(06-20-2017 06:28 PM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear Friends,
Those among us who do not think much of President Smith, in regards to athletics, could be very wrong. For those who do not know of President Sponberg, let me remind everyone that he was one of the best presidents Eastern ever had, and came from Wabash College. It doesn't matter from where one comes, what matters is how they act to the situations at hand.

So we should expect him to do a 180 in the near future, as he throws his, and EMU's full support behind the building program?

Wow, now that's a relief. Can't wait till he and his new AD make the huge announcement in the next couple weeks.

(06-20-2017 05:24 PM)emu79 Wrote:  

(06-20-2017 04:41 PM)emu steve Wrote:  https://twitter.com/TonyPaul1984/status/...0012670976

Wondering
IF david diles is candidate mentioned as Potential for Central michigan

Great mustache, terrible AD.

Dear EagleTough,
Where did you get the notion or what, that President Smith is not behind the athletic programs? From people closer to the situation than myself, he is not against what is going on with the facilities.

(06-21-2017 06:53 PM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear EagleTough,
Where did you get the notion or what, that President Smith is not behind the athletic programs? From people closer to the situation than myself, he is not against what is going on with the facilities.

According to EMU79, who seems to know what he's talking about, Smith has already said the ENTIRE 35 million for this project has to come from private donors. That is not happening, and not how it's done anywhere else. If this is truly his stance, the only conclusion that can be drawn is that he is not behind athletics. All the stars have lined up over the last 2 years to make this happen NOW. If he blows it........as Steve has said.......the football program will become a laughing stock again pretty quickly. I'm pretty sure Creighton will be job shopping if Smith screws this up, and I wouldn't blame him.

He refers to athletics as 'they' like it's some separate entity from the rest of the school. This project benefits the campus at large, there is no denying it. Other MAC schools are upgrading facilities and trying to compete and stay ahead of the competition. The quality of our facilities is near the bottom of the MAC, and everyone knows this. You either invest in your campus and compete, or you get left behind.

The price tag on this project is small if the finished product is anything like the renderings. With a nice chunk already given to the school for free, the bang for the buck for him kicking in some portion of the rest....and/or financing some portion of it.......would be huge.

From the little he's said, he apparently overestimates the fundraising ability of EMU. Or maybe/hopefully...... since he's supposed to be a good fundraiser...... he's already got another 20 million lined up, and he's just waiting to make a big announcement around the same time he announces the new AD.

Let's hope!

Dear EagleTough,
When President Smith was addressing students concerns as to where is the money coming from, he made the statement; "We are never going to get a six million dollar donation for academics". I take that to mean Eastern is moving forward with the facilities project. On top of that Coach Creighton said that ground breaking would be taking place at the end of the season. Does that mean that he (Creighton) is full of hot air?
If everything falls to crap, then you can say I told you so. Until then, I chose to be optimistic.

(06-21-2017 07:55 PM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear EagleTough,
When President Smith was addressing students concerns as to where is the money coming from, he made the statement; "We are never going to get a six million dollar donation for academics". I take that to mean Eastern is moving forward with the facilities project. On top of that Coach Creighton said that ground breaking would be taking place at the end of the season. Does that mean that he (Creighton) is full of hot air?
If everything falls to crap, then you can say I told you so. Until then, I chose to be optimistic.

Ken, I'm not trying to be pessimistic. I'm also assuming the project will move forward, based on Creighton's comment alone.

The only problem is, the project moving forward doesn't jive with Smith's comments (according to EMU79) that the full 35 million would have to be raised by private donors. We haven't raised anywhere near 35 million at this point, nor will we by Creighton's timeline.

So where does the other 20-25 million come from? Any idea?

I think that's what everyone (especially on this board) would like to hear from Smith. Is it too much to ask for him to come out publicly, confirm the project is happening, and describe the general funding plan?

EMU is a 'public' University last time we checked. Like I said earlier, I'm hoping Smith will come out with all the details, in the next couple weeks, when the new AD is announced.

(06-21-2017 07:55 PM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear EagleTough,
When President Smith was addressing students concerns as to where is the money coming from, he made the statement; "We are never going to get a six million dollar donation for academics". I take that to mean Eastern is moving forward with the facilities project. On top of that Coach Creighton said that ground breaking would be taking place at the end of the season. Does that mean that he (Creighton) is full of hot air?
If everything falls to crap, then you can say I told you so. Until then, I chose to be optimistic.

Smith made some supportive comments in April, then found out EMU's financial projections were in disarray and then made this comment in May:

Similar concerns were raised during Eastern's budget town hall on Tuesday. Smith said every part of the university is being looked at for cuts.

Others in the audience also question why funds are being raised for a $35-million athletic complex and not for academics.

"If they can raise $35 million, God bless them," Smith said, noting they had a donor give $6 million towards the project and haven't had similar donors on the academic side.

(06-21-2017 09:14 PM)EagleTough Wrote:  

(06-21-2017 07:55 PM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear EagleTough,
When President Smith was addressing students concerns as to where is the money coming from, he made the statement; "We are never going to get a six million dollar donation for academics". I take that to mean Eastern is moving forward with the facilities project. On top of that Coach Creighton said that ground breaking would be taking place at the end of the season. Does that mean that he (Creighton) is full of hot air?
If everything falls to crap, then you can say I told you so. Until then, I chose to be optimistic.

Ken, I'm not trying to be pessimistic. I'm also assuming the project will move forward, based on Creighton's comment alone.

The only problem is, the project moving forward doesn't jive with Smith's comments (according to EMU79) that the full 35 million would have to be raised by private donors. We haven't raised anywhere near 35 million at this point, nor will we by Creighton's timeline.

So where does the other 20-25 million come from? Any idea?

I think that's what everyone (especially on this board) would like to hear from Smith. Is it too much to ask for him to come out publicly, confirm the project is happening, and describe the general funding plan?

EMU is a 'public' University last time we checked. Like I said earlier, I'm hoping Smith will come out with all the details, in the next couple weeks, when the new AD is announced.

I agree Smith, the Regents, the new AD MUST clarify their support of the project besides an offhanded bless them if they can do it and what the University is willing to do to get it DONE. Its been stalled long enough. Heck then sell some assets and use the money or lease the space at Bowen for an office building and use the lease payments to pay off the debt.

Not true. At all.

(06-21-2017 07:28 PM)EagleTough Wrote:  

(06-21-2017 06:53 PM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear EagleTough,
Where did you get the notion or what, that President Smith is not behind the athletic programs? From people closer to the situation than myself, he is not against what is going on with the facilities.

According to EMU79, who seems to know what he's talking about, Smith has already said the ENTIRE 35 million for this project has to come from private donors. That is not happening, and not how it's done anywhere else. If this is truly his stance, the only conclusion that can be drawn is that he is not behind athletics. All the stars have lined up over the last 2 years to make this happen NOW. If he blows it........as Steve has said.......the football program will become a laughing stock again pretty quickly. I'm pretty sure Creighton will be job shopping if Smith screws this up, and I wouldn't blame him.

He refers to athletics as 'they' like it's some separate entity from the rest of the school. This project benefits the campus at large, there is no denying it. Other MAC schools are upgrading facilities and trying to compete and stay ahead of the competition. The quality of our facilities is near the bottom of the MAC, and everyone knows this. You either invest in your campus and compete, or you get left behind.

The price tag on this project is small if the finished product is anything like the renderings. With a nice chunk already given to the school for free, the bang for the buck for him kicking in some portion of the rest....and/or financing some portion of it.......would be huge.

From the little he's said, he apparently overestimates the fundraising ability of EMU. Or maybe/hopefully...... since he's supposed to be a good fundraiser...... he's already got another 20 million lined up, and he's just waiting to make a big announcement around the same time he announces the new AD.

Let's hope!

(06-22-2017 08:37 AM)All_EMU Wrote:  Not true. At all.

(06-21-2017 07:28 PM)EagleTough Wrote:  

(06-21-2017 06:53 PM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear EagleTough,
Where did you get the notion or what, that President Smith is not behind the athletic programs? From people closer to the situation than myself, he is not against what is going on with the facilities.

According to EMU79, who seems to know what he's talking about, Smith has already said the ENTIRE 35 million for this project has to come from private donors. That is not happening, and not how it's done anywhere else. If this is truly his stance, the only conclusion that can be drawn is that he is not behind athletics. All the stars have lined up over the last 2 years to make this happen NOW. If he blows it........as Steve has said.......the football program will become a laughing stock again pretty quickly. I'm pretty sure Creighton will be job shopping if Smith screws this up, and I wouldn't blame him.

He refers to athletics as 'they' like it's some separate entity from the rest of the school. This project benefits the campus at large, there is no denying it. Other MAC schools are upgrading facilities and trying to compete and stay ahead of the competition. The quality of our facilities is near the bottom of the MAC, and everyone knows this. You either invest in your campus and compete, or you get left behind.

The price tag on this project is small if the finished product is anything like the renderings. With a nice chunk already given to the school for free, the bang for the buck for him kicking in some portion of the rest....and/or financing some portion of it.......would be huge.

From the little he's said, he apparently overestimates the fundraising ability of EMU. Or maybe/hopefully...... since he's supposed to be a good fundraiser...... he's already got another 20 million lined up, and he's just waiting to make a big announcement around the same time he announces the new AD.

Let's hope!

So I will loop a previous post and then hope the following happens once a new AD is hired:

I agree Smith, the Regents, the new AD MUST clarify their support of the project besides an offhanded bless them if they can do it and what the University is willing to do to get it DONE. Its been stalled long enough.

Here are President Smith's comments in April prior to the town hall budget meeting in May and prior to Spear's departure:

http://www.mlive.com/eagles/index.ssf/20..._mich.html

http://www.mlive.com/eagles/index.ssf/20...grade.html

(06-22-2017 08:48 AM)emu79 Wrote:  Here are President Smith's comments in April prior to the town hall budget meeting in May and prior to Spear's departure:

http://www.mlive.com/eagles/index.ssf/20..._mich.html

http://www.mlive.com/eagles/index.ssf/20...grade.html

Interesting how Creighton has extrapolated the above, into a ground-breaking date immediately following the season. Let's all hope he has the insider info that remains hidden.

I hear we should have an AD's name to go before the Regents I believe Monday/Tuesday.

Down to the 'Final Four' and a decision due this weekend.

We just need to be patient now.

(06-24-2017 04:10 AM)emu steve Wrote:  I hear we should have an AD's name to go before the Regents I believe Monday/Tuesday.

Down to the 'Final Four' and a decision due this weekend.

We just need to be patient now.

I amazed none of us or the media know who the final are.

(06-24-2017 07:13 AM)emu79 Wrote:  

(06-24-2017 04:10 AM)emu steve Wrote:  I hear we should have an AD's name to go before the Regents I believe Monday/Tuesday.

Down to the 'Final Four' and a decision due this weekend.

We just need to be patient now.

I amazed none of us or the media know who the final are.

Yes, once again this forum is the 'media' so to speak.

I think one Detroit writer, Tony Paul, occasionally tweets about EMU and other MAC schools.

I believe he Tweeted last week that the search had narrowed.

(06-24-2017 07:13 AM)emu79 Wrote:  

(06-24-2017 04:10 AM)emu steve Wrote:  I hear we should have an AD's name to go before the Regents I believe Monday/Tuesday.

Down to the 'Final Four' and a decision due this weekend.

We just need to be patient now.

I amazed none of us or the media know who the final are.

Maybe 'Nickle should hang out at the EagleCrest and look for possible "Athletic Directors".

But what would that person look like?

Male or female? African-American or white? Mustache or not?

(Maybe after David Diles... no mustaches. Lol).

(06-22-2017 03:40 PM)EagleTough Wrote:  

(06-22-2017 08:48 AM)emu79 Wrote:  Here are President Smith's comments in April prior to the town hall budget meeting in May and prior to Spear's departure:

http://www.mlive.com/eagles/index.ssf/20..._mich.html

http://www.mlive.com/eagles/index.ssf/20...grade.html

Interesting how Creighton has extrapolated the above, into a ground-breaking date immediately following the season. Let's all hope he has the insider info that remains hidden.

Not if it is done in phases for example the $6 million portion may built first

(06-24-2017 08:52 AM)emu79 Wrote:  

(06-22-2017 03:40 PM)EagleTough Wrote:  

(06-22-2017 08:48 AM)emu79 Wrote:  Here are President Smith's comments in April prior to the town hall budget meeting in May and prior to Spear's departure:

http://www.mlive.com/eagles/index.ssf/20..._mich.html

http://www.mlive.com/eagles/index.ssf/20...grade.html

Interesting how Creighton has extrapolated the above, into a ground-breaking date immediately following the season. Let's all hope he has the insider info that remains hidden.

Not if it is done in phases for example the $6 million portion may built first

Can't be done. Matter of fact other things such as lights, etc. will need to get done at the same time.

That said, the only things I think can be done are for example, remove the track from Rynearson.

Everything else, I believe, is physically connected to one or more buildings to be built. Even the jumbotron is integrated into a building.

I heard Smith is exchanging free room & board, expedited admissions, changes to the cafeteria menus, and US citizenship for 100 wealthy Chinese students.....in exchange for the other 25 million needed to complete the project. The biggest donor father will also assume the role of AD for a 2 year term. He just completed the citizenship deal with Trump, and the AD approval from the Regents. All had to be kept very hush, hush. Great creativity by Smith, sorry I questioned his intentions.

Big announcement coming this week!

(06-24-2017 08:00 PM)EagleTough Wrote:  I heard Smith is exchanging free room & board, expedited admissions, changes to the cafeteria menus, and US citizenship for 100 wealthy Chinese students.....in exchange for the other 25 million needed to complete the project. The biggest donor father will also assume the role of AD for a 2 year term. He just completed the citizenship deal with Trump, and the AD approval from the Regents. All had to be kept very hush, hush. Great creativity by Smith, sorry I questioned his intentions.

Big announcement coming this week!

Yeah great sarcasm. Honestly Canada was selling citizens to Hong Kong citizens wanting to get out of China for $200-$500k per person plus millions of dollars of investments.