IPF

[cuseinchina]

If this is all true I assume it does not bode well for gross continuing as AD with the new chancellor. His big project is getting mothballed and it sounds like he's a lousy administrator from a financial perspective.

There is so much low hanging fruit they miss on in terms of marketing and fundraising. He needed to get someone in who has serious expertise in this area. Hiring former players is great in terms of executing the plan but need an experienced professional to develop the plan.

 

[SmilinBob]

If this is all true I assume it does not bode well for gross continuing as AD with the new chancellor. His big project is getting mothballed and it sounds like he's a lousy administrator from a financial perspective.

There is so much low hanging fruit they miss on in terms of marketing and fundraising. He needed to get someone in who has serious expertise in this area. Hiring former players is great in terms of executing the plan but need an experienced professional to develop the plan.

A snake oil salesmen type like Bill Clinton.

I like Gross a lot and you can't build something that doesn't have the support. Maybe he needs better people out there I don't know but he's been exactly what I wanted an AD to be when it comes to making our sports better competitively. A Ralphie A+++++++

 

[cuseinchina]

A snake oil salesmen type like Bill Clinton.

I like Gross a lot and you can't build something that doesn't have the support. Maybe he needs better people out there I don't know but he's been exactly what I wanted an AD to be when it comes to making our sports better competitively. A Ralphie A+++++++

I like Gross too. I just think there are some areas where he needs to bring on some expertise and it hasn't happened. If the finances are a wreck and the marketing is bad (which it definitely is) - then a new chancellor might be inclined to find someone new - which was the point of my post. I actually hope he stays on and am inclined to think he's a good dude despite all of the hollywood Gross flack he gets - but clearly they need to hire expertise in financial management and marketing - that's not snake oil that's basic responsible management.

 

[OrangeTarheel]

Sounds like this is a leadership problem & not a money problem. Get strong leaders with a vision and these problems go away.

 

[SmilinBob]

Who do they have that is raising money? How does a school like SU not be able to find somebody that can fund raise? Don't they have marketing or the like classes? I don't know cic...maybe SU doesn't deserve anything if they can't even figure out how to do something they supposedly charge 50K or so to teach. Those who can't do, teach. Those that can't teach...teach gym.

 

[Cusefan95]

I like Gross too. I just think there are some areas where he needs to bring on some expertise and it hasn't happened. If the finances are a wreck and the marketing is bad (which it definitely is) - then a new chancellor might be inclined to find someone new - which was the point of my post. I actually hope he stays on and am inclined to think he's a good dude despite all of the hollywood Gross flack he gets - but clearly they need to hire expertise in financial management and marketing - that's not snake oil that's basic responsible management.

What exactly are you looking for from this marketing guru? If its more billboards and radio ads, I pray to God that Syracuse passes on that hire. People DO NOT CARE about going to see a mediocre football product. They don't come, and won't come, no matter how much advertising is done. It is simply a waste of money. It's actually irresponsible management to do that; it relies entirely on the wishful thinking that marketing alone can fix a fundamentally flawed product (that your potential customer base already KNOWS is fundamentally flawed).

There's a lot of low/no cost stuff the marketing guy could focus on - the website needs a redesign and customer service at the Dome is substandard. But if "marketing" really means throwing away money on advertising that has minimal to no impact on revenues - lets just pass on that.

 

[cuseinchina]

What exactly are you looking for from this marketing guru? If its more billboards and radio ads, I pray to God that Syracuse passes on that hire. People DO NOT CARE about going to see a mediocre football product. They don't come, and won't come, no matter how much advertising is done. It is simply a waste of money. It's actually irresponsible management to do that; it relies entirely on the wishful thinking that marketing alone can fix a fundamentally flawed product (that your potential customer base already KNOWS is fundamentally flawed).

There's a lot of low/no cost stuff the marketing guy could focus on - the website needs a redesign and customer service at the Dome is substandard. But if "marketing" really means throwing away money on advertising that has minimal to no impact on revenues - lets just pass on that.

Yeah I don't think lots of expensive advertising is what is needed at this point. They just need to do the basics that aren't getting done like leverage the database from the $2B donation campaign that was just completed on the academic side. They need to come up with promotions that get people in the door and engender goodwill, and then actually get the message out. Apparently they were running a promotion that included the Pitt and BC games as well as a basketball game for a combined very low price this past week. I love tying the two sports together and using the fan interest in basketball to the benefit of football. But no one knew anything about it because they didn't send out an email to their database (yet I got multiple ads from them for sweatpants), take out ad time on local morning radio shows, or put up a banner on Syracuse.com --- this is basic stuff and doesn't cost much. I don't think it's because they aren't trying, I think it's because they don't have the expertise to know how to do it right. There are so many small things that can be done that add up to real revenue - a serious dedicated marketing guy paid $130k can earn his salary pretty darn quick given the extent of low hanging fruit ripe for the picking. I am quite certain that there is an alumnus out there who is sick of corporate America or working for a big ad firm who would love to take on this kind of role. You could hire consultants but that never works out - you need someone who knows the history and understands both the alumni and local markets through years of experience. They have smart dedicated people who love the school and were on the teams in the past - those people are perfect for executing the plan -but you need someone with some real expertise to put it all together.

 

[anomander]

Eh, Syracuse successfully burned through every single ounce of community goodwill around the football program by telling the fans to get a life, then proceeding to suck at football for a decade. If they want to win fans back, they need to change the paradigm that the community believes - which is that the university doesn't care about football success. Stalling on building an IPF is just one additional reason to believe the existing paradigm.

The university took money from the football program back when it was in the black. Now their just going to take the ACC money for non-athletic purposes. The university is always just looking for a tit to suckle on. If its clear the university doesn't care about football success, why should the community come out to support a lousy product? (And always having to hope we somehow scrape together 6 wins to go to a crappy bowl is a lousy product, it's like defining basketball success as just barely making the NIT 3 out of 4 years and sitting at home in year 4).

this is a huge problem for me. I consider myself a die hard fan, and I have a solid group of football fans that are still around from when the University first burned the program to the ground. Now we can deal with the losses. There is always hope that we are building towards something, and the past few years we have seen this. When we heard the news of the IPF, after the renovations that were just completed we were thrilled. We felt like the University was finally getting behind the program and getting it back to respectability. But now this cluster. I have no faith in anyone up there who is calling shots. People wonder why Marrone ran away for his University. What would you think with all this money being funded to olympic sports that nobody cares about. Look at the attendance for today's womens hoops game. There is maybe 40 family and friends there. Same goes for all the other sports being given this money in coaches salaries and whatever else. Yet we continue to fail to support the 1 program that has the potential to fund the whole department. I am sick of it.

Like I said I can deal with on the field losses, but this continued lack of leadership, and ludicrous spending by Gross is another story. I was a supporter of his, but it has come to an end. Fix the problem, or you are going to lose the rest of your already dwindled fan base.

 

[xc84]

This thread reminds me of threads prior to being invited to the BE and how Gross had us stuck in the BE forever.

 

[chakka3421]

this is a huge problem for me. I consider myself a die hard fan, and I have a solid group of football fans that are still around from when the University first burned the program to the ground. Now we can deal with the losses. There is always hope that we are building towards something, and the past few years we have seen this. When we heard the news of the IPF, after the renovations that were just completed we were thrilled. We felt like the University was finally getting behind the program and getting it back to respectability. But now this cluster. I have no faith in anyone up there who is calling shots. People wonder why Marrone ran away for his University. What would you think with all this money being funded to olympic sports that nobody cares about. Look at the attendance for today's womens hoops game. There is maybe 40 family and friends there. Same goes for all the other sports being given this money in coaches salaries and whatever else. Yet we continue to fail to support the 1 program that has the potential to fund the whole department. I am sick of it.

Like I said I can deal with on the field losses, but this continued lack of leadership, and ludicrous spending by Gross is another story. I was a supporter of his, but it has come to an end. Fix the problem, or you are going to lose the rest of your already dwindled fan base.

My understanding it's more about timing - a few issues about $ millions due old BE conference, ACC monies not fully received until mid summer 2014 & new chancellor to determine if he keeps Gross on staff or not. It also could be timing of donor commitments versus money in hand. The money is just not there yet.

I don't think the IPF is not going to happen, it's just been delayed until spring when a lot of unknowns will have been ironed out. Gross I believe is handcuffed right now.

 

[anomander]

My understanding it's more about timing - a few issues about $ millions due old BE conference, ACC monies not fully received until mid summer 2014 & new chancellor to determine if he keeps Gross on staff or not. It also could be timing of donor commitments versus money in hand. The money is just not there yet.

I don't think the IPF is not going to happen, it's just been delayed until spring when a lot of unknowns will have been ironed out. Gross I believe is handcuffed right now.

it was BS the AD got stuck with a larger portion of the BE exit fee after the BOT already agreed the University would foot the bill. You think a University that fully back it's sports programs would pass it along? The move was beneficial for the University, not just the AD.

 

[hoopsupstate]

This town doesn't deserve a Division 1 football team and neither does the people running the athletic department. What I witnessed yesterday for attendance for a team fighting for a bowl birth was just plain pathetic. Everything about going to games in not fan friendly. I can stay at home and watch a game and see every play two or three different ways. They won't show any replay that might be the least bit unfriendly towards the officials. I paid, parked and walked up the damn hill and I want to see every damn replay of the game. It's no wonder people stay at home. I'm a preferred seat holder and give a donation every year and this year they raise the giving levels for people to attend the pre-game orange club tent. Why? because the group was getting too big. Are you kidding me. That kind of event brings enthusiasm to the program. They did the same for basketball. Has our athletic director ever showed his face at this kind of event to thank anyone for supporting the program. A BIG FAT NO! He's too busy trying to figure out how to tie his Armani ties. When I found out yesterday about the IPF I felt like giving up. I'm tired of putting everything into attending games for football and basketball games to support the program, yet the University just keeps stabbing the football program in the back. I'm not sure I can keep supporting these programs both financially and emotionally. How in the hell does Shafer want to coach this program,. He's too good a guy to deal with this crap. What do we really have to look forward to next year? We still don't have a quarterback. There is not a single WOW recruit coming into the program. Our recruiting class is still rated in the 60's with no big time players ready to commit. I don't consider 3 star players big time. If Boeheim started bring in 3 star players, how long do you think we would stay a big time program?

Season ticket holders need to shut up about moving games to NYC. Half of the season ticket holders were not even at the game yesterday. We played a team that just beat Notre Dame and we were going for our sixth win and only 21,000 people show up. If you want fannies in the seats, you have to #1 have an exciting team and #2 blackout all home games within 200 miles of the Dome. That may seem harsh, but the NFL does it. If it sells out within three days of a home game, put it on TV. People need to understand what big time football is suppose to be. So does the University. They want big time football, but they will never pay for it. We're going to find out very soon if our new chancellor has any stones. His actions will speak very loud, just like Buzz's did when he said "Get a life."

 

[anomander]

This town doesn't deserve a Division 1 football team and neither does the people running the athletic department. What I witnessed yesterday for attendance for a team fighting for a bowl birth was just plain pathetic. Everything about going to games in not fan friendly. I can stay at home and watch a game and see every play two or three different ways. They won't show any replay that might be the least bit unfriendly towards the officials. I paid, parked and walked up the damn hill and I want to see every damn replay of the game. It's no wonder people stay at home. I'm a preferred seat holder and give a donation every year and this year they raise the giving levels for people to attend the pre-game orange club tent. Why? because the group was getting too big. Are you kidding me. That kind of event brings enthusiasm to the program. They did the same for basketball. Has our athletic director ever showed his face at this kind of event to thank anyone for supporting the program. A BIG FAT NO! He's too busy trying to figure out how to tie his Armani ties. When I found out yesterday about the IPF I felt like giving up. I'm tired of putting everything into attending games for football and basketball games to support the program, yet the University just keeps stabbing the football program in the back. I'm not sure I can keep supporting these programs both financially and emotionally. How in the hell does Shafer want to coach this program,. He's too good a guy to deal with this crap.

Season ticket holders need to shut up about moving games to NYC. Half of the season ticket holders were not even at the game yesterday. We played a team that just beat Notre Dame and we were going for our sixth win and only 21,000 people show up. If you want fannies in the seats, you have to #1 have an exciting team and #2 blackout all home games within 200 miles of the Dome. That may seem harsh, but the NFL does it. If it sells out within three days of a home game, put it on TV. People need to understand what big time football is suppose to be. So does the University. They want big time football, but they will never pay for it. We're going to find out very soon if our new chancellor has any stones. His actions will speak very loud, just like Buzz's did when he said "Get a life."

i hate to say it, and i never thought it would come to this, but i had the same exact feelings when I heard the news. They need to be very careful or they are going to turn away the very few die hards they have left

 

[OrangeinBoston]

This town doesn't deserve a Division 1 football team and neither does the people running the athletic department. What I witnessed yesterday for attendance for a team fighting for a bowl birth was just plain pathetic. Everything about going to games in not fan friendly. I can stay at home and watch a game and see every play two or three different ways. They won't show any replay that might be the least bit unfriendly towards the officials. I paid, parked and walked up the damn hill and I want to see every damn replay of the game. It's no wonder people stay at home. I'm a preferred seat holder and give a donation every year and this year they raise the giving levels for people to attend the pre-game orange club tent. Why? because the group was getting too big. Are you kidding me. That kind of event brings enthusiasm to the program. They did the same for basketball. Has our athletic director ever showed his face at this kind of event to thank anyone for supporting the program. A BIG FAT NO! He's too busy trying to figure out how to tie his Armani ties. When I found out yesterday about the IPF I felt like giving up. I'm tired of putting everything into attending games for football and basketball games to support the program, yet the University just keeps stabbing the football program in the back. I'm not sure I can keep supporting these programs both financially and emotionally. How in the hell does Shafer want to coach this program,. He's too good a guy to deal with this crap. What do we really have to look forward to next year? We still don't have a quarterback. There is not a single WOW recruit coming into the program. Our recruiting class is still rated in the 60's with no big time players ready to commit. I don't consider 3 star players big time. If Boeheim started bring in 3 star players, how long do you think we would stay a big time program?

Season ticket holders need to shut up about moving games to NYC. Half of the season ticket holders were not even at the game yesterday. We played a team that just beat Notre Dame and we were going for our sixth win and only 21,000 people show up. If you want fannies in the seats, you have to #1 have an exciting team and #2 blackout all home games within 200 miles of the Dome. That may seem harsh, but the NFL does it. If it sells out within three days of a home game, put it on TV. People need to understand what big time football is suppose to be. So does the University. They want big time football, but they will never pay for it. We're going to find out very soon if our new chancellor has any stones. His actions will speak very loud, just like Buzz's did when he said "Get a life."

This nonsense never ceases to amaze me. The team gets the fans it deserves. If it was 10 - 1, the place would be packed. If it was 10 - 1 nobody would give a crap about parking, or whether or not dome dogs were the only choice at the concession stand. And, nobody except the knuckleheads on this board even remembers who Buzz Shaw was, much less his comment about getting a life, which after all, is not bad advice.

 

[TexanMark]

On recruiting rankings...look at the average stars rating Cuse is safely inside the Top 50.

 

[retro44]

not true, they did show some replays of calls under review

 

[Full_Rebar]

As far as getting SU into the ACC, let's not give Gross too much credit there. Swofford wanted SU in 2003, so it wasn't like DG had to do a lot of selling of the program. I will give him credit for keeping the move quiet though.

 

[anomander]

On recruiting rankings...look at the average stars rating Cuse is safely inside the Top 50.

personally i think recruiting is going pretty well. add in 8 or 9 more prospects and we should finish around top 40 or so. that's what's frustrating. if this staff had equal footing facility wise i really think they could do some big things. plus you have to factor in that they have been using the new IPF with their recruiting pitch. wonder how they play that now?

 

[retro44]

if it is true that gross receives bonuses based on capital one directors cup and knowingly short changing the football program,then he should be fired immediately and the fans should send his next school his job resume asap and often...typical CEO mentality

 

[Scooch]

We're in a strange place when investing gobs of money is more critical to running a competitive college football program than it is to running a competitive pro franchise.

All this just makes me queasy.

 

[Full_Rebar]

personally i think recruiting is going pretty well. add in 8 or 9 more prospects and we should finish around top 40 or so. that's what's frustrating. if this staff had equal footing facility wise i really think they could do some big things. plus you have to factor in that they have been using the new IPF with their recruiting pitch. wonder how they play that now?

Agreed. The facility upgrades can be the difference on closing the deal with some of these recruits. It absolutely helps basketball to tell recruits that they can work on their game 24/7. When you are recruiting kids with pro aspirations, this is essential.

 

[llandz]

Here are some answers to questions that have been raise in this thread.

Yes, Nancy is gone. There is an interim Chancellor until January when the new Chancellor arrives.

There were 3 large donations for the Melo Center. Besides Melo's 3 million there was also a 2 million and a 1 million.

The new Chancellor seems to like sports from what he said when he spoke to us (the National Alumni Board, and the Alumni Club Presidents) at Orange Central.

The I'm In campaign has been in the works for a very long time. I don't know if you all remember when I approached the school about the "44 for football" campaign. The athletic department was already looking at doing a major fundraising campaign. This was almost 2 years ago. The I'm In campaign was more inclusive of all sports. They have not "ramped it up for any reason other than the decision to work with the alumni clubs around the country and to break the I'm In campaign with our alumni clubs challenge. It was delayed slightly for this. If you went to the athletic site over the summer, the campaign was there.

I am sure with Nancy gone, an interim chancellor on the hill and a new chancellor taking the reigns in Jan. it makes sense to wait on any major university funding. I am sure there will be some major donations for naming rights. We have too much football history and players with the funds and the love of SU football not to have one or two step up with some major donations.

 

[OrangePA]

I wonder how Marrone would react to the OP.

 

[OrangeinBoston]

Here are some answers to questions that have been raise in this thread.

Yes, Nancy is gone. There is an interim Chancellor until January when the new Chancellor arrives.

There were 3 large donations for the Melo Center. Besides Melo's 3 million there was also a 2 million and a 1 million.

The new Chancellor seems to like sports from what he said when he spoke to us (the National Alumni Board, and the Alumni Club Presidents) at Orange Central.

The I'm In campaign has been in the works for a very long time. I don't know if you all remember when I approached the school about the "44 for football" campaign. The athletic department was already looking at doing a major fundraising campaign. This was almost 2 years ago. The I'm In campaign was more inclusive of all sports. They have not "ramped it up for any reason other than the decision to work with the alumni clubs around the country and to break the I'm In campaign with our alumni clubs challenge. It was delayed slightly for this. If you went to the athletic site over the summer, the campaign was there.

I am sure with Nancy gone, an interim chancellor on the hill and a new chancellor taking the reigns in Jan. it makes sense to wait on any major university funding. I am sure there will be some major donations for naming rights. We have too much football history and players with the funds and the love of SU football not to have one or two step up with some major donations.

Great post, thanks. Under the circumstances, it does make perfect sense to delay till the dust settles.

I would personally be shocked if there aren't at least a couple NFL stars (besides McNabb who serves on the Board and has made contributions) who would contribute.

 

[Bayside44]

Here are some answers to questions that have been raise in this thread.

Yes, Nancy is gone. There is an interim Chancellor until January when the new Chancellor arrives.

There were 3 large donations for the Melo Center. Besides Melo's 3 million there was also a 2 million and a 1 million.

The new Chancellor seems to like sports from what he said when he spoke to us (the National Alumni Board, and the Alumni Club Presidents) at Orange Central.

The I'm In campaign has been in the works for a very long time. I don't know if you all remember when I approached the school about the "44 for football" campaign. The athletic department was already looking at doing a major fundraising campaign. This was almost 2 years ago. The I'm In campaign was more inclusive of all sports. They have not "ramped it up for any reason other than the decision to work with the alumni clubs around the country and to break the I'm In campaign with our alumni clubs challenge. It was delayed slightly for this. If you went to the athletic site over the summer, the campaign was there.

I am sure with Nancy gone, an interim chancellor on the hill and a new chancellor taking the reigns in Jan. it makes sense to wait on any major university funding. I am sure there will be some major donations for naming rights. We have too much football history and players with the funds and the love of SU football not to have one or two step up with some major donations.

As with anything else there is a usually a reasonable explanation for things. Great post.