Fire Larry Lyons

[ricohill]

This board is a dumpster fire for comments like this. Climb back under your rock and continue donating your $500 a year while making sure you make up that entire donation up at the hog roast. I hope that the next athletic department administration treats you with the same disdain that you treat the current administration with. You think that because you kick a couple bucks to WSF and you have an anonymous username on a board that you can throw around any kind of filth comment you please. This board gives ISU fans a bad name.
As I answer these questions constantly and Quinn can attest, I do not work for the AD and I never have.

Are you sure you don’t work for the athletic department? Because that is exactly how they feel about/treat donors that donate $500. Which is why their donor base is shrinking and will lose out on potential bigger donations down the road.

Also, why is it such a bad comment? Most universities now have rules against that type of hiring and have them for good reason.

I can, they did their jobs and now they are doing their jobs at other educational institutions because they are qualified to do so.

i assume you are friends with the Lyons family to defend their work this strongly. LB doesn't work in athletics and Matt got the job at Drake because of his dad.

Anyone that thinks Matt Lyons raised $19 million dollars during his time here they are crazy. George O'leary thinks this bio stretches the truth.
https://godrakebulldogs.com/staff.aspx?staff=320

 

[jwa123]

Former season ticket holder for both football and basketball here. No longer am one as I moved out of state. If I still lived in Morton would I still be a season ticket holder for either sport? Probably not.

The observation that the 20 year absence from the NCAA is on target. Yes there have been some good seasons but clunkers as well. Against Valpo I told my wife that ISU was going to lose when they had a double digit lead in the second half. Good teams find a way to win bad teams find a way to lose. Do games like we have seen this season improve my or anyone else’s disposition?

Yes the football program went to the national championship game but seems to me has been on a gradual downhill slope since.

Is the answer fire Larry Lyons? Is the answer to keep Larry Lyons? I don’t know and I don’t care anymore. Is the answer fire the b-ball and football coach or to keep them? Frankly I don’t know and I don’t care.

Will I be making financial donations to the athletic department in the future? Nope. Apathy has set in.

 

[SgtHulka]

Lyons putting his family on the pay roll, you cant defend that.

This board is a dumpster fire for comments like this. Climb back under your rock and continue donating your $500 a year while making sure you make up that entire donation up at the hog roast. I hope that the next athletic department administration treats you with the same disdain that you treat the current administration with. You think that because you kick a couple bucks to WSF and you have an anonymous username on a board that you can throw around any kind of filth comment you please. This board gives ISU fans a bad name.
As I answer these questions constantly and Quinn can attest, I do not work for the AD and I never have.

Are you sure you don’t work for the athletic department? Because that is exactly how they feel about/treat donors that donate $500. Which is why their donor base is shrinking and will lose out on potential bigger donations down the road.

Also, why is it such a bad comment? Most universities now have rules against that type of hiring and have them for good reason.

The $500 fans are likely $500 fans because that is what they can afford. Those $500 fans become multiple thousand dollar fans over years and years. And they do get treated that way like you say. Worse yet, become known as a guy who runs a message board where other fans can voice their opinion and you become even more than worthless to some in the administration.

 

[ricohill]

This board is a dumpster fire for comments like this. Climb back under your rock and continue donating your $500 a year while making sure you make up that entire donation up at the hog roast. I hope that the next athletic department administration treats you with the same disdain that you treat the current administration with. You think that because you kick a couple bucks to WSF and you have an anonymous username on a board that you can throw around any kind of filth comment you please. This board gives ISU fans a bad name.
As I answer these questions constantly and Quinn can attest, I do not work for the AD and I never have.

Are you sure you don’t work for the athletic department? Because that is exactly how they feel about/treat donors that donate $500. Which is why their donor base is shrinking and will lose out on potential bigger donations down the road.

Also, why is it such a bad comment? Most universities now have rules against that type of hiring and have them for good reason.

The $500 fans are likely $500 fans because that is what they can afford. Those $500 fans become multiple thousand dollar fans over years and years. And they do get treated that way like you say. Worse yet, become known as a guy who runs a message board where other fans can voice their opinion and you become even more than worthless to some in the administration.

:text-+1:

 

[Buffett]

:clap:

This board is a dumpster fire for comments like this. Climb back under your rock and continue donating your $500 a year while making sure you make up that entire donation up at the hog roast. I hope that the next athletic department administration treats you with the same disdain that you treat the current administration with. You think that because you kick a couple bucks to WSF and you have an anonymous username on a board that you can throw around any kind of filth comment you please. This board gives ISU fans a bad name.
As I answer these questions constantly and Quinn can attest, I do not work for the AD and I never have.

Are you sure you don’t work for the athletic department? Because that is exactly how they feel about/treat donors that donate $500. Which is why their donor base is shrinking and will lose out on potential bigger donations down the road.

Also, why is it such a bad comment? Most universities now have rules against that type of hiring and have them for good reason.

The $500 fans are likely $500 fans because that is what they can afford. Those $500 fans become multiple thousand dollar fans over years and years. And they do get treated that way like you say. Worse yet, become known as a guy who runs a message board where other fans can voice their opinion and you become even more than worthless to some in the administration.

:clap:

 

[gobirds85]

:clap:

Are you sure you don’t work for the athletic department? Because that is exactly how they feel about/treat donors that donate $500. Which is why their donor base is shrinking and will lose out on potential bigger donations down the road.

Also, why is it such a bad comment? Most universities now have rules against that type of hiring and have them for good reason.

The $500 fans are likely $500 fans because that is what they can afford. Those $500 fans become multiple thousand dollar fans over years and years. And they do get treated that way like you say. Worse yet, become known as a guy who runs a message board where other fans can voice their opinion and you become even more than worthless to some in the administration.

:clap:

Didn't that Obama guy raise millions and millions of $$$$ based off small donations?

And who is to say that today's $500 a year donor doesn't turn into tomorrow's $50,000 a year donor? It called "respect" and it doesn't cost anything. I know numerous donors, of all sizes, and I know of none that are increasing their support for athletics in the short term. We need a change in leadership.

 

[gobirds85]

No personal attacks. I've removed posts. Next is removing users. Knock it off.

Then start doing it. The board has become a disgrace to ISU fans. The majority of this thread is fine because it argues the merit of LL and what he has or hasn't done in his job. That is fair game and can be discussed. You state no personal attacks but you allow arguments that personally attack people like LL without a valid argument.

Can you point out any personal attacks here? People seem to be pointing out his shortcomings as our AD and that seems to be more of a professional observation than a personal attack.

If it helps, I do admire his attire. He dresses well.

 

[ricohill]

:clap:

The $500 fans are likely $500 fans because that is what they can afford. Those $500 fans become multiple thousand dollar fans over years and years. And they do get treated that way like you say. Worse yet, become known as a guy who runs a message board where other fans can voice their opinion and you become even more than worthless to some in the administration.

:clap:

Didn't that Obama guy raise millions and millions of $$$$ based off small donations?

And who is to say that today's $500 a year donor doesn't turn into tomorrow's $50,000 a year donor? It called "respect" and it doesn't cost anything. I know numerous donors, of all sizes, and I know of none that are increasing their support for athletics in the short term. We need a change in leadership.

Every donor matters. Now a $500 donor won't get the perks of a $5,000 donor, but all should be treated like they are important. That has been lost at ISU.

Plus, who are we kidding, how many big time donors does ISU even have anymore? We have a bunch of ISU fans that act like they are big time donors (as seen here earlier today), but doubt there are many left.

 

[ChiRedbirdfan]

I don't really know if firing the guy or whole department is what is needed. But I can tell you I went to the Valpo game, every High Schooler sitting around me was on their device. There were 8 kids in my group alone (none in High School), 4 of them were on their devices for almost the entire game. I think if we are going to make money, it's not about putting butts in seats or seeking donations from a fan base that's more about education then sports, it's about figuring out a way to harness that online trend and getting them there. The consumption of media and sports is changing and the further in front we are as a university the better position we are in to get the donations we seek and attract the kind of students we need to keep our University Name in good standing while we all seek jobs. The guy seems to be doing a good job with the funds he's given. Maybe sometimes you need that bean counter in charge to keep us all responsible, seeing we are in a state that is totally irresponsible.

A related observation made at the Wisconsin-Minnesota game last night. The UW games have become one endless "video show" on the mid-court board, "enhanced" regularly by loud pounding DJ music (the DJ sets up at the back of the student section) - music comes in all tastes, and this is not mine, not to say someone isn't enjoying it. The traditional pep band gets its turn, with rounds from the cheerleaders, but now the timeouts mostly involve roving cameras with crowd shots - the kiss-cam, the dance-cam, the flex your muscle cam, etc. - and posting of endless tweets and selfies from people at their first Badger game, with Dad on his birthday at the Badger game, etc. Every now and then a "game" for patrons during timeouts, making baskets, three point contest, you know, the traditional stuff.

Not sure I've conveyed it well, but my point was that the post from 60451 made me wonder about what UW is thinking about with the "game day experience" (how I hate that phrase and concept), that they feel the need to fill up nearly every minute there's no game action with visuals and pounding music, etc. I don't like it, I go to see the game. I'm old.

Also, you know, part of the reason there are fewer people is that the "on-line" trend HAS been harnessed, people would rather stay home and watch the game on their device or TV and don't seem to want to get up off their dead ass and go enjoy THE GAME. Meaning, the reliance on televising, or "devicing" on ESPN 3 or +, brings in revenue, replacing the old need to get fannies in the seats.

Thanks for listening . . . back to our regular programming. :x

was at that game too.. rough night given that first half and free throw shooting if you are a badger fan. The Kohl center is oozing electronically, digitally and with advertising be it the game/stadium environment or fans with their smart phones. The way it is now for the “haves” and that is the way it will be in the future for those that want to succeed.

 

[Reggie Redbird]

Lyons putting his family on the pay roll, you cant defend that.

This board is a dumpster fire for comments like this. Climb back under your rock and continue donating your $500 a year while making sure you make up that entire donation up at the hog roast. I hope that the next athletic department administration treats you with the same disdain that you treat the current administration with. You think that because you kick a couple bucks to WSF and you have an anonymous username on a board that you can throw around any kind of filth comment you please. This board gives ISU fans a bad name.
As I answer these questions constantly and Quinn can attest, I do not work for the AD and I never have.

Athletic departments don't really work this way. If you are the seller, you try to make your customer happy. Treating customers with contempt because they have called out negative results means you are just shooting yourself in the foot. The President's office doesn't become happy when big boosters are not happy with the athletic department, because at a school like ISU, that threatens lengthy and large giving histories to other areas of the university.

If you want an example of how to talk with a donor, no matter his or her feelings about current status, talk to Sean Johnson or Chris Highland. They are young guys but they get the service piece. You bring up a concern, and you have a willing ear. You ask a question, they follow up. Those balls aren't getting dropped like they used to.

With our top AD officials - think the top few - I have not seen the feet pounding the pavement that I did with previous leadership. Perhaps that's a publicity thing. But on the flip side, it could be people not wanting to sit down with boosters in the 1,000-10,000 per year range and take criticism. However, fans will at least feel heard.

To show evaluation on both sides, I will give the current administration kudos for lining up a lot of events, especially for both MBB and FB, to get our teams in front of Chicago-area alumni. I will also give them credit for hiring KG. We are in a remarkable growth mode from the deepest depths of what we suffered under he last regime. Hopefully we can see the same thing with baseball.

 

[Birdman85]

Tomorrow look around the arena and tell me what is going to be ISU's athletic donor base moving forward. There is a huge gap between the donors of old and the next generation. I see this as a big problem that is only going to get worse without building success on many different levels (basketball and football). Trust me ISU badly needs 30yr old's donating $500. We now live in a world where there are many other places that $500 can go. I personally come from a family that has donated good amounts of money over the years. That generation is getting older and without success has lost interest. Nobody is standing in line waiting to pick up what that older generation in my family has donated.

New blood is needed badly!

 

[ricohill]

Tomorrow look around the arena and tell me what is going to be ISU's athletic donor base moving forward. There is a huge gap between the donors of old and the next generation. I see this as a big problem that is only going to get worse without building success on many different levels (basketball and football). Trust me ISU badly needs 30yr old's donating $500. We now live in a world where there are many other places that $500 can go. I personally come from a family that has donated good amounts of money over the years. That generation is getting older and without success has lost interest. Nobody is standing in line waiting to pick up what that older generation in my family has donated.

New blood is needed badly!

This is 100 percent correct.

The best chance ISU has right now for a major donation is some people dying. I'm not even joking about that because I know some of the older donors have money set aside.

Why would a 30 year old donate money or attend an ISU game?

 

[Brick]

I have had 4 to 6 season tickets since 1986. As you can surmise I am not a huge donor yearly but over time it’s added up. I have interacted with all those administrations. I have NEVER been treated with distain during all those years. I don’t get the comments about how bad people have been treated. If I ever needed something they have always come through. End of story!

 

[Phantom]

Start winning, make a commitment to KEEP winning, set short and long-term goals, and prove to the fans and supporters that the AD have dedicated themselves to succeeding. The University itself has done so (and we should all be proud of that as alums/students), and the AD should as well. Both can be done. That's how donors open their wallets and new money is found. Easier said than done? Of course. But an actual plan needs to be made first.

As for fans on their devices during the game? Leverage that somehow- but only to a point, so as to not encourage constant mobile usage. Target those devices within the arena and throw an in-game question on their screens that forces them to pay attention to the game itself. Shame them on the jumbotron for having their eyes buried in their phones instead of the real show...something, anything. Live tweeting/video. etc is common and will happen but people shouldn't be totally glued to their screens for 40 mins. Device targeting can be done. Get interactive. Screw with people. Fun it up.

 

[SgtHulka]

I have had 4 to 6 season tickets since 1986. As you can surmise I am not a huge donor yearly but over time it’s added up. I have interacted with all those administrations. I have NEVER been treated with distain during all those years. I don’t get the comments about how bad people have been treated. If I ever needed something they have always come through. End of story!

The only reason I've been mistreated through the years is by being known as that Redbirdfan.com guy. Somehow wjbc and the pantagraph, who also allow for publicly negative comments never seem to get the cold shoulder. Not by any AD, but plenty by the staff, and others here can attest to that at pregame events and whatnot.

As far as Larry, I will only say that when my mom passed, one of my sisters mentioned that dad might get a lift from someone from ISU sending condolences since we'd been season ticket holders for years and he lived for ISU basketball. I thought, good idea, I'll send an email to Larry explaining the situation and see if he can't send a low level lackey to say I'm here from ISU, sorry for your loss. Instead, Larry and his wife were first in line at the visitation. I'll always respect him for that alone. Harping on his overall job performance isn't in my pay grade or wheel house.

 

[isuquinndog]

No personal attacks. I've removed posts. Next is removing users. Knock it off.

Then start doing it. The board has become a disgrace to ISU fans. The majority of this thread is fine because it argues the merit of LL and what he has or hasn't done in his job. That is fair game and can be discussed. You state no personal attacks but you allow arguments that personally attack people like LL without a valid argument.

No one has attacked Larry personally. No one called him names, said he was a bad person or anything else. His job performance, in a world where donations are what support his department are fair game. People are unhappy with that. That's fine.

But I am not going to allow people to be called pieces of blank or anything close to that. I think some of the critisim of Larry and the AD is unfair, go back and read what I wrote a few posts ago. People want to compare us to the B10 and that isn't fair. Compare us to the MVC. That's where we are today.

 

[Bird Friend]

Kudos to both sides of the argument! You’ve both done a great job of convincing yourselves you’re right and supporting your fellow believers.

I think the middle ground would include something like the following:

• 1) Establish long-term plan for growing athletics (to include functions, personnel, fundraising goals, and identifying gaps).

• 2) Develop transition plan for identifying, recruiting, and hiring strong candidates for AD, including an AD-In-Waiting role if appropriate.

• 3) Assess skills, talent, and fit for all current staff.

• 4) Identify additional revenue streams for WSF (for example: is it legal to add a donation option when purchasing game tickets? Maybe we already do that?).

Other ideas for solutions are welcome. Please don’t include comments about whom to hire/fire.

 

[isuphloyd]

Not really paying attention, but the travel softball team I coach is a 501c3 nonprofit, and we would gladly take those $500 or less or more donations. Hit me up if you are interested vgelite16u@gmail.com or isuphloyd@gmail.com

 

[ricohill]

Kudos to both sides of the argument! You’ve both done a great job of convincing yourselves you’re right and supporting your fellow believers.

I think the middle ground would include something like the following:

• 1) Establish long-term plan for growing athletics (to include functions, personnel, fundraising goals, and identifying gaps).

• 2) Develop transition plan for identifying, recruiting, and hiring strong candidates for AD, including an AD-In-Waiting role if appropriate.

• 3) Assess skills, talent, and fit for all current staff.

• 4) Identify additional revenue streams for WSF (for example: is it legal to add a donation option when purchasing game tickets? Maybe we already do that?).

Other ideas for solutions are welcome. Please don’t include comments about whom to hire/fire.

I know it isn't a big deal, but ISU should start by crafting an athletic mission statement with substance.

Mission Statement
https://goredbirds.com/sports/2014/4/10/GEN_mission.aspx

The Illinois State University Athletics Department is committed to academic and athletic excellence as it prepares today's student-athletes to become tomorrow's leaders.

Is the goal to just be competitive in the MVC or is the expectation to be competitive on the national level (primarily for Basketball and Football)? Right now I'd say we are competitive in the MVC and MVFC, but far from being relevant nationally in both sports. Is being in the top half of the MVC or MVFC considered good enough? What does excellence look like?

Setting some standards would be the first place to start.

Also, what are fundraising goals? We had the Redbird Renaissance under Zenger, why not outline what we need to succeed and start setting fundraising goals?

I was looking at Zenger's bio, in 4 years he increased memberships to the WSF by 65%. What can we do to get that type of growth again to the WSF?

 

[isuquinndog]

Redbirds Rising includes athletics. They are trying to raise $34 million.

http://www.weisbeckerscholarshipfund.com/?path=general