Huckin' Fuskie said ... "Maybe development needs to be taken way ..."

That's a great idea, but how could it be done? NIU has more internal control freaks than a narcissist convention. That is especially focused where there's money involved, or the potential of money coming in. Also, remember that "state" university means "politics," especially in Illinois. Somebody could lose their job just using the words "independent committee," unless it's to mask and then just keep doing something that somehow leaked out to the masses.

Things that were going on leaked all over the place when Freeman's predecessor, Doug Baker, was prez. Can't have that again. Freeman will do what it takes to keep things quiet. She is not dumb. She's been on the inside for quite a while and knows how it works. And getting rid of certain people would be all kinds of controversial.

This is not a criticism; just reality.

As I said earlier (only half jokingly) it's going to take a mega-mega-donor, who wants to see their money go where they want, to make any real progress. Or maybe the powers-that-be wake up one morning and see that all the "little people" are not filling the seats any more (not advocating; just contrasting).

>>>>>> The only other way is if NIU's major teams -- fb, mbb, wbb, maybe one or two others -- have consistent big-time success on the field and court. Then, you'll see a lot of the complaints fade away because it won't matter much. This is what I'm hoping for, more than anything. Success breeds success.

(05-07-2021 08:22 PM)pvk75 Wrote:  (sorry for length, but can't say it with less)

Yes, STF is part of the problem, maybe just the most recognizable part. He's the lightning rod for upset fans, but by no means the source of the situation.

(I pulled this earlier post but decided to put it back here>): Like a few other old-timers, I go way way back at NIU and was once in a position (won't say what here) to be close to insiders at the top on a regular basis. To those who were close enough, NIU was "Little Chicago." It was carved up administration-wise into fiefdoms, and the people at the top acted like the first Mayor Daley (think Wingfield, Baker e.g.). Among some, the practice was don't get too loud or you'll get chopped up by City Hall (Lowden). Nobody not at the top was immune. (Think John McDougal.) Students were headcount, and the departments with the most got the most. Like Chicago aldermen who turn out a reliable vote every election.

Somewhere between then and now (but -- note -- the "then" is still there), a new branch of internalism grew in athletics ... the "we know what's best" attitude. May have been a matter of survival. Anyway, it's make all the decisions internally, don't ask for input, tell alumni and fans last if at all, change plans with no notice (see baseball stadium plan changes, cutting cheerleading, putting student recreation in athletics, shifting your donations around, etc.). This is accomplished by controlling access, similar to the P5 controlling access to the upper echelon of college football. Make all the noise you want -- the Dog Pound is a great place to just vent -- but you accomplish nothing wihout admission to the insider group. Now ... what's the membership of the athletic board?

Borrowing a phrase used by others, and applying it to me, "half a century of annual contributions don't mean sh--." True. Shoulda just piled up all the $$ and handed it to STF in one lump sum. I'd be hobnobbing with the bigwigs right now. More than most, shoulda known better.

This is not bitterness. Just reality. This is what all steady, true and loyal "little people" go through with NIU. Doesn't matter how many bricks you "bought" in the Chessick (or Yordan). There are thousands and thousands more in the wall. If you didn't buy it, the brick would still be there. It's "their university, not "yours."

The question is ... how to break through? To let the internalists know you DO matter. Don't know. But like some other old-timers, getting too tired to care about much more than success on the field and court. I can just watch and enjoy.

Here's a wild thought ... someone walks in with humongous $$$ to give, the insiders go wild with whoopee, and then they say, "OK, now what's all this stupid c--p about ignoring most of your donors?!" Altgeld Hall would drop another gargoyle.

Note to Schaefer Beer: You're right about rural u's and small towns. Also had inside connections to another state u. Same thing as NIU and DeKalb.

PVK75, I said YEARS ago that it is OUR University and OUR Athletic Department and the WE need to take control (understanding the elements involved there). Many here laughed. But that is the bottom line. No other major university (Wisconsin, U. Texas, etc.) has folks running it thinking they can ignore the fans and donors. But, you can't just blame them. You CAN blame them, but not just them. We have allowed it.

Maybe we should form an organization to aggregate donations and present them to the department at one time if and only if they sit and listen to our views as donors and show action on those views and ideas (e.g. parachutists at football pregame-- military plane fly by... we have had SO MANY viable good ideas here over the years and nothing has been done. I researched the fly by idea and talked to STF about it when he first got here-- he told me it was already in the works. BS? I don't know-- but it hasn't happened.) Could we raise enough in such an effort to have our voices heard? I don't know. I do know that another part of your post becomes relevant:

But like some other old-timers, getting too tired to care about much more than success on the field and court. I can just watch and enjoy.

On a positive note about fundraising, the little guy won in getting bronzed statue of Diesel outside of Huskie Stadium. No big donors, people and businesses giving best pricing. Zero help from NIU. Victory for little guy. I know CheerDad not on board much but diesel was a staple at games for 8 years

We donors are ALREADY important! For many years, I would get all those e-mails and phone calls in March and April reminding me that my renewals and donations were due. There were so many calls that I had to stop answering the phone. And, they told me that they would graciously assist me in removing the cash from my bank account. So, for 2 months I felt important. Unfortunately, after my donation, I never heard from them again in the next 10 months, so I felt like a small piece of turd then. But, I always had the next March and April to look forward to feeling important again!

(05-10-2021 09:16 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  We donors are ALREADY important! For many years, I would get all those e-mails and phone calls in March and April reminding me that my renewals and donations were due. There were so many calls that I had to stop answering the phone. And, they told me that they would graciously assist me in removing the cash from my bank account. So, for 2 months I felt important. Unfortunately, after my donation, I never heard from them again in the next 10 months, so I felt like a small piece of turd then. But, I always had the next March and April to look forward to feeling important again!

Don't sell yourself short, you are a big turd. I agree with you. The donors between $1k and $10k should be shown love. STF spends all his time sucking up to Chessick and Yordon. The sad part is, if they aren't on board, project is killed. I forgot the former SID that donated $500k for press box upgrade, project went nowhere and donation cancelled

(05-10-2021 09:39 AM)klake87 Wrote:  

(05-10-2021 09:16 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  We donors are ALREADY important! For many years, I would get all those e-mails and phone calls in March and April reminding me that my renewals and donations were due. There were so many calls that I had to stop answering the phone. And, they told me that they would graciously assist me in removing the cash from my bank account. So, for 2 months I felt important. Unfortunately, after my donation, I never heard from them again in the next 10 months, so I felt like a small piece of turd then. But, I always had the next March and April to look forward to feeling important again!

Don't sell yourself short, you are a big turd. I agree with you. The donors between $1k and $10k should be shown love. STF spends all his time sucking up to Chessick and Yordon. The sad part is, if they aren't on board, project is killed. I forgot the former SID that donated $500k for press box upgrade, project went nowhere and donation cancelled

Yes, that was former SID Bud Nangle. I’m sure that uiniu57 can fill us in with the details of that fiasco.

(05-10-2021 09:46 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(05-10-2021 09:39 AM)klake87 Wrote:  

(05-10-2021 09:16 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  We donors are ALREADY important! For many years, I would get all those e-mails and phone calls in March and April reminding me that my renewals and donations were due. There were so many calls that I had to stop answering the phone. And, they told me that they would graciously assist me in removing the cash from my bank account. So, for 2 months I felt important. Unfortunately, after my donation, I never heard from them again in the next 10 months, so I felt like a small piece of turd then. But, I always had the next March and April to look forward to feeling important again!

Don't sell yourself short, you are a big turd. I agree with you. The donors between $1k and $10k should be shown love. STF spends all his time sucking up to Chessick and Yordon. The sad part is, if they aren't on board, project is killed. I forgot the former SID that donated $500k for press box upgrade, project went nowhere and donation cancelled

Yes, that was former SID Bud Nangle. I’m sure that uiniu57 can fill us in with the details of that fiasco.

All the big boys want their name on it. Couldn't have Bud Nagle press box with a large donation from one of the others, they want top billing

(05-10-2021 10:11 AM)klake87 Wrote:  

(05-10-2021 09:46 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(05-10-2021 09:39 AM)klake87 Wrote:  

(05-10-2021 09:16 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  We donors are ALREADY important! For many years, I would get all those e-mails and phone calls in March and April reminding me that my renewals and donations were due. There were so many calls that I had to stop answering the phone. And, they told me that they would graciously assist me in removing the cash from my bank account. So, for 2 months I felt important. Unfortunately, after my donation, I never heard from them again in the next 10 months, so I felt like a small piece of turd then. But, I always had the next March and April to look forward to feeling important again!

Don't sell yourself short, you are a big turd. I agree with you. The donors between $1k and $10k should be shown love. STF spends all his time sucking up to Chessick and Yordon. The sad part is, if they aren't on board, project is killed. I forgot the former SID that donated $500k for press box upgrade, project went nowhere and donation cancelled

Yes, that was former SID Bud Nangle. I’m sure that uiniu57 can fill us in with the details of that fiasco.

All the big boys want their name on it. Couldn't have Bud Nagle press box with a large donation from one of the others, they want top billing

The press box is an embarrassment. The media represents NIU’s window to the world. That press box is cramped and needs some major rehab work. The bathroom is deplorable. Two people can barely fit in there. That $500K would have been well used.

(05-10-2021 10:17 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(05-10-2021 10:11 AM)klake87 Wrote:  

(05-10-2021 09:46 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(05-10-2021 09:39 AM)klake87 Wrote:  

(05-10-2021 09:16 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  We donors are ALREADY important! For many years, I would get all those e-mails and phone calls in March and April reminding me that my renewals and donations were due. There were so many calls that I had to stop answering the phone. And, they told me that they would graciously assist me in removing the cash from my bank account. So, for 2 months I felt important. Unfortunately, after my donation, I never heard from them again in the next 10 months, so I felt like a small piece of turd then. But, I always had the next March and April to look forward to feeling important again!

Don't sell yourself short, you are a big turd. I agree with you. The donors between $1k and $10k should be shown love. STF spends all his time sucking up to Chessick and Yordon. The sad part is, if they aren't on board, project is killed. I forgot the former SID that donated $500k for press box upgrade, project went nowhere and donation cancelled

Yes, that was former SID Bud Nangle. I’m sure that uiniu57 can fill us in with the details of that fiasco.

All the big boys want their name on it. Couldn't have Bud Nagle press box with a large donation from one of the others, they want top billing

The press box is an embarrassment. The media represents NIU’s window to the world. That press box is cramped and needs some major rehab work. The bathroom is deplorable. Two people can barely fit in there. That $500K would have been well used.

Dropped the ball. Was that under Jeff's watch?

(05-10-2021 11:07 AM)klake87 Wrote:  

(05-10-2021 10:17 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(05-10-2021 10:11 AM)klake87 Wrote:  

(05-10-2021 09:46 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(05-10-2021 09:39 AM)klake87 Wrote:  Don't sell yourself short, you are a big turd. I agree with you. The donors between $1k and $10k should be shown love. STF spends all his time sucking up to Chessick and Yordon. The sad part is, if they aren't on board, project is killed. I forgot the former SID that donated $500k for press box upgrade, project went nowhere and donation cancelled

Yes, that was former SID Bud Nangle. I’m sure that uiniu57 can fill us in with the details of that fiasco.

All the big boys want their name on it. Couldn't have Bud Nagle press box with a large donation from one of the others, they want top billing

The press box is an embarrassment. The media represents NIU’s window to the world. That press box is cramped and needs some major rehab work. The bathroom is deplorable. Two people can barely fit in there. That $500K would have been well used.

Dropped the ball. Was that under Jeff's watch?

Unless it was already too late, STF should have coddled the Nangle family, talked to them about how that $500K donation can be used, and then just do it (sorry, Nike)! If he wanted to wait to add more money from another donation, he should have told the Nangle family and gotten their approval. If they wanted that money spent quickly, then that's what should have been done. Now, there is nothing, and the press box still looks like a POS.

Washington Post article (posted on EMU board): WMU gets $550 million donation over 10 years; $50 million is for athletics.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/edu...story.html

Another version on WMU board:

https://wwmt.com/amp/news/state/western-...ssion=true

And Detroit Free Press:

https://www.freep.com/story/news/educati...-autopilot

(06-08-2021 11:25 AM)pvk75 Wrote:  Washington Post article (posted on EMU board): WMU gets $550 million donation over 10 years; $50 million is for athletics.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/edu...story.html

Another version on WMU board:

https://wwmt.com/amp/news/state/western-...ssion=true

And Detroit Free Press:

https://www.freep.com/story/news/educati...-autopilot

I am curious who the donor is. Since the bulk of the money is for the Medical school, I wonder if it was from the Stryker Corp.
Or Ashley Williams from Evil Dead.

(06-08-2021 11:25 AM)pvk75 Wrote:  Washington Post article (posted on EMU board): WMU gets $550 million donation over 10 years; $50 million is for athletics.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/edu...story.html

Another version on WMU board:

https://wwmt.com/amp/news/state/western-...ssion=true

And Detroit Free Press:

https://www.freep.com/story/news/educati...-autopilot

STF said that if anyone donates $50 million to NIU Athletics, he will say "hi" to them in the Huskie Stadium parking lot. For an additional $10 million, he will buy you a hot dog.

(06-08-2021 12:39 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(06-08-2021 11:25 AM)pvk75 Wrote:  Washington Post article (posted on EMU board): WMU gets $550 million donation over 10 years; $50 million is for athletics.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/edu...story.html

Another version on WMU board:

https://wwmt.com/amp/news/state/western-...ssion=true

And Detroit Free Press:

https://www.freep.com/story/news/educati...-autopilot

STF said that if anyone donates $50 million to NIU Athletics, he will say "hi" to them in the Huskie Stadium parking lot. For an additional $10 million, he will buy you a hot dog.

That is well worth 60 mil easily.

(06-08-2021 01:21 PM)Schaefer Beer Wrote:  

(06-08-2021 12:39 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(06-08-2021 11:25 AM)pvk75 Wrote:  Washington Post article (posted on EMU board): WMU gets $550 million donation over 10 years; $50 million is for athletics.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/edu...story.html

Another version on WMU board:

https://wwmt.com/amp/news/state/western-...ssion=true

And Detroit Free Press:

https://www.freep.com/story/news/educati...-autopilot

STF said that if anyone donates $50 million to NIU Athletics, he will say "hi" to them in the Huskie Stadium parking lot. For an additional $10 million, he will buy you a hot dog.

That is well worth 60 mil easily.

Very true. But I forgot something. For a cool $75 million donation, he will also sign his name in mustard on the hot dog! You can't get much better than that. The man is a real prince of a fundraiser!