SMU boosters raise $159 million

[CJasmer]

SMU endowment is in the same ball park as VA Tech and NC State.

Bigger than Syracuse, Miami and Clemson endowments.

 

[CJasmer]

Bigger than Syracuse, Miami and Clemson endowments.

Forgot about Louisville- Bigger than them as well. UConn if they joined ACC would have the smallest Endowment.

 

[Redding Husky]

In addition to being a UConn alum, I’m an SMU alum. I’ve been going to SMU games since 1989. The football program has a lot of momentum. No one knows what college football will be like in a few years. For now, the ACC will be a lot of fun. Gotta beat TCU snd BCU this year.

 

[billybud]

SMU is already a smashing success in the ACC.

A couple of days in...and they have already won as many football ACC conference championships as Miami.

 

[CL82]

In addition to being a UConn alum, I’m an SMU alum. I’ve been going to SMU games since 1989. The football program has a lot of momentum. No one knows what college football will be like in a few years. For now, the ACC will be a lot of fun. Gotta beat TCU snd BCU this year.

In your conversations with other SMU alumni, how do they feel about the hole "will join and you don't have to pay us" negotiation position taken by SMU?

 

[DFW HOYA]

I agree that you have no idea who is giving and to whom else they are giving to. But my daughter has a friend going to SMU in fall. I've always heard what a rich school SMU is so I was a bit surprised that the school's endowment per student is adequate, but not spectacular. The endowment per student is only ahead of Miami and Syracuse amongst the ACC private schools. I guess if you can make a few calls and come up with $159mm for a pet project the endowment isn't as important though.

SMU has the perception of being a rich school but the endowment does not reflect this. Endowments of some of SMU's aspirational. actual, and ACC peers, 2024 (in billions)

Stanford: $36.49
Notre Dame: $16.61
Duke : $13.23
Virginia: $9.80
Vanderbilt: $9.68
USC: $7.46
Rice: $7.24
Pitt: $5.48
UNC: $5.20
BC: $3.50
Georgia Tech: $2.94
TCU: $2.57
Tulane: $2.10
SMU: $2.04
Baylor: $1.96
Wake Forest: $1.90
Syracuse $1.89
Miami: $1.36

 

[superjohn]

So who are UConn's wealthiest alums and the ones we have tapped into for sports? The only names I ever hear are Dan Toscano, Robert Skinner, Trisha Bailey, Mark D'Amelio.

 

[Forte]

So who are UConn's wealthiest alums and the ones we have tapped into for sports? The only names I ever hear are Dan Toscano, Robert Skinner, Trisha Bailey, Mark D'Amelio.

Ray Allen ... but in all seriousness, the big-time wealth in CT did not go to their state school ... their money goes to Ivy Leagues and exclusive elite private schools. UConn has always been a budget/best value state school that just recently changed its approach in favor of money over the state via international students... many of whom I've been told from attendees are wealthy and from China... and occupy the most expensive parts of campus like downtown storrs.... which let's be honest, was not added to attract in-state students...

 

[huskymedic]

So who are UConn's wealthiest alums and the ones we have tapped into for sports? The only names I ever hear are Dan Toscano, Robert Skinner, Trisha Bailey, Mark D'Amelio.

Peter Werth…

 

[ZooCougar]

In your conversations with other SMU alumni, how do they feel about the hole "will join and you don't have to pay us" negotiation position taken by SMU?

Clearly their thoughts are that they will write the AD another big check.

Duh.

 

[CL82]

So who are UConn's wealthiest alums and the ones we have tapped into for sports? The only names I ever hear are Dan Toscano, Robert Skinner, Trisha Bailey, Mark D'Amelio.

Burton, Shenkman, Werth.

 

[CJasmer]

Burton, Shenkman, Werth.

It is all relative. Where I live Millionaires are a dime a dozen.

 

[uconndogs]

The fact smu has this money from their donors is appalling in a way.

They don’t want to fund something a little more impactful?

I am in the same place. That “donations” will be earmarked to compensate many athletes who will be making significant money in college and in their professional careers is a bit perverse.

Won’t be my money……that’s for sure.

 

[CJasmer]

I am in the same place. That “donations” will be earmarked to compensate many athletes who will be making significant money in college and in their professional careers is a bit perverse.

Won’t be my money……that’s for sure.

Great news it is your decision where you donate your money. However do not complain if UConn football is always mediocre.

 

[billybud]

Guys..guys..

Give SMU a little credit....they were on top of the NIL and paid athlete thing decades ago...

 

[CJasmer]

SMU has the perception of being a rich school but the endowment does not reflect this. Endowments of some of SMU's aspirational. actual, and ACC peers, 2024 (in billions)

Stanford: $36.49
Notre Dame: $16.61
Duke : $13.23
Virginia: $9.80
Vanderbilt: $9.68
USC: $7.46
Rice: $7.24
Pitt: $5.48
UNC: $5.20
BC: $3.50
Georgia Tech: $2.94
TCU: $2.57
Tulane: $2.10
SMU: $2.04
Baylor: $1.96
Wake Forest: $1.90
Syracuse $1.89
Miami: $1.36

You forgot to list VT, NC State, and Louisville all in ACC which all have smaller Endowments than SMU.

 

[Redding Husky]

In your conversations with other SMU alumni, how do they feel about the hole "will join and you don't have to pay us" negotiation position taken by SMU?

I believe SMU is getting some money, more than what they got in the AAC. It’s still a small fraction of a normal payout. The SMU alumni are super rich. To many of them, the money is insignificant. They just want to be in a power conference no matter what it takes. I’m just a regular alumnus/fan and am grateful for all they’ve done. It should be a good year. I think 7-5 is a real possibility, maybe better.

 

[Redding Husky]

SMU has the perception of being a rich school but the endowment does not reflect this. Endowments of some of SMU's aspirational. actual, and ACC peers, 2024 (in billions)

Stanford: $36.49
Notre Dame: $16.61
Duke : $13.23
Virginia: $9.80
Vanderbilt: $9.68
USC: $7.46
Rice: $7.24
Pitt: $5.48
UNC: $5.20
BC: $3.50
Georgia Tech: $2.94
TCU: $2.57
Tulane: $2.10
SMU: $2.04
Baylor: $1.96
Wake Forest: $1.90
Syracuse $1.89
Miami: $1.36

Some giving depends on the success of the athletic department. SMU was in the football wilderness for 37 years. It will take time to catch up to some others. Football is a priority for many donors and that will make the situation better in the coming years.

 

[SU1968]

I am in the same place. That “donations” will be earmarked to compensate many athletes who will be making significant money in college and in their professional careers is a bit perverse.

Won’t be my money……that’s for sure.

In this new era of college football, you need to lean on your alumni/supporter donors for the $$.

 

[ZooCougar]

The fact smu has this money from their donors is appalling in a way.

They don’t want to fund something a little more impactful?

Really? Do you know anything about SMU?

They don’t want for funding in any way. It’s a big country club for people that are already wealthy.

 

[Drew]

 

[uconndogs]

In this new era of college football, you need to lean on your alumni/supporter donors for the $$.

Pretty sure you’re missing the point.

 

[Redding Husky]

Proof that some (or many) G5 schools can compete if given a chance.

 

[Bobol]

a bit off topic but ….. in hindsight I believe that the NCAA went too far when it imposed the 2 year “death penalty” against SMU.

There were other less severe steps it could have imposed to penalize the school for its lack of institutional control.

Let me know the next time the hypothetical NCAA takes an adverse position agains UNC, Duke, ND, or any of its other sacred blue bloods.

 

[Drew]

Proof that some (or many) G5 schools can compete if given a chance.

Yes and no…. SMU has a more committed donor base than many schools, decent history/branding to fall back on, great local recruiting footprint, etc… it’s certainly going to help them elevate the caliber of player that they are getting, coaches they can afford, etc but they were making significant investments in the program prior to rising up which signaled they could be successful (similarly to Cincinnati, UCF, BYU, TCU, Utah, etc all did before moving up)