Getting Hurt in Recruiting

[ricohill]

Here is the video I think was brought up.

https://goredbirds.com/showcase/embed.aspx?Archive=4309&youtube=&autoplay=true&controls=true&title=

After watching this again. Did Larry lie when he said Redbirds Rising money would be used for the indoor facility? Sure seems like this wasn’t truthful.

 

[ricohill]

This makes no sense to me. Where did the Redbird Rising money go? Larry said in the video the number one priority is the indoor facility. No Redbird Rising money is being used to upgrade Redbird Arena. It also said money is being used to increase its season ticket base (we have gone the opposite direction). What happened to the $25 million (plus more since 2017) they have raised? It we raised over $25 million why do we not have something built by now?

https://goredbirds.com/story.aspx?filename=general-isu-athletics-announces-redbirds-rising-campaign-goal-and-initiatives&file_date=9/26/2017&path=general

"Contributing to the University's Redbirds Rising Campaign, Illinois State Athletics has set a $34 million fundraising goal to help the University achieve the overall goal of $150 million. Through the generous support of many donors, Illinois State Athletics has already surpassed $25 million in gifts and pledges. Donations can be made to the Weisbecker Scholarship Fund, facility improvements, endowed scholarships, sport-specific gifts, and more.

As part of Redbirds Rising, Illinois State Athletics will focus on three areas of improvement through their fundraising. Money raised through the campaign will help ISU Athletics build new and update current facilities, grow the existing ISU Athletics endowment, and increase the number of donors and season ticket holders involved in ISU Athletics. "

 

[redbirds2000]

The lack of an indoor facility is starting to have real consequences in recruiting. I know of a HS kid getting recruited by the Redbirds - in fact his family has season tickets. However, they have visited several MAC schools and now other MFVC schools. They noted this weekend that University of South Dakota is making a $30 Million investment into football facilities. That has left a BIG impression.

Normal West QB?

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[SteveO]

It is nice that SD has an indoor facility but then the recruit has to play in South Dakota. How many family and friends get to go to the games?

 

[JHBird]

This makes no sense to me. Where did the Redbird Rising money go? Larry said in the video the number one priority is the indoor facility. No Redbird Rising money is being used to upgrade Redbird Arena. It also said money is being used to increase its season ticket base (we have gone the opposite direction). What happened to the $25 million (plus more since 2017) they have raised? It we raised over $25 million why do we not have something built by now?

https://goredbirds.com/story.aspx?filename=general-isu-athletics-announces-redbirds-rising-campaign-goal-and-initiatives&file_date=9/26/2017&path=general

"Contributing to the University's Redbirds Rising Campaign, Illinois State Athletics has set a $34 million fundraising goal to help the University achieve the overall goal of $150 million. Through the generous support of many donors, Illinois State Athletics has already surpassed $25 million in gifts and pledges. Donations can be made to the Weisbecker Scholarship Fund, facility improvements, endowed scholarships, sport-specific gifts, and more.

As part of Redbirds Rising, Illinois State Athletics will focus on three areas of improvement through their fundraising. Money raised through the campaign will help ISU Athletics build new and update current facilities, grow the existing ISU Athletics endowment, and increase the number of donors and season ticket holders involved in ISU Athletics. "

I was confused by that as well. I was excited because I thought that meant we could now build that practice facility. However, that Redbird Rising program originally was for the school overall, and then Athletics decided to tag along by using the same name for their campaign. So Redbird Rising was broken into two parts, with most of that money going to non athletic type stuff. Larry Dietz actually explained that to me last fall, saying there was little money actually donated for an indoor facility ( maybe only 1.5 million or so). That's when he told me about maybe a cheaper alternative, like a bubble, etc. So it was depressing to hear that ...

 

[ricohill]

This makes no sense to me. Where did the Redbird Rising money go? Larry said in the video the number one priority is the indoor facility. No Redbird Rising money is being used to upgrade Redbird Arena. It also said money is being used to increase its season ticket base (we have gone the opposite direction). What happened to the $25 million (plus more since 2017) they have raised? It we raised over $25 million why do we not have something built by now?

https://goredbirds.com/story.aspx?filename=general-isu-athletics-announces-redbirds-rising-campaign-goal-and-initiatives&file_date=9/26/2017&path=general

"Contributing to the University's Redbirds Rising Campaign, Illinois State Athletics has set a $34 million fundraising goal to help the University achieve the overall goal of $150 million. Through the generous support of many donors, Illinois State Athletics has already surpassed $25 million in gifts and pledges. Donations can be made to the Weisbecker Scholarship Fund, facility improvements, endowed scholarships, sport-specific gifts, and more.

As part of Redbirds Rising, Illinois State Athletics will focus on three areas of improvement through their fundraising. Money raised through the campaign will help ISU Athletics build new and update current facilities, grow the existing ISU Athletics endowment, and increase the number of donors and season ticket holders involved in ISU Athletics. "

I was confused by that as well. I was excited because I thought that meant we could now build that practice facility. However, that Redbird Rising program originally was for the school overall, and then Athletics decided to tag along by using the same name for their campaign. So Redbird Rising was broken into two parts, with most of that money going to non athletic type stuff. Larry Dietz actually explained that to me last fall, saying there was little money actually donated for an indoor facility ( maybe only 1.5 million or so). That's when he told me about maybe a cheaper alternative, like a bubble, etc. So it was depressing to hear that ...

Just seems like poor communication to put the Redbirds Rising logo on the video and say it's one of the athletic priorities to use the money for it. I now wonder how much of the $25 million they raised comes from the golf facility money that was donated? It would be nice to at least know what is going on and where the money is going.

What will be really disappointing is if they could have had a bubble for a few years now and been hoping for the money to come in for a full indoor facility.

 

[fourthandshort]

I think their story changed because football attendance is down. I am pretty sure AD Lyons inferred the 150m campaign would also be used for indoor facility at some point. I found an old promo video but the link was removed.

 

[JHBird]

This makes no sense to me. Where did the Redbird Rising money go? Larry said in the video the number one priority is the indoor facility. No Redbird Rising money is being used to upgrade Redbird Arena. It also said money is being used to increase its season ticket base (we have gone the opposite direction). What happened to the $25 million (plus more since 2017) they have raised? It we raised over $25 million why do we not have something built by now?

https://goredbirds.com/story.aspx?filename=general-isu-athletics-announces-redbirds-rising-campaign-goal-and-initiatives&file_date=9/26/2017&path=general

"Contributing to the University's Redbirds Rising Campaign, Illinois State Athletics has set a $34 million fundraising goal to help the University achieve the overall goal of $150 million. Through the generous support of many donors, Illinois State Athletics has already surpassed $25 million in gifts and pledges. Donations can be made to the Weisbecker Scholarship Fund, facility improvements, endowed scholarships, sport-specific gifts, and more.

As part of Redbirds Rising, Illinois State Athletics will focus on three areas of improvement through their fundraising. Money raised through the campaign will help ISU Athletics build new and update current facilities, grow the existing ISU Athletics endowment, and increase the number of donors and season ticket holders involved in ISU Athletics. "

I was confused by that as well. I was excited because I thought that meant we could now build that practice facility. However, that Redbird Rising program originally was for the school overall, and then Athletics decided to tag along by using the same name for their campaign. So Redbird Rising was broken into two parts, with most of that money going to non athletic type stuff. Larry Dietz actually explained that to me last fall, saying there was little money actually donated for an indoor facility ( maybe only 1.5 million or so). That's when he told me about maybe a cheaper alternative, like a bubble, etc. So it was depressing to hear that ...

Just seems like poor communication to put the Redbirds Rising logo on the video and say it's one of the athletic priorities to use the money for it. I now wonder how much of the $25 million they raised comes from the golf facility money that was donated? It would be nice to at least know what is going on and where the money is going.

What will be really disappointing is if they could have had a bubble for a few years now and been hoping for the money to come in for a full indoor facility.

I don't think we will ever have a first class indoor practice facility. It's a shame too, because we need one. Personally I think they don't communicate much about it because it's embarrassing to them ... and it should be.

 

[ricohill]

I think their story changed because football attendance is down. I am pretty sure AD Lyons inferred the 150m campaign would also be used for indoor facility at some point. I found an old promo video but the link was removed.

Here is a link to the one video.

https://goredbirds.com/story.aspx?filename=general-isu-athletics-announces-redbirds-rising-campaign-goal-and-initiatives&file_date=9/26/2017&path=general

 

[fourthandshort]

Here is the video I think was brought up.

https://goredbirds.com/showcase/embed.aspx?Archive=4309&youtube=&autoplay=true&controls=true&title=

After watching this again. Did Larry lie when he said Redbirds Rising money would be used for the indoor facility? Sure seems like this wasn’t truthful.

thanks Rico ..... and 1000% yes !!! He explicitly said it is the #1 initiative and carried on and on about the importance of it. It was the first thing he mentioned as far as what the 150m campaign would do from athletics standpoint. There was even a realistic looking rendering with the Redbird logo placed on the building. He also said something separate about having raised 25m of 34m without clarifying if the 34m was part of the 150m ... but given context of promo video, why would that be something different. And why would the sports AD be doing a promo video on the 150m campaign, unless the indoor facility was 100% intended to be part of the 150m campaign.


#1 athletic priority per AD Larry Lyons own words on thid promo video .... #1 ... is Larry going to renege on this ??

He said #1 athletics priority ...... and we are 93% of the way towards the 150m. Larry .. do NOT let us down. Do NOT renege on this public commitment you made !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good find Rico !!!

 

[Virginia Redbird]

I think their story changed because football attendance is down. I am pretty sure AD Lyons inferred the 150m campaign would also be used for indoor facility at some point. I found an old promo video but the link was removed.

I would like to think that a change in focus would not be based on football attendance dropping some. If it has dropped, and I have no numbers, you need to invest to get attendance back up. Invest in the program to help recruit better players to make the team more competitive and win more games. Two back to back season without playoff football dampens the fan enthusiasm significantly. Not for the hardcore fans but the casual fan will likely not tramp out to Hancock to see a 6-5 team on a regular basis. You want the program to grow and develop more fan interest you have to willing to invest. It does not appear the the Athletic Department is all that willing.
The Athletic Department rode high on the National Title game years and those days are long since over. That was the time to really sink funds into the program to build on the wave of success. The big response since then has been a new turf field and black lines around the jersey numbers. Pretty impressive investment.
I would also think that if you say you are fund raising for something and later on it is discovered you used the money for something else...that would dampen current and future donations as there would be a trust issue.
Like it or not, recruiting in this current time is not just about good programs and a chance to play. The facilities race is full speed ahead because they are big factors in recruiting. It is almost ridiculous on the FBS level (until you factor in how much revenue is pulled in) but it is also looming large on the FCS landscape. Just look around the MVFC at the current and pending facilities. ISU is way, way behind in this area.

 

[ricohill]

I think their story changed because football attendance is down. I am pretty sure AD Lyons inferred the 150m campaign would also be used for indoor facility at some point. I found an old promo video but the link was removed.

I would like to think that a change in focus would not be based on football attendance dropping some. If it has dropped, and I have no numbers, you need to invest to get attendance back up. Invest in the program to help recruit better players to make the team more competitive and win more games. Two back to back season without playoff football dampens the fan enthusiasm significantly. Not for the hardcore fans but the casual fan will likely not tramp out to Hancock to see a 6-5 team on a regular basis. You want the program to grow and develop more fan interest you have to willing to invest. It does not appear the the Athletic Department is all that willing.
The Athletic Department rode high on the National Title game years and those days are long since over. That was the time to really sink funds into the program to build on the wave of success. The big response since then has been a new turf field and black lines around the jersey numbers. Pretty impressive investment.
I would also think that if you say you are fund raising for something and later on it is discovered you used the money for something else...that would dampen current and future donations as there would be a trust issue.
Like it or not, recruiting in this current time is not just about good programs and a chance to play. The facilities race is full speed ahead because they are big factors in recruiting. It is almost ridiculous on the FBS level (until you factor in how much revenue is pulled in) but it is also looming large on the FCS landscape. Just look around the MVFC at the current and pending facilities. ISU is way, way behind in this area.

I will admit I am a huge Spack fan. I think he has done a great job with what he is given to work with at ISU. What I wonder is how long he stays around and do we get into another Denver Johnson situation if Spack leaves? Spack said on WJBC that if they don't get an indoor facility within 2 years they will have no chance to recruit players capable of winning. Not a good sign when your head coach says your program is going to die if they don't get it soon.

I agree on the attendance. The average attendance dropped down 2,180 per game from 2017 to 2018. They really took advantage of the run to Frisco. Ticket prices got jacked up. I think they realize it is a huge issue. They dropped down season ticket prices in sections 101, 102, 106, 107, and 108 to $120 from $135. and all of the Horton side season tickets are $90 (from $135).

 

[RedbirdSoxFan]

I think their story changed because football attendance is down. I am pretty sure AD Lyons inferred the 150m campaign would also be used for indoor facility at some point. I found an old promo video but the link was removed.

I would like to think that a change in focus would not be based on football attendance dropping some. If it has dropped, and I have no numbers, you need to invest to get attendance back up. Invest in the program to help recruit better players to make the team more competitive and win more games. Two back to back season without playoff football dampens the fan enthusiasm significantly. Not for the hardcore fans but the casual fan will likely not tramp out to Hancock to see a 6-5 team on a regular basis. You want the program to grow and develop more fan interest you have to willing to invest. It does not appear the the Athletic Department is all that willing.
The Athletic Department rode high on the National Title game years and those days are long since over. That was the time to really sink funds into the program to build on the wave of success. The big response since then has been a new turf field and black lines around the jersey numbers. Pretty impressive investment.
I would also think that if you say you are fund raising for something and later on it is discovered you used the money for something else...that would dampen current and future donations as there would be a trust issue.
Like it or not, recruiting in this current time is not just about good programs and a chance to play. The facilities race is full speed ahead because they are big factors in recruiting. It is almost ridiculous on the FBS level (until you factor in how much revenue is pulled in) but it is also looming large on the FCS landscape. Just look around the MVFC at the current and pending facilities. ISU is way, way behind in this area.

I will admit I am a huge Spack fan. I think he has done a great job with what he is given to work with at ISU. What I wonder is how long he stays around and do we get into another Denver Johnson situation if Spack leaves? Spack said on WJBC that if they don't get an indoor facility within 2 years they will have no chance to recruit players capable of winning. Not a good sign when your head coach says your program is going to die if they don't get it soon.

I agree on the attendance. The average attendance dropped down 2,180 per game from 2017 to 2018. They really took advantage of the run to Frisco. Ticket prices got jacked up. I think they realize it is a huge issue. They dropped down season ticket prices in sections 101, 102, 106, 107, and 108 to $120 from $135. and all of the Horton side season tickets are $90 (from $135).

I personally think that Coach's Spack & Muller will bail as soon as a better offer comes along, and I would not blame either one of them. I think they both came to Illinois State University with a vision of taking the Football and Basketball programs to the next level. After eight years both Dietz & Lyons have shown zero desire to elevate Illinois State Football or Basketball. And Doug Elgin has done nothing to advance the Missouri Valley Conference forward.

If Doug Elgin, Larry Lyons, and Larry Dietz are not going to commit to moving this University & and the Missouri Valley Conference forward, than Both Dan and Brock should take any better offer that comes along.

I honestly believe that part of the failure of this Basketball season was due to Dan pushing this team too hard early on so that they would win the MVC Regular Season Championship, Win the MVC Tournament, and win a game or two in the NCAA Tournament and he would be offered a job at a P5 conference. By having Ndiaye, Fisher, Boyd, Hillsman, Copeland, Jefferson, Idowu, Chastain, and Bruninga, he would be leaving the program in fairly good shape. But that did not happen, as did the football team did not achieve what coach Spack thought that it would a couple years ago, so they are both stuck here with Dietz, Lyons, and Elgin.

 

[ricohill]

I would like to think that a change in focus would not be based on football attendance dropping some. If it has dropped, and I have no numbers, you need to invest to get attendance back up. Invest in the program to help recruit better players to make the team more competitive and win more games. Two back to back season without playoff football dampens the fan enthusiasm significantly. Not for the hardcore fans but the casual fan will likely not tramp out to Hancock to see a 6-5 team on a regular basis. You want the program to grow and develop more fan interest you have to willing to invest. It does not appear the the Athletic Department is all that willing.
The Athletic Department rode high on the National Title game years and those days are long since over. That was the time to really sink funds into the program to build on the wave of success. The big response since then has been a new turf field and black lines around the jersey numbers. Pretty impressive investment.
I would also think that if you say you are fund raising for something and later on it is discovered you used the money for something else...that would dampen current and future donations as there would be a trust issue.
Like it or not, recruiting in this current time is not just about good programs and a chance to play. The facilities race is full speed ahead because they are big factors in recruiting. It is almost ridiculous on the FBS level (until you factor in how much revenue is pulled in) but it is also looming large on the FCS landscape. Just look around the MVFC at the current and pending facilities. ISU is way, way behind in this area.

I will admit I am a huge Spack fan. I think he has done a great job with what he is given to work with at ISU. What I wonder is how long he stays around and do we get into another Denver Johnson situation if Spack leaves? Spack said on WJBC that if they don't get an indoor facility within 2 years they will have no chance to recruit players capable of winning. Not a good sign when your head coach says your program is going to die if they don't get it soon.

I agree on the attendance. The average attendance dropped down 2,180 per game from 2017 to 2018. They really took advantage of the run to Frisco. Ticket prices got jacked up. I think they realize it is a huge issue. They dropped down season ticket prices in sections 101, 102, 106, 107, and 108 to $120 from $135. and all of the Horton side season tickets are $90 (from $135).

I personally think that Coach's Spack & Muller will bail as soon as a better offer comes along, and I would not blame either one of them. I think they both came to Illinois State University with a vision of taking the Football and Basketball programs to the next level. After eight years both Dietz & Lyons have shown zero desire to elevate Illinois State Football or Basketball. And Doug Elgin has done nothing to advance the Missouri Valley Conference forward.

If Doug Elgin, Larry Lyons, and Larry Dietz are not going to commit to moving this University & and the Missouri Valley Conference forward, than Both Dan and Brock should take any better offer that comes along.

I honestly believe that part of the failure of this Basketball season was due to Dan pushing this team too hard early on so that they would win the MVC Regular Season Championship, Win the MVC Tournament, and win a game or two in the NCAA Tournament and he would be offered a job at a P5 conference. By having Ndiaye, Fisher, Boyd, Hillsman, Copeland, Jefferson, Idowu, Chastain, and Bruninga, he would be leaving the program in fairly good shape. But that did not happen, as did the football team did not achieve what coach Spack thought that it would a couple years ago, so they are both stuck here with Dietz, Lyons, and Elgin.

:text-+1: :text-+1: :text-+1: