If you haven't watched the introductory press conference of our New AD, I highly recommend taking some time to do so. I was impressed, particularly regarding his stated goal of using Athletics - and success on the field - to enhance the broader perception of the University. I think that is one of the things that I, along with others on this board, have been advocating for a while. Use our athletic success to increase the visibility of the school and the brand. It seems that with DesRosches and McClelland on board, there is a unity of purpose behind the continued success of the Athletic program at Rice. Here's to a long and successful run for him.
If you haven't watched the introductory press conference of our New AD, I highly recommend taking some time to do so. I was impressed, particularly regarding his stated goal of using Athletics - and success on the field - to enhance the broader perception of the University. I think that is one of the things that I, along with others on this board, have been advocating for a while. Use our athletic success to increase the visibility of the school and the brand. It seems that with DesRosches and McClelland on board, there is a unity of purpose behind the continued success of the Athletic program at Rice. Here's to a long and successful run for him.
I'm surprised by no f/u comments to this.
I'm fired up. Loved the comments from the relatively-new President and the brand-new AD. I think things are looking up.
If you haven't watched the introductory press conference of our New AD, I highly recommend taking some time to do so. I was impressed, particularly regarding his stated goal of using Athletics - and success on the field - to enhance the broader perception of the University. I think that is one of the things that I, along with others on this board, have been advocating for a while. Use our athletic success to increase the visibility of the school and the brand. It seems that with DesRosches and McClelland on board, there is a unity of purpose behind the continued success of the Athletic program at Rice. Here's to a long and successful run for him.
I'm surprised by no f/u comments to this.
I'm fired up. Loved the comments from the relatively-new President and the brand-new AD. I think things are looking up.
If you haven't watched the introductory press conference of our New AD, I highly recommend taking some time to do so. I was impressed, particularly regarding his stated goal of using Athletics - and success on the field - to enhance the broader perception of the University. I think that is one of the things that I, along with others on this board, have been advocating for a while. Use our athletic success to increase the visibility of the school and the brand. It seems that with DesRosches and McClelland on board, there is a unity of purpose behind the continued success of the Athletic program at Rice. Here's to a long and successful run for him.
I'm surprised by no f/u comments to this.
I'm fired up. Loved the comments from the relatively-new President and the brand-new AD. I think things are looking up.
Much depends on FSU and the Pac-4.
Things looking up isn’t dependent on this round of realignment. The outlook could certainly improve under the right realignment circumstances, but we have so much to work on that I’m not holding my breath for any of those dominoes to fall.
I too am optimistic based on this hire and hope to still be after 30-60-90 days from now.
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(This post was last modified: 08-16-2023 12:00 PM by markbrindley.)
I will make a comment that I think will get at least one response. The first thing that struck me was the excitement in our president's voice. I never heard that from Leebron. I don't think it is even close. I believe that DesRoches understands how athletics can contribute to the university's mission in a big way. I think this will make a huge difference in what can be accomplished by our athletic department, and hopefully where Rice lands in the realignment puzzle.
(08-16-2023 01:10 PM)Owl Is In Chains Wrote: I will make a comment that I think will get at least one response. The first thing that struck me was the excitement in our president's voice. I never heard that from Leebron. I don't think it is even close. I believe that DesRoches understands how athletics can contribute to the university's mission in a big way. I think this will make a huge difference in what can be accomplished by our athletic department, and hopefully where Rice lands in the realignment puzzle.
Can we please stop ragging on Leebron. You did not see this from David because that's simply not his personality. He's never been accused of being a charismatic speaker. Again, despite what some might want to believe, he was the most pro-athletics President Rice has had in the last 50+ years.
(08-16-2023 01:10 PM)Owl Is In Chains Wrote: I will make a comment that I think will get at least one response. The first thing that struck me was the excitement in our president's voice. I never heard that from Leebron. I don't think it is even close. I believe that DesRoches understands how athletics can contribute to the university's mission in a big way. I think this will make a huge difference in what can be accomplished by our athletic department, and hopefully where Rice lands in the realignment puzzle.
Can we please stop ragging on Leebron. You did not see this from David because that's simply not his personality. He's never been accused of being a charismatic speaker. Again, despite what some might want to believe, he was the most pro-athletics President Rice has had in the last 50+ years.
And perhaps that is true. And DesRoches is another big step forward.
But the record for Rice football under the watch of David Leebron and Joe Karlgaard speaks for itself. I think Jerome Solomon summed it up in today’s Chronicle. Can DesRoches and McClelland make Rice a viable part of Houston’s sports scene once again? The sidebar on the status of HRS is also painfully accurate.
(08-16-2023 01:10 PM)Owl Is In Chains Wrote: I will make a comment that I think will get at least one response. The first thing that struck me was the excitement in our president's voice. I never heard that from Leebron. I don't think it is even close. I believe that DesRoches understands how athletics can contribute to the university's mission in a big way. I think this will make a huge difference in what can be accomplished by our athletic department, and hopefully where Rice lands in the realignment puzzle.
Can we please stop ragging on Leebron. You did not see this from David because that's simply not his personality. He's never been accused of being a charismatic speaker. Again, despite what some might want to believe, he was the most pro-athletics President Rice has had in the last 50+ years.
Not sure if it's what actually happened, but I personally perceived a distinct shift in Leebron at the Hawaii bowl when he and the team were stranded for an extra day and he had the opportunity to really get to know the players. I don't think he ever really embraced athletics being the "widest lens in which people get to view the global impact that is happening at Rice," but it did seem to me that after 2014, he began to view Athletics more as a real aspect of the University rather than a necessary favorite child of some alumni.
In my conversation(s) w/ Leebron, he was supportive of athletics and was a frequent visitor cheering the Owls in the Stadium Club. Those that suggest otherwise are not informed.
However, he was not an aggressive driver of changing the status quo which is what needed to happen when CDC, and Ranger Rick were there on his watch.
My editorial on his tenure is a bit more nuanced. He had many relationships of the influential President level of other P5 universities IMO that were not leveraged to help Rice advance its cause in the arms race. He had other higher Rice priorities and was waiting for the product on-the-field improvements and the donors to write big checks to force the change to make his calculus of calling in favors/relationships worth the risk. Obviously that did not happen in the $ sports and so he did not put his neck out and accepted cheering and funding a low eight-figure loss/year vs. leading change. I know there are not any Ranger Rick fans here but he also told me as much in a 1:1 meeting I had with him about 15-years ago. His tone was not scapegoating but putting the facts out there as he saw them at the time.
Let's hope the new leadership at the AD/President level has a more aggressive stance to put their necks out to drive change vs. being passengers.
(08-16-2023 05:55 PM)owl40 Wrote: In my conversation(s) w/ Leebron, he was supportive of athletics and was a frequent visitor cheering the Owls in the Stadium Club. Those that suggest otherwise are not informed.
However, he was not an aggressive driver of changing the status quo which is what needed to happen when CDC, and Ranger Rick were there on his watch.
My editorial on his tenure is a bit more nuanced. He had many relationships of the influential President level of other P5 universities IMO that were not leveraged to help Rice advance its cause in the arms race. He had other higher Rice priorities and was waiting for the product on-the-field improvements and the donors to write big checks to force the change to make his calculus of calling in favors/relationships worth the risk. Obviously that did not happen in the $ sports and so he did not put his neck out and accepted cheering and funding a low eight-figure loss/year vs. leading change. I know there are not any Ranger Rick fans here but he also told me as much in a 1:1 meeting I had with him about 15-years ago. His tone was not scapegoating but putting the facts out there as he saw them at the time.
Let's hope the new leadership at the AD/President level has a more aggressive stance to put their necks out to drive change vs. being passengers.
I agree with most of this, but I will say that it was the job of the AD to aggressively push for projects and a vision, and neither CDC, Rick or Joe did that. If either were as relentless and aggressive as say, Antonio Merlo was in selling the need for Kraft Hall on Leebron and the BOT, things likely would have gotten done. The President is not going to stick his neck out if the AD (or a dean) won't. Having said all that, I know as a fact that David was very personally involved-- and sought out input from a wide number of constituents-- in playing the MWC vs. AAC in last year's realignment win.
The President does sound he wants to improve athletics.
Tbe new AD knows all the buzzwords and not that impressive to me but we will see how it goes versus time. The biggest test of this new group will they be will they willing to pull the trigger on a coach if he/she is not performing or wait for the contract to expire like happening now.
(This post was last modified: 08-16-2023 08:41 PM by Texasowl.)
(08-16-2023 01:10 PM)Owl Is In Chains Wrote: I will make a comment that I think will get at least one response. The first thing that struck me was the excitement in our president's voice. I never heard that from Leebron. I don't think it is even close. I believe that DesRoches understands how athletics can contribute to the university's mission in a big way. I think this will make a huge difference in what can be accomplished by our athletic department, and hopefully where Rice lands in the realignment puzzle.
Can we please stop ragging on Leebron. You did not see this from David because that's simply not his personality. He's never been accused of being a charismatic speaker. Again, despite what some might want to believe, he was the most pro-athletics President Rice has had in the last 50+ years.
This was not intended to be "ragging on Leebron". It was intended to note the passion with DesRoches. However, I would ask this. IMHO, Leebron loves posting on social media. Would it have been too much to ask that on the day Rice introduces a new AD with all of the realignment talk going on, for the "most pro-athletics President Rice has had in the last 50+ years" to make a post on social media supporting the new AD and the university? After all, he did find time to post about cheese that day.
You may be right that Leebron WAS the most pro-athletics president, because I don't think there is any comparison between him and DesRoches. Again, not intended to rag on Leebron, but note my excitement with DesRoches and his passion, and I don't think I am alone in that matter.
(08-16-2023 01:10 PM)Owl Is In Chains Wrote: I will make a comment that I think will get at least one response. The first thing that struck me was the excitement in our president's voice. I never heard that from Leebron. I don't think it is even close. I believe that DesRoches understands how athletics can contribute to the university's mission in a big way. I think this will make a huge difference in what can be accomplished by our athletic department, and hopefully where Rice lands in the realignment puzzle.
Can we please stop ragging on Leebron. You did not see this from David because that's simply not his personality. He's never been accused of being a charismatic speaker. Again, despite what some might want to believe, he was the most pro-athletics President Rice has had in the last 50+ years.
This was not intended to be "ragging on Leebron". It was intended to note the passion with DesRoches. However, I would ask this. IMHO, Leebron loves posting on social media. Would it have been too much to ask that on the day Rice introduces a new AD with all of the realignment talk going on, for the "most pro-athletics President Rice has had in the last 50+ years" to make a post on social media supporting the new AD and the university? After all, he did find time to post about cheese that day.
You may be right that Leebron WAS the most pro-athletics president, because I don't think there is any comparison between him and DesRoches. Again, not intended to rag on Leebron, but note my excitement with DesRoches and his passion, and I don't think I am alone in that matter.
I suggest you reread your original post as you were most definitely ragging on Leebron (never showing excitement or passion toward athletics). I'm encouraged by Reggie, as well, but his outward excitement and passion (which is his personality) must still translate into actual action.
My understanding is that McClelland was highly involved in fundraising for facility renovations/additions at both La Tech and Vanderbilt. One of the more published statements he made to media members after the official press conference was that, in his opinion, Rice Stadium was in "drastic" need of renovation. Pres. DesRosches was quoted in the Chronicle (behind a paywall so I can't link) that "the university has done a feasibility study to determine what options are available . . . and a plan to move forward with enhancements could be presented within the next six months." I know that Rice had to make some financial commitments to jump to the American, and I would imagine those would apply, if not increase, should any jump to the PAC-X actually occur.
(08-17-2023 09:48 AM)Pimpa Wrote: My understanding is that McClelland was highly involved in fundraising for facility renovations/additions at both La Tech and Vanderbilt. One of the more published statements he made to media members after the official press conference was that, in his opinion, Rice Stadium was in "drastic" need of renovation. Pres. DesRosches was quoted in the Chronicle (behind a paywall so I can't link) that "the university has done a feasibility study to determine what options are available . . . and a plan to move forward with enhancements could be presented within the next six months." I know that Rice had to make some financial commitments to jump to the American, and I would imagine those would apply, if not increase, should any jump to the PAC-X actually occur.
I think those stories are still behind the Chronicle paywall. But that feasibility study caught my attention, too. Was that recent? Commissioned by DesRoches and Karlgaard? Why is everything so secret? Why doesn’t the Houston media push Rice on news that we applied to the PAC or did another study on HRS? Oh yeah, as the photo caption for the paywalled Jerome Solomon story says “can Rice again become a viable part of the Houston sports scene”. Perhaps the press blitz has been awaiting the arrival of Tommy McClelland.
(08-17-2023 09:48 AM)Pimpa Wrote: My understanding is that McClelland was highly involved in fundraising for facility renovations/additions at both La Tech and Vanderbilt. One of the more published statements he made to media members after the official press conference was that, in his opinion, Rice Stadium was in "drastic" need of renovation. Pres. DesRosches was quoted in the Chronicle (behind a paywall so I can't link) that "the university has done a feasibility study to determine what options are available . . . and a plan to move forward with enhancements could be presented within the next six months." I know that Rice had to make some financial commitments to jump to the American, and I would imagine those would apply, if not increase, should any jump to the PAC-X actually occur.
I think those stories are still behind the Chronicle paywall. But that feasibility study caught my attention, too. Was that recent? Commissioned by DesRoches and Karlgaard? Why is everything so secret? Why doesn’t the Houston media push Rice on news that we applied to the PAC or did another study on HRS? Oh yeah, as the photo caption for the paywalled Jerome Solomon story says “can Rice again become a viable part of the Houston sports scene”. Perhaps the press blitz has been awaiting the arrival of Tommy McClelland.
Because the Houston media largely ignores Rice athletics.
Who reported on this for the Chronicle (the only paper in town)?
Jerome Solomon, who covers mostly pro sports stories.
And Joseph Duarte, their UH beat writer (to whom I sent a correction, after he wrote that the EZF is in the south end zone).
It's been years since there was someone whose primary job was covering Rice sports (was MK the last?)
(08-17-2023 09:48 AM)Pimpa Wrote: My understanding is that McClelland was highly involved in fundraising for facility renovations/additions at both La Tech and Vanderbilt. One of the more published statements he made to media members after the official press conference was that, in his opinion, Rice Stadium was in "drastic" need of renovation. Pres. DesRosches was quoted in the Chronicle (behind a paywall so I can't link) that "the university has done a feasibility study to determine what options are available . . . and a plan to move forward with enhancements could be presented within the next six months." I know that Rice had to make some financial commitments to jump to the American, and I would imagine those would apply, if not increase, should any jump to the PAC-X actually occur.
I think those stories are still behind the Chronicle paywall. But that feasibility study caught my attention, too. Was that recent? Commissioned by DesRoches and Karlgaard? Why is everything so secret? Why doesn’t the Houston media push Rice on news that we applied to the PAC or did another study on HRS? Oh yeah, as the photo caption for the paywalled Jerome Solomon story says “can Rice again become a viable part of the Houston sports scene”. Perhaps the press blitz has been awaiting the arrival of Tommy McClelland.
Because the Houston media largely ignores Rice athletics.
Who reported on this for the Chronicle (the only paper in town)?
Jerome Solomon, who covers mostly pro sports stories.
And Joseph Duarte, their UH beat writer (to whom I sent a correction, after he wrote that the EZF is in the south end zone).
It's been years since there was someone whose primary job was covering Rice sports (was MK the last?)
(08-16-2023 01:10 PM)Owl Is In Chains Wrote: I will make a comment that I think will get at least one response. The first thing that struck me was the excitement in our president's voice. I never heard that from Leebron. I don't think it is even close. I believe that DesRoches understands how athletics can contribute to the university's mission in a big way. I think this will make a huge difference in what can be accomplished by our athletic department, and hopefully where Rice lands in the realignment puzzle.
Can we please stop ragging on Leebron. You did not see this from David because that's simply not his personality. He's never been accused of being a charismatic speaker. Again, despite what some might want to believe, he was the most pro-athletics President Rice has had in the last 50+ years.
This was not intended to be "ragging on Leebron". It was intended to note the passion with DesRoches. However, I would ask this. IMHO, Leebron loves posting on social media. Would it have been too much to ask that on the day Rice introduces a new AD with all of the realignment talk going on, for the "most pro-athletics President Rice has had in the last 50+ years" to make a post on social media supporting the new AD and the university? After all, he did find time to post about cheese that day.
You may be right that Leebron WAS the most pro-athletics president, because I don't think there is any comparison between him and DesRoches. Again, not intended to rag on Leebron, but note my excitement with DesRoches and his passion, and I don't think I am alone in that matter.
I suggest you reread your original post as you were most definitely ragging on Leebron (never showing excitement or passion toward athletics). I'm encouraged by Reggie, as well, but his outward excitement and passion (which is his personality) must still translate into actual action.
Maybe I should ask a different question, as you are having me rethink things. What did Leebron do to set himself apart from the other presidents to be to most pro-athletics president? I assume that you can share instances on how he saw the value of athletics in contributing to the overall standing of the university. Was it hiring Greenspan?
Also, you did not address one of my other comments. Do you think it would have been too much to ask for a positive social media post about the university you were president of for almost 20 years and its hiring of a new AD in uncharted waters of realignment, especially if you really cared about the university and its athletics program? I'd bet money if DeRoches was the one who was recently retired that he would have done so.
