(09-02-2016 09:51 AM)Duke Dawg Wrote:  i make this comment without saying yay or nay to any point made.

despite many of bourne's points having been addressed on this forum dozens of times by dozens of people before, at least now it comes straight from JMU.

now people can't claim there is no transparency.

Yeah the only thing new to us (or at least me) was the salary impact of FLSA. It is nice to read it straight from JMU even though it left me with a bad taste in my mouth.

I liked the detailed information, but it left me wanting for more details.
I'd like to know which peers don't do accounting like JMU does and exactly which line items differ. Also, which peers do accounting like JMU?
If JMU'S athletic budget is really $34 million with $10 million "other" things thrown in, then how does that compare?

People that don't want to do something will always find reasons they "can't"
People that want to do something will always find reasons they "can"

The reality is that JMU "can" move to FBS as many of their peers have already shown them. However, they choose not to.

That is the depressing part... Choosing not to advance the program. 17 of 18 JMU sports play at the highest level Division 1. Football does not play at the highest level of division 1.

(09-02-2016 09:29 AM)JMUrcc06 Wrote:  

(09-02-2016 09:26 AM)JMaddy Wrote:  

Quote:FBS

While this article will not analyze the positives and negatives of any future invitations that might arise for the university, it is important to understand the financial impact with which we would be faced given such a decision. As already stated, the Cox Bill will require JMU to decrease its percentage of revenue generation from student fees from 58 percent currently to 55 percent. At the same time, a commitment to FBS means an increase in expenses in areas such as additional football scholarships, cost of attendance for additional sports, travel increases for all of our sport programs, increases to facility infrastructure and personnel cost increases. Additionally, we would face exit fees from the Colonial Athletic Association of $1,250,000 and entrance fees for the new league conservatively set between $2,000,000 - $2,500,000. As I just alluded to, further adding complexity to the financial issue, we have recently witnessed some FBS leagues outside of the power five have their television revenues decrease significantly under new agreements with their terms significantly reduced in length. That means JMU would need to find other internal sources to combat the increased costs associated with a move to FBS without a dependence on revenue generated from a new conference television package.

This looks like he's already making the case (excuse?) for not going FBS. I'd say this is the clearest indication we're not moving at all. So people like Purp and Dad can move on now. The fork is in it.

exactly! There it is folks in black and white (red and white considering the deficit?) #caa4lyfe settle in and start making signs for Elon. may as well schedule them every final game of the season and try to build some sort of rivalry.

I couldn't disagree more. I read this as a way of providing details as to what the costs of our athletic programs are and what our potential revenue sources look like. The only way to make this sustainable is for far greater donor support.

I understand that many of us give but our athletic programs need more financial support- especially if we move to FBS. For those of us (myself included) clammoring to go FBS we need to put our money where our mouths are AND try to get our fellow alums to participate.

We bash our admin for not being transparent- well, this was a pretty open look into our financial situation.

I want to know how we can have a 44 million dollar budget and NOT be FBS? It doesn't make sense.

(09-02-2016 10:01 AM)TXGiant Wrote:  

(09-02-2016 09:29 AM)JMUrcc06 Wrote:  

(09-02-2016 09:26 AM)JMaddy Wrote:  

Quote:FBS

While this article will not analyze the positives and negatives of any future invitations that might arise for the university, it is important to understand the financial impact with which we would be faced given such a decision. As already stated, the Cox Bill will require JMU to decrease its percentage of revenue generation from student fees from 58 percent currently to 55 percent. At the same time, a commitment to FBS means an increase in expenses in areas such as additional football scholarships, cost of attendance for additional sports, travel increases for all of our sport programs, increases to facility infrastructure and personnel cost increases. Additionally, we would face exit fees from the Colonial Athletic Association of $1,250,000 and entrance fees for the new league conservatively set between $2,000,000 - $2,500,000. As I just alluded to, further adding complexity to the financial issue, we have recently witnessed some FBS leagues outside of the power five have their television revenues decrease significantly under new agreements with their terms significantly reduced in length. That means JMU would need to find other internal sources to combat the increased costs associated with a move to FBS without a dependence on revenue generated from a new conference television package.

This looks like he's already making the case (excuse?) for not going FBS. I'd say this is the clearest indication we're not moving at all. So people like Purp and Dad can move on now. The fork is in it.

exactly! There it is folks in black and white (red and white considering the deficit?) #caa4lyfe settle in and start making signs for Elon. may as well schedule them every final game of the season and try to build some sort of rivalry.

I couldn't disagree more. I read this as a way of providing details as to what the costs of our athletic programs are and what our potential revenue sources look like. The only way to make this sustainable is for far greater donor support.

I understand and that many of us give but our athletic programs need more financial support- especially if we move to FBS. For those of us (myself included) clammoring to go FBS we need to put our money where our mouths are AND try to get our fellow alums to participate.

We bash our admin for not being transparent- well, this was a pretty open look into our financial situation.

Agree 100%

(09-02-2016 10:02 AM)hburg Wrote:  I want to know how we can have a 44 million dollar budget and NOT be FBS? It doesn't make sense.

We support 18 varsity sports and compete in all of them.

(09-02-2016 10:02 AM)hburg Wrote:  I want to know how we can have a 44 million dollar budget and NOT be FBS? It doesn't make sense.

moving from 44M down to 34M (less facilities, spirit groups and university expenses) moves JMU from 62 to 72. Right in line with a bunch of MAC schools and well ahead of most of CUSA.

(09-02-2016 10:00 AM)Hart Foundation Wrote:  I liked the detailed information, but it left me wanting for more details.
I'd like to know which peers don't do accounting like JMU does and exactly which line items differ. Also, which peers do accounting like JMU?
If JMU'S athletic budget is really $34 million with $10 million "other" things thrown in, then how does that compare?

People that don't want to do something will always find reasons they "can't"
People that want to do something will always find reasons they "can"

The reality is that JMU "can" move to FBS as many of their peers have already shown them. However, they choose not to.

That is the depressing part... Choosing not to advance the program. 17 of 18 JMU sports play at the highest level Division 1. Football does not play at the highest level of division 1.

I don't disagree with wanting more information, however, that was a pretty lengthy missive to begin with and adding even more information may have bogged it down. I imagine the information you cited could be easily obtained if one were to inquire. My bet is that the goal of the message was to get people to donate or donate more money. The ask didn't really come until the end. If it were too long people may not have gotten to the end.

(09-02-2016 09:51 AM)Duke Dawg Wrote:  i make this comment without saying yay or nay to any point made.

despite many of bourne's points having been addressed on this forum dozens of times by dozens of people before, at least now it comes straight from JMU.

now people can't claim there is no transparency.

He's been releasing these communications for over a year and the same 10-15 posters are STILL complaining because it doesn't matter what they say or what facts you present, we're not in the sun belt and the sky is falling.

(09-02-2016 09:34 AM)DirtyDukes Wrote:  All this does is show that the people who want FBS but decreased their giving just shot themselves in the foot

If I had not completed two (was it three?) seperate surveys stating that I would not increase/decrease/end my donation if we stayed FCS while stating I would double it with an FBS move.

If only I had not spoken to reps on multiple occasions stating I wasn't happy with the direction of the athletics department and the apparent lack of strategy (back when w/e the initiative was called was repeatedly pushed back and ended up only saying "national university") and it would directly lead to less donations.

If only trusted consultants had not stated "Duke Club annual donations also have the potential for significant growth based on analysis of other successful FBS non-Automatic Qualifying institutions and the increases reported by recent institutions that have moved from FCS to FBS." or "Additional donations to Athletics in the form of Major Gifts (capital gifts) have been increasing in frequency with tremendous potential for growth. Likewise, a move to FBS may encourage additional opportunities for Major Gifts separate from Duke Club Annual Giving."

Maybe if all those things did not occur, I might concede that I might* have shot at* my foot.

Blah blah blah, more of the same non speak from Jeff, only focusing on one side of the conversation.

App made such a huge mistake going to the Sun Belt, it has ruined their academic reputation and has put their athletic department in danger of being talked about too frequently on national television.

JMU has never intended to leave the CAA. The Big12 movement, or not, is the last chance for the admin to kick the can down the road. Bourne is faced with damage control at this point.

We have been told a lie for 5 years.

Thank You Jeff. This was a nice article.

He doesn't dismiss FBS, he just elluded that if we are going do it we are going to have to figure out a way to get more money. I think you will get some more by default, but he also showed that some of the money we are getting is likely to decrease. It is not without challanges.

I think this is well done and informative. It is also interesting that we include things others do not in the budget.

People saying this letter is meant to argue against a move are missing the point completely. This is meant to illustrate why it is important for the JMU Nation to support the program. You want nice things? You want FBS? Start writing bigger checks. This is the reality of the situation boys and girls.

(09-02-2016 10:10 AM)DoubleDogDare Wrote:  

(09-02-2016 09:34 AM)DirtyDukes Wrote:  All this does is show that the people who want FBS but decreased their giving just shot themselves in the foot

If I had not completed two (was it three?) seperate surveys stating that I would not increase/decrease/end my donation if we stayed FCS while stating I would double it with an FBS move.

If only I had not spoken to reps on multiple occasions stating I wasn't happy with the direction of the athletics department and the apparent lack of strategy (back when w/e the initiative was called was repeatedly pushed back and ended up only saying "national university") and it would directly lead to less donations.

If only trusted consultants had not stated "Duke Club annual donations also have the potential for significant growth based on analysis of other successful FBS non-Automatic Qualifying institutions and the increases reported by recent institutions that have moved from FCS to FBS." or "Additional donations to Athletics in the form of Major Gifts (capital gifts) have been increasing in frequency with tremendous potential for growth. Likewise, a move to FBS may encourage additional opportunities for Major Gifts separate from Duke Club Annual Giving."

Maybe if all those things did not occur, I might concede that I might* have shot at* my foot.

+1 thank you! Dirty is acting like I made this decision on a whim and not without YEARS of doing everything I can prior to getting to this point. (initiating flyover, talking to every rep that will listen, emails and calls directly to JB)

(09-02-2016 10:20 AM)JMUrcc06 Wrote:  

(09-02-2016 10:10 AM)DoubleDogDare Wrote:  

(09-02-2016 09:34 AM)DirtyDukes Wrote:  All this does is show that the people who want FBS but decreased their giving just shot themselves in the foot

If I had not completed two (was it three?) seperate surveys stating that I would not increase/decrease/end my donation if we stayed FCS while stating I would double it with an FBS move.

If only I had not spoken to reps on multiple occasions stating I wasn't happy with the direction of the athletics department and the apparent lack of strategy (back when w/e the initiative was called was repeatedly pushed back and ended up only saying "national university") and it would directly lead to less donations.

If only trusted consultants had not stated "Duke Club annual donations also have the potential for significant growth based on analysis of other successful FBS non-Automatic Qualifying institutions and the increases reported by recent institutions that have moved from FCS to FBS." or "Additional donations to Athletics in the form of Major Gifts (capital gifts) have been increasing in frequency with tremendous potential for growth. Likewise, a move to FBS may encourage additional opportunities for Major Gifts separate from Duke Club Annual Giving."

Maybe if all those things did not occur, I might concede that I might* have shot at* my foot.

+1 thank you! Dirty is acting like I made this decision on a whim and not without YEARS of doing everything I can prior to getting to this point. (initiating flyover, talking to every rep that will listen, emails and calls directly to JB)

Nope, I'm acting like you're a spoiled little kid on the playground who didn't get his way so he's taking his toys and leaving.

It's great that you told them you'd give more if they moved up. They're telling you they need more money TO move up.

I agree with your last point that your money alone doesn't move the dial. But you reaching out to your peers and fellow alumni and trying to get them to give sure would. Instead you whine and complain and look for every reason to bash the admin.

(09-02-2016 10:18 AM)NYJMUSupporter Wrote:  People saying this letter is meant to argue against a move are missing the point completely. This is meant to illustrate why it is important for the JMU Nation to support the program. You want nice things? You want FBS? Start writing bigger checks. This is the reality of the situation boys and girls.

The horse or the cart.

I have heard this before, and given at an extremely high level for someone of my age. I didn't see too many other people my age in the Club or on Godwin back in 2012.

When/if JMU makes the move, I'll support them like an FBS team monetarily.

As it is now, I'm back in P-lot where I started. Even that is a pretty hefty check for a watered down CAA and crap OOC.

Fact is, while I was stroking big checks for the supposed FBS move that was forthcoming, JMU turned down two FBS opportunities. That showed me what our intentions really were.

MAC's entrance fee is only $200,000, so I guess information has come in that the conference is off the table. http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/mac/...bylaws.pdf

CUSA is $2 million. AAC is $2.5.

(09-02-2016 10:14 AM)Dadgum Wrote:  Blah blah blah, more of the same non speak from Jeff, only focusing on one side of the conversation.

App made such a huge mistake going to the Sun Belt, it has ruined their academic reputation and has put their athletic department in danger of being talked about too frequently on national television.

Apparently......

(09-02-2016 10:28 AM)dukeofla Wrote:  MAC's entrance fee is only $200,000, so I guess information has come in that the conference is off the table. http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/mac/...bylaws.pdf

CUSA is $2 million. AAC is $2.5.

I don't doubt the MAC is not on the table, but it's likely he picked the two most expensive but somewhat realistic examples to "prove his point". A tactic often employed by many on this message board in fact.

Perhaps this is a signal that a move is coming and be prepared to open your checkbooks, rather than, it will cost us to move up so donate now in case in our monitoring we come up with a chance to move.

Also, if you don't donate to Duke Club, I surely hope you're donating elsewhere. Like Dirty has said, we have a small endowment with a small percentage of alumni giving back. This is trending upward recently with the work of the Office of Annual Giving, but it is nowhere where it needs to be. If you aren't satisfied with Duke Club and what athletics is doing, give back to your college or a worthy scholarship fund to help students and faculty at JMU make a change in the classroom instead of on the field.

My $.2.