"The Bucking Bronco"
Today's a big day at SCU. Not because it's a game day....we play St. Mary's tomorrow night.
So, what's the BIG deal???
TODAY, the SCU Board of Trustees Executive Committee will be briefed on the findings and recommendations of the President's Commission on Athletics. The Executive Committee are the the standing committee chairs and officers of Board, who are tasked with achieving the stated Board and University goals for the year. It is NOT a decision date - that will come next month when the full Board meets.
However, if the officers are for it - that will be a very good sign.
Here's a preview of the information they will receive*
1. SCU's overall athletic department budget is near the bottom in the WCC
2. SCU offers the fewest number of athletic scholarships in the WCC
3. SCU Men's Basketball operating budget is one of the lowest in the WCC - 4 times smaller than Gonzaga and is less than 1/2 of St. Mary's - Forget about BYU
4. SCU Men's Basketball budget has been flat since 2007, a modest increase this year
5. SCU's athletic department's funding is below "comparative" Jesuit Universities
6. SCU "fund raises" more scholarships than most all other WCC teams
This level of Investment has produced the following results
1. Last time SCU was awarded the WCC Commissioner's Cup: 2006-2007
2. Last Men's Basketball WCC Title" 1996-1997 Co-Champs
3. Last Men's Basketball NCAA Tournament Appearance: 1996
4. Last Men's Basketball NIT Appearance: 1989
5. Last Men's Basketball Post Season 2013: Won The CBI Tourney
Intermixed, there have been two 20+ win seasons and of course, we graduate all of our players, common to the other WCC schools.
As an Alum, I have the utmost respect for The University deciding to invest more in Academic infrastructure. Forbes Magazine's rankings of the University are climbing.
BUT, as a Season ticket holder - we have an opportunity to do better - and the money to do so. Santa Clara's total Endowment is 2nd only to BYU in the WCC and is nearly 6 times larger than Gonzaga and St. Mary's.
Over the past several years, Gonzaga Athletics has received an average of about 5.5% of the University's operating budget. If put into SCU dollars, that equates to nearly a $21 M athletic budget based upon a total University budget of $378 M.
If I'm Dan Coonan, I might be pulling a full on a Cuba Gooding, Jr. move in Jerry Maguire, "Show me the Money!"
Money alone is NOT the answer. It must come with clear Goals and Accountability - sometimes a "difficult" thing for Universities to implement. Well, you know, Students have to "earn" credits and specific GPA's to graduate - we shouldn't expect less of our leaders.
The Season Ticket Holders vote: Let's invest in some thoroughbreds AND LET THE HORSES RUN!!!
*The Information above was developed from publicly available source.
So, what's the BIG deal???
TODAY, the SCU Board of Trustees Executive Committee will be briefed on the findings and recommendations of the President's Commission on Athletics. The Executive Committee are the the standing committee chairs and officers of Board, who are tasked with achieving the stated Board and University goals for the year. It is NOT a decision date - that will come next month when the full Board meets.
However, if the officers are for it - that will be a very good sign.
Here's a preview of the information they will receive*
1. SCU's overall athletic department budget is near the bottom in the WCC
2. SCU offers the fewest number of athletic scholarships in the WCC
3. SCU Men's Basketball operating budget is one of the lowest in the WCC - 4 times smaller than Gonzaga and is less than 1/2 of St. Mary's - Forget about BYU
4. SCU Men's Basketball budget has been flat since 2007, a modest increase this year
5. SCU's athletic department's funding is below "comparative" Jesuit Universities
6. SCU "fund raises" more scholarships than most all other WCC teams
This level of Investment has produced the following results
1. Last time SCU was awarded the WCC Commissioner's Cup: 2006-2007
2. Last Men's Basketball WCC Title" 1996-1997 Co-Champs
3. Last Men's Basketball NCAA Tournament Appearance: 1996
4. Last Men's Basketball NIT Appearance: 1989
5. Last Men's Basketball Post Season 2013: Won The CBI Tourney
Intermixed, there have been two 20+ win seasons and of course, we graduate all of our players, common to the other WCC schools.
As an Alum, I have the utmost respect for The University deciding to invest more in Academic infrastructure. Forbes Magazine's rankings of the University are climbing.
BUT, as a Season ticket holder - we have an opportunity to do better - and the money to do so. Santa Clara's total Endowment is 2nd only to BYU in the WCC and is nearly 6 times larger than Gonzaga and St. Mary's.
Over the past several years, Gonzaga Athletics has received an average of about 5.5% of the University's operating budget. If put into SCU dollars, that equates to nearly a $21 M athletic budget based upon a total University budget of $378 M.
If I'm Dan Coonan, I might be pulling a full on a Cuba Gooding, Jr. move in Jerry Maguire, "Show me the Money!"
Money alone is NOT the answer. It must come with clear Goals and Accountability - sometimes a "difficult" thing for Universities to implement. Well, you know, Students have to "earn" credits and specific GPA's to graduate - we shouldn't expect less of our leaders.
The Season Ticket Holders vote: Let's invest in some thoroughbreds AND LET THE HORSES RUN!!!
*The Information above was developed from publicly available source.
Fred,
ReplyDeleteI much enjoy reading your comments and learned a good deal from the information you have imparted. I agree SCU is somewhat underfunded. However, this is not the primary problem. The problems are two fold. 1) The university has hired two poor Athletic Directors in a row in Cheryl Leavick and Dan Coonan. These AD's in turn have made some questionable hires. More important is #2. Clearly the administration could care less about athletics. Otherwise, some heads would have rolled by now. The reasoning behind this is my third point, baseball has wonderful facilities, a great climate, and plays a less than stringent schedule. The program is fully funded to whit 11.4 scholarships. Last year SCU followed up a 5-19 league record with a 1-23 conference mark. Thus, funding is certainly not the problem in baseball. I would appreciate your thoughts on this subject because you clearly are passionate, informed, and have an interest, as do I, in seeing SCU improve athletically.
Paul Bossenmaier
Thanks for the breakdown, Fred. I look forward to seeing some positive changes come out of this.
ReplyDelete