New AD

[mat man]

What ya think?

[aLUmnus]

Here's the link:
www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=6848&NewsID=48

Seems qualified enough. Of course, I don't know enough about these things to really have a solid opinion. Coming actions and results will tell us everything.

[PittLU]

Hey now!!!!

This guy seems like he has the pedigry. A Ph D as an AD? Now that seems like an upgrade. This guy has a nice background, but what are his PR skills? I really feel than an AD has to be charismatic sans the speaking in tounges

[PAmedic]

From what was published, they guy definitely seems to have the tools to do the job. Hope he gets the support and funding to do what he needs to do; what kind of staff he can pull together will be important as well. I don't remember him from Maryland or West Chester, but that would have been in my formative years!

[Sly Fox]

What I found most interesting is his religious background. It shows that the administration is willing to stretch its boundaries to find the right man for the job. Hopefully, this gentleman proves to be the right man. Because he certainly has his work cut out for him.

[PAmedic]

SLY- did I miss something in the bio- it seemed pretty positive?

[Mat Man]

Presbyterian (PCA)

[PAmedic]

ohhhhhhhkay- would NEVER have gotten that.
I gotta ask- and I'm very sorry- umm, whats the diff? (I don't get out much)

[Get Real LU]

1. How do you plan to build/energize/shake up the stagnate Flames Club? All the Flames Club is, is a hobby for redneck country bumpkin thomas -road attending geezers.

My suggestion is to start your own athletics booster club from scratch.

2. Do you plan to make a proposal to Nike or Adidas for a university wide sponsorship for all our athletic teams?

3. How will you keep Jerry out of your business?

4. Why did you leave FSU?Maryland?

5. Do you have the guts to fire Falwell's buddy Ken Karcher?

6. Do you plan on adding ice hockey as DI sport at LU?

7. How will you deal with people going behind your back and going to Jerry? (people being- Flames club members)

8. Will you consider abolishing the marching band and sweet 16? ( pumping jockjams over the P.A or something of the like would be 10 times better!)

9. Would you fire Prototype and bring back Bill Hayes as director of marketing for the Athletic Department? (Who came up with the idea to blindfold a student and let them crawl all over the court for a prize?)- Dumb Idea!

10. How long will it take you to figure out that your hands are tied and you'll have minimal freedom to get this school's athletic program off the ground?(Thanks to Jerry)

11. How do you plan to boost attendance, especially in our money sports?

[aLUmnus]

Well, sometimes we just have to be resolved to the fact that ignorance reigns in some people. These fly-by posters are starting to get a tad annoying.

[Mark]

3 legitimate questions (ice hockey, boost revenue and nike/adidas) out of 11 is a pretty poor percentage. Please try to keep the conversation intelligent Get Real.

[prototype]

Well, we have found someone that has no idea what he is talking about - haven't we?

Who are you to get on Dr. Falwell (That's right - Dr. Falwell - Have some respect)? Without Dr. Falwell there would not be a Liberty and there sure would not be a Division 1 Athletic Program. This Person has not only got Liberty to where it is today, he has put Lynchburg, VA on the map. He let’s people work on there own – he really doesn’t get into everything at Liberty, he likes things to succeed and will step in when he sees something stalling. And going around the AD…have you ever gone around a manager to a CEO or President to get a something accomplished? Yes, chain of command is important, but sometimes professionals see things different and are forced to go above that position.

Check the stats before you spend time writing down all that trash. - The money sports were well attended this year. We set every attendance record in Football this year and have had an average of over 5,000 at every men's game - outside of break. I love Bill Hayes, he was my intern up in Washington, but there needs to be more than one person handling Marketing at Liberty. Do you even know what Prototype does for Liberty or has accomplished for Liberty, or all your statements just random made up comments to get a reaction?

[PAmedic]

evidently a person w/ an axe to grind, though- as Mark alluded- several good points were brought up. I would RESPECTFULLY be very interested to hear what fresh ideas can be brought to bear on the sponsorships, etc, and boosting/maintaining attendance.

Interestingly enough, BOTH these topics have been HOT right here on our own little corner of LU! small world, huh? Sounds like our new friends at Proto are on it already- keep up the good work guys, hope your transition w/ the new AD goes smoothly.

[PittLU]

Proto - I truly respect what you are doing and have done. I have to say that this board (since its inception) has bemoaned the fact the LU needs extreme help in branding and marketing. I think I speak for the board when I say that the University is in good hands with your company.

What is your opinion of the new AD? Have you met him or had any interaction? What would be your two main action items if you had an audience with the AD?

[The Insider]

It's official....The Insider has learned that Liberty's new Athletic Director is not Thom Park, but is actually major league pitcher Chan Ho Park. Apparently there was a typo in the official release. Remember, you can always trust the insider

[prototype]

Thanks PITT. We have a lot more to do. Our work has just begun. I have not met the new AD yet, but have had communication via email. He seems to be qualified. Financially minded, which is good for the program. We need to be aggressive in fundraising and sponsorships.

Two items that I would like to see the Dr. Park pursue:
1) More aggressive fundraising to help supplement the cost of Athletics. Doing this at the same time as building relationships with the local business community.

2) Efficiency of all Athletic Administration. Helping all departments to work together for a common goal.

[Guest]

GetReal isn't that far off. Check into every top fire and hire and you will find that it was out of Graham's hands. The new AD needs true authority to do his job. As for point #5, I think it is a different coach that has the incriminating evidence of the administration, and has the REAL power in the department to get folks fired.

[prototype]

Not sure what that last statement meant. Can you clearify?

Do you actually know how many firings and hiring’s were done during Kim's term?

And do you know how many weren't Kim's hires?

Do you think in a normal corporation, because it is a corporation, owners/CEOs/ Presidents don't step in sometimes and make hiring decisions? I'm a business owner and give my Vice Presidents the authority to hire, but there have been times where I wanted to get someone in there different and stepped in and made what I thought was the best decision at that time. It was no reflection on my VP, he didn't take offense. Those hiring’s had nothing to do with going against Kim. It was a gut feeling by a superior. And after all the hiring of Coach Dunton has been a great decision. The baseball team is 12-3.

[HarrisburgFlame]

In my opinion the ADept has shown a commitment to winning by giving Coach Karcher the contract extension. Coaching turnover isn't always the answer.

[Sly Fox]

Hburg --- I don't think you want to open up that can of worms again regarding Karcher's extension.

As for Guest's comments, take them for what they are ... ramblings.

[HarrisburgFlame]

Sorry - I do not want to cause any conflict on the board. Being an ex-football coach I recognize how long it takes to move something forward and when you have a coaching change you usually are back to square one. That was my only point.

See - Morgan Hout!

[Sly Fox]

No problem, Hburg. Its just there remains a simmering disdain for the 5-year extension.

[PAmedic]

Hey Proto- wondering if the new guy has given you any sort of "vote of confidence" or do you think there is potential he may re-bid the PR work? (Not trying to get you to reveal contract specifics or negotiations if you are prohibited from disclosing that kind of stuff)

Seems as if you guys are doing a bang-up job, and we really appreciate your efforts to come on here and pan for ideas/input, even from us "old hags"

thanks again

[prototype]

Have not to this point received a "vote of confidence". I feel what we do for Liberty has been successful to this point. I don't think there is another company or individual(s) that can step in and do what my staff of 11 and I am doing without taking a step backward. We are starting to get some momentum. Thank you for your “vote of confidence".

We are hoping to be able to see this thing through and continue the building of Athletics with Dr. Park.

[Stevev]

I hope that the new guy can raise enough funds to be able to run a more competitive football program since football is a serious revenue producing sport. Maybe if he makes a committment to upgrade the facilities, do a better job marketing the program to boost attendence, improve the game day atmosphere, and put more effort in recruiting or getting 1A transferes maybe coach Karcher can acheive the success he talked about when he was hired. I believe we can achieve that but it is going to take a serious effort and funding to make the thing possible. The other sports are on the right track but need to find a conference with more in-state rivals such as the Colonial.

[PAmedic]

that's quite a list, and most of the points have been beaten to death. I'm not the expert, but others have repeatedly stated D1A MAKES NO MONEY!! also, the Colonial will most likely NOT HAPPEN. 3rd, the facilities are as nice as most around in comparable circumstances- w/ the funding the way it is, don't look for major improvements any time soon. And for us "old hags" the stadium is brand new! I think I saw 3 games there?

[GetRealLU]

Proto: I was just trying to bring to surface some of the things that I have observed and been invloved in and around LU atheltics. You guys are doing a good job.



New AD: With all the recent improvements that have been made to the Vines and currently Williams stadium it is time to share the wealth around to some of the other sports.

1. Bring softball out of the stone ages. Our womens softball coach is only part time.(He runs printing services during the mornings and early afternoons).That's not fair to him or his team. Some minor improvements could be made around their field as well.

2. Mens & Womens soccer practices and plays on the same field! Could we build them a practice field or their owns soccer facility(possibly next to the softball field or over on east campus)?

3. Could we get baseball some lights please! Not only does baseball host some of the best competition(ranked opponents) out of any sport at LU but they actually can and have beat some of them. The sad part is that when teams like Wake Forest, Virginia, and Clemson challenge us at Worthington Stadium(is it really a stadium? anyway) most students are in class or can only catch part of the game! Do any of you recall when the hillcat's minorleague park in town put in new lights? What happened with the old lights? Not to mention that Calvin and Terry Falwell are on the hillcats board!

Just something to think about

[Jacksparrow81]

hahahaha ive always wondered same things about the lights. I heard a few years back that worthington stadium was voted on the top college baseball field in the U.S. I would love to know what they judged that on. 1st of all i cant stand that grass in between home and 1st and home and third on the runner's line. Whats the point of that. 2nd sometimes the grass outfield is brown, i dunno maybe back in the day when they were voted they took better care of the field. The lights, I dunno its always been a mystery why they wont put them up. Maybe their trying to make the field unique. There has gotta be a good explanation. maybe you cant have bright lights 10 yards from train tracks. Why dont we just scrap the team and evenly distribute the money the other sports and turn the place into a parking lot

[Sly Fox]

Jack --- Worthington Field got those groundskeeping honors back in the Late '80s when I was there. Al used tobe out ont he field babying it all the time. It was back when the idea of underground drainage & sprinkler systems were in their infancy on the college level. Obviously, time has caught up to the turf.

[PAmedic]

as I remember it, that field was BEAUTIFUL back then: immacuately groomed- sorry to hear it has deteriorated! I couldn't understand why you guys were downing it so much.