- Joined
- Aug 27, 2011
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Take it for what it is worth, but had a very long talk this evening with a highly placed Uconn person where I had the opportunity to probe and get honest feedback about two issues I feel are pertinent to Uconn athletic success.
When discussing CR, I was told (not surprisingly) that we will never hear anything negative from Herbst & Co about the AAC. Attitude, for now, is that we own it and we will support and encourage it in any and ever way. However, the university is in the process of hiring 2 "consultants" -- referred to as spies, to work/lobby on Uconn's behalf to "other conferences". While I was a bit disappointed to hear that these spies weren't in place 6-9 months ago, it is what it is. The charge for these consultants is to lobby and advocate for Uconn's inclusion. To educate others and market the university. Will it matter? I don't know, but it can't hurt and it is coming from non-university affiliated people, so no chance of Susan getting caught professing love of AAC while lobbying B1G.
I tried to ask about probability of success or timeframe, but hit dead ends. I was left believing that the university understands what they need to do and are marching hard with new money, scheduling tough football opponents, etc. It may all result in nothing, but this is the course they/we are taking.
When discussing the fact that NBA players have given very little, I learned 2 things. Again, this is a person intimately involved, so this is good info. He said that some NBA players give back (highlighted Emeka writing 6 figure checks - but not to athletics ) but that many of the who's who have not donated a dime. When I probed for names and reasons, I heard 2 things. First, as speculated, Calhoun not only refuses to press the alum for gifts, when he has the ability to be involved he tends to direct people to the Cancer center rather than basketball. Some at the university find it incredibly frustrating, but Calhoun is Calhoun.
Also, I was told that some NBA alum feel that they were stars before arriving on campus and that Uconn was just a means to am end. Could have just as easily been UNC, Duke or some place - so what do they really owe to university? I found this argument lacking on several levels, but it's real. Was told Walter Ray has not given a single dollar to Uconn.
I don't post this to bash anyone or to prove a point, but rathet to pass along what I learned.
When discussing CR, I was told (not surprisingly) that we will never hear anything negative from Herbst & Co about the AAC. Attitude, for now, is that we own it and we will support and encourage it in any and ever way. However, the university is in the process of hiring 2 "consultants" -- referred to as spies, to work/lobby on Uconn's behalf to "other conferences". While I was a bit disappointed to hear that these spies weren't in place 6-9 months ago, it is what it is. The charge for these consultants is to lobby and advocate for Uconn's inclusion. To educate others and market the university. Will it matter? I don't know, but it can't hurt and it is coming from non-university affiliated people, so no chance of Susan getting caught professing love of AAC while lobbying B1G.
I tried to ask about probability of success or timeframe, but hit dead ends. I was left believing that the university understands what they need to do and are marching hard with new money, scheduling tough football opponents, etc. It may all result in nothing, but this is the course they/we are taking.
When discussing the fact that NBA players have given very little, I learned 2 things. Again, this is a person intimately involved, so this is good info. He said that some NBA players give back (highlighted Emeka writing 6 figure checks - but not to athletics ) but that many of the who's who have not donated a dime. When I probed for names and reasons, I heard 2 things. First, as speculated, Calhoun not only refuses to press the alum for gifts, when he has the ability to be involved he tends to direct people to the Cancer center rather than basketball. Some at the university find it incredibly frustrating, but Calhoun is Calhoun.
Also, I was told that some NBA alum feel that they were stars before arriving on campus and that Uconn was just a means to am end. Could have just as easily been UNC, Duke or some place - so what do they really owe to university? I found this argument lacking on several levels, but it's real. Was told Walter Ray has not given a single dollar to Uconn.
I don't post this to bash anyone or to prove a point, but rathet to pass along what I learned.