

I realize this has been talked to death on these boards, but we may very well be the vocal minority. I hope not, but it's possible.

We may very well be the minority, but I also wonder how vocal we are. And what is more important, is action. Someone was trying to organize a group last year to show unified opposition to Hewitt, and if I recall correctly, there was little support for it. You make a good point about a full green coat room (though some of them may locked into multi-year deals). I tried to make a point in the off season (and was shot for being the messenger), that until it starts hurting Mason seriously in the pocket book, there is little incentive to get rid of Hewitt. Those of us who give them our money regardless of the crappy product, are not doing the "fire Hewitt" cause any good.

I am about where gmujim is at, and I may not attend another game until Hewitt is gone. It may be the only way to get the point across.

 

[GMUSSTN]

If you "hit them in the pocketbook" that actually helps make the case to keep Hewitt around. Taking money away from the school is not going to help them buy him out. This isn't pro sports where they only listen when you close your wallet -- in college sports you will become bad and stay bad if the donor base dries up. Not a whole lot of room to rebound.

I think we should give _less_, but not cut donating and supporting all together. I love the school, love the team, just want them to turn things around.

I told some people in the AD office that I would not renew my tickets but that I would still donate. For me, my tickets cost significantly more than my donation, so this works, but pulling the plug is not the best answer.

 

[Walter]

What I didn't donate last year will be added to this year, provided Hewitt is gone. I did, however, make my normal donation to an academic fund.

 

[KAOriginal]

I'm growing somewhat concerned that he could make enough excuses to get another year.

• Mayimba/Lockett not available
• Copes...
• Look how good the center I brought in is
• This new conference is tough
• Look at these great recruits we have coming in
• We beat vcu for a half

Each game BE and AC see a full Green Coat room, BE can bring a former Redskin buddy with him and be treated like a rockstar and then they sit it an atmosphere where we have had a surprisingly decent student section on one end and of course a great band on the other. Yes, wins would be better, but knowing the atmosphere wasn't THAT much better during all those 20 win seasons, maybe it's just not worth the cost.

I realize this has been talked to death on these boards, but we may very well be the vocal minority. I hope not, but it's possible.

I have no doubt there us a full on spin job for Hewitt to keep his gig.

He knows he's done....and with that most likely his coaching career, especially if feelers out there say there's no TV gig waiting to sweep him away. So I bet he's got a full on push based on so many of those reasons you noted above, on why he deserves another year, if not a 1 year extension, and quite possibly at a reduced rate for both.

Time to be vocal folks, the AD and Prez need to feel some heat......

 

[wijg]

If you "hit them in the pocketbook" that actually helps make the case to keep Hewitt around. Taking money away from the school is not going to help them buy him out. This isn't pro sports where they only listen when you close your wallet -- in college sports you will become bad and stay bad if the donor base dries up. Not a whole lot of room to rebound.

I think we should give _less_, but not cut donating and supporting all together. I love the school, love the team, just want them to turn things around.

I told some people in the AD office that I would not renew my tickets but that I would still donate. For me, my tickets cost significantly more than my donation, so this works, but pulling the plug is not the best answer.

I think you are not thinking if fully through. I am not saying go away permanently, but that is what will happen if they don't make some changes soon.

What I am saying is, if you plan to go a away, pull donations, etc. If Hewitt stays (and I hope everyone plans to, but that is your call), let them know so they know what a decision to keep him means. Make it as hard as possible to keep him. If they keep him, that is the schools fault, not the donors. It is not the job of the donors to make up for stupid decisions made by the school. If they make stupid decisions, they deserve to have donations dry up.

Help them to make a smart decision.

 

[GMUSSTN]

I think you are not thinking if fully through. I am not saying go away permanently, but that is what will happen if they don't make some changes soon.

What I am saying is, if you plan to go a away, pull donations, etc. If Hewitt stays (and I hope everyone plans to, but that is your call), let them know so they know what a decision to keep him means. Make it as hard as possible to keep him. If they keep him, that is the schools fault, not the donors. It is not the job of the donors to make up for stupid decisions made by the school. If they make stupid decisions, they deserve to have donations dry up.

Help them to make a smart decision.

I see your point. I'm just paranoid everything will dry up and we'll just fade away to Fordhamness.

 

[mkaufman1]

We're damned if we do and damned if we dont.

If we vote with our wallets ( which everyone is more than welcome to), it hurts the program's cash flow and impacts everything.

If we continue to go to games and donate with an inferior product we also give the vibe that we'll be there regardless which isn't good either.

I really really don't want to go away, but if Hewitt is still around next year, I have to see what I want to do. And if he is still around, I'll be definitely sounding off to several folks. I just can't see in any scenario where a new AD who did not hire this coach, would want to keep a coach who has been doing so poorly in the flagship sport.

I am not expecting to be national champions or to be undefeated the entire season. But I am expecting to win more than 18 out of 54 games over 2 years..

 

[wijg]

We're damned if we do and damned if we dont.

If we vote with our wallets ( which everyone is more than welcome to), it hurts the program's cash flow and impacts everything.

If we continue to go to games and donate with an inferior product we also give the vibe that we'll be there regardless which isn't good either.

I really really don't want to go away, but if Hewitt is still around next year, I have to see what I want to do. And if he is still around, I'll be definitely sounding off to several folks. I just can't see in any scenario where a new AD who did not hire this coach, would want to keep a coach who has been doing so poorly in the flagship sport.

I am not expecting to be national champions or to be undefeated the entire season. But I am expecting to win more than 18 out of 54 games over 2 years..

I would not wait to sound off until he is still here next season. In that case it is too late. Let them know beforehand so they can factor it in their decision. In my mind, this is the perfect time to make the "I, my donations and tickets go away if you keep Hewitt". There is no doubt he needs to go. We have a new AD and President (from a hiring a coach standpoint). If they make a bad call, we are damned anyway because they will have proven they make bad decisions, and better you saved your money for something better.

 

[mkaufman1]

I would not wait to sound off until he is still here next season. In that case it is too late. Let them know beforehand so they can factor it in their decision. In my mind, this is the perfect time to make the "I, my donations and tickets go away if you keep Hewitt". There is no doubt he needs to go. We have a new AD and President (from a hiring a coach standpoint). If they make a bad call, we are damned anyway because they will have proven they make bad decisions, and better you saved your money for something better.

Oh I haven't waited to sound off to people. I've let my position be known already. But if he is kept, my position will only be reiterated more so. Its important to put pressure on before a decision is made.

I don't know if I could really give up going to games, but I certainly may downgrade or consider what I could do.

 

[TwoFootTackle]

I'm growing somewhat concerned that he could make enough excuses to get another year.

• Mayimba/Lockett not available
• Copes...
• Look how good the center I brought in is
• This new conference is tough
• Look at these great recruits we have coming in
• We beat vcu for a half

Each game BE and AC see a full Green Coat room, BE can bring a former Redskin buddy with him and be treated like a rockstar and then they sit it an atmosphere where we have had a surprisingly decent student section on one end and of course a great band on the other. Yes, wins would be better, but knowing the atmosphere wasn't THAT much better during all those 20 win seasons, maybe it's just not worth the cost.

I realize this has been talked to death on these boards, but we may very well be the vocal minority. I hope not, but it's possible.

You make a lot of the arguments that feed my fear that Hewitt may still be Mason's head coach next season. I'm considering taking the middle route where I maintain my donations to the Patriot Club but cancel my season tickets. Thereby I maintain my support for the school but target my displeasure regarding the men's basketball program.

 

[Quentin Daniels]

We've cracked the 3 weeks mark, 20 days until longevity bonus.

What are you going to do Brad???

 

[Walter]

We've cracked the 3 weeks mark, 20 days until longevity bonus.

What are you going to do Brad???

I thought March 1 was the longevity bonus date. Wouldn't that be 23 days?

 

[wijg]

We've cracked the 3 weeks mark, 20 days until longevity bonus.

What are you going to do Brad???

I offer this purely because I am in the mood to discuss anything related to Mason Basketball today...

If I had to guess, based on over analyzing the public statements that have been made, I would guess there is close to 0% chance that Brad pulls the trigger before the season is over.

 

[Vurbel]

I offer this purely because I am in the mood to discuss anything related to Mason Basketball today...

If I had to guess, based on over analyzing the public statements that have been made, I would guess there is close to 0% chance that Brad pulls the trigger before the season is over.

Unfortunately, you may indeed be right.

 

[wijg]

You make a lot of the arguments that feed my fear that Hewitt may still be Mason's head coach next season. I'm considering taking the middle route where I maintain my donations to the Patriot Club but cancel my season tickets. Thereby I maintain my support for the school but target my displeasure regarding the men's basketball program.

I have let the school know that I am going to pull everything if he remains as I think that is the best thing I can do to convince them to get rid of Hewitt, and thus it is in the best interest of Mason.

That being said, though, I think you bring an interesting question to light with your approach. If you want to make an impact on the Hewitt decision, but don't want to completely disconnect, which option sends the loudest message to the school/AD: dropping donations or dropping season tickets?

 

[Walter]

Unless you all are talking about $10,000 donations or more, I doubt very seriously that your threat to stop donating would mean too much.