(12-10-2019 11:00 AM)bman Wrote:  

(12-09-2019 02:58 PM)Collegiate Black Man Wrote:  

(12-09-2019 02:29 PM)BIGDTiger Wrote:  Unfortunately there are other factors that do not include performance on the field that seems to be keeping us out of the power five. I’m not saying that it’s right, but it does seem to swing that way. We were nowhere near the big 12 the last time, and we thought we were the top contender and didn’t even make the first Round of cuts.

Exactly. This isn't just about on the field performance or selling out the Liberty Bowl for the UALR game. There are academic factors that come into play. To improve those factors may take investments that are just not feasible for the U of M. That is part of the reason why I asked about how to invest in football going forward. The reality is that U of M probably won't be considered for expansion in any of the P5 conferences, no matter what happens on the field. At some point, either the system has to change, or some hard decisions will have to be made about the right level of investment for football. Paying the Football Coach at U of M $5 million is just not a good investment, will never get the return on that. Like Ms. Sofia to Ciely in the Color Purple "It ain't wirf it, it ain't wirf it" LOL!!!!

It sounds to me (and I don't have any sources on what is going on academically) that Rudd is doing things also to try to improve the University itself -- new buildings, deal on education for FedEx employees, etc. It also seems like we are moving up somewhat in the college "rankings." Is there a sense Rudd is not paying attention to academics and the overall non-sports part of the University?

I'm not sure the university has made as much progress in such a short time period as it has under Dr. Rudd...Tier one and Carnegie R1 status within reach. For updates on all things coming on line, check out BOT meeting archives on the UM website. In the meeting last week, Carnegie status was updated. UM just missed the cutoff and is now above as of Dec 1st. By the time the next rankings come out, they will be well above. This is HUGE not only for academics, but for athletics. Realignment may yet still occur and Memphis doesn't need to be Vanderbilt just above min. requirements. As I mentioned in the thread Rudd describes UM as a three legged stool with Academics, Research and Athletics as supports.