Taking a devils advocate approach to this in light of the recent discussions on "Fire Mooney" threads, which seem to be popping up after each loss the past 2-3 years. But does UR administration really care about athletics? I get the feeling athletics is a distant 2nd or maybe 3rd on the list of importance to the University, when to the majority of schools - especially those in the power 5 conferences and probably the top mid-major/high major conferences - athletics, and the overall mission of the school are 1 and probably 1a in terms of importance to leadership. These schools see the value a successful athletics program can provide in terms of revenue, marketing, etc.
But I just think overall decisions the past few years to our athletics program as a whole show we are not very interested in having a top notch athletic program. Not saying they don't care, but I don't think its as important as we would like to think. Here are some decisions that I think highlight that.
1) AD Hire - previous ADs come from NC State and Duke, and then recently we make a move to Bucknell, a more academic minded school similar to UR and not the athletic type focus of a Duke or NC State.
2) Recruiting issues (facilities as well) - our football team was trending up the past few years, and then we loss Rocco to a rival conference opponent. And main reason being was difficult and restrictions placed on recruiting and lack of commitment from a facilities standpoint. Then we hear similar stories from Men's basketball assistants (one who is now at VCU) who have left and I have heard recruiting restrictions was a major factor in leaving.
3) Fire coaches? - do we ever fire coaches. Just look at Men's and Women's basketball lately - living in mediocrity for the past several years and no change made. I think in a program more focused on athletics - either coach would have been let go years ago, no matter what the cost was on their contract.
4) Reduction in sports - we take out Men's soccer and track to add Lacrosse. I think Lacrosse was a good addition, but we all know we could have just added Lacrosse and dealt with title IX issues down the road to add another women's sport. Main reason for not keeping the sports - money (again, when it is convenient - we act like we are poor school) or because too many student-athletes will hurt our overall academic profile (even though in many of these secondary sports, the kids come to play with limited scholarships and their team GPA's are on par or better than median GPA of general population
5) President - the president sets the tone for the University. They dont need to be sports crazed, but there needs to be an interest and presence their. I am not defending Cooper's words from years past, but I remember the guy being very involved in sports and was at almost every men's basketball game and football game. Then we moved to Ayers, who was less involved and now to Crutcher who is a musician from DIII school smaller than UR. I hardly every see Crutcher around at sporting events except for maybe the obligatory 1-2 games a year.
Just seems to me UR doesn't care about athletics all that much. We put on the show or dance that looks like we care at times, but overall - I just think based on these recent moves and decisions made - it is not the focus of the school and they are less concerned with winning in the big time sports on campus, and more concerned with overall school rankings. When really - these two can work together.
But I just think overall decisions the past few years to our athletics program as a whole show we are not very interested in having a top notch athletic program. Not saying they don't care, but I don't think its as important as we would like to think. Here are some decisions that I think highlight that.
1) AD Hire - previous ADs come from NC State and Duke, and then recently we make a move to Bucknell, a more academic minded school similar to UR and not the athletic type focus of a Duke or NC State.
2) Recruiting issues (facilities as well) - our football team was trending up the past few years, and then we loss Rocco to a rival conference opponent. And main reason being was difficult and restrictions placed on recruiting and lack of commitment from a facilities standpoint. Then we hear similar stories from Men's basketball assistants (one who is now at VCU) who have left and I have heard recruiting restrictions was a major factor in leaving.
3) Fire coaches? - do we ever fire coaches. Just look at Men's and Women's basketball lately - living in mediocrity for the past several years and no change made. I think in a program more focused on athletics - either coach would have been let go years ago, no matter what the cost was on their contract.
4) Reduction in sports - we take out Men's soccer and track to add Lacrosse. I think Lacrosse was a good addition, but we all know we could have just added Lacrosse and dealt with title IX issues down the road to add another women's sport. Main reason for not keeping the sports - money (again, when it is convenient - we act like we are poor school) or because too many student-athletes will hurt our overall academic profile (even though in many of these secondary sports, the kids come to play with limited scholarships and their team GPA's are on par or better than median GPA of general population
5) President - the president sets the tone for the University. They dont need to be sports crazed, but there needs to be an interest and presence their. I am not defending Cooper's words from years past, but I remember the guy being very involved in sports and was at almost every men's basketball game and football game. Then we moved to Ayers, who was less involved and now to Crutcher who is a musician from DIII school smaller than UR. I hardly every see Crutcher around at sporting events except for maybe the obligatory 1-2 games a year.
Just seems to me UR doesn't care about athletics all that much. We put on the show or dance that looks like we care at times, but overall - I just think based on these recent moves and decisions made - it is not the focus of the school and they are less concerned with winning in the big time sports on campus, and more concerned with overall school rankings. When really - these two can work together.