Quality of U of R athletics 2017-2018
- Thread starter UR80sfan
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Would be nice to have all sports, but clearly men’s lacrosse at UR has had way bigger crowds and publicity than soccer, and will continue to have for at least the foreseeable next 100 years.
We should have retained both. Losing Bobby is not like losing some guy who donates a $1,000 bucks a year. He is a kingpin in the Richmond area and whatever happened, obviously soured him enough that he wants to give his money and influence to support the Rams now.
In addition to Bobby's money, Bobby was extremely well respected and someone others turned to in many issues involving University of Richmond. When he spoke, he spoke with gravitas. He is a consensus builder and also was a big supporter of making UR hoops successful both financially and on the court. You don't think John Hardt wouldn't want someone like Bobby Ukrop in his corner when he is both raising money and advocating for our all of Spider athletics.
Instead his current biggest donor is tied at the proverbial n*tsack with his current biggest headache.
But I was told back at the announcement of the practice facility that Ukrops couldn't be well known in the Richmond area because he doesn't have campus buildings named after him.
That only Robins, Jepson. Weinstein, & Queally were known to Richmond area residents...
Losing Bobby Ukrop from the BoT was a terrific loss, at least from the outside looking in. How on earth do we think we will build local support without the name Ukrop on our product? Richmond may have changed in the 20 years since I have been away, but I am quite certain that the name still carries weight.
Can we get Mr. Publix on our BoT?
Can we get Mr. Publix on our BoT?
Jepson never donated to athletics. Weinstein gave the rec center, but not much else to athletics. Robins has put the athletic department (and the university as a whole) on the map with their generous donations, both almost 50 years ago and recently.
Queally, on the other hand, is pretty much the benefactor of the athletic department. He may be the father of lacrosse on campus, but his love affair with Mooney is dragging the whole department down. I don't know, but God I miss the Ukrops.
Queally, on the other hand, is pretty much the benefactor of the athletic department. He may be the father of lacrosse on campus, but his love affair with Mooney is dragging the whole department down. I don't know, but God I miss the Ukrops.
Not me. Bobby made his self-centered choice. He is a pretty minor player at this point.
Ulla, your ability to negate certain individuals worth follows a sadly predictable pattern. The moment that someone rejects UR they’re unworthy.
The Ukrop brothers are widely considered among the top ten most influential business people in Richmond in addition to having a variety of social and community efforts aimed at helping richmond grow.
Perhaps his decision was self-centered when he felt UR wasn’t forthcoming with the BoT about their athletic program intentions but to suggest he’s a minor player is factually inaccurate.
The Ukrop brothers are widely considered among the top ten most influential business people in Richmond in addition to having a variety of social and community efforts aimed at helping richmond grow.
Perhaps his decision was self-centered when he felt UR wasn’t forthcoming with the BoT about their athletic program intentions but to suggest he’s a minor player is factually inaccurate.
T, Bobby was in my graduating class at UR; I knew him and have met with both his wife and him. Both are nice people, But his perceived rejection of UR is very self centered. Moreover, I think it has been overblown by many including yourself on this board who do not know him.
The Ukrops are genuine. For years they have worked behind scenes for the betterment of the Richmond community and its residents. This has been done without fanfare and without the expectation of recognition. Their style is a 180 degree contrast to today's UR which many in the community view as a snobbish, phony, pretentious and superficial institution with more money than it has common sense.
Ulla, I haven’t overblown anything. I’ve made no comment on the relative importance of Ukrop or anything of the sort, in fact, I have absolutely no opinion on the matter. I’ve merely pointed out that your assessment that’s he’s a minor player in Richmond is not objectively accurate.
No no, T, never said that Bobby was a “minor player”. I am a minor player. Just pointed out that Bobby’s reaction to the soccer thing at UR was self centered, and his resources and contributions pale when compared to some other donors like Mr. Queally.
Ulla I would challenge your self centered comment. From comments I have heard and conversations I have had Bobby took a principled stand for the kids, yes you can argue it was his interest in soccer but I believe that is selling him short. My impression is our last two Presidents (not current) were more interested in changing the direction of the University than anything else, no matter who they hurt. Bobby did not like what he saw, and he was not alone.
Post 52 above says:
“He is a pretty minor player at this point.“
I’ll just leave it at that, this is a thoroughly ridiculous argument and as Broc said, way off topic.
Sorry, T. I apologize. But Bobby is a minor player by his own choice or more likely his spouse’s influence. That’s ok with me as UR has other more loyal benefactors. I too will leave it at that.
This post has taken some interesting turns, but returned to the initial subject that some sports are more important to the University than others. Lacrosse replacing track and soccer is an example and was supported by a lot of people, not just Paul.
I do not think we should be criticizing some of the University top supporters. Paul is one of the largest donors in the history of the University and probably over the past decade. He has done a tremendous amount to help U of R and we should appreciate the contribution he has made. Bobby is a great guy and it is unfortunate that the sport he supported was cancelled and also that he lost the naming rights to the stadium. I would be disappoint also if I was him. Ultimately the university needs to make decision that are in its best interest. It is hard to please all the people all the time.
I do not think we should be criticizing some of the University top supporters. Paul is one of the largest donors in the history of the University and probably over the past decade. He has done a tremendous amount to help U of R and we should appreciate the contribution he has made. Bobby is a great guy and it is unfortunate that the sport he supported was cancelled and also that he lost the naming rights to the stadium. I would be disappoint also if I was him. Ultimately the university needs to make decision that are in its best interest. It is hard to please all the people all the time.
I am a fan of the Ukrop family and goes back to HS days at George Wythe I believe to UR. I heard many stories of their generosity to employees of Ukrops and great support of many different charities and causes.
Bobby should always be placed in the upper echelon of support for UR.
This sounds like today's business philosophy of "not what you did for me yesterday, but what are you going to do for me today". Do we not hold Coach Tarrant, Bruce Heilman, Dave Clawson in high reverence? Why not Bobby Ukrop? I also did not like the discontinuance of Men's Soccer for I felt it was a make a deal with the devil. But it was the right decision in the long run and fit right in with our primary areas of student recruiting.
I will always cherish the Ukrops contribution to UR, but i am also grateful for current and future donors like Quelly even if I don't agree with his methodology.
