IMO, Jimmy Bass has really done a fantastic job in setting our long term prospects for athletics in the right direction.

1. The trustees set forth a vision of focusing on sports where we could compete on a national stage and succeed. This included facilities that could host regional championships. To that end, a comprehensive facilities vision was finally put in place. This was done not only for planning purposes but for donors. In the past, donors dictated the plan, and UNCW moved forward on the desires of donors. Now, the university has a plan, and donors can invest in the plan where they see fit.

2. Men's basketball is our flagship program. In the 90's, we had a winning plan and an identity. We made our runs at conference championships and NCAA bids based on hard nosed defense, usually ranked in the top 25 in the nation. Boneheaded decisions and a lack of concern for sports from a chancellor sabotaged our success and sent us in a downward spiral with no continuity, no plan and no identity. As a mid-major there must be an identity to succeed. Although the decision to extend the contract of Buzz was a mistake in hindsight, the relationship Jimmy built with Kevin Keatts that brought him here to coach has turned out to be a predictable success in the short term. But, more importantly, UNCW basketball has a sustainable identity again. Our program will likely always be the recruiting ground for coaches who succeed. But, with this identity, we should also be able to replace coaches who move on with like minded coaches in the Pitino coaching tree. And these coaches should inherit a roster with players recruited for the system, and already familiar with the style of play expected. That is the path already beaten by VCU, and one that UNCW should be able to easily follow. Long term success is at least possible with this long term vision.

3. Finances - UNCW has suffered with budget issues for decades. Always at the bottom of the CAA in that regard, and always searching for a solution. In 2013, it seemed the solution was finally at hand. Thanks to the leadership of Jimmy Bass, a committee took a hard look at our athletic programs and made very difficult conclusions that would have significantly cut the number of sports offered. But, once again, a Chancellor foolishly undermined the athletic department, and did not initiate any of the suggestions.
So, here we were again, but in an even more precarious position. With the NCAA moving toward autonomy with the larger conferences, and the likely proposition that universities will have to compensate players beyond the current scholarship and room and board, changes are coming.
Student fees for athletics have been raised more in the last three years than they have in the last 15. But, that isn't enough. So, the smart decision to eliminate track and field was proposed by the AD, and a Chancellor with leadership skills moved on the recommendation.

Folks, our athletic department now stands in the best overall position is has ever been in. If basketball can return to the top of the conference, fans and donors will return along with advertisers. Combined with increased student fees, and decreased expenses, we may be able to finally level the playing field with our competitors.

Could not be more excited with the direction of UNCW athletics.

As a student I can say that in the past two years the sports teams have done a fantastic job of improving. Being able to see the soccer team develop into a NCAA Tourny team, that did not get an automatic bid, be able to host a game was fantastic. The baseball team has seen success still, and the students are waiting for it to be that time of year, but for once as someone has already mentioned we're not counting down the days too quickly because our basketball team is enjoying success.

A quick note about the student fees for registration though is that they will NOT be raised for the next two years, minimum. The SGA sent out a survey to all students regarding what they would like to see an increase in fees for and athletics did not get enough support to raise the fees.

Unfortunately, since I am a Junior I will not be here for the majority of the renovations that are going to take place and for a long time everyone on campus pointed out there would be no reason to return for alumni weekends other than the beach, since our teams were not going anywhere. But with the planned renovations, expansions, and success I can say that I will eagerly be waiting to be able to return. The plan set forth by the academic department is going to transform the image of our sports. It will give us better facilities, better use of space, and be a great tool for recruiting.


Not only in the athletic department the school has a plan for the entire campus which is going to entirely change the way it looks bringing us even further along.

Hopefully, with a winning basketball team as the catalyst, when they re-visit student fees in 2 years the students will see fit to throw more support towards athletics. I fully understand their apathy previously. You're talking about students who, if they were freshmen between 2009 and 2011, never experienced a winning basketball season in their 4 years here. Soccer and baseball have been great, but Basketball will always be the driving force behind winning student support.

Basketball makes the money, baseball keeps our head above water.

I was sorry to see UNCW lose Track & Field, a program with a long tradition of excellent student athletes, but I have to agree with 82Hawk that things are looking up for the Athletic Department.

It does suck that some sports had to go away. However, at the end of the day, Div I athletics is as much or more of a business than most understand. While programs like Track & Field were very successful, they're not a big draw in terms of bringing in revenue at all. On top of that, they're not small rosters either.

UNCW, in my opinion, really suffers from a lack of alumni donors. As a liberal arts university, there's not a ton of opportunity for the majority of students to land big paying jobs right out of the gate and thus quickly give back to the school.

Once we can increase alumni donations and get some big time donations from local/regional business we'll be golden. I think it was 70sHawk that mentioned the big time million dollar donation to Seahawk Baseball for the hitting facility. Stuff like this is going to be huge for our future.

Hip-Hip Hooray for Jimmy Bass.

(01-26-2015 10:48 PM)Ms. Cottonball Wrote:  Hip-Hip Hooray for Jimmy Bass.

Here we go...

LOL