Sobering Comments on the Portal: ex Miami Coach

[chito_and_leon]

Just a little jaded these days. I really want to be positive about TU, but it’s become harder and harder over the years. I love TU through and through… maybe I just need a shot of good news.

We have good news - our incoming class is substantially stronger than High Point and they are consistently the highest rated school in their region and have one of the most beautiful campuses in the country! But seriously, it seems like the news on the academic and financial side has generally been pretty positive since Brad took over, hasn't it? Beyond the obvious good news that we didn't get turned into a juco like Janet wanted and many of her changes have been undone. There are people (not talking about you at all) who would go to a Michelin starred restaurant and complain about how the linen was folded but looking beyond that, it seems like we're making good progress. I imagine athletics is a lower priority but they'll get to it. But I hear you on being jaded, especially for those of us who mainly deal with TU around athletics, it's been a long, hard slog.

 

[goldenhurricane2]

We have good news - our incoming class is substantially stronger than High Point and they are consistently the highest rated school in their region and have one of the most beautiful campuses in the country! But seriously, it seems like the news on the academic and financial side has generally been pretty positive since Brad took over, hasn't it? Beyond the obvious good news that we didn't get turned into a juco like Janet wanted and many of her changes have been undone. There are people (not talking about you at all) who would go to a Michelin starred restaurant and complain about how the linen was folded but looking beyond that, it seems like we're making good progress. I imagine athletics is a lower priority but they'll get to it. But I hear you on being jaded, especially for those of us who mainly deal with TU around athletics, it's been a long, hard slog.

Fair assessment. I’m planning on going to the spring “showcase” in a couple of weeks. I’m sure that’ll help my woes - at least temporarily haha

 

[TulsaRulzOSUdrools]

We have good news - our incoming class is substantially stronger than High Point and they are consistently the highest rated school in their region and have one of the most beautiful campuses in the country! But seriously, it seems like the news on the academic and financial side has generally been pretty positive since Brad took over, hasn't it? Beyond the obvious good news that we didn't get turned into a juco like Janet wanted and many of her changes have been undone. There are people (not talking about you at all) who would go to a Michelin starred restaurant and complain about how the linen was folded but looking beyond that, it seems like we're making good progress. I imagine athletics is a lower priority but they'll get to it. But I hear you on being jaded, especially for those of us who mainly deal with TU around athletics, it's been a long, hard slog.

One can only hope

 

[HuffyCane]

One can only hope

Carson is only one man. And I’ve said repeatedly, I don’t know of anyone who could do a better job given current conditions. And I would likely become physically ill if he left. He has ended the hemorrhaging of university funds even if reasonable minds can disagree about certain spending policies in a deficit year.

That said, the school has fallen 100 ranking places since Paul Smith threw his last pass.

More than 40 of those places have been in the last six years. Some of that is due to changing ranking criteria. And others not. A lot of it is at the feet of the folks who thought Clancy and Levitt were good ideas. In any event, it’s not on him as far as I am concerned.

You can grade out at A++ and be the best President possible. But maybe what you were tasked with doing was flawed to begin with.

There doesn’t appear to be a cogent disciplined message on how we will return to the Top 100 and how that will be financed.

Saying Brad is doing a great job is true. But it can also be true that the school has fundamental issues that haven’t been resolved in decades. And pointing out his success is not proof of concept.

 

[goldenhurricane2]

proof of concept.

I heard we had concepts of a plan.

 

[TulsaRulzOSUdrools]

Carson is only one man. And I’ve said repeatedly, I don’t know of anyone who could do a better job given current conditions. And I would likely become physically ill if he left. He has ended the hemorrhaging of university funds even if reasonable minds can disagree about certain spending policies in a deficit year.

That said, the school has fallen 100 ranking places since Paul Smith threw his last pass.

More than 40 of those places have been in the last six years. Some of that is due to changing ranking criteria. And others not. A lot of it is at the feet of the folks who thought Clancy and Levitt were good ideas. In any event, it’s not on him as far as I am concerned.

You can grade out at A++ and be the best President possible. But maybe what you were tasked with doing was flawed to begin with.

There doesn’t appear to be a cogent disciplined message on how we will return to the Top 100 and how that will be financed.

Saying Brad is doing a great job is true. But it can also be true that the school has fundamental issues that haven’t been resolved in decades. And pointing out his success is not proof of concept.

We need more students...

 

[HuffyCane]

We need more students...

Yes. A lack of students willing to pay even for the actual cost of the experience plummets when you are out of the Top 100 and trending downward out of the Top 200.

The average student at TU now receives an aid package in excess of the cost of attendance. I don’t see how that is sustainable over time.

We are admitting hundreds of exceptional students. And many that are deserving. Unlike when you were in school, there appears to be a dramatically shrinking number of kids who are paying actual hard coinage in any meaningful amount. They are seeing better values elsewhere.

Our lack of vision and investment in what we are trying to accomplish I was discussing above plays out in many tangible ways but fewer students is one of them. At the law school, which is now amongst the worst in the nation by any measure, we are putting our emphasis on niche curriculum and legal charity training rather than a desperate need for training young lawyers with even basic skills to join local firms and service local businesses. And enrollment numbers have suffered. And so has the city as a result.

On the plus side, one of the kids who attends TU on one of several full and partial scholarships I endow recently wrote me a thank you note. They chose to attend TU because of the opportunity but they said in the letter what they like best about being a student at TU was the tailgates.

Something like that would not have been possible even 5 years ago. It gives you encouragement that type of affinity will lead to gifts 50 years from now. Something we’ve really never truly tried to cultivate in any meaningful sustained way.

Now we have to get that tailgate experience into something organic and self perpetuating, not a free beer and food line. And get demand up to the point we don’t have room for a Ferris wheel. Something that won’t be possible if we are playing Pittsburgh State in a lower level and losing. Then admissions will really take a hit.

I hope that day never comes.

In the meantime, we need to look in the mirror and realize there are several dozen schools you might perceive as beneath TU who aren’t and have been to the tourney or have invested in their programs in ways we won’t. High Point is a good example of that.

 

[goldenhurricane2]

Looks like the government is about to get involved.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

We are admitting hundreds of exceptional students. And many that are deserving. Unlike when you were in school, there appears to be a dramatically shrinking number of kids who are paying actual hard coinage in any meaningful amount. They are seeing better values elsewhere.

As a parent of both a current and former student, I can confirm that academic scholarship percentages are much greater than when I was in school.

My parents paid about 50% of full price for me to attend, while I’m paying/paid about 35% for each. Of course these two had much better incoming grades and test scores than what I had at that age.

 

[TUMU]

Yes. A lack of students willing to pay even for the actual cost of the experience plummets when you are out of the Top 100 and trending downward out of the Top 200.

The average student at TU now receives an aid package in excess of the cost of attendance. I don’t see how that is sustainable over time.

We are admitting hundreds of exceptional students. And many that are deserving. Unlike when you were in school, there appears to be a dramatically shrinking number of kids who are paying actual hard coinage in any meaningful amount. They are seeing better values elsewhere.

Our lack of vision and investment in what we are trying to accomplish I was discussing above plays out in many tangible ways but fewer students is one of them. At the law school, which is now amongst the worst in the nation by any measure, we are putting our emphasis on niche curriculum and legal charity training rather than a desperate need for training young lawyers with even basic skills to join local firms and service local businesses. And enrollment numbers have suffered. And so has the city as a result.

On the plus side, one of the kids who attends TU on one of several full and partial scholarships I endow recently wrote me a thank you note. They chose to attend TU because of the opportunity but they said in the letter what they like best about being a student at TU was the tailgates.

Something like that would not have been possible even 5 years ago. It gives you encouragement that type of affinity will lead to gifts 50 years from now. Something we’ve really never truly tried to cultivate in any meaningful sustained way.

Now we have to get that tailgate experience into something organic and self perpetuating, not a free beer and food line. And get demand up to the point we don’t have room for a Ferris wheel. Something that won’t be possible if we are playing Pittsburgh State in a lower level and losing. Then admissions will really take a hit.

I hope that day never comes.

In the meantime, we need to look in the mirror and realize there are several dozen schools you might perceive as beneath TU who aren’t and have been to the tourney or have invested in their programs in ways we won’t. High Point is a good example of that.

Dang. Certainly a lot of challenges and problems.
Hope Carson doesn't run for greener pastures.

 

[lawpoke87]

Looks like the government is about to get involved.

View embedded media

Ironic the only organization managed worst than the NCAA might be the federal government

 

[goldenhurricane2]

Ironic the only organization managed worst than the NCAA might be the federal government

It was only a matter of time before they got involved in this mess. I strongly doubt anything good (or even meaningful) comes from their involvement.

 

[TulsaRulzOSUdrools]

Ironic the only organization managed worst than the NCAA might be the federal government

How do you run an organization like that ? I don't think anyone wants it run well. It makes a lot of money for march madness

 

[TulsaRulzOSUdrools]

Looks like the government is about to get involved.

View embedded media

 

[lawpoke87]

How do you run an organization like that ? I don't think anyone wants it run well. It makes a lot of money for march madness

I just read the actual proposal. No chance it passes in anything resembling its current form

 

[Gmoney4WW]

I just read the actual proposal. No chance it passes in anything resembling its current form

I'm assuming the total cost for salary limitations was x4 for total cost for an education, not annual. They should have done annual x10. LOL

 

[HuffyCane]

I just read the actual proposal. No chance it passes in anything resembling its current form

That bill is just a place holder for opposition. Nobody thinks it has a chance of being passed.

But House Conference Chair McClain is the lead sponsor on a bill that is very similar to what Ted Cruz wants to do. Cruz, Tuberville, and Bilirakis are the ones to watch on this issue.

So if you’ve got the highest ranking member of Congress that leads policy development on your side, and you are the chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, you are in a good position to log roll what you want. Doesn’t hurt to have the help of members from CA, MI, FL, AL, OH and others publicly supporting you.

Cruz wants to give limited anti-trust protections in exchange for limited government regulatory control moving forward.

In practical terms, the House settlement gives certainty to the schools on the liability for past anti-trust violations. The Cruz bill would provide certainty and protection from future anti- trust claims, mostly by labor unions hoping to cash in on the new market place by becoming the sole or preferred union.

If it doesn’t become a cluster of egos, it will pass. the Senate Majority leader has already signaled his support as long as small school protections stay in. There’s a bi-partisan caucus in support and even some Dems opposed are asking publicly for small stakes carve outs.

I bet it gets done in the Fall. If it doesn’t, it likely means the NCAA finally said uncle and can see if they don’t have a plan immediately that works for everyone including little schools like TU, Congress will get one for them.

 

[goldenhurricane2]

That bill is just a place holder for opposition. Nobody thinks it has a chance of being passed.

But House Conference Chair McClain is the lead sponsor on a bill that is very similar to what Ted Cruz wants to do. Cruz, Tuberville, and Bilirakis are the ones to watch on this issue.

So if you’ve got the highest ranking member of Congress that leads policy development on your side, and you are the chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, you are in a good position to log roll what you want. Doesn’t hurt to have the help of members from CA, MI, FL, AL, OH and others publicly supporting you.

Cruz wants to give limited anti-trust protections in exchange for limited government regulatory control moving forward.

In practical terms, the House settlement gives certainty to the schools on the liability for past anti-trust violations. The Cruz bill would provide certainty and protection from future anti- trust claims, mostly by labor unions hoping to cash in on the new market place by becoming the sole or preferred union.

If it doesn’t become a cluster of egos, it will pass. the Senate Majority leader has already signaled his support as long as small school protections stay in. There’s a bi-partisan caucus in support and even some Dems opposed are asking publicly for small stakes carve outs.

I bet it gets done in the Fall. If it doesn’t, it likely means the NCAA finally said uncle and can see if they don’t have a plan immediately that works for everyone including little schools like TU, Congress will get one for them.

I’m a little skeptical, but it would certainly be nice if there were legislation to keep us in the fold of major college athletics… these things typically don’t go our way, so if this actually happened, it would be a very nice surprise.