AD Dave on ESPN 97.9 today (5/13)

[huskymedic]

 

[Storrs South]

• Talks about the refund policy for MBB/WBB season ticketholders
• Talks about CBSSN deal
  • they like being on at 12 or 3:30 and that consistency and announcing games times prior to start of season
  • rarely dealing with 7-14 days windows for game times
  • available on pretty much every platform
• Thrilled with how baseball field came out for baseball
• Expecting soccer stadium to be available in August/September (on-time)
• Expecting performance center for athletes to be ready by end of year
• Probably ahead of schedule on softball due to COVID cutting season short
• Benedict used to work in CSU system when at Long Beach State, as he talks about CSU cancelling fall semester sports
  • "There's a lot of work to be done and costs" when it comes to reintegrating student athletes on to campus like providing PPE to staff or students or tests or additional cleaning of facilities.
  • Making calls, talking to colleagues in the business regarding this issue
  • Talking to folks in the SEC from his time at Auburn since he knows they are going to be pushing hard for fall football through COVID
• As a Football Independent how does that work for flexibility on scheduling?
  • As an independent could fill in gaps if a conference only does conference games
  • Talked to a conference commissioner already about potentially filling gaps in schedule if necessary
• Lots of conversations about regional scheduling and reduced participants in championships for olympic sports. Have not made a ton of decisions yet but expects that to be in the next few weeks. Says everyone is having this discussion right now.
• "Next year could be a very difficult time, not just for ADs but universities in general."
• UConn has basically reduced all non-conference plane travel with certain exceptions in FB, WBB, and MBB.
• Testing COVID is going to be critical if they are going to have fall sports. Has to get to a place where it is readily available. Doesn't want to do so in a way that is taking resources away from healthcare workers and essential staff.

 

[huskymedic]

Interview here if you miss his voice: