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Victor E Ball is dead long live the Victor E Bash
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Dog Fan Offline
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Post: #21
RE: Victor E Ball is dead long live the Victor E Bash
(01-09-2020 09:40 AM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  
(01-09-2020 09:11 AM)NIU007 Wrote:  
(01-08-2020 07:46 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  
(01-08-2020 05:18 PM)62423dp Wrote:  
(01-08-2020 05:12 PM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:  I said hi to him in Detroit. He went to shake my hand, but then looked at me and my friend and our nametags...and noticed we were just Peasants

He changed the shake into a wave. And walked to hug someone else he saw at the event.
That’s brutal but now looking back I just laugh at how much of a tool he is. The guy has zero feel about the common fan. He’s 100% after the brass ring.

I’d love to hear more STF brush with “greatness” stories.


As usual, you are spot on about STF. I donate several thousand dollars a year. I donated nicely to both the Yordon and Chessick Centers (with name on wall). I also have season tickets in 3 sports. STF doesn’t know me, shake my hand, wave at me, or wouldn’t even hold the bathroom door for me. His staff is no better. Every time I write, I have to practically re-introduce myself. The only contact they ever make with me are the calls in April to remind me to send in my ticket renewal and donation. I’m not wealthy, but I save up all year to make my annual donation. However, my donations have been reduced over recent years because of the wonderful job they do in making me feel like a nobody. This was completely not the case in previous administrations.

That's a travesty. I have to wonder if some of the attendance issues and other problems aren't directly related to this attitude of the athletic department. How many others have experienced the exact same thing?

Have you tried "looking rich" just to screw with him? Tell him you're a wealthy alum who just moved back to Glencoe and you're interested in reconnecting with your university now that you've handed your prosthodontist business down to your son(also a NIU alum). You'd get a handshake for sure. Probably a hug. Maybe even a free beer if you sell it well. f*c* him if he's like that.

I'm just an ordinary guy from a middle class suburb. However, I do like your idea. I may attend one of the BB games in an Armani suit with hundred dollar bills sticking out of my pockets and walk past him a few times. Once he smells the money, he will follow me like a baby duck. I will then turn my head, stick my nose up in the air, and pretend to call my broker to transfer $10 million to an off-shore account. That will leave him panting, and he'll stick to me like glue and even hold the door open when I go to the bathroom. He may even fix it to that I get thrown a wrapper-less hot dog!
01-09-2020 10:18 AM
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randyfensfanclub1 Offline
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Post: #22
RE: Victor E Ball is dead long live the Victor E Bash
(01-09-2020 10:18 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  
(01-09-2020 09:40 AM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  
(01-09-2020 09:11 AM)NIU007 Wrote:  
(01-08-2020 07:46 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  
(01-08-2020 05:18 PM)62423dp Wrote:  That’s brutal but now looking back I just laugh at how much of a tool he is. The guy has zero feel about the common fan. He’s 100% after the brass ring.

I’d love to hear more STF brush with “greatness” stories.


As usual, you are spot on about STF. I donate several thousand dollars a year. I donated nicely to both the Yordon and Chessick Centers (with name on wall). I also have season tickets in 3 sports. STF doesn’t know me, shake my hand, wave at me, or wouldn’t even hold the bathroom door for me. His staff is no better. Every time I write, I have to practically re-introduce myself. The only contact they ever make with me are the calls in April to remind me to send in my ticket renewal and donation. I’m not wealthy, but I save up all year to make my annual donation. However, my donations have been reduced over recent years because of the wonderful job they do in making me feel like a nobody. This was completely not the case in previous administrations.

That's a travesty. I have to wonder if some of the attendance issues and other problems aren't directly related to this attitude of the athletic department. How many others have experienced the exact same thing?

Have you tried "looking rich" just to screw with him? Tell him you're a wealthy alum who just moved back to Glencoe and you're interested in reconnecting with your university now that you've handed your prosthodontist business down to your son(also a NIU alum). You'd get a handshake for sure. Probably a hug. Maybe even a free beer if you sell it well. f*c* him if he's like that.

I'm just an ordinary guy from a middle class suburb. However, I do like your idea. I may attend one of the BB games in an Armani suit with hundred dollar bills sticking out of my pockets and walk past him a few times. Once he smells the money, he will follow me like a baby duck. I will then turn my head, stick my nose up in the air, and pretend to call my broker to transfer $10 million to an off-shore account. That will leave him panting, and he'll stick to me like glue and even hold the door open when I go to the bathroom. He may even fix it to that I get thrown a wrapper-less hot dog!

I've mentioned most of this before.

I will start by saying I was the lowest level giver starting in like 14. I think it was the year they opened the practice facility. I remember going to a gather after the practice game for free food, drink. I brought my parents in their late 70's, I had extra ticket from season ticket holder. Next year, I was short one, no problem they said. It turned to cash bar, no problem. Next season (or 2) they raise the minimum donation to next level, cut out some lowest level stuff. I have also mentioned before the great experiences I had with prior regime regarding some tickets that got mishandled a couple times, namely OSU. How I was told to show up for food and drink, coaches and players. Since that time I have had issues with tickets, actually getting in touch with them. I stopped donating for a year as I was fed up with some stuff, and yes a man unnamed. The next year I wanted to donate again. I sent email to them asking for a mailer, different levels I was likely to go up a level. Not even a response. Some may say I could have gotten on net or whatever. That's not the point. It once again was inability to communicate. Even respond to an email, again.

Now I know they want big fish. And 20...even 100 of me don't even match one of many here. But I think they should at least respond, have people available. If it's cuts, that's not my problem. Albeit it seems more like G5 coaches, goods ones leave for better job. And when they don't take care of people in the $1000's donating like some, that's awful and a turnoff. These are the people who may one day give more. The answer isn't donate more, we give you more.

On the flipside I think the Alumni Association has done a great job. I did Utah spur of the moment and it was decent. The outing in Nashville at the Musicians HOF was awesome, especially for the $. They did thank some of the big wigs there, but everyone was treated the same and appreciated.
(This post was last modified: 01-09-2020 01:08 PM by randyfensfanclub1.)
01-09-2020 01:02 PM
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UnknownScout Offline
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Post: #23
RE: Victor E Ball is dead long live the Victor E Bash
I have some thoughts and maybe I'm off base, so please let me know as I'm new to the whole donor game. We don't currently give very much. We get our football season tickets and just started getting a parking pass. I donate a little after that. It makes sense to try to get bigger donors and really get them to give what they can and keep them happy. However, treating the guy who gives 100 bucks a year like trash is unacceptable. Should he get all the perks as the guy who donates 500,000, of course not, but it doesn't hurt to send him a letter thanking him for the donation and shaking some hands if you know the administration has seen you before. If you honestly feel slighted by how you're being treated, write President Freeman, she seems super appreciative to alumni and was even holding office hours so people could chat. I rejoined the alumni association this year and they sent me a Christmas ornament. When i got my parking pass and football tickets, I got a form thank you letter.
01-09-2020 05:01 PM
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HawaiiToNIU Offline
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Post: #24
RE: Victor E Ball is dead long live the Victor E Bash
(01-09-2020 05:01 PM)UnknownScout Wrote:  I have some thoughts and maybe I'm off base, so please let me know as I'm new to the whole donor game. We don't currently give very much. We get our football season tickets and just started getting a parking pass. I donate a little after that. It makes sense to try to get bigger donors and really get them to give what they can and keep them happy. However, treating the guy who gives 100 bucks a year like trash is unacceptable. Should he get all the perks as the guy who donates 500,000, of course not, but it doesn't hurt to send him a letter thanking him for the donation and shaking some hands if you know the administration has seen you before. If you honestly feel slighted by how you're being treated, write President Freeman, she seems super appreciative to alumni and was even holding office hours so people could chat. I rejoined the alumni association this year and they sent me a Christmas ornament. When i got my parking pass and football tickets, I got a form thank you letter.

I concur. No matter what donor you are, you shouldn't be treated like trash.

Emails should at least be responded to and STF should at least acknowledge and meet with normal peasants. If they want more people to fill those seats or expansion of new donors, they'll need to work on connecting with people on a deeper emotional level. Things like events can help. I get there are costs with these things, but you have to spend money to make money.

And I second that notion on President Freeman. She is a delightful human being! I am proud to have her as our president. I truly believe she will get us back to where we need to be, if not further in this challenging landscape.
01-09-2020 05:26 PM
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pantone1935 Offline
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Post: #25
RE: Victor E Ball is dead long live the Victor E Bash
I am certainly not a big donor but I agree all donors should be acknowledged with some kind of contact. I first started to donate back in the day with Gerald O'dell (yea there is a lot of hate from some of you for
him). He acknowledged me with a package of hats and tees, so I keep giving. He even stopped by on a trip to Fla to visit the big donors. I was not one of those big donors. After he left for Buffalo Cary only sent me parking passes. Reminder I live in Fla, so I stopped giving. I have recently started giving but I have not significantly increased my donation because of no personal contact with athletics. Yea I get the call from students asking for monies but as most of you have pointed out we are the forgotten supporters.

GO HUSKIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
01-09-2020 06:04 PM
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Dog Fan Offline
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Post: #26
Victor E Ball is dead long live the Victor E Bash
Through a work relationship, the previous AD at UIC became an acquaintance of mine. He told me that EVERY donation is acknowledged with a thank you letter from Athletics hand signed by the AD. He wrote a personal note on the letters for bigger donors. He was adamant about this and told me if you treat all your donors with respect and make them feel important, there’s a good chance that today’s $10 donor may become tomorrow’s $1,000 (or more) donor. He said that he acknowledged as many donors and season ticket holders as possible at the BB games and was friendly with everyone. This is the attitude that’s needed. We certainly saw it with Cary Groth!
(This post was last modified: 01-09-2020 08:40 PM by Dog Fan.)
01-09-2020 07:57 PM
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NIU007 Offline
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Post: #27
RE: Victor E Ball is dead long live the Victor E Bash
(01-09-2020 07:57 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  Through a work relationship, the previous AD at UIC became an acquaintance of mine. He told me that EVERY donation is acknowledged with a thank you letter from Athletics hand signed by the AD. He wrote a personal note on the letters for bigger donors. He was adamant about this and told me if you treat all your donors with respect and make them feel important, there’s a good chance that today’s $10 donor may become tomorrow’s $1,000 (or more) donor. He said that he acknowledged as many donors and season ticket holders as possible at the BB games and was friendly with everyone. This is the attitude that’s needed. We certainly saw it with Cary Groth!

Even politicians get this. Shake hands with everyone and talk to them, because not only do you need every vote, but some of them might end up being donors, even big donors. You never know.
01-10-2020 08:38 AM
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62423dp Offline
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Post: #28
RE: Victor E Ball is dead long live the Victor E Bash
I agree on President Freeman. She seems genuine and willing to listen. I’ve spoken with her a handful of times and she always smiles and has even remembered my name. See STF it’s not that difficult.
01-10-2020 10:06 AM
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HawaiiToNIU Offline
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Post: #29
RE: Victor E Ball is dead long live the Victor E Bash
(01-10-2020 08:38 AM)NIU007 Wrote:  
(01-09-2020 07:57 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  Through a work relationship, the previous AD at UIC became an acquaintance of mine. He told me that EVERY donation is acknowledged with a thank you letter from Athletics hand signed by the AD. He wrote a personal note on the letters for bigger donors. He was adamant about this and told me if you treat all your donors with respect and make them feel important, there’s a good chance that today’s $10 donor may become tomorrow’s $1,000 (or more) donor. He said that he acknowledged as many donors and season ticket holders as possible at the BB games and was friendly with everyone. This is the attitude that’s needed. We certainly saw it with Cary Groth!

Even politicians get this. Shake hands with everyone and talk to them, because not only do you need every vote, but some of them might end up being donors, even big donors. You never know.

At my last company, they always taught the sales team to sell to every level. Show professionalism and respect to everyone. The guy unloading trucks might become inventory manager, who might become director of operations, who might become something even higher down the road.

Same can be said about people in here. You never know who the next big thing will be.
01-10-2020 11:01 AM
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NIU007 Offline
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Post: #30
RE: Victor E Ball is dead long live the Victor E Bash
And like a wise man (Ralph Kramden) once said, "Be nice to people on the way up, because you're going to meet the same people on the way down".

P.S. I thought the little Huskie ornament was a nice idea by the alumni association.
(This post was last modified: 01-10-2020 11:26 AM by NIU007.)
01-10-2020 11:14 AM
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Milwaukee Pilot Offline
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Post: #31
RE: Victor E Ball is dead long live the Victor E Bash
(01-10-2020 11:01 AM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:  
(01-10-2020 08:38 AM)NIU007 Wrote:  [quote='Dog Fan' pid='16599432' dateline='1578617832']
Through a work relationship, the previous AD at UIC became an acquaintance of mine. He told me that EVERY donation is acknowledged with a thank you letter from Athletics hand signed by the AD. He wrote a personal note on the letters for bigger donors. He was adamant about this and told me if you treat all your donors with respect and make them feel important, there’s a good chance that today’s $10 donor may become tomorrow’s $1,000 (or more) donor. He said that he acknowledged as many donors and season ticket holders as possible at the BB games and was friendly with everyone. This is the attitude that’s needed. We certainly saw it with Cary Groth!

Even politicians get this. Shake hands with everyone and talk to them, because not only do you need every vote, but some of them might end up being donors, even big donors. You never know.




A NASA janitor reply to what he does: "I help astronauts get to the moon".
(This post was last modified: 01-10-2020 12:47 PM by Milwaukee Pilot.)
01-10-2020 12:35 PM
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Dog Fan Offline
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Post: #32
RE: Victor E Ball is dead long live the Victor E Bash
All new donors to the HAF - no matter what level - should get a welcoming thank you letter and/or call. They have made a commitment that you would hope would blossom into a long-term relationship. Do NOT ignore these donors! Even if a person donates a small amount, they may be on a limited budget and their donation represents a big commitment for them. Welcome them, make them feel important, and hopefully the relationship will continue and grow.
01-10-2020 01:25 PM
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17Huskies Offline
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Post: #33
RE: Victor E Ball is dead long live the Victor E Bash
I don't know their overall organization in the department, or strategy, etc.

But even as a small-time donor myself, I feel like I do get something every year acknowledging that, thanking me, etc. I don't need it, I just need to see NIU keep helping young men/women along to be successful, but it's nice.

So I'm not sure if others just have one-off experiences or what, but I don't think it's an overall 'f the little man' strategy.
01-10-2020 04:42 PM
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huskie1stdown Offline
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Post: #34
RE: Victor E Ball is dead long live the Victor E Bash
I always liked it went an athlete called. Too bad I was never home an only heard it on my voice message.
(This post was last modified: 01-12-2020 07:43 PM by huskie1stdown.)
01-12-2020 07:43 PM
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schaden Offline
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Post: #35
RE: Victor E Ball is dead long live the Victor E Bash
I don’t want anyone calling me — I give to support the institution.
01-12-2020 10:42 PM
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Big_Man Offline
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Post: #36
RE: Victor E Ball is dead long live the Victor E Bash
With the current attendance issues, SF should know everyone in Huskie Stadium by first and last name.
01-12-2020 11:59 PM
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Dog Fan Offline
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Post: #37
RE: Victor E Ball is dead long live the Victor E Bash
(01-12-2020 11:59 PM)Big_Man Wrote:  With the current attendance issues, SF should know everyone in Huskie Stadium by first and last name.

Well, certainly at the Convo! He should be there every game, shaking people's hands, and thanking them for coming as they leave. Cary Groth did exactly that in Evans.
01-13-2020 08:34 AM
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huskie1stdown Offline
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Post: #38
RE: Victor E Ball is dead long live the Victor E Bash
(01-12-2020 10:42 PM)schaden Wrote:  I don’t want anyone calling me — I give to support the institution.

The call was thanking me for my donation.
(This post was last modified: 01-13-2020 07:08 PM by huskie1stdown.)
01-13-2020 07:08 PM
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prairiedawg Offline
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Post: #39
RE: Victor E Ball is dead long live the Victor E Bash
(01-12-2020 10:42 PM)schaden Wrote:  I don’t want anyone calling me — I give to support the institution.


I hate people calling me too...I will say my tickets (coaches' club) got f'd up for the first time as season ticket holder (17 years). They never did send them to me after telling me 3x they would.
01-13-2020 08:18 PM
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pjfleck82 Offline
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Post: #40
RE: Victor E Ball is dead long live the Victor E Bash
(01-08-2020 09:40 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  Big question: If the “commoners” are there, will STF show up?

He'll probably be out shopping for a new suit.
01-14-2020 01:59 PM
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