D1 Athletics
it's that simple.
not funding athletics with this will KILL D1 athletics. Not funding schollies, not hiring the sucessors in sports.
If the fee increase is not done, frankly it's time to drop D1 athletics for LBSU
it's a moment of truth for Cononley. Keep LBSU as D1, or just go D2 (the MVB could be the one funded program in D1-D2 MVB, but even they would take a huge perception hit)
The 'advisory' is expected. I can't think of any, or would be so few, of student bodies than when asked for fee hikes actually support it. They have a 4 year vision to get a degree, especially at LBSU, and so everything else is typically secondary
Conoley either approves (and takes the wrath, which she's not good at handling) or drop Athletics.
These are the paths forward:
1) No fee increase, and bail out financially each year. Conoley by the actions last year clearly doesn't want to do that.
2) Approve the fee, and stay D1 'competitive'
3) Don't approve the fee, stay D1, and drop competitively over the next 3-4 years as LB does not fund athlete schollies and exodus from the better athletes accerates from non-competitive teams.
4) Drop D1, and go D2 - still some costs, have no idea how that shakes out. But all the coaches would have to take pay cuts, with many leaving or those that can retire in next five years doing so
5) Drop athletics. End the charade if the school and admin doesn't have the will and wherewithal to support fees.
6) Raise $3 mil more a year. lol. given the perceptions and misteps among MBB and Conoley towards alumni/sports fans, fat chance in hell.
in fact, Donors probably will want to see the fee, just to assure continued donations contribute. approving the fee would also likely INCREASE donations. not approving would likely make a decrease spiral worse.
pretty sure the AD hiring decision is dependent on this decision. it frankly is THE most important decision of Conoley before she retires...which wouldn't surprise either way if she makes the decision and then retires. It'll be her biggest legacy by far. She's really not done anything significant academically or otherwise since she's been here.
102
Message Thread
« Back to index