A.G.
Junior Member
Posts: 62
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Post by A.G. on Dec 8, 2005 16:33:53 GMT -5
I am wondering if anyone around LU caught sight of Blanchard, today? Was he even around?  |
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Post by Supa J on Dec 8, 2005 20:08:52 GMT -5
Just cause I was on campus today doesn't mean I'm taking the AD job.
Sorry, just thought I'd crack a joke.
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A.G.
Junior Member
Posts: 62
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Post by A.G. on Dec 8, 2005 21:29:52 GMT -5
If you can take orders.
If you don't mind being passed over in terms of personnel decisions.
If you can be a "Yes Man."
If you can be a powerless figure-head...
...YOU'RE HIRED!!!!
(Applicants with aspirations of real power and legitimate authority need not apply.)
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Post by Sly Fox on Dec 8, 2005 21:51:54 GMT -5
Come on, AG. Lighten up. Every AD in America reports to someone ... particularly on major decisions. LU is no different.
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Post by baldspot on Dec 9, 2005 5:37:16 GMT -5
AD's lost that battle 25 years ago thank to the Barry Switzers of the world. They are figureheads at any university, plain and simple.
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Post by PittLU on Dec 9, 2005 11:55:41 GMT -5
I disagree. Compliance falls under their watch, and that can make or break a program. Add to the fact that they have major fundraising duties (especially at LU), and you havent even broached growing the department, scheduling, and budgets. An AD has to be a great administrator.
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A.G.
Junior Member
Posts: 62
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Post by A.G. on Dec 9, 2005 12:43:01 GMT -5
Compliance, fundraising, personnel, "glad-handing," being THE advocate for the program in the community. Much of the job is delegated to others in the dept, but the new AD must get out in the community and promote all the programs. If he can get more community involvement, then I believe that will result in more community funds coming in. As large as the school seems to be getting, the athletic program can be a force in helping turning Lynchburg into more of a college town.
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Post by PittLU on Dec 9, 2005 13:20:58 GMT -5
College town within reason. It doesnt matter who we choose for AD, Liberty will always alienate those who dont want anything to do with religion. We would have to get real big time for John Q. Lynchburger to look past the religious aspect to root for LU (see Notre Dame).
Also, could you see some random Lynchburger tailgating at an LU football game? No parking, no secular music, and no drinking? Somehow sipping Mountain Dew and eating cookies isnt the normal fans idea of tailgating (not that there is anything wrong with the latter). I just think our school's stance naturally limits our scope and reach - especially in the community.
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Post by Sly Fox on Dec 9, 2005 15:43:43 GMT -5
LUPITT - While I agree with your assessment, I think it just forces us to be more creative. You can't think along the line sof how other schools operate. You have to tailor your practices to meet your very specific audience.
That's why I have been a fan of bringing the Globetrotters & the LaHaye Ice Center to campus. It helps us reach out to the community to build bridges. They have similar issues at ORU and yet they have done an outstanding job of building bridges in Tulsa (which is a larger & more competitive marketplace).
This new AD will have plenty to keep him/her busy. And the future of our athletic program's success certainly is in this person's hands for the time being.
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Post by PittLU on Dec 9, 2005 16:32:57 GMT -5
I agree on the creativity part. We have to be. While we are coming from the creative side though, most people will view our situation from a secular view.
Side Note: Did anyone notice last year that D.L. Moody Bible College (Chicago) hosted an NBA camp for potential draft picks? I know their facilities couldnt be better than LU, but again, they are in Chicago which is much easier to get to than Lynchburg (especially since US Airways ALWAYS lost my luggage).
I just dont see us cozying up to your average Lynchburger all of a sudden. We need stability and commitment from our AD to be a face in the community. This is a long process and will be met with a ton of resistance at first. Persistence will beat resistance. He will need to be known as "The Mayor" of Lynchburg. Scratch that, didnt the mayor just get indicted? Anyway, he has to become a popular figure in the community.
I do like the idea of having the Ice Rink and special events on campus to bring out the locals. If you reach out to the community and put a consistent winner on the field/court, you should have an easier time. What about sport camps in the offseason? You focus on the local athletes, have them stay over at your school, while getting instruction and building relationships with LU coaches. I know this blurs recruiting with community relations, but cant they be hand in glove?
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A.G.
Junior Member
Posts: 62
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Post by A.G. on Dec 9, 2005 17:12:25 GMT -5
Ultimately, I think the key is going to be consistent WINNING from mens basketball, and ultimately, football. Everyone loves a winner and Virginia Tech is a perfect example. Some mild enthusiasm under Dooley, and Beamer was a flop his first few years. Once they got winning, and going to bigger and bigger bowl games, then the following started.
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Post by PittLU on Dec 9, 2005 17:22:20 GMT -5
What about the women's team? They should be drawing more, but the community could give a flip. I know it is women's b-ball, but why do you think they draw in Tennessee and Connecticut? Not because they are basketball hotbeds or the competition they play, but because they are consistent winners. I think that women's b-ball needs to reach out to the community by being seen (attending girls high school games, hosting girls teams, freel camps, etc.). We have put a winner on the court, but now it is time put a face to the winner the community can be proud of.
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Post by baldspot on Dec 9, 2005 18:22:04 GMT -5
A.G. and LUPITT - perhaps you are confusing the duties of an AD with who actually has the authority in an athletic departmant. Much to the chagrin of AD's everywhere, college president's have long ago usurped that power after a series of high profiled abuses at major colleges. Perhaps the president's like the notoriety, who knows. The difference at LU is the power to make decisions is at the chancellor's level and not in the president's office. Any potential AD already knows this and has to accept it as a fact of life.
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Post by jimflamesfan on Dec 9, 2005 18:36:18 GMT -5
LUPITT...I remember when I was at LU from 97-99...the women's team seemed to outdraw the men...
I think are women's attendance numbers are pretty high if you compare them to all other colleges...also, I don't think we have as many students as some (i.e. Penn State, Michigan, etc.), so naturally we won't have as large of a crowd...but I think our women draw pretty well considering the circumstatances.
Is the women's SMU game during winter break?
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Post by HoldMyOwn on Dec 9, 2005 18:41:27 GMT -5
Sad news to report...Blanchard turned us down...UNC caught wind of the interview and gave him a pretty good pay increase....so the search continues...there still are some pretty good names on the burner though
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Post by HoldMyOwn on Dec 9, 2005 18:44:52 GMT -5
If you can take orders. If you don't mind being passed over in terms of personnel decisions. If you can be a "Yes Man." If you can be a powerless figure-head... ...YOU'RE HIRED!!!! (Applicants with aspirations of real power and legitimate authority need not apply.) I understand what you are saying but who do you want making the decisions at LU, name someone in the past or present that you are confident in to lead this program... |
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Post by Sly Fox on Dec 9, 2005 19:53:35 GMT -5
I'm sorry to hear that Blanchard didn't work out. It'd sure be great to have someone in place sooner rather than later.
As for Moody, they do have fantastic facilities right in the heart of downtown Chicago. They are the Bulls' practice facility and they have been for a nunber of years. Draft Camp has been there3 for some time now as well.
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Post by PAmedic on Dec 11, 2005 21:19:29 GMT -5
the idea of how to integrate LU as a potentially "Fan-friendly" institution has intrigued me for a while. LUpitt is right on the money- we have an uphill battle as far as the type of activities we can allow on campus. Having said that, we are the biggest D1 draw around. Present ourselves better and that HAS to be a draw.
Also- sorry to hear about Blanchard- woulda been nice- but I'm sure our search committee has other very solid options out there that will do a great job.
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Post by Down with Leon on Dec 12, 2005 9:31:18 GMT -5
Search Committee...Funny....
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Post by PAmedic on Dec 12, 2005 9:46:06 GMT -5
Falwell, Falwell, Falwell, Rutigliano, Falwell.  still a committee! |
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Post by Sly Fox on Dec 12, 2005 9:57:14 GMT -5
Somebody has to be coming up with the candidates. So I would assume there is a committe of some sort. Obviously we know who makes the final decision.
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Post by bigsmooth on Dec 12, 2005 10:16:55 GMT -5
i do not think the blanchard would have ben a good hire. our next AD needs to be a top-notch fundraiser with connections. one who has corporate connections, and can find a million bucks in the middle of the forest. He also needs to be committed to upgrading our facilities. if that means tapping copporate america, and giving naming rights, then do it. with the right marketing package, a corporation i feel would be willing to put their name on something at LU. i know we do not have a deep pocketed alumni base yet, so finding a christian business person who would be willing to help the programs other than the williams and lahayes of the world would be great. finally the AD needs to connect lynchburg with LU. if this can be done, the progrmas will benefit. there is plenty of money in central virginia that could be going to LU, there just has to be a good plan to get it.
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A.G.
Junior Member
Posts: 62
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Post by A.G. on Dec 12, 2005 10:20:05 GMT -5
bigsmooth: I could not have said it better, myself.
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Post by Sly Fox on Dec 12, 2005 10:21:03 GMT -5
I have to admit Blanchard did seem like a curious candidate base on his background. But who knows how he might've excelled in our position. Since we'll never I guess there's no reason to speculate.
Hopefully we'll have some other candidates in soon.
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Post by PittLU on Dec 12, 2005 11:26:12 GMT -5
bigsmooth - you are partly right. Corporate America's dollars will come to LU through a Christian Fortune 500 business. Look for Amway Court at the Vines Center or TransAmerica Field at Williams Stadium.
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Post by Curious on Dec 12, 2005 16:20:26 GMT -5
I wonder if it will end up being a D1ck Cheney deal... where the person helping with the search winds up being the man for the job, especially with his son on board.
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A.G.
Junior Member
Posts: 62
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Post by A.G. on Dec 12, 2005 16:32:06 GMT -5
Are you thinking about Frank, Sr? That would be an interesting move? Not sure about his administrative background, though. He certainly has the football background. We tried the football guy this year and it did not work too well, remember.
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fsn32
Full Member
www.FlamesSports.com
Posts: 122
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Post by fsn32 on Dec 12, 2005 17:15:52 GMT -5
I think he is talking about Coach Sam.
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Post by Sly Fox on Dec 12, 2005 18:17:20 GMT -5
I think one is as likely as the other. But the longer this search stretches out, the less choosy we will become.
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Post by SCAR on Dec 12, 2005 19:49:02 GMT -5
I thought Dan Reeves would get a call but I heard he is coming your way Sly to "consult" the Texans...Also would Stan Van Gundy be a good candidate for AD? ;-). Also I would like to disagree a bit with my boy BigSmooth on one issue. I think we do have Alumni with big pockets even though our school is young. I know of 2 multi millionaires personally that I went to school with and that I keep in touch with. I am not even talking about Eric Green or Sid Bream or James McKnight. I won't say their names but they were not professional athletes. There has to be a few more out there that I don't know about as well. That is where your alumni association comes in. Our successful Alum should be household names, at least in our households.
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