"Huge said some of the items on her agenda included insuring stronger wifi in the arenas and stadiums and building an aquatics center on campus.
Huge said stronger wifi would attract more fans to games and enhance the fan experience."
Right, I don't go to watch the game, but to get on my cell phone. And if building an aquatics center is what you are talking about, it says everything about what's on your mind. Lord help us, if this is the big vision mindset !
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I have a different take.
The aquatics center is the type of facility that can involve greater Williamsburg community involvement on a daily basis ... this was the perfect audience to whom to pitch that idea, especially if local funding can come into play.
As for WiFi, at every break in the action, I'm surfing the web on my phone.... so juicing up the WiFi is also a smart play.
(06-18-2017 01:23 PM)nj alum Wrote: [ -> ]I have a different take.
The aquatics center is the type of facility that can involve greater Williamsburg community involvement on a daily basis ... this was the perfect audience to whom to pitch that idea, especially if local funding can come into play.
As for WiFi, at every break in the action, I'm surfing the web on my phone.... so juicing up the WiFi is also a smart play.
Seems like commercial partnering to get big screen video and other game stoppage entertainment in Kaplan and Zable would do far more to attract fans and stimulate community advertising participation. Maybe it's just that a Wifi upgrade is low hanging fruit, but it's not what I'd like to see on the AD's conscience.
Recognizing that an aquatics upgrade should be in the picture, unless W&M plans to build an on campus facility with use open to the public and youth programs, I don't see how there is community benefit.
I guess the other article reinforces that she has not had time to evaluate needs, but I would have expected/hoped there would be some big vision/drive she would be coming in with and already in sync with the BOT/President before having community/public communication.
Would have liked to have heard more in that first article about what the economic development group thinks W&M could do better to get more local involvement/attendance at events, and where they think the partnering opportunities are.
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The article is a puff piece, and is not going to provide the detail that you would like.
Regardless, the aquatics center is noted to be one of several items on her agenda, and the last paragraph uses the word partnership which, to me, means community involvement.
I would like to think that W&M is part of this discussion:
http://www.vagazette.com/sports/va-vg-sp...story.html
There is mention of an aquatics center that just opened in the area, but it does not appear to have diving facilities.
There is so much in the attached article worthy of comment ... nah, it's Sunday.
Happy Father's Day!
You don't get a second chance to make a first impression. I'm happy that she's a people person. Is there a more hackneyed expression out there? Wm and Mary could use a decent pool. I have fond memories of throwing up just outside the pool, located in the basement of historic Blow Jim, or was it Gym. So much for the homonyms, with an apoplectic Dudley Jenson looking aghast. Anything to pass senior lifesaving. That's a riot. Along with Ms Huge.
Agreed with NJ that this is just a puff piece. Getting SH into the community is a great thing, even if there's not a ton of substance. Keep in mind TD doesn't officially retire until next week.
Anyway, there's a bit of snark in this thread, so just to bring it back:
-Wi-Fi may not seem like a big deal, but I can distinctly remember connectivity being an issue when I was in school. That's been almost a decade ago, so I'm certain this is a bigger deal now that it was. Friends of mine that enjoyed going to Tribe sports would sometimes want to stay in their dorm for the top 5 match-up between School X and School Y.
-For diehards, Wifi isn't a big deal. But if you want to increase student attendance and get the more casual fan, stuff like this is important. (NFL stadiums are encountering this as well. Nearly every stadium now has bandwidth to support folks checking fantasy scores, streaming highlights)
-Wifi sponsorships are also a big opportunity to increase sponsorship revenue. Of course to be the official wifi sponsor, but also creates more engaging promotions with other sponsors. The easier access to social media at the games, the better.
-If you don't think that stuff is important, then we need to stop pretending to care about our coaches following recruits on Twitter.
-As for coffee or tea, I see this as the sign of a good manager. Seems like small potatoes (or tall lattes), but it goes a long way to learning your staff.
I haven't had the opportunity to meet SH yet, but I'm throwing support behind her to drive us forward. Even if it is just support of answers in a puff piece...
I think the point is, she had an opportunity to make an impact statement to set the tone, yet decided to bore her audience with trivial icebreakers she enjoyed with her staff.
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(06-19-2017 08:05 AM)tribetime10 Wrote: [ -> ]Agreed with NJ that this is just a puff piece. Getting SH into the community is a great thing, even if there's not a ton of substance. Keep in mind TD doesn't officially retire until next week.
Anyway, there's a bit of snark in this thread, so just to bring it back:
-Wi-Fi may not seem like a big deal, but I can distinctly remember connectivity being an issue when I was in school. That's been almost a decade ago, so I'm certain this is a bigger deal now that it was. Friends of mine that enjoyed going to Tribe sports would sometimes want to stay in their dorm for the top 5 match-up between School X and School Y.
-For diehards, Wifi isn't a big deal. But if you want to increase student attendance and get the more casual fan, stuff like this is important. (NFL stadiums are encountering this as well. Nearly every stadium now has bandwidth to support folks checking fantasy scores, streaming highlights)
-Wifi sponsorships are also a big opportunity to increase sponsorship revenue. Of course to be the official wifi sponsor, but also creates more engaging promotions with other sponsors. The easier access to social media at the games, the better.
-If you don't think that stuff is important, then we need to stop pretending to care about our coaches following recruits on Twitter.
-As for coffee or tea, I see this as the sign of a good manager. Seems like small potatoes (or tall lattes), but it goes a long way to learning your staff.
I haven't had the opportunity to meet SH yet, but I'm throwing support behind her to drive us forward. Even if it is just support of answers in a puff piece...
Well said and I agree. SH just started....folks need to cut her some slack and provide her with unconditional support until she has a fair amount of time to get acclimated.
Agree 100% with last poster. This was just a local appearance and I believe did a fine job for someone just getting started in the job.
She has terrific credentials and folks I've known for years in the athletic department are very positive.
Until she proves otherwise let's give Ms Huge every support and skip the almost automatic cynicism and
throwaway remarks.
Why shouldn't the swim team have an Aquatics center, it is one of the more consistent winning athletic programs. Think they've earned it.
(06-20-2017 11:38 AM)BigTribe3 Wrote: [ -> ]folks I've known for years in the athletic department are very positive.
Hey, I'm all about giving her time and judging her by her record--but this statement is as much indictment as it is exoneration.
The wi-fi thing is low-hanging fruit but it is worthwhile.
My significant other stopped going to basketball games when Bruce Parkhill took his three-piece suit to Penn State so, unless I have guests in that extra seat, I am trying to catch up on other CAA games during timeouts.
It's simply something that shows some commitment to your athletics, especially for younger folks (and anyone with a smart phone).
I don't have a problem with the aquatic center, especially now that I understand the swimming program has "earned it". I want all W&M athletic programs to be successful.
All I want is for there to be a line on the Tribe Club donations page that says "FOR THE BASKETBALL PROGRAM AND ONLY THE BASKETBALL PROGRAM!"
It would also be nice if all our fans supported all our programs.
(06-20-2017 03:32 PM)Got Ribe Wrote: [ -> ] (06-20-2017 11:38 AM)BigTribe3 Wrote: [ -> ]folks I've known for years in the athletic department are very positive.
Hey, I'm all about giving her time and judging her by her record--but this statement is as much indictment as it is exoneration.
Ok, my support for Huge aside, I laughed at this.
As long as donations for basketball are basically going to other sports, basketball will never make the strides it needs to.
And honestly, not that I have any significant amounts of money to give, but this is a huge turnoff to donate. How are you going to drum up donor support if only a small percentage of their donations are helping the program they want it to help?
(06-20-2017 08:39 PM)soccerguy315 Wrote: [ -> ]As long as donations for basketball are basically going to other sports, basketball will never make the strides it needs to.
And honestly, not that I have any significant amounts of money to give, but this is a huge turnoff to donate. How are you going to drum up donor support if only a small percentage of their donations are helping the program they want it to help?
I get your frustration. We are right there with you. But, to be fair, if you make a gift to basketball, most (if not all) of the money goes to basketball, and you get recorded as being a basketball supporter.
Here is the rub: They can't
guarantee that all of the funds will be used for basketball. And even more frustrating, I don't see any indication that increased donations will lead to an increase in the basketball budget.
As far as donating, you need to do what you are comfortable with. My suggestion at this point--if you want to support Tribe Athletics, give to the Tribe Club. The money given goes to pay for our scholarship athletes. We cantankerous ones, as a group, can continue to ask questions and push for reasoned decisions.
But if I give to X, I want the budget of X to increase by the amount I give. Not have them move money in the amount of my gift elsewhere.
I also give to the Pep Band... now I wonder if that money is going elsewhere also. If my money is not adding money to their budget, then it is worthless :(