- Joined
- Aug 27, 2011
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While I am certainly confused, anxious, and frustrated about what lies ahead for UConn athletics, I am trying to think about this from Susan Herbst perspective...and I will admit, when I do that, I feel more comfortable about where we are heading.
First, I work closely with the UConn Foundation and I've had the opportunity to meet and chat with Dr Herbst on several occasions. As an alum, I want all good things for the University, but I am a diehard fan and ever since Cuse/Pitt left, I have had an empty feeling in my stomach about the future of our athletics. Dr Herbst CLEARLY understands how important athletics are to the University. Our discussions have focused on the role of athletics in alum donations and growth of the Foundation. She needs the Foundation to grow to achieve the things she wants for the University -- and she most definitely gets it. Now I realize that this don't mean without a formal invite, but I left those discussions feeling incredibly confident she knows what needs to happen and she has made this a priority for MONTHS.
Second, Dr Herbst stressed that realignment wasn't finished and while publicly she said all the right things about NNBE and UConn's future, etc. I feel certain she has been trying her best to make sure that when the next shoe(s) dropped, UConn would be well positioned. Again, no guarantees, but from what I know - she will move mountains to make it happen.
Third, she is not commenting publicly...AT ALL. I have read just about every post on this board (and others) for the past couple weeks and while I have heard just about every plausible outcome, I have not heard a peep from Dr Herbst. THAT GIVES ME SOLACE. Now some will and have argued that UConn's position is well known -- we are single and want to get married, so perhaps she need not say anything. But that's not her style. This woman has BIG plans for the University and this is perhaps one of, if not the most, critical points in her career. Her legacy is on the line. If UConn cannot find a better conference home, it will marginalize our athletics over time. Perhaps not right away, but certainly over time.
So while I know absolutely NOTHING about where we will ultimately wind up and when, I have an enormous amount of faith in Dr Herbst. I think she has been working HARD on this for MONTHS and while that doesn't guarantee anything, I think her silence is golden. ESPECIALLY when it's contrasted with Louisville's very public campaigning. If she felt this was a true dead heat, she too would be returning the Louisville volleys. She's not, and that gives me solace.
First, I work closely with the UConn Foundation and I've had the opportunity to meet and chat with Dr Herbst on several occasions. As an alum, I want all good things for the University, but I am a diehard fan and ever since Cuse/Pitt left, I have had an empty feeling in my stomach about the future of our athletics. Dr Herbst CLEARLY understands how important athletics are to the University. Our discussions have focused on the role of athletics in alum donations and growth of the Foundation. She needs the Foundation to grow to achieve the things she wants for the University -- and she most definitely gets it. Now I realize that this don't mean without a formal invite, but I left those discussions feeling incredibly confident she knows what needs to happen and she has made this a priority for MONTHS.
Second, Dr Herbst stressed that realignment wasn't finished and while publicly she said all the right things about NNBE and UConn's future, etc. I feel certain she has been trying her best to make sure that when the next shoe(s) dropped, UConn would be well positioned. Again, no guarantees, but from what I know - she will move mountains to make it happen.
Third, she is not commenting publicly...AT ALL. I have read just about every post on this board (and others) for the past couple weeks and while I have heard just about every plausible outcome, I have not heard a peep from Dr Herbst. THAT GIVES ME SOLACE. Now some will and have argued that UConn's position is well known -- we are single and want to get married, so perhaps she need not say anything. But that's not her style. This woman has BIG plans for the University and this is perhaps one of, if not the most, critical points in her career. Her legacy is on the line. If UConn cannot find a better conference home, it will marginalize our athletics over time. Perhaps not right away, but certainly over time.
So while I know absolutely NOTHING about where we will ultimately wind up and when, I have an enormous amount of faith in Dr Herbst. I think she has been working HARD on this for MONTHS and while that doesn't guarantee anything, I think her silence is golden. ESPECIALLY when it's contrasted with Louisville's very public campaigning. If she felt this was a true dead heat, she too would be returning the Louisville volleys. She's not, and that gives me solace.
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