The hiring of Renee Baumgartner last June as Santa Clara's new A.D. ignited a bonfire of reactions from the SCU community.
On the one hand, she blew away the selection committee with her vision and energy. On the other hand, it blew the minds of many alums and local press who couldn't imagine how the University may have squandered such an enormous opportunity.
Perhaps most important in the whole process was the ENERGY it created that awakened an athletic community buried in mediocrity for decades.
Now, one year later, it's time for a report card.
Renee and I talked at length about her vision and goals for the first year and the realities of where we are with the program and in particular, Men's Basketball.
One thing, I can say for sure, is the energy hasn't dissipated. In fact, to be liberal with Physics' Laws, it has become Kinetic Energy...
We're talking major movement...
Let's face it, most of Santa Clara athletics, and pointedly MBB, was like the "old stuff" in the house up in the attic. The academic part of the house was a poster for Architectural Digest. Then, after the President's Commission on Athletics found a potential trea$ure in the attic where athletics was boxed, the "U" decided a new A.D. was needed to take on this challenge.
Alongside the hiring, Fr. Engh declared our intent was to become nationally relevant and competitive. BTW, Men's Basketball would be the major "horse" to ride.
In my first interview Renee said, "Judge me on the results not the rumors."
OK. Will do.
She outlined her major goals to be Branding, Marketing, Organization, and Fundraising.
Branding
The Bronco image that was deteriorating to "nag" status is being rejuvenated with a younger, fresher, and bolder persona. "We're on a Mission" still exists, but the mantra is now the "Stampede" - no trotting allowed. From the office carpets to the etched basketball floor, it's all NEW. Fields, locker rooms, uniforms, workout rooms, etc. Oh, and by the way - MBB COACHES.
Organization
Big changes. Re-aligned D1 sports and rec sports to get sharp focus. Boom. Intense hiring to bring in high level "been there, done that" national caliber resumes. Not just in MBB, but in other key areas. If you need any more clarity on the University commitment to this national effort, just ponder the hiring of Herb Sendek and his staff. An order of magnitude jump shift....Forget the $$, I'm talking serious credibility.
Marketing
The Marketing budget in past years was "thin". It mainly consisted of a weekly email update and a nice Bistro. OK, for where we were, but not acceptable to an A.D. whose charter is to go national.
Everything is changing. Added staff with good experience and budgets to engage the broader SCU internal and external community. One of the big primary focus areas is to energize an apathetic student body using a social media app that informs, promotes, and includes "rewards" for participation.
Package this with more communication, events, and outreach designed to pack the stands for all games; not just Gonzaga. Soon, better and more recognizable opponents will be on the schedule for home and home games that should create a "draw" for everyone. The idea is to build momentum. A great start to this was the Jared Brownridge video done last year. An outstanding piece. Click the link below to view.
For example, there is a First Look event on August 12th that will give fans an opportunity to see the players and coaches in action with a meet and greet afterward. It won't be like "Craziness in the Kennel" in Spokane, but a good start.
All Marketing is propelled by winning and the underlying mantra from Renee is "to create a championship culture" that permeates into all teams and yes, to us, the supporters and fans. Come to the First Look event tomorrow night and you'll get a chance see if the "vibe" is there.
Fundraising
Going national doesn't fly on an economy budget. I have to say the "U" is now "all in" by committing more significant $$ to athletics from its operating budget. Another big change.
The creation of an Excellence Fund is now in place to build the war chest needed to drive championship level successes. Everyone will be asked to participate and for season ticket holders, required.
The new season ticket holder package makes that very clear. Want a "chairback" seat, you'll need to donate.
I've heard from a number of loyal ticket holders feel "unseated" by the seat pricing and donation. When I asked Renee the strategy, she said "the department research of higher level teams showed SCU was significantly under market" and "we created a package where there's a seat choice and price for everyone." It's true to form that SCU has asked fans to pay upfront for the promise of being nationally competitive. Some long standing loyal fans are "worn out" from promises.
While I'd like tickets to cost less, I do feel we, as fans, need to get on board. NEVER has the University put its money where its mouth is like this time. There is a working "Master Plan" with athletics as a centerpiece that will entirely makeover our facilities to a level where we can recruit on a par with more elite teams. Ok, we're not talking Duke and Kentucky, but when new recruits come to SCU they'll be saying "wow" vs "oh".
It's happening.
I could go on and on as there is so much going on. Renee has created a hurricane of activity and energy. Championship Culture.
How do I grade all this after one year? I have to say "incomplete".
The assignment is not done. The outlines are terrific, "A" type thinking. The drafts look promising, but until more of the above are done, we'll have to wait to see the final to raise the grade.
Believe me, it's hard to give an "incomplete" to a "complete" makeover of our program. So MUCH in process.
The next big piece of the assignment will be due in early March 2017 after the schedule and WCC Men's tournament.
One thing for sure, we should all go to "class" and see this unfold.
I hope it's the best class we've ever taken...
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