CSNbbs

(04-18-2022 11:23 PM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote: [ -> ]

(04-18-2022 09:42 PM)pvk75 Wrote: [ -> ]I fully support this project list, especially the "Dog Fan Dog" stand idea.

However, if I may get serious for a moment (no ... really), here's a slightly larger project that would partially pull the NIU ADept's head out of its nether regions.

Start a campaign to fund-raise for a new soccer grandstand, using the recent men's soccer victory as a springboard. The project would target a facility on the west side of the field/track (see 2014-15 master plan) housing men's and women's locker rooms and soccer/track field equipment storage. This would be one project-specific account.

Tie the above to a second project-specific promotion and account for interior remodeling of the West Grandstand of Huskie Stadium once the soccer locker rooms and equipment storage is moved to the new soccer facility and frees up that space.* Everyone benefits from this, including those high-end donors who can afford to drop $2,000 in that "ring-raise" campaign.

Make sure you provide donor "meters" on the NIU website to keep fans informed (rather than having to chase ADept officials around to ask questions). And make sure you promote the connection and benefits to men's soccer, women's soccer, women's track&field AND football (4 programs, all at once!). You can even toss in some promotion for the new, safer soccer field they're already going to put in.

(*Note: I am relying on the official website's description of athletic facilities: for Huskie Stadium, it includes "and locker and equipment room space for several Huskie teams, including men's and women's soccer.")

Additional comments before returning to nap:
--- Don't build anything that sticks out over the north end zone plaza no matter how pretty some here think it would look, i.e., quit slamming doors for short-term gains;
--- Think seriously about that south end Touchdown Village/big videoboard proposal I mentioned as another specific-project account/campaign; you can put your high-end "ring-raise" fans there (maybe with a field-wide viewing window/bartop counter inside and a rooftop deck?). And everyone benefits (oh, the horror!);
--- Make sure you include Dog Fan, klake87 and NIU75 on the remodel committee.

I was just trolling you earlier. I want a new stadium. But I also want fans again. But my opinion, is to leave the MAC. For us it seems, the MAC doesn't provide us with the kind of games that will fill beloved HS. Just my opinion.

Hawaii, you are a good guy, but please, we do not need another "NIU should leave the MAC" tangent. I already have the beginning of CTE from banging my head against the wall from the last dozen threads on leaving the MAC.

(04-19-2022 05:28 AM)Schaefer Beer Wrote: [ -> ]

(04-18-2022 11:23 PM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote: [ -> ]

(04-18-2022 09:42 PM)pvk75 Wrote: [ -> ]I fully support this project list, especially the "Dog Fan Dog" stand idea.

However, if I may get serious for a moment (no ... really), here's a slightly larger project that would partially pull the NIU ADept's head out of its nether regions.

Start a campaign to fund-raise for a new soccer grandstand, using the recent men's soccer victory as a springboard. The project would target a facility on the west side of the field/track (see 2014-15 master plan) housing men's and women's locker rooms and soccer/track field equipment storage. This would be one project-specific account.

Tie the above to a second project-specific promotion and account for interior remodeling of the West Grandstand of Huskie Stadium once the soccer locker rooms and equipment storage is moved to the new soccer facility and frees up that space.* Everyone benefits from this, including those high-end donors who can afford to drop $2,000 in that "ring-raise" campaign.

Make sure you provide donor "meters" on the NIU website to keep fans informed (rather than having to chase ADept officials around to ask questions). And make sure you promote the connection and benefits to men's soccer, women's soccer, women's track&field AND football (4 programs, all at once!). You can even toss in some promotion for the new, safer soccer field they're already going to put in.

(*Note: I am relying on the official website's description of athletic facilities: for Huskie Stadium, it includes "and locker and equipment room space for several Huskie teams, including men's and women's soccer.")

Additional comments before returning to nap:
--- Don't build anything that sticks out over the north end zone plaza no matter how pretty some here think it would look, i.e., quit slamming doors for short-term gains;
--- Think seriously about that south end Touchdown Village/big videoboard proposal I mentioned as another specific-project account/campaign; you can put your high-end "ring-raise" fans there (maybe with a field-wide viewing window/bartop counter inside and a rooftop deck?). And everyone benefits (oh, the horror!);
--- Make sure you include Dog Fan, klake87 and NIU75 on the remodel committee.

I was just trolling you earlier. I want a new stadium. But I also want fans again. But my opinion, is to leave the MAC. For us it seems, the MAC doesn't provide us with the kind of games that will fill beloved HS. Just my opinion.

Hawaii, you are a good guy, but please, we do not need another "NIU should leave the MAC" tangent. I already have the beginning of CTE from banging my head against the wall from the last dozen threads on leaving the MAC.

None of the alternatives (realistic ones...if we're staying FBS/D-1 and even in the drop down scenarios) make any sense at all. At least none that I've heard.

What do you estimate is the true huskie football fanbase? In all honesty, we have maybe 2500 season ticket holders? Many buy 2÷4 seats. In a group that size, you can only get so much money. I feel NIU does a lot with little money. We will never be a big time program financially.

(04-19-2022 07:36 AM)Big Red Wrote: [ -> ]

(04-19-2022 05:28 AM)Schaefer Beer Wrote: [ -> ]

(04-18-2022 11:23 PM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote: [ -> ]

(04-18-2022 09:42 PM)pvk75 Wrote: [ -> ]I fully support this project list, especially the "Dog Fan Dog" stand idea.

However, if I may get serious for a moment (no ... really), here's a slightly larger project that would partially pull the NIU ADept's head out of its nether regions.

Start a campaign to fund-raise for a new soccer grandstand, using the recent men's soccer victory as a springboard. The project would target a facility on the west side of the field/track (see 2014-15 master plan) housing men's and women's locker rooms and soccer/track field equipment storage. This would be one project-specific account.

Tie the above to a second project-specific promotion and account for interior remodeling of the West Grandstand of Huskie Stadium once the soccer locker rooms and equipment storage is moved to the new soccer facility and frees up that space.* Everyone benefits from this, including those high-end donors who can afford to drop $2,000 in that "ring-raise" campaign.

Make sure you provide donor "meters" on the NIU website to keep fans informed (rather than having to chase ADept officials around to ask questions). And make sure you promote the connection and benefits to men's soccer, women's soccer, women's track&field AND football (4 programs, all at once!). You can even toss in some promotion for the new, safer soccer field they're already going to put in.

(*Note: I am relying on the official website's description of athletic facilities: for Huskie Stadium, it includes "and locker and equipment room space for several Huskie teams, including men's and women's soccer.")

Additional comments before returning to nap:
--- Don't build anything that sticks out over the north end zone plaza no matter how pretty some here think it would look, i.e., quit slamming doors for short-term gains;
--- Think seriously about that south end Touchdown Village/big videoboard proposal I mentioned as another specific-project account/campaign; you can put your high-end "ring-raise" fans there (maybe with a field-wide viewing window/bartop counter inside and a rooftop deck?). And everyone benefits (oh, the horror!);
--- Make sure you include Dog Fan, klake87 and NIU75 on the remodel committee.

I was just trolling you earlier. I want a new stadium. But I also want fans again. But my opinion, is to leave the MAC. For us it seems, the MAC doesn't provide us with the kind of games that will fill beloved HS. Just my opinion.

Hawaii, you are a good guy, but please, we do not need another "NIU should leave the MAC" tangent. I already have the beginning of CTE from banging my head against the wall from the last dozen threads on leaving the MAC.

None of the alternatives (realistic ones...if we're staying FBS/D-1 and even in the drop down scenarios) make any sense at all. At least none that I've heard.

The new conference boat sailed many years ago. Like it or not we will languish in the MAC however all this plays out. Eventually NIU will probably be kicked out of D1/FBS or whatever you want to call it. Maybe a more regional conference will be set up at this time to further reduce travel and other costs. Too much big money to compete with in the future for NIU or the rest of the MAC to be viable on the bigger stage.

I think that once the Yordon Center lunch room is built, we should just join the SEC. Hurry up and buy your rings NOW, gents!!

(04-19-2022 09:02 AM)Dog Fan Wrote: [ -> ]I think that once the Yordon Center lunch room is built, we should just join the SEC. Hurry up and buy your rings NOW, gents!!

Take a look at the players lounges and eating areas at some of those schools. My daughter goes to South Carolina a middling SEC school and they have opulent student athlete dorms, cafeteria, etc.

(04-19-2022 07:50 AM)klake87 Wrote: [ -> ]What do you estimate is the true huskie football fanbase? In all honesty, we have maybe 2500 season ticket holders? Many buy 2÷4 seats. In a group that size, you can only get so much money. I feel NIU does a lot with little money. We will never be a big time program financially.

That seems high. Look at attendance at games. averaging 3 seats, your number says 7500 season tickets. we have games that are nearly that low. and the season tickets are counted as being there if they are or not. Students are nearly half the crowd and they are ST holders. I'd be stunned if there was over 1000 active ST accounts. Please we knew all dropped out in the last 5 years. It wasn't worth it to them.

(04-19-2022 09:25 AM)calvin12 Wrote: [ -> ]

(04-19-2022 07:50 AM)klake87 Wrote: [ -> ]What do you estimate is the true huskie football fanbase? In all honesty, we have maybe 2500 season ticket holders? Many buy 2÷4 seats. In a group that size, you can only get so much money. I feel NIU does a lot with little money. We will never be a big time program financially.

That seems high. Look at attendance at games. averaging 3 seats, your number says 7500 season tickets. we have games that are nearly that low. and the season tickets are counted as being there if they are or not. Students are nearly half the crowd and they are ST holders. I'd be stunned if there was over 1000 active ST accounts. Please we knew all dropped out in the last 5 years. It wasn't worth it to them.

We don’t count tickets sold, we count total in the house. If we counted tickets sold we would not be able to count students in attendance. Also about 40% of season tickets purchased annually are not used.

Unless one of season ticket holders is Elon Musk or multimillionaire from cryptocurrency, the bench is short. Other schools have waiting lists for season tickets. I have friends who went to ND and if they wanted a shot at tickets, $10k donations minimum were required

(04-19-2022 10:19 AM)klake87 Wrote: [ -> ]Unless one of season ticket holders is Elon Musk or multimillionaire from cryptocurrency, the bench is short. Other schools have waiting lists for season tickets. I have friends who went to ND and if they wanted a shot at tickets, $10k donations minimum were required

I heard that NIU wants to be just like Notre Dame and will also institute a required donation of $10K in order to buy season tickets. However, you will get a free MAC Champions ring and a coupon for a free hot dog.

(04-19-2022 10:19 AM)klake87 Wrote: [ -> ]Unless one of season ticket holders is Elon Musk or multimillionaire from cryptocurrency, the bench is short. Other schools have waiting lists for season tickets. I have friends who went to ND and if they wanted a shot at tickets, $10k donations minimum were required

While I think this discussion is about funding/support you're comparing a school with a rich tradition of success and a wealth of donors (might even be the best). But I think almost all schools have attendance concerns and are losing their base of fans in one way or another.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-footba...ince-1981/

(04-19-2022 07:50 AM)klake87 Wrote: [ -> ]What do you estimate is the true huskie football fanbase? In all honesty, we have maybe 2500 season ticket holders? Many buy 2÷4 seats. In a group that size, you can only get so much money. I feel NIU does a lot with little money. We will never be a big time program financially.

NIU, MAC schools in general are not generational schools. There aren't legacies at a school that 60 yrs ago was a teacher's school, DII. It wasn't a top choice then (unless you wanted to be a teacher) and isn't now for kids. And it's getting worse, not better. The only hope was a Boise St. type of run not only winning titles but bowls and NYD 6 at least once. You either are getting donations being a top notch sports school with a following from a large local and even national presence or academically. NIU is neither and never will be. Some just refuse to see it and they and others just pray for the whale to get a new stadium, even major improvements. Alumni don't , won't support this school after they leave, most don't while there. Everyone can speculate say what's being done is wrong, they didn't try whatever. Simply put the majority of kids are there because it's their last or best choice most, especially coming from city, are never coming back giving a dime, especially to academics. It's reality.

(04-19-2022 10:42 AM)randyfensfanclub1 Wrote: [ -> ]

(04-19-2022 07:50 AM)klake87 Wrote: [ -> ]What do you estimate is the true huskie football fanbase? In all honesty, we have maybe 2500 season ticket holders? Many buy 2÷4 seats. In a group that size, you can only get so much money. I feel NIU does a lot with little money. We will never be a big time program financially.

NIU, MAC schools in general are not generational schools. There aren't legacies at a school that 60 yrs ago was a teacher's school, DII. It wasn't a top choice then (unless you wanted to be a teacher) and isn't now for kids. And it's getting worse, not better. The only hope was a Boise St. type of run not only winning titles but bowls and NYD 6 at least once. You either are getting donations being a top notch sports school with a following from a large local and even national presence or academically. NIU is neither and never will be. Some just refuse to see it and they and others just pray for the whale to get a new stadium, even major improvements. Alumni don't , won't support this school after they leave, most don't while there. Everyone can speculate say what's being done is wrong, they didn't try whatever. Simply put the majority of kids are there because it's their last or best choice most, especially coming from city, are never coming back giving a dime, especially to academics. It's reality.

This is my point. Be happy NIU has a few big donors. It could be worse. We will never have a huge endowment. There are a lot of very rich NIU alumni but most will never donate. Be happy with what we have. With little we have won numerous MAC Championships.

(04-19-2022 10:53 AM)klake87 Wrote: [ -> ]

(04-19-2022 10:42 AM)randyfensfanclub1 Wrote: [ -> ]

(04-19-2022 07:50 AM)klake87 Wrote: [ -> ]What do you estimate is the true huskie football fanbase? In all honesty, we have maybe 2500 season ticket holders? Many buy 2÷4 seats. In a group that size, you can only get so much money. I feel NIU does a lot with little money. We will never be a big time program financially.

NIU, MAC schools in general are not generational schools. There aren't legacies at a school that 60 yrs ago was a teacher's school, DII. It wasn't a top choice then (unless you wanted to be a teacher) and isn't now for kids. And it's getting worse, not better. The only hope was a Boise St. type of run not only winning titles but bowls and NYD 6 at least once. You either are getting donations being a top notch sports school with a following from a large local and even national presence or academically. NIU is neither and never will be. Some just refuse to see it and they and others just pray for the whale to get a new stadium, even major improvements. Alumni don't , won't support this school after they leave, most don't while there. Everyone can speculate say what's being done is wrong, they didn't try whatever. Simply put the majority of kids are there because it's their last or best choice most, especially coming from city, are never coming back giving a dime, especially to academics. It's reality.

This is my point. Be happy NIU has a few big donors. It could be worse. We will never have a huge endowment. There are a lot of very rich NIU alumni but most will never donate. Be happy with what we have. With little we have won numerous MAC Championships.

I really wish NIU had some sort of school pride mission where school pride is developed, nurtured, and publicized everywhere. If students really like and are proud of the school, they will donate. Why do we all donate (at least those who do)? Because we love the school and take pride in it. School pride and love is a basis for donations. If you really like the school and are proud of it, you will be much more likely to donate.

As most of you know, I went to Northwestern for undergrad. While I like the beauty of the school, I do not like the snobishness of the administration and professors. And guess what? I donate nothing to that school. Every so often, I get a donation request, but I donate nothing. (Plus, they don't need my money.) All my donations go to NIU.

I disagree with some of the prior comments. The MAC is comprised of similar schools to NIU that have all shown the ability to go out and raise private funds. Ball State raised over $30 million last year, WMU just got a $500 million donation, CMU just finished a $100 million campaign, Bowling Green is on the back stretch of a $250 million fund raiser, and Kent State just launched $350 million campaign to name a few. These schools cater to many of the same students NIU does and have similar alumni bases.

When is the NIU campaign launching? How come all of these peer schools can raise money and NIU cannot? It takes quality leadership to navigate a large scale fundraising initiative and NIU seems to really be lacking in that area. I do no think it is an alumni problem. I think it is a leadership problem.

(04-19-2022 02:29 PM)HuskieTap22 Wrote: [ -> ]I disagree with some of the prior comments. The MAC is comprised of similar schools to NIU that have all shown the ability to go out and raise private funds. Ball State raised over $30 million last year, WMU just got a $500 million donation, CMU just finished a $100 million campaign, Bowling Green is on the back stretch of a $250 million fund raiser, and Kent State just launched $350 million campaign to name a few. These schools cater to many of the same students NIU does and have similar alumni bases.

When is the NIU campaign launching? How come all of these peer schools can raise money and NIU cannot? It takes quality leadership to navigate a large scale fundraising initiative and NIU seems to really be lacking in that area. I do no think it is an alumni problem. I think it is a leadership problem.

Agreed, we definitely have our fare share of successful and passionate alumni. It's a leadership problem. A more effective President and AD would go a long way.

I hope they launch NIU's major campaign soon, and I hope they keep the lofty 500 million goal they flaunted a few weeks back.

(04-19-2022 10:42 AM)randyfensfanclub1 Wrote: [ -> ]

(04-19-2022 07:50 AM)klake87 Wrote: [ -> ]What do you estimate is the true huskie football fanbase? In all honesty, we have maybe 2500 season ticket holders? Many buy 2÷4 seats. In a group that size, you can only get so much money. I feel NIU does a lot with little money. We will never be a big time program financially.

NIU, MAC schools in general are not generational schools. There aren't legacies at a school that 60 yrs ago was a teacher's school, DII. It wasn't a top choice then (unless you wanted to be a teacher) and isn't now for kids. And it's getting worse, not better. The only hope was a Boise St. type of run not only winning titles but bowls and NYD 6 at least once. You either are getting donations being a top notch sports school with a following from a large local and even national presence or academically. NIU is neither and never will be. Some just refuse to see it and they and others just pray for the whale to get a new stadium, even major improvements. Alumni don't , won't support this school after they leave, most don't while there. Everyone can speculate say what's being done is wrong, they didn't try whatever. Simply put the majority of kids are there because it's their last or best choice most, especially coming from city, are never coming back giving a dime, especially to academics. It's reality.

I think a fair question to ask is why is NIU not viewed better academically? Is it perception or reality?

For example, NIU accounting used to be one of the top programs in the country. Now, it doesn't seem to even be noticed. What happened?

It seems like this slide (academics, alumni support) is made up of several different reasons/parts.

Definitely poor leadership. You have to have an adminstration with vision, leadership, and business skills. NIU is essentially a corporation. Instead we've been plagued with poor leaders who have cared more about lining their own pockets rather than leading our institution into the the future.

Times have changed. Institutions have to change with them and require leaders who understand and can execute that.

(04-19-2022 03:06 PM)HuskieTap22 Wrote: [ -> ]

(04-19-2022 02:35 PM)NIUfilmmaker Wrote: [ -> ]

(04-19-2022 02:29 PM)HuskieTap22 Wrote: [ -> ]I disagree with some of the prior comments. The MAC is comprised of similar schools to NIU that have all shown the ability to go out and raise private funds. Ball State raised over $30 million last year, WMU just got a $500 million donation, CMU just finished a $100 million campaign, Bowling Green is on the back stretch of a $250 million fund raiser, and Kent State just launched $350 million campaign to name a few. These schools cater to many of the same students NIU does and have similar alumni bases.

When is the NIU campaign launching? How come all of these peer schools can raise money and NIU cannot? It takes quality leadership to navigate a large scale fundraising initiative and NIU seems to really be lacking in that area. I do no think it is an alumni problem. I think it is a leadership problem.

Agreed, we definitely have our fare share of successful and passionate alumni. It's a leadership problem. A more effective President and AD would go a long way.

I hope they launch NIU's major campaign soon, and I hope they keep the lofty 500 million goal they flaunted a few weeks back.

They need to shoot high and stay with a target like $500 million. Many MAC schools have been announcing record breaking fund raising efforts in recent years. Frankly, at this point NIU probably needs to launch one just to keep pace. Endowment, budget, enrollment, etc. is all sitting at or near the bottom of the MAC range. Many of the schools have made fund raising a priority in recent years and the results are really starting to show. Buffalo is probably the worst comp in the MAC but they are pushing up toward $1 billion raised in recent years.

Yes, fundraising is absolutely crucial these days. Universities with visionary leaders know that they cannot rely on government funding and tuition to meet all their needs as well as bank funds for future growth. A large portion of their funding needs to come from gifts. A living, viable, and active fundraising campaign is vital to the future of universities - more so than in the past. Universities with leaders in the know realize this and have been extremely active in their fundraising - alumni, individuals, corporations, etc. Endowments are a crucial element in the futures of these institutions. Many institutions understand this and are active in their pursuit of gifts. I'm not sure NIU is.

(04-19-2022 10:53 AM)klake87 Wrote: [ -> ]

(04-19-2022 10:42 AM)randyfensfanclub1 Wrote: [ -> ]

(04-19-2022 07:50 AM)klake87 Wrote: [ -> ]What do you estimate is the true huskie football fanbase? In all honesty, we have maybe 2500 season ticket holders? Many buy 2÷4 seats. In a group that size, you can only get so much money. I feel NIU does a lot with little money. We will never be a big time program financially.

NIU, MAC schools in general are not generational schools. There aren't legacies at a school that 60 yrs ago was a teacher's school, DII. It wasn't a top choice then (unless you wanted to be a teacher) and isn't now for kids. And it's getting worse, not better. The only hope was a Boise St. type of run not only winning titles but bowls and NYD 6 at least once. You either are getting donations being a top notch sports school with a following from a large local and even national presence or academically. NIU is neither and never will be. Some just refuse to see it and they and others just pray for the whale to get a new stadium, even major improvements. Alumni don't , won't support this school after they leave, most don't while there. Everyone can speculate say what's being done is wrong, they didn't try whatever. Simply put the majority of kids are there because it's their last or best choice most, especially coming from city, are never coming back giving a dime, especially to academics. It's reality.

This is my point. Be happy NIU has a few big donors. It could be worse. We will never have a huge endowment. There are a lot of very rich NIU alumni but most will never donate. Be happy with what we have. With little we have won numerous MAC Championships.

Agree.

I thought more could have been done around Orange Bowl, but each day reality sinks in and you accept and enjoy what you can.