The Paul Hewitt Thread

[Patriotfan49]

Uh, you guys need to understand that a $25 million dollar facility on top of the RAC is not going to happen for a few years at least.

Maybe you could find some more massive $250 donors like yourselves, and then the problem will take care of itself.

I understand Jim has penile envy living where he does, next to a program that is doing better than ours (currently), but what's your excuse?

How many years has it been since the talk has been around of a practice center? How about a scoreboard?

Its not just about a practice center. Its about the general lacksidasical and reactice demeanor of our AD.

 

[Patriotfan49]

How much do you donate, guy who is I guess from Cisco (not) and also a Mason fan?

What difference does it make what I donate? I donate what I feel comfortable doing and what I can budget. Its over $250, but keep making that joke....that never gets worn out.

 

[CHRISTOPHER JAMES JOLLAY]

How many years has it been since the talk has been around of a practice center? How about a scoreboard?

Its not just about a practice center. Its about the general lacksidasical and reactice demeanor of our AD.

How much do you donate? I'll look your name up.

 

[Patriotfan49]

How much do you donate? I'll look your name up.

Again what difference does it make? Do donation levels have anything to do with having a voice or opinion?

Im no mega donor by any means, nor have I ever claimed to be but again, not sure how that should determine sharing opinions here or even to the AD.

 

[Five Two]

While I'm not convinced that building a new practice facility for basketball is essential, it seems to me that the first step could be to sell the naming rights to the Patriot Center.

The Patriot Center doesn't offer a lot of what companies want in a naming rights deal. First, changing the name of an existing building that has been around for 30 years is tough. That building is known as the Patriot Center and would be difficult to engrain into the public. Not impossible, but when looking at a naming rights deal, is a detraction.

Second, its an older building. They've tried to clean it up a bit, but it either needs a complete gutting or knock it down and start over.

More importantly, IMO, there are no suits, hospitality areas or premium seating for a corporation to utilize. Companies dropping top $$ want to entertain clients, customers and employees. That can't be done right now, especially for non-basketball events. I've seen it done and its not the best experience for guests.

In its current state, the value of naming rights on the Patriot Center is probably around $150k/yr. I'm sure the university would disagree and say its closer to $500k/yr, but unless there are major renovations, the value isn't there.

 

[CHRISTOPHER JAMES JOLLAY]

Again what difference does it make? Do donation levels have anything to do with having a voice or opinion?

Im no mega donor by any means, nor have I ever claimed to be but again, not sure how that should determine sharing opinions here or even to the AD.

Well, why don't you go out and find 100,000 $250 donors like yourself and we'll have our practice facility.

 

[Patriotfan49]

Well, why don't you go out and find 100,000 $250 donors like yourself and we'll have our practice facility.

Its not my job to do that....its TOCs....or at least should be.

Donation level has nothing to do with the AD decisions that have been made. If I throw 1000 more bucks at the AD, would that have meant TOC wouldnt have bludnered the coaching search and hired Paul Hewitt?

If my donation isnt signifcant enough for you, then go talk to a bigger donor like GMUBrian...see what he has to say. Make fun of his donation amount.....one that could very well dry up due to whats happening....

 

[mkaufman1]

I have a feeling this thread is going to be a lot of fun this offseason...

 

[CHRISTOPHER JAMES JOLLAY]

Its not my job to do that....its TOCs.

Well, at the very least, why don't you get your story straight, was it TOC that said no to the practice facility? Or Hewitt? Or Merten? Or the BOV? Or a leprechaun?

Until I'm actually convinced you have any actual facts at your disposal, your opinion is worthless.

What's the best fundraising haul in the history of George Mason for the Athletic Department, guy?

 

[Dawgs99]

My guess is that there is already a decent amout of $$ hidden away for a practice facility, why else would they already have plans drawn up and partial announce it? I have also heard that there is $$ set aside for a real center hung video board once they redo the roof.

 

[Patriotfan49]

Well, at the very least, why don't you get your story straight, was it TOC that said no to the practice facility? Or Hewitt? Or Merten? Or the BOV? Or a leprechaun?

Until I'm actually convinced you have any actual facts at your disposal, your opinion is worthless.

What's the best fundraising haul in the history of George Mason for the Athletic Department, guy?

What is my story? Who did I say didnt build the practice facility? I didnt say TOC didnt build it because its obviously not all in his hands. But the fact is it isnt there, plans have been thrown in our face before yet still nothing...or even close.

Much like the team being horrible this year, regardless of where the blame can be divied up, and rightfully so...ultimately its the man at the helm who takes responsibility. Much like the course of the Athletic Department reflects on the director...being TOC..

I have no clue what the best fundraiser was......but go ahead and tell me so you can just totally "discredit" all I say because I dont know this.

 

[GMUSSTN]

I have a feeling this thread is going to be a lot of fun this offseason...

Well this thread is the "Paul Hewitt Thread" and my favorite thing about Paul Hewitt is the offseason

 

[GMUgemini]

Jollay, I do believe the AD has been hamstrung when I comes to raising money, especially for specific projects like a practice facility. I'm curious to know Cabrera's philosophy here and if it differs from Merten's.

 

[CHRISTOPHER JAMES JOLLAY]

If my donation isnt signifcant enough for you, then go talk to a bigger donor like GMUBrian...see what he has to say. Make fun of his donation amount.....one that could very well dry up due to whats happening....

Your donation is fine and I talk to GMUBrian every game. He's upset as he has every right to be. It's just he's not upset over some pipe dream over a shiny new facility making all the difference.

I know Jim and he's a great guy as well, but he's not being realistic here. Him and others like you wanted TOC canned the day Larranaga left, and you can trace it back to the zone. There are personal agendas here independent of logic.

It. Just. Gets. Old. After. Three. f**king. Years.

 

[Patriotfan49]

Your donation is fine and I talk to GMUBrian every game. He's upset as he has every right to be. It's just he's not upset over some pipe dream over a shiny new facility making all the difference.

I know Jim and he's a great guy as well, but he's not being realistic here. Him and others like you wanted TOC canned the day Larranaga left, and you can trace it back to the zone. There are personal agendas here independent of logic.

It. Just. Gets. Old. After. Three. f*cking. Years.

Its not a pipe dream and its not just about a single thing....or a practice facility.....at all. Im well aware of financial constraints and politics and other things can block projects and what not, it happens everywhere. I dont just envision one to pop up. Nor will a practice facility or video board or whatever change the result on the court. Its just frustrating to see 10 more dorm buildings pop up each year (when you know a big portion probably came from increased revenue do to bball succsess in some related way) yet something for the bball program that has been talked about, mentioned to us year after year when its time for you to collect my money, just never comes to fruition or always gets pushed back. Id prefer if its going to be 25 years down the road, that you dont continually mention these things to us like they are around the corner.

I actually have no personal agenda against TOC, the game day announcer or even the cheer leaders who cant throw a shirt beyond the 5th row......I am grateful for all TOC has done, but I just think its time to move on. I know anybody who says different or goes against it to you is obsessed with coach L or wants Luke Hancock back or whatever your sarcastic post of the day is...but that isnt the case for me.

ADs/GMs etc are only as good as their most recent decisions and moves....you cant pimp old decisions forever in the midst of making poor ones or not doing anything and still get better. When its time to go, its time to go, time to make the decision. Things get worse when people who are not doing the best job, are allowed to linger forever because of complacent decision makers (not singling TOC out, just a general thought.)

.

 

[CHRISTOPHER JAMES JOLLAY]

Jollay, I do believe the AD has been hamstrung when I comes to raising money, especially for specific projects like a practice facility. I'm curious to know Cabrera's philosophy here and if it differs from Merten's.

We'll have to see. I do know you can probably just ask him and he'll tell you.

It would make sense to tear down Patriot Center in a decade or so and do something really nice. The AD could obviously also do a better job raising money.

 

[gmujim92]

Here's my $.02 (and obviously, as Jollay pointed out, my views are colored by living in the shadows of the Siegel Center): I see no reason whatsoever that Mason can't be on equal footing in men's basketball with vcu, if only the commitment from the university was there to do so.

If somebody can explain to me the specific factors that make it impossible for us to do so, then I'll shut up and never bring this up again.

I'm not asking to be Duke or Kentucky. But if we can't (or won't) even raise and spend enough money on men's hoops to compete on even terms with another non-football state school like vcu, then I'm not sure why any of us invest any time, energy or money into the program.

Maybe I'm alone in this regard, but I would be far more inclined to open my wallet and donate if the AD and President would outline specific basketball-related projects (capital improvements, salary increases, etc.) that need X amount of funding to become reality.

I'd also be more motivated to give if we didn't insist on offering a bunch of sports that never win, don't have adequate funding and do nothing but suck resources away from teams that the general public could actually care about.

I just don't have much confidence that Mason is ever going to go "all in" on basketball. Our leadership has never seemed to really grasp the direct benefit to the university from big-time athletic success. For some reason, they seem perfectly OK with doing things in a half-a** manner.

vcu's president and AD get it, and they're taking concrete steps to make their program a consistent contender on the national stage. I'd imagine it's a lot easier to solicit donors when that's your message and you back it up with action.

 

[CHRISTOPHER JAMES JOLLAY]

Right now the main factor is a year or so ago we were going to do a baseball stadium upgrade in I believe two parts of 250K (I have forgotten the actual numbers).

I am pretty sure that project was put off because of an inability to procure funding.

Now I don't remember the exact numbers, but that total cost would be around 2-3% of a practice facility as I recall.

So, if we can't get that done....

Now, I am in agreement that our next AD needs to take fundraising to another level, and there is no doubt the University needs to emphasize basketball to a greater degree. But...for now this is the cold, hard bottom line. I would however expect us to take up plans for a facility down the road.

Let's face it, vcu's practice facility was approved two years ago and won't be ready for a good another year or two. This is not why we are (currently) trailing vcu as a program.

Jim's points are fine though. We all know how Mason sometimes limits itself with athletics.

 

[A.-Siegfried]

Look to Richmond as why the baseball didn't happen. State put a stop to all those projects all over the place.

 

[Patriotfan49]

Call me ignorant, but is there a difference in where the funding comes for the dorms that go up, and an athletic compound? Or does it just come down to priority?