"Indoor Facility ... #1 priority" ... AD Larry Lyons

[Virginia Redbird]

As someone that lives and dies with ISU basketball and football, what shocks me more is there is a perception they lied and Larry never set the record straight. It’s almost as if they were hoping people would forget they donated. I know the athletic department reads the board and Larry knows people are upset they got their money taken, so why has he not said in public what is going on? I’d want to know where my money is going before I donate or talk with someone about donating again.

If there was some legitimate reason he said the IPF was the priority and they hit their goal with donations but did not move on the IPF, I have to believe he would make a statement to clear the cloud over this. With no statement at all...the only impression I can come away with is it was an intentional and deliberate plan to get contributions while misleading donors. It is amazing to me there has been no comment at all about this from the Athletic Department. Dissapointing.

 

[Total Red]

As someone that lives and dies with ISU basketball and football, what shocks me more is there is a perception they lied and Larry never set the record straight. It’s almost as if they were hoping people would forget they donated. I know the athletic department reads the board and Larry knows people are upset they got their money taken, so why has he not said in public what is going on? I’d want to know where my money is going before I donate or talk with someone about donating again.

If there was some legitimate reason he said the IPF was the priority and they hit their goal with donations but did not move on the IPF, I have to believe he would make a statement to clear the cloud over this. With no statement at all...the only impression I can come away with is it was an intentional and deliberate plan to get contributions while misleading donors. It is amazing to me there has been no comment at all about this from the Athletic Department. Disappointing.

I guess we need to review some of the basics regarding the Redbirds Rising campaign. It encompassed the entire university. It was never just an athletic dept. fundraiser. I was told that the an IPF was a the top priority within the athletic dept. and I made a specific donation towards the IPF. The process has begun but clearly not enough donations have been directed towards the IPF to proceed. I assume that the project is still very much alive and it will be undertaken at some point. A possible design was released to the public but in the Redbird Rising video from P. 1 of this thread we are told by the AD the new IPF could come in a variety of shapes and sizes with an assortment of features. Obviously it all depends on how much is donated and how soon which is an ongoing process. I'm sure that we like to build up enough funding for a really nice IPF but every season that goes by without an IPF represents another group of ISU athletes that have to pursue their sport without a proper indoor training facility. Because of that I'm sure some scaled back versions have been considered.
So that's my understanding of the situation. It was and is the #1 athletics building priority as stated by Larry Lyons. A design will be chosen and work will begin when the funding is in place. That's a variable that WE help control.
I'm content with that process and I don't have any questions at this time. If you aren't content with the process and you do have questions you have choices.
You can attack the athletic leadership with posts full of misconceptions and insults or you could educate yourself by contacting Sean Johnson and/or Chris Highland to discuss the status of the project. Sean and Chris are good guys with the same dreams of blowing the lid off of the potential of Illinois State University Athletics that we possess. If you're sincere about moving this IPF thing forward then contact them and let them know that you are willing to help.

 

[Virginia Redbird]

As someone that lives and dies with ISU basketball and football, what shocks me more is there is a perception they lied and Larry never set the record straight. It’s almost as if they were hoping people would forget they donated. I know the athletic department reads the board and Larry knows people are upset they got their money taken, so why has he not said in public what is going on? I’d want to know where my money is going before I donate or talk with someone about donating again.

If there was some legitimate reason he said the IPF was the priority and they hit their goal with donations but did not move on the IPF, I have to believe he would make a statement to clear the cloud over this. With no statement at all...the only impression I can come away with is it was an intentional and deliberate plan to get contributions while misleading donors. It is amazing to me there has been no comment at all about this from the Athletic Department. Disappointing.

I guess we need to review some of the basics regarding the Redbirds Rising campaign. It encompassed the entire university. It was never just an athletic dept. fundraiser. I was told that the an IPF was a the top priority within the athletic dept. and I made a specific donation towards the IPF. The process has begun but clearly not enough donations have been directed towards the IPF to proceed. I assume that the project is still very much alive and it will be undertaken at some point. A possible design was released to the public but in the Redbird Rising video from P. 1 of this thread we are told by the AD the new IPF could come in a variety of shapes and sizes with an assortment of features. Obviously it all depends on how much is donated and how soon which is an ongoing process. I'm sure that we like to build up enough funding for a really nice IPF but every season that goes by without an IPF represents another group of ISU athletes that have to pursue their sport without a proper indoor training facility. Because of that I'm sure some scaled back versions have been considered.
So that's my understanding of the situation. It was and is the #1 athletics building priority as stated by Larry Lyons. A design will be chosen and work will begin when the funding is in place. That's a variable that WE help control.
I'm content with that process and I don't have any questions at this time. If you aren't content with the process and you do have questions you have choices.
You can attack the athletic leadership with posts full of misconceptions and insults or you could educate yourself by contacting Sean Johnson and/or Chris Highland to discuss the status of the project. Sean and Chris are good guys with the same dreams of blowing the lid off of the potential of Illinois State University Athletics that we possess. If you're sincere about moving this IPF thing forward then contact them and let them know that you are willing to help.

Good post and good info TR, thanks. The question still stands though, why no comment from the Athletic Department? One poster stated they read this board. If there is some misunderstanding why don't they clear it up? I understand your suggestion to contact Sean and Chris but very frankly it is their job to get information out and court donors for ISU athletics. This is what the Athletic Department employees get salaries for. To suggest it is the donor's responsibility to pursue this information and run it to the ground does not resonate with me. It is the Athletic Department's responsibility to get the information out, recruit donors, market ISU sports and promote the University through its athletic program. If they want me or any other ISU fan to open their checkbook then it is their responsibility to encourage us to do that.

 

[Total Red]

Good post and good info TR, thanks. The question still stands though, why no comment from the Athletic Department? One poster stated they read this board. If there is some misunderstanding why don't they clear it up? I understand your suggestion to contact Sean and Chris but very frankly it is their job to get information out and court donors for ISU athletics. This is what the Athletic Department employees get salaries for. To suggest it is the donor's responsibility to pursue this information and run it to the ground does not resonate with me. It is the Athletic Department's responsibility to get the information out, recruit donors, market ISU sports and promote the University through its athletic program. If they want me or any other ISU fan to open their checkbook then it is their responsibility to encourage us to do that.

Fair enough, I accept that more could be done to update the status of the project. I do know that for most donation campaigns they are reluctant to rush out with bad news. It doesn't help a project to let everyone know that not much has been raised and we're still a long way from the goal. At that point some people would just throw in the towel and refuse to give thinking it's a lost cause but I also believe that being open and forthright is the right thing to do.
I did see a story recently where the Salvation Army said it was behind on donations but that's a seasonal thing. Potential donors know that the work of the Salvation Army will go forward. It is only the quality and depth of the work that could be affected. It's a little different than a Capital Bldg project possibly being scrapped altogether.
Again I think the IPF project will be undertaken at some point but it remains to be seen if what we finally end up with can really be looked upon as a source of pride. That's up to us.

Also I meant to include this in the last post. I don't think the university gets very many donations to "Redbirds Rising" to be used however they wish. Most donations are earmarked for a specific purpose and many more dollars are raised for the various colleges and directed towards academics rather than athletics. Seeing as this is first and foremost an academic institution I'm ok with that and I assume most other posters are as well. But it does mean that you can exceed the overall 150 million goal of the campaign without coming close to the dollars needed for a new IPF. Even the dollars that were directed towards athletics are often needed to maintain existing programs and structures. It's when you go above and beyond normal giving that you can embark on something new and special.

 

[fourthandshort]

[*]

Just got an email solicitation from Chris Highland for help finding for IPF. In the email he has quote from AD Larry Lyons explaining how important an IPF is to the future of our sports teams year round training efforts. I'm thinking I've heard this before somewhere... just can't quite place it .... oh wait .. it was the nearly the exact same thing he said in the Redbird Rising promotional video when he he said it was the #1 sports initiative once they reached the 150m ... which they did.

So what am I to think now about contributing ??????

How much of the 150 million plus that was contributed to the Redbirds Rising campaign was directed towards the IPF?

no idea .. but that would be very good information for them to have offered up, along with an explanation why they reneged on his public commitment. If I do donate this time, I will first ask for an explanation of sorts.

It is all about trust .. and now the lack of that trust for anybody that paid attention to what transpired. The commitment just went by the wayside without directly addressing that they went back on what seemed like clear commitment .. the only condition seemed to be the reaching the 150m total .. what changed and why ???

 

[Total Red]

It is all about trust .. and now the lack of that trust for anybody that paid attention to what transpired. The commitment just went by the wayside without directly addressing that they went back on what seemed like clear commitment .. the only condition seemed to be the reaching the 150m total .. what changed and why ???

Fourth I've read thousands of your posts and I have had you booked as an intelligent and fair-minded person but now you're not paying attn to what Larry actually said and what has already been explained to you in this thread and others on Redbirdfan.net.

Larry never said we would have a new IPF if the university raised $150 million or more through Redbirds Rising. Again, Redbirds Rising is a campaign for the entire university including all areas academic and athletic. It was hoped that within that campaign the Dept. of Athletics would receive donations directed towards a new IPF. Some money was donated but not enough. If someone donates millions of dollars towards a new Fine Arts bldg. that counts towards the Redbirds Rising total but it doesn't do a thing to help build an IPF.
IF THE DOLLARS ARE DONATED TOWARDS THE IPF IT WILL BE BUILT AS PROMISED. If you're still confused about this talk to Sean and Chris and they'll explain it to you. Again.

 

[StLRedbird]

So that's my understanding of the situation. It was and is the #1 athletics building priority as stated by Larry Lyons.

Then how was the renovation of the lower bowl at RA conceived, funded, and executed, all while the IPF was the #1 priority? Tilt.

 

[Total Red]

Then how was the renovation of the lower bowl at RA conceived, funded, and executed, all while the IPF was the #1 priority? Tilt.

Apples and Oranges. One is a Capital Improvement project while the other is a new Capital Building project. That may not sound like a major distinction but it is when it comes to funding and approval. With RA the seats were falling apart and the company that made the seats was no longer suppling parts. So a seat replacement plan and ADA compliance was installed along with lighting improvements and other enhancements. Auxiliary Facility Reserve Funds are available for existing structures and if you get approval from the Board of Trustees, which they did, you're good to go.
A new Capital Bldg project is totally different. Larry Lyons has said that there won't be any public funds available. It will have to be entirely private funding. Every time you build a new building you take on building and maintenance costs so this won't get the green light until the private money is located to build it and that's the responsible way to do it.

 

[StLRedbird]

Then how was the renovation of the lower bowl at RA conceived, funded, and executed, all while the IPF was the #1 priority? Tilt.

Apples and Oranges. One is a Capital Improvement project while the other is a new Capital Building project. That may not sound like a major distinction but it is when it comes to funding and approval. With RA the seats were falling apart and the company that made the seats was no longer suppling parts. So a seat replacement plan and ADA compliance was installed along with lighting improvements and other enhancements. Auxiliary Facility Reserve Funds are available for existing structures and if you get approval from the Board of Trustees, which they did, you're good to go.
A new Capital Bldg project is totally different. Larry Lyons has said that there won't be any public funds available. It will have to be entirely private funding. Every time you build a new building you take on building and maintenance costs so this won't get the green light until the private money is located to build it and that's the responsible way to do it.

I've been accused of lacking an adequate appreciation of the fine work that the accounting dept does for my company. So I guess it's no surprise I'm blind to it at ISU. I'll quit my bitching about those cushy seats. And thanks for the education, btw.

 

[Virginia Redbird]

Then how was the renovation of the lower bowl at RA conceived, funded, and executed, all while the IPF was the #1 priority? Tilt.

Apples and Oranges. One is a Capital Improvement project while the other is a new Capital Building project. That may not sound like a major distinction but it is when it comes to funding and approval. With RA the seats were falling apart and the company that made the seats was no longer suppling parts. So a seat replacement plan and ADA compliance was installed along with lighting improvements and other enhancements. Auxiliary Facility Reserve Funds are available for existing structures and if you get approval from the Board of Trustees, which they did, you're good to go.
A new Capital Bldg project is totally different. Larry Lyons has said that there won't be any public funds available. It will have to be entirely private funding. Every time you build a new building you take on building and maintenance costs so this won't get the green light until the private money is located to build it and that's the responsible way to do it.

Thanks for the details and distinctions of all the different factors TR. It all makes sense and answers some questions. My apologies to the Athletic Dept. if I misunderstood but it was not very clear how this all worked. The Athletic Department and AD need much better communication. I got more info and better explained than anything I have seen through official ISU sources.

 

[Birdswin]

I would say this has been a healthy discussion. As for Redbirds Rising campaign, the last breakdown I saw, almost all money given is designated - there is very little given that is undesignated. Also, there is a place to designate for facilities - that was too very small. I want to say, it was at the Legacy Breakfast in the Bone Student Center Ballroom where they had a pie chart breaking down the giving of $162 million. The overwhelming majority is designated for specific items, such as College of Business, various scholarship endowments, and so on. Like the $12 million donation for the Art program, and so on.

As for the Athletic Department - they should be trumpeting the IPF project and fund-raising. However, most of what I see and hear is crickets on the project. You have to let people know the status - plain and simple - good or bad. There should be an update in every WSF newsletter and it should not be the last thing either.

 

[MadBird]

Every now and then I like to post a reminder about the currently "untapped" (as far as I can tell) potential of this alum:

https://moneyinc.com/progressive-insurance-ceo-tricia-griffith/

If we had a nickel for every Flo commercial, we'd have the Progressive Insurance Athletic Facility up and standing already!!

 

[topiarydan]

Wouldn't that be ironic - Progressive Field in the backyard of Country Mutual and State Farm

 

[isuquinndog]

Wouldn't that be ironic - Progressive Field in the backyard of Country Mutual and State Farm

Well SF already has an arena down 74 and naming buildings doesn't seem to be in country's M.O.

 

[MadBird]

Wouldn't that be ironic - Progressive Field in the backyard of Country Mutual and State Farm

Well SF already has an arena down 74 and naming buildings doesn't seem to be in country's M.O.

A comment was made at some earlier point on a thread (might be this one) if "mining" Progressive might piss off State Farm and chill any other donations or partnerships ISU has with them. And I would say, I hope not, offer SF and Country Mutual the opportunity and then if they're not interested, ask others, including Progressive.

There'd also be the option of getting our alum to make the donation "personally" and it could be the Tricia Griffith Athletic Facility (and Business School Study Hall! ).

 

[MadBird]

Wouldn't that be ironic - Progressive Field in the backyard of Country Mutual and State Farm

Well SF already has an arena down 74 and naming buildings doesn't seem to be in country's M.O.

A comment was made at some earlier point on a thread (might be this one) if "mining" Progressive might piss off State Farm and chill any other donations or partnerships ISU has with them. And I would say, I hope not, offer SF and Country Mutual the opportunity and then if they're not interested, ask others, including Progressive.

There'd also be the option of getting our alum to make the donation "personally" and it could be the Tricia Griffith Athletic Facility (and Business School Study Hall! ).

 

[fourthandshort]

Then how was the renovation of the lower bowl at RA conceived, funded, and executed, all while the IPF was the #1 priority? Tilt.

Apples and Oranges. One is a Capital Improvement project while the other is a new Capital Building project. That may not sound like a major distinction but it is when it comes to funding and approval. With RA the seats were falling apart and the company that made the seats was no longer suppling parts. So a seat replacement plan and ADA compliance was installed along with lighting improvements and other enhancements. Auxiliary Facility Reserve Funds are available for existing structures and if you get approval from the Board of Trustees, which they did, you're good to go.
A new Capital Bldg project is totally different. Larry Lyons has said that there won't be any public funds available. It will have to be entirely private funding. Every time you build a new building you take on building and maintenance costs so this won't get the green light until the private money is located to build it and that's the responsible way to do it.

Ive possibly lost track of previous exchanges here ... not terribly surprising to me, my memory is usually pretty good, but a lot has been said on this topic.

But bottom line for me, that is not how he presented it in the Redbird Rising Promo video ... he said it was the #1 priority .. no nuance, no other conditions, just needed to reach 150m overall. If he had said same thing in some off the cuff interview with Pantagraph, it would be different .. but he said it in the promo video designed to raise more money.

So if all or some donations come with specific projects designated, how much of the 150m will go towards the IPF, and will they release that #. People donated based on the promo video commitment, but possibly didn't know or think to earmark their donation.

So it would be nice (and transparent) to know following .... Did they keep track of donation $ earmarked for IPF via Redbird Rising ? And how much of the 150m was donated without specific earmarks will go towards the IPF .. certainly some donations were made with understanding their donation would be "spread" across variety of the priorities communicated.

Or if the IPF gets zero from Redbird Rising, they should say as much. Where's the transparency for the athletic departments #1 priority ??

p.s. it is also worth noting, that students will benefit from an IPF too as this will free up Horton for more student athletic events, not to mention possibly community events.

 

[isuquinndog]

I mean when you donated, it asked you were you wanted your donation to go, at least online.

 

[isuquinndog]

In fact, you can still donate at https://giving.illinoisstate.edu/campaign/ and you can select the IPF as where you want your donation to go.

https://giving.illinoisstate.edu/fund/indoor-practice-facility-fund/ for a direct link

 

[fourthandshort]

I'm just now realizing I got way behind on this thread's posts, including this current page and some prior. I'll spend some time reviewing whole thread again .. I was engaged at times, but definitely not throughout entire thread. I posted today before i realized there were many more new posts than I haad thought. Not to mention sometimes I just quickly scan posts.