Duer Sharp's Incompetence As Commissioner Is Reason For SWAC's Downfall


MightyDog said:
It appears you have studied leadership training just as many others, but you say "If the job isn't getting done, then he's gotta go." Please understand the Department of Athletics is not close to being in the top 3 priorities of any SWAC school. It might be to many alums, but not the Presidents. However, athletics is so important to the Alumni, the Presidents find a way to keep it for the alums. Every President or AD I have talk with will give you factual information.
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True......
 
Well the Presidents are stupid, Athletics brings money and we know at HBCU's money is scare. They need to be held accountable.
 
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lilrj1919 said:
Well the Presidents are stupid, Athletics brings money and we know at HBCU's money is scare. They need to be held accountable.
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True. For anyone to say that athletics is not among a SWAC president's top three priorities is shortsighted indeed. Any president that feels that way should be fired immediately.
 
Yup... It wasn't in Grambling's top three and you see what happened. Now, a student fee has passed and overall fundraising has increased all because of athletics.
 
MightyDog said:
It appears you have studied leadership training just as many others, but you say "If the job isn't getting done, then he's gotta go." Please understand the Department of Athletics is not close to being in the top 3 priorities of any SWAC school. It might be to many alums, but not the Presidents. However, athletics is so important to the Alumni, the Presidents find a way to keep it for the alums. Every President or AD I have talk with will give you factual information.
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OK, you know you just agreed with what I was saying, right?
 
lilrj1919 said:
Well the Presidents are stupid, Athletics brings money and we know at HBCU's money is scare. They need to be held accountable.
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GRAM4LIFE said:
Yup... It wasn't in Grambling's top three and you see what happened. Now, a student fee has passed and overall fundraising has increased all because of athletics.
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If we are depending on athletics for money then we are screwed big time. Fan bases are shrinking, attendance is shrinking and talent is declining. The Presidents' job is to ensure that the schools maintain a nurturing academic environment for continued growth. Most just remain on eggshells about athletics because of alumni. Dr. Mason ruffled feathers in 2003 when he said JSU Football and Bell weren't really amongst his concerns. I think the SWAC presidents have learned from that.
 
MightyDog said:
I am for raising the conference fee and no school be exempt under any conditions. Would it help to give the status of each school in the SWAC? The SWAC is Ten schools and no one person or school can demand anything. I strongly believe, if the Director of Alumni Affairs of all SWAC Schools were sent a status report of the SWAC many questions will be answered. The report should also include minutes of SWAC meeting for any interested alum to read. I can promise you one thing and that is you will be surprise of what you did not know.
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Continue to educate the masses MD. Folks not in the know with their own schools often speculate what is going on.
 
SUJagFan said:
True. For anyone to say that athletics is not among a SWAC president's top three priorities is shortsighted indeed. Any president that feels that way should be fired immediately.
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I've sat with presidents and administrators in board rooms. Many will not say it in public but behind closed doors (if you can get there with them) they will tell you athletics is a liability. This is the way that many administrators feel (like it not). Unfortunately, MD knew exactly what he was talking about and exposed something that many aren't privy to.
 
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JROCK said:
I've sat with presidents and administrators in board rooms. Many will not say it in public but behind closed doors (if you can get there with them) they will tell you athletics is a liability. This is the way that many administrators feel (like it not). Unfortunately, MD new exactly what he was talking about and exposed something that many aren't privy to.
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Which is why moving up not down may be the answer for some.
 
LS Syndicate said:
If we are depending on athletics for money then we are screwed big time. Fan bases are shrinking, attendance is shrinking and talent is declining. The Presidents' job is to ensure that the schools maintain a nurturing academic environment for continued growth. Most just remain on eggshells about athletics because of alumni. Dr. Mason ruffled feathers in 2003 when he said JSU Football and Bell weren't really amongst his concerns. I think the SWAC presidents have learned from that.
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I don't believe that anyone should depend on athletics for money. I do believe that successful athletic programs increases enrollment and fundraising.
 
LS Syndicate said:
Dr. Mason ruffled feathers in 2003 when he said JSU Football and Bell weren't really amongst his concerns. I think the SWAC presidents have learned from that.
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Right. He said it was less than 1% of his budget but Presidents on ALL levels also know that it's 90% of the marketing for the school and alumni support so the return on investment is great in other areas!
 



Tigerpride said:
Right. He said it was less than 1% of his budget but Presidents on ALL levels also know that it's 90% of the marketing for the school and alumni support so the return on investment is great in other areas!
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I agree that athletics have a positive impact in other areas such as enrollment and alumni support. The Presidents HBCU(s) (along with the fund raising wings of our schools) are failing miserably at fund raising (see endowment numbers).
 
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2013 top ten endowments are (Return on Investment in Parentheses):

1. Howard University
$513 667 (11.5%)

2. Spelman College
$327 171 (5.8%)

3. Hampton University
$254 103 (9.3%)

4. Meharry Medical College
$124 965 (11.1%)

5. Florida A&M University
$115 281 (7.0%)

6. Tennessee State University
$42 970 (13.4%)

7. Texas Southern University
$42 179 (11.1%)

8. Virginia State University
$38 192 (15.3%)

9. North Carolina A&T State University
$32, 959 (17.5%)

10. Winston*-Salem State University
$29 543 (13.8%)

http://hbcudigest.com/howard-tops-list-of-hbcu-endowments/

NACUBO compiled list:

http://www.nacubo.org/Documents/EndowmentFiles/2013NCSEEndowmentMarket ValuesRevisedFeb142014.pdf
 
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Before AAMU joined the SWAC, we developed goals and objectives that would allow us to compete for championships. Our goal was to win 10 SWAC Football Championships. Then, we had to come up with a plan to get supporters, money, coach and players. We looked at programs within the SWAC and it was obvious to us who we had to beat to win championships. There was no shame in our game, if we wanted to be the best in the SWAC. Some of us know some schools provided off campus apartments for student athletes. We couldn't complete with that unless we did the same. Therefore, all the legal things others were doing, we had to do the same. We put the program in place and if you followed our program, some folks were successful in destroying our plan. With a sense of humor, I said that if we wanted to get back at the level we were a few years ago, we had to get the right people in place. I also said last year that our new plan was complete. We feel AJ left us with a sound program and now winning is our goal. We have people committed to wininng and all we have to do is watch out for those who do not like athletics. People have the right to like and dislike anything and sometimes they win, but the losers on either side will never quit, so whatever we believe in or the side you choose, you must be able to support your way of thinking. Every schools would like to participate at the highest level possible, but until everyone is working toward the same goal, it is not going to happen. I urge everyone to do whatever it takes to make your school better. Often times we have great ideas, but never attend the meetings to express them. But what I have learned over the years is I think I have the best ideas until someone starts talking (smile). Some people will say it is not about money, but money help implement great ideas. When you buy athletic equipment the cost is the same for all college athletes.
 
JROCK said:
I've sat with presidents and administrators in board rooms. Many will not say it in public but behind closed doors (if you can get there with them) they will tell you athletics is a liability. This is the way that many administrators feel (like it not). Unfortunately, MD knew exactly what he was talking about and exposed something that many aren't privy to.
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Particular at HBCU's, since most probably only have one sport (football) that generates any type of revenue.
 
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LS Syndicate said:
If we are depending on athletics for money then we are screwed big time. Fan bases are shrinking, attendance is shrinking and talent is declining. The Presidents' job is to ensure that the schools maintain a nurturing academic environment for continued growth. Most just remain on eggshells about athletics because of alumni. Dr. Mason ruffled feathers in 2003 when he said JSU Football and Bell weren't really amongst his concerns. I think the SWAC presidents have learned from that.
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Didn't say to rely on only athletics but if neither of our institutions didn't have athletics we would be in a worse situation than HBCU's already are.
 
lilrj1919 said:
Didn't say to rely on only athletics but if neither of our institutions didn't have athletics we would be in a worse situation than HBCU's already are.
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From a morale standpoint, I agree. But from a financial standpoint, D-1 Football is a huge financial burden to undertake.
 
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