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Message: [QUOTE="Nostical, post: 1086193, member: 749"] At a recent UConn alumni function in Boston, Susan Herbst was asked this question: "Given the significant and unprecedented public commitment made to STEM and UConn's increasingly successful pursuit of research grants under your tenure---coupled with an understanding that inclusion in a P-5 athletic conference with it's significant advantages both in exposure and dollars is vital to sustaining and enhancing our athletic relevance, how would you characterize UConn's efforts to gain acceptance into the AAU--which is understood to be an important pre-requisite for some." In her answer to the gathering, she first explained the current conference landscape and discussed how the separation of the P-5 into an autonomous group affects those who are not in the loop. She also spoke positively as expected about our new home in the AAC, our commissioner, and new University partners. She then added this (paraphrased) comment. "The AAU is essentially an exclusive club of research institutions set up years ago. Right now, many of the original members actually have less of a research footprint than does UConn, and if they were not already members would not now be invited to join. But in order to retain exclusivity, the AAU can't take all of the institutions who feel deserving of membership. It's more like a fraternity. You have to "rush". They have to like you and want you in their frat house. So it's a process, but that is our goal." She certainly understands the importance of football in the mix. She mentioned that Jim Calhoun, after one of our ugly losses, was in her suite and said "I can cure a bad basketball team with two good guards. In football it's much tougher and takes a lot longer. Be patient" She understands our dilemma. More importantly, she has the drive (and smarts) to relentlessly pursue her bold agenda for UConn. High on that list would be raising our endowment. We are sadly sitting at a level similar to our smaller, less ambitious, fellow New England state schools. It's frankly an embarrassment as she tries to promote us to the big boys. Without a T. Boone Pickens or Phil Knight type in our midst, the job is a daunting one. The good news is that the new director of the UConn Foundation is an exponential leap forward from the past and after hearing him I was encouraged. Bottom line, here's my advice. When you say those bedtime prayers for your loved ones, include Susan in the mix. [/QUOTE]

Verification: First name of men's bb coach