Proposed $24 million in repairs, upgrades at Rentschler Field comes as UConn football reaches agreement to extend playing at East Hartford stadium

[UCFBfan]

Where would UConn's acceptance rate and academic standing be today without all the effort made with athletics? Most certainly it would be much lower because academic rankings are largely influenced by acceptance rates and UConn has been climbing in part because of the high volume of applicants. Athletics leads to exposure which leads to applications which leads to a better student body which leads to more success and the cycle continues. Hard to put a $ value on that.

Here's a great article about our new president and her changed view on the value of the athletic department on the university. She points directly to enrollment numbers and increased competitiveness of enrolled students after our programs became successful. It's not just the athletic program that benefits from investment, the university as a whole has benefited immensely.

UConn president Radenka Maric: 'Athletics gives us prominence'

New UConn president Radenka Maric says the university's high profile place in the world has a lot to do with the success of its sports teams.

www.ctinsider.com

Maric rose from the couch and pulled from her desk a laminated fact card with the heading, “UConn is in Demand.” She placed it on a table in front of her and tapped it several times, emphasizing a point. The card’s bar graph shows student applications, ranging from the 10,709 in 1996 to the 43,102 in 2022.

The latest numbers are in, too. As of Jan. 17, there were 47,352 applications for the freshman class of 2023. The mean SAT score for first-year Storrs campus students in 2022 was 1,315, well above national (1,050) and state (1,025) averages.

Maric went on to say that UConn 2000, the late-1990’s investment of over $1 billion that brought construction and/or renovation that changed the campus skyline and university’s educational impact, would not have been possible without the success that Calhoun had with the men’s basketball program. She mentioned that she has spoken to many prominent donors over the years and continues to, one of them being Mark Shenkman, whose name is on the UConn football program’s training center.

 

[How Sway?!]

What non UConn events were held at the rent last fiscal year that led to a profit? And why were they not able to get them again this year?

 

[zls44]

What non UConn events were held at the rent last fiscal year that led to a profit? And why were they not able to get them again this year?

NCAA Lacrosse Final Four

 

[gioff2323]

Clueless? Are you looking in the mirror.

Top UD officials taking pay cut as university grapples with $50 million budget shortfall

As the University of Delaware grapples with millions of dollars in losses due to the coronavirus pandemic, top administrators are taking a pay cut, UD announced Monday.

www.newarkpostonline.com

You seem to want to make this personal. Fine. You can’t read.

First, the stadium was built with intention of making UConn the PRIMARY tenant. Not exclusive. There’s a difference. Try websters, a little handbook assembled by a nutmegger.

I’m a UD alum and donor and I’ve worked in govt there. Sending me an article about payouts its leadership took coming out of Covid is proof of ……. And/or is related to ..,,

The state govt remains highly vested in the overall success of UD.

You’re mad because you went to a 3d rate school and we’re not bright enough to get into one of the better local schools. Get over it. Many have put their lack of academic prowess behind them and made positive changes. There’s hope for you.

But either stay on point with facts or move on.

 

[jostar1]

What non UConn events were held at the rent last fiscal year that led to a profit? And why were they not able to get them again this year?

Ironically, Fiscal Year 2021-2022 produced some of the best ‘non-UCONN” revenues in years totaling nearly $1.8 million thanks to three international soccer games and the NCAA Lacrosse Finals.

The operational gain during the year was approximately $105,000.

https://crdact.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/CRDA-FY2021-2022-AnnualReport.pdf

 

[gioff2323]

Ironically, Fiscal Year 2021-2022 produced some of the best ‘non-UCONN” revenues in years totaling nearly $1.8 million thanks to three international soccer games and the NCAA Lacrosse Finals.

The operational gain during the year was approximately $105,000.

https://crdact.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/CRDA-FY2021-2022-AnnualReport.pdf

Recall they’ve a crazy contractual provision that effectively says they can’t host an event unless they’re sure it’ll turn a profit. In other words, they almost have to generate gains.

And now that we’ve an adult running the football program, I’d expect the numbers to keep getting better.

 

[HuskyDogArt]

Art: states should absolutely NOT be run as businesses, they do entirely different things but I'll leave it for the cesspool

True. I'll leave it at that. We need to upgrade The Rent.

 

[HuskyDogArt]

Don't disagree at all with what you say. However, as a business owner, you need to look at your long term profits and ways of getting there. Being a UConn alumni has nothing to do with it. Putting in money now increases your chances of making a profit in the future, hopefully the near future (conference realignment). Running a business is a risk and putting in money into the Rent and being concerned about the athletic budget is understandable right now. However, understanding why it is that why and the best way to get out of it, is being a better business IMO.

Agree. It should be done, because the ROI will be a better football team and a P5 spot? We should plan for an expansion of the stadium. And who knows an USFL/AAF football team or pro lacrosse at the Rent?

 

[Dizzy21]

The point in the end is that if UConn or the state have an issue coming up with $24 million or $64 million, we aren't even in the minor leagues of commitment to the program. UAB didn't even have a football team like 5 years ago and they got the local government to drop $175 million on a stadium. San Diego State took out bonds to fund a $310 million stadium. Those are schools that we should be striving to be way better than and we can't even commit a fraction of what they do. Schools and states that are serious about athletics and football just get it done.

 

[CTBasketball]

The issue is, as many people point out here, there is an element of extortion in the scheduling of games at the XL center. At least in terms of mythology UConn must play half of its games in Hartford. Assuming that’s correct, then you can’t say that the University is free to schedule in Hartford or not.

To me, the issue is that the CDRA has taken advantage of the university of Connecticut as a captive tenant to mask its own ineptitude. It needs to be disbanded, at least as a sports management entity. They have yet to turn a profit on anything they’ve done. They lose millions of dollars annually, even after charging the university exorbitant lease rates. Illuminate their salary and expenses and playing in Hartford and East Hartford becomes more affordable.

Although I hate the CDRA, I don’t hate them for trying to get more money. Part of this is UConn’s inability to negotiate on its behalf.

If UConn keeps getting the wool pulled over their eyes, CDRA will keep doing it.

 

[jostar1]

I 100% agree that State pensions are a huge liability and have had a negative effect on State economic growth. But you don't acknowledge that UConn and the UConn Medical Center are the largest contributor to the State pension problem. Again, you can't have it both ways.

I would just like to point out that the former President of CCSU, Richard L. Judd, has the 9th largest pension of any retired state worker. His pension for 2022 was $274,472.

 

[CL82]

Although I hate the CDRA, I don’t hate them for trying to get more money. Part of this is UConn’s inability to negotiate on its behalf.

If UConn keeps getting the wool pulled over their eyes, CDRA will keep doing it.

Again, from what I’ve heard it isn’t so much that UConn is getting the wool pulled over eyes as the university is obligated to hold events at state owned venues for which the states quasipublic agency charges an egregiously above market rate.

As I’ve noted here often, the only thing that the state paying UConn to overpay the CDRA does is move part of the CDRA loss to the athletic department. That seems inherently disingenuous and designed to hide the ineptitude of the CDRA. If you eliminate the CDRA there’s less overhead, so less of a loss. Let UConn play there for free and keep the profits. The expenses all stay the same but instead of moving, lost to the University, you will have the university to earn money off its games.

 

[ClifSpliffy]

You seem to want to make this personal. Fine. You can’t read.

First, the stadium was built with intention of making UConn the PRIMARY tenant. Not exclusive. There’s a difference. Try websters, a little handbook assembled by a nutmegger.

I’m a UD alum and donor and I’ve worked in govt there. Sending me an article about payouts its leadership took coming out of Covid is proof of ……. And/or is related to ..,,

The state govt remains highly vested in the overall success of UD.

You’re mad because you went to a 3d rate school and we’re not bright enough to get into one of the better local schools. Get over it. Many have put their lack of academic prowess behind them and made positive changes. There’s hope for you.

But either stay on point with facts or move on.

this is a bogus and dooshy post.
the ccsu poster is just saying one narrative (amazingly for here, with links and charts and graphs and stuff), not getting all crankypants, and u bring this?
low rent (ha! on topic!).


UD's mascot is a blue chicken.
CCSU's is

CCSU wins.

 

[Slick]

I would just like to point out that the former President of CCSU, Richard L. Judd, has the 9th largest pension of any retired state worker. His pension for 2022 was $274,472.

That’s insane! Pensions should be capped at 100K. You shouldn’t be able to draw on them until 68 years old

 

[CTBasketball]

Again, from what I’ve heard it isn’t so much that UConn is getting the wool pulled over eyes as the university is obligated to hold events at state owned venues for which the states quasipublic agency charges an egregiously above market rate.

As I’ve noted here often, the only thing that the state paying UConn to overpay the CDRA does is move part of the CDRA loss to the athletic department. That seems inherently disingenuous and designed to hide the ineptitude of the CDRA. If you eliminate the CDRA there’s less overhead, so less of a loss. Let UConn play there for free and keep the profits. The expenses all stay the same but instead of moving, lost to the University, you will have the university to earn money off its games.

Yes I understand that the CDRA is a joke of an organization. I agree with you.

If UConn doesn’t like dealing with their lopsided contracts they can either renegotiate towards UConn’s favor, or play elsewhere. It’s really that simple.

 

[RC111]

State taxpayers spent $70m+ to build the stadium for UConn' use. Invested another $25m in capital repairs/upgrades. That's more than $100m in direct expenses for a football program.

Who do you expect to pick up the tab - CT taxpayers? Of course UConn has to pay rental and operations costs! Even with the payments made and planned by UConn, State taxpayers will have subsidised a good portion of this facility.

I'm remain stunned at the amount of people who think the State budget is an open checkbook for UConn.

You also want the state to invest in a new Civic Center, but have no way to cover the costs.

The state has many other fiscal obligations - local education, transportation infrastructure, social services, public safety, courts system, environmental and recreational facilities, other State universities and community colleges!

It's time that some of you consider what the majority of taxpayers think are priorities for state resources.

I agree, but you're fighting a losing battle making those comments here. I was called a troll by someone here for saying something similar regarding the budget deficit, and for pointing out that similar state institutions of similar size subsidize their athletics departments far less.

I also said it's unfair to keep increasing the student fees for athletics (already over 600) for a university that costs 35k/ year in-state. Same deal. Got hounded for that as well.

 

[RC111]

Here is the secret to being a fan of big time college sports: Never apply logic, rationality or common sense to this enterprise because none of it makes any sense. In just about every state in the country the highest paid state employee is a football or basketball coach. Make any sense? Of course not. It is what it is and UConn did not invent it. Of course I am a taxpayer and so I dont want to state to waste money. However I am also a fan of the sport and supporter of the program so I have long ago dispensed with any pretense of objectiveness. Maintain and upgrade the stadium.

Best post here.

 

[ClifSpliffy]

I agree, but you're fighting a losing battle making those comments here. I was called a troll by someone here for saying something similar regarding the budget deficit, and for pointing out that similar state institutions of similar size subsidize their athletics departments far less.

I also said it's unfair to keep increasing the student fees for athletics (already over 600) for a university that costs 35k/ year in-state. Same deal. Got hounded for that as well.

hot dang, another new/er poster dropping in witha shoulder fired howitzer, excellent!
all of new youse- keep those cards, letters, and bombs coming!
it keeps the long-in-the-tooth crowd on their toes!


shoulder fired howitzer - kinda gives new meaning to the 'get off my lawn!' thing. and now that i think of it, all this throat punching is turning this place into Camp fishy.

 

[RC111]

hot dang, another new/er poster dropping in witha shoulder fired howitzer, excellent!
all of new youse- keep those cards, letters, and bombs coming!
it keeps the long-in-the-tooth crowd on their toes!


shoulder fired howitzer - kinda gives new meaning to the 'get off my lawn!' thing. and now that i think of it, all this throat punching is turning this place into Camp fishy.

I do what I can...

 

[slepers]

Sure, Daffy, but you need to get a clue!

UConn stadium a done deal

n The new stadium guarantees UConn's move to Division I football.

www.registercitizen.com

https://www.cga.ct.gov/2008/rpt/2008-R-0592.htm[/U2

http://

I generally don't disagree with this point. CDRA itself is an example of a State poor investment. Kinda like the CT Port Authority.

That being said, Connecticut is just not a good market for major events or tenants for these type of sports facilities. Despite their CDRA incompetence, Hartford/CT is just not a market to lure a MLS team, forget about a NHL team again. Minor league franchises won't pay the bills either - regardless if it is hockey/basketball for the Civic Center or soccer/lax for the stadium.

Let's face it, Providence is a better market, or some Boston suburb like Worcester. Despite the size of the Hartford and New Haven DMA, this is not even a mid-major market like Hampton Roads or Austin. There is a real negative economic, political, and cultural reality the State of Connecticut faces that some UConn fans want to ignore.

please move.to Worcester and commute to CCSU games

 

[CL82]

Yes I understand that the CDRA is a joke of an organization. I agree with you.

If UConn doesn’t like dealing with their lopsided contracts they can either renegotiate towards UConn’s favor, or play elsewhere. It’s really that simple.

Again, that isn’t an option to the University if playing at CDRA venues is mandated by the State. Your argument is analogous to people, saying if you don’t like the big lines at DMV you should register your car with someone else. It doesn’t work like that.

 

[Waquoit]

If UConn keeps getting the wool pulled over their eyes, CDRA will keep doing it.

Painting UConn as some sort of victim is just silly. Not as silly as the guy who said "There is no state that holds its school hostage like CT", but close.

 

[DoctorWho85]

The problem is also that UConn currently has nowhere else to play football and the state knows it. They can charge what they want and do as they please and realistically, UConn can't really do anything.

On the other hand, basketball can do something. If the state wants to mess around with the football team pull out of playing at the XL. If the CCSU guy wants to complain about UConn getting all the money, he can have CCSU play at the XL. I agree 100% that putting money into that place is like throwing it down the drain. Playing all games at Gampel is a win-win for the University but hurts Hartford. I'm a huge Hartford guy and would hate to see the collateral damage that pulling UConn basketball out of the XL would cause. However, if it needs to be done, then do it.

I really want to see Hartford succeed too, but at some point there needs to be something because the XL is still a dump.

 

[CONN78SEJ]

I agree but I don't understand why the state wouldn't put money into fixing the stadium their main tenant plays in. Want to close the athletic deficit, make the football team desirable for the ACC. You do that by having an updated stadium and good football team

I think the state isn’t convinced that the main tenant will be still be playing there 5 to 10 years down the road. That being said, the place has to be fixed anyway or they should just tear it down.

 

[CONN78SEJ]

I really want to see Hartford succeed too, but at some point there needs to be something because the XL is still a dump.

Do you know how many vacant buildings there are in Hartford? It’s a dump within a dump.

 

[gtcam]

You seem to want to make this personal. Fine. You can’t read.

First, the stadium was built with intention of making UConn the PRIMARY tenant. Not exclusive. There’s a difference. Try websters, a little handbook assembled by a nutmegger.

I’m a UD alum and donor and I’ve worked in govt there. Sending me an article about payouts its leadership took coming out of Covid is proof of ……. And/or is related to ..,,

The state govt remains highly vested in the overall success of UD.

You’re mad because you went to a 3d rate school and we’re not bright enough to get into one of the better local schools. Get over it. Many have put their lack of academic prowess behind them and made positive changes. There’s hope for you.

But either stay on point with facts or move on.

Unnecessary with the 3rd rate school BS
My father, mother, son went to UConn and received a great education. I went to SCSU for a host of reasons over UConn and would say that I am very successful and a huge UConn donor. I am quite successful with going to a “3rd rate school” and not working for government (God forbid)
You stated that UConn has given so much to the state coffers, not convinced but perhaps, yet, it is known it is a huge drain in the form of uncontrolled expenses. Theses expenses, including coaches salaries as well as UConn Health/MC salaries, are enormous. Relying on the health industry to run itself economically efficient and college sports to do the same is a death sentence. Connecticut has always run on a deficit until a certain political party is fully in charge in Washington DC and it rewards Ct with outlandish cash when a certain party here is in charge and panders to DCs whim. UConn is run by “educator/activists” not business people. Everyone on the BOD is a political appointment as well as those in the decision making among the employees. A budget, to them, is bottomless, and there is never an exact spending target/line in the sand. Things won’t change until that changes.
Everybody has their own point of view but the belittling is pure BS. It makes you sound uneducated at best.