(10-19-2021 07:47 AM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(10-18-2021 10:49 PM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:  Anyone see this? Our budget is on par with premier FCS teams. I'm hoping the additions of Burno, Hammock's continued success and the Men's Soccer team's success can really get us out of this pit. We are way behind Illinois State for crying out loud. Unless this changes, we should be thankful to even be an FBS school in the MAC.

https://sports.usatoday.com/ncaa/finances

Looks like Illinois St. is being heavily subsidized (74.17%) by the school and they still suck in football and play FCS.

NIU is the least subsidized school in the MAC, explains why our budget is lower. Looks like our athletic department has been relying less and less on the school for its budget.

Buffalo is the most subsidized school in the MAC at 81.06%.

If they are relying less and less on the school for its budget, why are they not doing aggressive fundraising? Perhaps they don't have the money or staff to do it - or maybe it's COVID. There are ways they could generate small donations from donors that could really add up. The mega donors are not the only ones with money. Small donations from many fans could add up to more than the mega donors contribute. Then again, I guess the only thing that's increasing these days is apathy.

Never mind.

NIU needs to get out from under espn’s thumb. That scum company is continuing to ruin college football.

(10-19-2021 08:01 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(10-19-2021 07:47 AM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(10-18-2021 10:49 PM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:  Anyone see this? Our budget is on par with premier FCS teams. I'm hoping the additions of Burno, Hammock's continued success and the Men's Soccer team's success can really get us out of this pit. We are way behind Illinois State for crying out loud. Unless this changes, we should be thankful to even be an FBS school in the MAC.

https://sports.usatoday.com/ncaa/finances

Looks like Illinois St. is being heavily subsidized (74.17%) by the school and they still suck in football and play FCS.

NIU is the least subsidized school in the MAC, explains why our budget is lower. Looks like our athletic department has been relying less and less on the school for its budget.

Buffalo is the most subsidized school in the MAC at 81.06%.

If they are relying less and less on the school for its budget, why are they not doing aggressive fundraising? Perhaps they don't have the money or staff to do it - or maybe it's COVID. There are ways they could generate small donations from donors that could really add up. The mega donors are not the only ones with money. Small donations from many fans could add up to more than the mega donors contribute. Then again, I guess the only thing that's increasing these days is apathy.

https://huskieathleticfund.com/huskiesinvest/index.html

Huskies Invest is next week....

(10-19-2021 01:07 PM)NIUfilmmaker Wrote:  

(10-19-2021 08:01 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(10-19-2021 07:47 AM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(10-18-2021 10:49 PM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:  Anyone see this? Our budget is on par with premier FCS teams. I'm hoping the additions of Burno, Hammock's continued success and the Men's Soccer team's success can really get us out of this pit. We are way behind Illinois State for crying out loud. Unless this changes, we should be thankful to even be an FBS school in the MAC.

https://sports.usatoday.com/ncaa/finances

Looks like Illinois St. is being heavily subsidized (74.17%) by the school and they still suck in football and play FCS.

NIU is the least subsidized school in the MAC, explains why our budget is lower. Looks like our athletic department has been relying less and less on the school for its budget.

Buffalo is the most subsidized school in the MAC at 81.06%.

If they are relying less and less on the school for its budget, why are they not doing aggressive fundraising? Perhaps they don't have the money or staff to do it - or maybe it's COVID. There are ways they could generate small donations from donors that could really add up. The mega donors are not the only ones with money. Small donations from many fans could add up to more than the mega donors contribute. Then again, I guess the only thing that's increasing these days is apathy.

https://huskieathleticfund.com/huskiesinvest/index.html

Huskies Invest is next week....

This is great. I'll wait for all the marketing and e-mails.

It would be really nice if they could get sponsors to pay for givewaways to send to the donors. Just a nice little thank you gift to show their appreciation for our donations.

(10-19-2021 01:14 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(10-19-2021 01:07 PM)NIUfilmmaker Wrote:  

(10-19-2021 08:01 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(10-19-2021 07:47 AM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(10-18-2021 10:49 PM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:  Anyone see this? Our budget is on par with premier FCS teams. I'm hoping the additions of Burno, Hammock's continued success and the Men's Soccer team's success can really get us out of this pit. We are way behind Illinois State for crying out loud. Unless this changes, we should be thankful to even be an FBS school in the MAC.

https://sports.usatoday.com/ncaa/finances

Looks like Illinois St. is being heavily subsidized (74.17%) by the school and they still suck in football and play FCS.

NIU is the least subsidized school in the MAC, explains why our budget is lower. Looks like our athletic department has been relying less and less on the school for its budget.

Buffalo is the most subsidized school in the MAC at 81.06%.

If they are relying less and less on the school for its budget, why are they not doing aggressive fundraising? Perhaps they don't have the money or staff to do it - or maybe it's COVID. There are ways they could generate small donations from donors that could really add up. The mega donors are not the only ones with money. Small donations from many fans could add up to more than the mega donors contribute. Then again, I guess the only thing that's increasing these days is apathy.

https://huskieathleticfund.com/huskiesinvest/index.html

Huskies Invest is next week....

This is great. I'll wait for all the marketing and e-mails.

It would be really nice if they could get sponsors to pay for givewaways to send to the donors. Just a nice little thank you gift to show their appreciation for our donations.

Maybe they can get Vienna to send gifts.

(10-19-2021 01:07 PM)NIUfilmmaker Wrote:  

(10-19-2021 08:01 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(10-19-2021 07:47 AM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(10-18-2021 10:49 PM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:  Anyone see this? Our budget is on par with premier FCS teams. I'm hoping the additions of Burno, Hammock's continued success and the Men's Soccer team's success can really get us out of this pit. We are way behind Illinois State for crying out loud. Unless this changes, we should be thankful to even be an FBS school in the MAC.

https://sports.usatoday.com/ncaa/finances

Looks like Illinois St. is being heavily subsidized (74.17%) by the school and they still suck in football and play FCS.

NIU is the least subsidized school in the MAC, explains why our budget is lower. Looks like our athletic department has been relying less and less on the school for its budget.

Buffalo is the most subsidized school in the MAC at 81.06%.

If they are relying less and less on the school for its budget, why are they not doing aggressive fundraising? Perhaps they don't have the money or staff to do it - or maybe it's COVID. There are ways they could generate small donations from donors that could really add up. The mega donors are not the only ones with money. Small donations from many fans could add up to more than the mega donors contribute. Then again, I guess the only thing that's increasing these days is apathy.

https://huskieathleticfund.com/huskiesinvest/index.html

Huskies Invest is next week....

Do you think if I donate $1,000 to Huskies Invest, STF will say hi to me? If I donate $2,000, will he give me a ride in his golf cart?

(10-19-2021 01:30 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(10-19-2021 01:07 PM)NIUfilmmaker Wrote:  

(10-19-2021 08:01 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(10-19-2021 07:47 AM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(10-18-2021 10:49 PM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:  Anyone see this? Our budget is on par with premier FCS teams. I'm hoping the additions of Burno, Hammock's continued success and the Men's Soccer team's success can really get us out of this pit. We are way behind Illinois State for crying out loud. Unless this changes, we should be thankful to even be an FBS school in the MAC.

https://sports.usatoday.com/ncaa/finances

Looks like Illinois St. is being heavily subsidized (74.17%) by the school and they still suck in football and play FCS.

NIU is the least subsidized school in the MAC, explains why our budget is lower. Looks like our athletic department has been relying less and less on the school for its budget.

Buffalo is the most subsidized school in the MAC at 81.06%.

If they are relying less and less on the school for its budget, why are they not doing aggressive fundraising? Perhaps they don't have the money or staff to do it - or maybe it's COVID. There are ways they could generate small donations from donors that could really add up. The mega donors are not the only ones with money. Small donations from many fans could add up to more than the mega donors contribute. Then again, I guess the only thing that's increasing these days is apathy.

https://huskieathleticfund.com/huskiesinvest/index.html

Huskies Invest is next week....

Do you think if I donate $1,000 to Huskies Invest, STF will say hi to me? If I donate $2,000, will he give me a ride in his golf cart?

Probably not, but I split my donation with Football and Volleyball, and I did get a thank you from one of the volleyball players which I thought was a nice easy gesture.

(10-19-2021 02:05 PM)UnknownScout Wrote:  

(10-19-2021 01:30 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(10-19-2021 01:07 PM)NIUfilmmaker Wrote:  

(10-19-2021 08:01 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(10-19-2021 07:47 AM)epasnoopy Wrote:  Looks like Illinois St. is being heavily subsidized (74.17%) by the school and they still suck in football and play FCS.

NIU is the least subsidized school in the MAC, explains why our budget is lower. Looks like our athletic department has been relying less and less on the school for its budget.

Buffalo is the most subsidized school in the MAC at 81.06%.

If they are relying less and less on the school for its budget, why are they not doing aggressive fundraising? Perhaps they don't have the money or staff to do it - or maybe it's COVID. There are ways they could generate small donations from donors that could really add up. The mega donors are not the only ones with money. Small donations from many fans could add up to more than the mega donors contribute. Then again, I guess the only thing that's increasing these days is apathy.

https://huskieathleticfund.com/huskiesinvest/index.html

Huskies Invest is next week....

Do you think if I donate $1,000 to Huskies Invest, STF will say hi to me? If I donate $2,000, will he give me a ride in his golf cart?

Probably not, but I split my donation with Football and Volleyball, and I did get a thank you from one of the volleyball players which I thought was a nice easy gesture.

I donate annually to women's basketball. I get cards and thank you letters as well as calls from Coach Carlsen and the players. They always let me know how much my donation is appreciated. They are doing things the right way.

(10-19-2021 02:12 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(10-19-2021 02:05 PM)UnknownScout Wrote:  

(10-19-2021 01:30 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(10-19-2021 01:07 PM)NIUfilmmaker Wrote:  

(10-19-2021 08:01 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  If they are relying less and less on the school for its budget, why are they not doing aggressive fundraising? Perhaps they don't have the money or staff to do it - or maybe it's COVID. There are ways they could generate small donations from donors that could really add up. The mega donors are not the only ones with money. Small donations from many fans could add up to more than the mega donors contribute. Then again, I guess the only thing that's increasing these days is apathy.

https://huskieathleticfund.com/huskiesinvest/index.html

Huskies Invest is next week....

Do you think if I donate $1,000 to Huskies Invest, STF will say hi to me? If I donate $2,000, will he give me a ride in his golf cart?

Probably not, but I split my donation with Football and Volleyball, and I did get a thank you from one of the volleyball players which I thought was a nice easy gesture.

I donate annually to women's basketball. I get cards and thank you letters as well as calls from Coach Carlsen and the players. They always let me know how much my donation is appreciated. They are doing things the right way.

Or is it so you can have a young college female call you to say Thank you. Just kidding. That's a good thing that you do and good response by the basketball team.

When the whole of NIU had their version of invest in success, I donated about $100 spread around different departments. Many departments had either donor numbers or dollar amounts to reach to open the door to a larger donation. Every department head sent me a hand written thank you note, even though many of my donations were $5. To this day I still get hand written thank you notes from many of the departments. With the exception of womens BBall I don't recall receiving, in recent years (prior 5-7 years) receiving notes from any other teams or officials in the athletic dept. I'm not complaining about not getting a TY note but it's a lost skill.

(10-19-2021 08:22 PM)NIUSAE Wrote:  When the whole of NIU had their version of invest in success, I donated about $100 spread around different departments. Many departments had either donor numbers or dollar amounts to reach to open the door to a larger donation. Every department head sent me a hand written thank you note, even though many of my donations were $5. To this day I still get hand written thank you notes from many of the departments. With the exception of womens BBall I don't recall receiving, in recent years (prior 5-7 years) receiving notes from any other teams or officials in the athletic dept. I'm not complaining about not getting a TY note but it's a lost skill.

Very good post. This is EXACTLY what I have been complaining about for the last several years. All it takes is a small gesture - a handwritten note of thanks on a form letter. NIU Athletics used to do this before the STF regime. Just a personal expression of thanks and appreciation.

I knew a former AD at UIC. He told me that every donor gets a personal acknowledgment and thank you - even if they gave $5. It just takes minutes and the cost of a stamp. Make your donors feel appreciated and important. Today’s smaller donors can become tomorrow’s bigger donors. NIU Athletics needs some serious schooling in how to properly treat their donors and solicit new donors. Just saying “Donate to the HAF” won’t work.

(10-18-2021 11:14 PM)NorthCoast Wrote:  CUSA Soccer is 6 schools plus 3 affiliates and WVU being a scheduled 4th affiliate. Three of the schools leaving sponsor soccer, leaving CUSA with 3 plus 3 affiliates.

Wonder if these changes effect WVU’s scheduled move.
I’d like to keep WVU.

That ship has sailed. WVU is not staying in the MAC.
C-USA men's soccer includes defending champion and current No. 2-ranked Marshall and current No. 3-rated Kentucky. Those two are among four C-USA schools that compete along with WVU in the Southeast Region, so that league schedule would help them more in getting rated in that area which is a prerequisite to getting ranked nationally. Plus it's less travel. You have to look at it from a non-NIU, non-MAC perspective.

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/6-c-usa-s...membership

Maybe some more to it than some of the doubters

Unsubstantiated report alleges that Marshall will announce move to SBC on Monday. Rumor is Southern Miss will join them. Further rumors are conflicting with some speculating the SBC stay at 12 and other rumors speculating growing to 14 with the addition of ODU and JMU.

If this comes to fruition, CUSA drops to 6 members. Have to grow back to 8 to remain viable, which likely means adding NMST and Liberty would be my guess.

If ODU ends up leaving as well an additional school will be required. Only leaves UMass from current FBS membership.

(10-18-2021 07:04 PM)pvk75 Wrote:  "Trash" is too strong a word, IMO. But I'm sure the insult was well-intended (well-deserved?).

The AAC P6 campaign and bid to "go national" took giant hits. (Losing UH, UC and UCF; turned down by SDSU, CSU, Boise and Air Force). No near-equals left to replace the three they're losing, and the best-of-the-rest told them to take a long walk off a short dock into deep water.

Again IMO, their best strategy (discussed on several boards and by their commish, Aresco) is to grab the OK-with-big-potentials like UAB, UTSA, Georgia State, FAU and (longshot) Buffalo. Maybe Rice. Schools like Marshall, App State, Southern Miss are already known quantities ... they were not good enough BEFORE the AAC Golden Trio started packing. Now smells too much like desperation.

I agree with those who say the MAC should not go the football-only route. Six MAC schools already have 20 future games scheduled with UMass (6/20 are Buffalo), so no need there. Four futures with UConn (2 each Buffalo, Ball State) show low interest there. And remember, if Buffalo leaves ... .

FCS's NDSU, Missouri State are too far out of footprint, and Illinois State would have to increase stadium size a few thousand PLUS give up the MVC/MVFC.

So ... best to sit back, enjoy the AAC ego-bruising, watch them and CUSA & SUN Belt duke it out and see what's left. Then also see what ESPN will do. Pro-active not a good idea right now, IMO.

But fun to discuss.

The way things are playing out, your words of sitting back & enjoy the carnage is definitely the way to go. I think when all is finished, there might be some advantageous options for the MAC's choosing.

(10-20-2021 05:50 PM)Schaefer Beer Wrote:  The way things are playing out, your words of sitting back & enjoy the carnage is definitely the way to go. I think when all is finished, there might be some advantageous options for the MAC's choosing.

I'm not sure I'd agree. After the AAC and SBC have picked at the carcass why would the MAC want anything that's remaining? All that would mean is the schools that remain are schools that AAC and SBC didn't think were good enough.

There’s another rumor out there that CUSA is reaching out to JMU and Liberty to grow to 10 and supposedly this would be enough to keep Marshal from bolting. Considering that Liberty begged to join CUSA (and the SBC) not that long ago and JMU has been wanting to jump up to FBS for a while, I can’t imagine that would be that hard of a sell.

What a mess.

(10-20-2021 06:19 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 05:50 PM)Schaefer Beer Wrote:  The way things are playing out, your words of sitting back & enjoy the carnage is definitely the way to go. I think when all is finished, there might be some advantageous options for the MAC's choosing.

I'm not sure I'd agree. After the AAC and SBC have picked at the carcass why would the MAC want anything that's remaining? All that would mean is the schools that remain are schools that AAC and SBC didn't think were good enough.

I wasn't too clear in my statement. What I was referring to was that maybe a couple of schools might be interested in joining the MAC ie Marshall & WKU. Or maybe ESPN or Network sports might increase the MAC contract and air MAC games when they normally would have aired CUSA games. Or bowls games might want to switch tie-ins from CUSA to MAC.
I think there is a possibility of some good options when all is said and done.

Western Kentucky has a rich basketball tradition and would be a great add in hoops. The MAC needs to become a two bid NCAA conference. The schools with higher football ceilings are going to look elsewhere but could be a nice window to strengthen basketball. Growing the southern end of the footprint wouldn’t be bad for football recruiting either.

(10-20-2021 07:03 PM)HuskieTap22 Wrote:  Western Kentucky has a rich basketball tradition and would be a great add in hoops. The MAC needs to become a two bid NCAA conference. The schools with higher football ceilings are going to look elsewhere but could be a nice window to strengthen basketball. Growing the southern end of the footprint wouldn’t be bad for football recruiting either.

I've felt for some time that all conferences should be two-bid conferences with one condition. I feel the regular season champ should get an automatic bid and then the winner of the conference tournament should also get a bid. If it's the same team as the reg season champ, then they just get one bid.

Granted, there is a chance a conference could game the system and have their "champ" tank their tournament, so maybe that wouldn't work.