jerseyshorejohnny" post=412178 said:
RedStormNC" post=412169 said:
At some point, the increasing salary as the answer, becomes diminishing returns (other than select few legend coaches that wouldn't leave or ever come here).
Holtmann and Mack left Big East for state school jobs and got big time money, or even now Pikell. These guys are pushing $3-4M. I don't think these guys have reputations that would fast track anything more than Anderson.
Think we really need to get the infrastructure, training facilities and amenities right, and decide if we will play fair or not to whatever degree, to draw the talent we want and make big push with marketing the program.
I get the school may be struggling financially now,, but at same time it's chicken or the egg. To me, this program is more than basketball for the school, it's a big part of the reputation. Invest here will pay off a lot more than half of the less than stellar academic programs. I really hope Fr. Shanley is able and willing to make some tough decisions, get real creative on partnerships (athletic and academic) and place some big bets with the end in mind.
I shared this relevant quote with another member recently. Think it applies well to our program success.[attachment=1830]327fd513862a338bdf21f42b69d168a0.jpg[/attachment]
I was invited to a meeting in NYC in December 2016 or 2017 with one of our assistant coach's to talk about facilities or the lack thereof. The theme of the meeting was that we were at a compeptive disadvatage versus the rest of the Big East. Not a lot has changed since.
I think it's imperative for us to give our coaches the infrastructure they need in order to compete and recruit on a level playing field.
If you hire someone, you should put them in a position to win
Unfortunately, this is easier said than done, particularly in the current enviornment
As "they" say: Without Money All Else Fails
I think all points are valid, but unfortunately it is a chicken and egg argument. If you win, you have an opportunity to raise more money, and if you raise money you can invest in winning.
I've spent many days in the Pavillion at Villanova, and can pretty much assure you it was a dump. However, it didn't prevent Jay Wright from building a perennial winner where he can literally compete for the very best talent. Even when the school raised money, (a highly successfully $300 million campaign the year Father Peter arrived, circa 2006), they invested in other places on campus. They then initiated an even more ambitious $600 million campaign in 2014. It was super organized, and believe it or not, they kicked it off at a hotel across the street from the Garden. I was in attendance, and they drew a large crowd, and all prominent Villanova leaders, including Jay Wright, were there. This was before the 2 national championships of course, but still they easily met the campaign goals. Of course they had bball success before then. They raised enough money to plan to build a new on campus arena, and only changed plans when Radnor township pushed back on a larger arena over parking and more importantly the traffic it would bring to Lancaster Avenue. Instead, they just about gutted the Pavillion and built a gorgeous arena inside. JSJ and I took in a game there last February.
One of the investments that Villanova made to grow the school was a top notch, well compensated staff of fund raisers. Before the oldest of two kids we sent to Villanova was 1/3 way thru freshman year, they reached out to me in a personal way. They knew where I worked, my job title, and presumable from FAFSA applications knew my family income. Th development office built relationships - I was invited to lunch right away near where I worked, and that became an annual thing. When I needed help from them, they were responsive in all ways. My donations really didn't warrant that kind of attention, but I was treated as a friend always and not as a checkbook. I would consider Father Peter, his predecessor Father Dobbin, and several other administrators friends even today. A few weeks ago I sent them a warm personal email and immediately heard back from both Father Peter and another administrator. When my son ultimately turned down Villanova to attend BC, I notified Father Peter directly of his choice. His response to me still resonates - "Don't worry. You and your family will always be Villanovans for life." Great school and great people. Their success is not haphazard or random. They are sincerely great people, great educators, and great admnistrators. (Paul hates me gushing about Nova, but this is all true and relevant to our situation).
My experience was quite different at BC. They never once reached out, and early on when we were shut out of limited seating events, did not even respond to my request for them to see what they could do. Their parent's weekend was a joke by comparison, and the school was never as warm and welcoming as Villanova. Still, to their credit, alumni donate tons of money and their endowment dwarfs Villanova's.
I'm so excited that Father Shanley has the potential to bring a cultural change to St. John's. The past 3 presidents - Cahill, Harrington, and Gempeshaw were cool at best to forming relationships beyond the biggest donors, lacking the charisma and interest in connecting with students, admnistrators, and alumni.
I sincerely hope Father Shanley will show the SJU community how it's done, and be able to grow the investment of our donor base in the success and growth of the university, far beyond basketball.
Beast, as I know you are aware, a major difference between St. John's and Villanova /BC is that these institutions have a base of parents that have financial capacity
A great friend of mine, who has achieved outsized financial success, has a daugher who was admiited to Georgetown. Before she even stepped foot on campus, as a student, he was solicited by a Georgetown development officer.
As a university with a Pell eligible population of 40% we simply do not have a meaningful number of those type of parents
