Next Atlantic 10 Commissioner

[share the ball]

I've seen Ed's name thrown around a few times. I don't know how I'd feel about it.

Ed's not been successful at the most important thing that faces VCU Athletics - Fund raising - majority of all projects were to be funded with fund-raising but while the projects get done, the ultimate source of funds is primarily taxing students with increasing student fees to use for the projects

Ed has done most of the other things real well - IMO

now the million dollar question is could we find someone to be AD that can raise $100 to $200 million or is that a mountain too high for VCU-
no debating that to date raising money for VCU Athletics is a real real real real heavy lift - the majority of fundraisers hired for athletics run for the hills (new job) in less than 2 years - that maybe indicative that the mountain is too high

sort of a roundabout way to say, I think Ed would jump at the opportuntiy to be a10 commish and make $1million + a year and honestly would bring new energy and yes he would need to learn on the run for some aspects of the job

good luck Ed

 

[Thirstin4Burston]

New Mexico, Nevada, Grand Canyon and UNLV are the four remaining schools that are anyway decent most years

Good point about exiting schools that I forgot. Still, New Mexico, Nevada, Grand Canyon and UNLV vs St. Louis, Dayton, VCU, and George Mason would make a great, year-in year-out series.

In fact, I'd love to see an 8 team, early season tournament with those 8 teams where all teams got at least 2 games out of it...

 

[Thirstin4Burston]

now the million dollar question is could we find someone to be AD that can raise $100 to $200 million or is that a mountain too high for VCU-

Doesn't an ask like this only get achieved by having a few super successful, wealthy alumni? IU football got turned around basically by Mark Cuban as far as I can tell...

 

[valley ram]

Yup. It might still be worth doing an A-10/MW challenge since some decent schools will be left in that conference, but once you get past the top 4, the bottom is pretty bad. It'd be great to get New Mexico or Grand Canyon, but playing Air Force wouldn't exactly move the needle much.

Now, maybe if the new commissioner could secure, say, an A-10/Pac-12 challenge, that would be a major coup. I could see the new Pac-12 going for it since they'll want to establish some legitimacy.

Will, a match up with the new PAC-8 would be great however I don’t see a reality where Gonzaga and San Diego State want any part of this. They don’t need to play us for legitimacy.

SD State wasn’t happy when the MW/A-10 was originally announced.

 

[Mercury]

An A-10/MWC(P12) challenge seems unlikely to happen and shouldn't be anything expected of a new commissioner. The MWC/P12 teams probably see little need for a challenge.

 

[share the ball]

Doesn't an ask like this only get achieved by having a few super successful, wealthy alumni? IU football got turned around basically by Mark Cuban as far as I can tell...

didn't richmond area just complete a fund raising for expansion of VMFA for about $150 million ?-

money is in the community with corporations and their leaders as well as in the state/region and with alumni too - just got to build the relationships and unfortunately between the President, AD and fund raisers at VCU Athletics the success in doing such has not been there to date but that is what needs to be done. (and like I said It is a real real real heavy lift but our future success depends upon it)

curiousity question does President Rao and family go to the basketball games and schmooze donors or potential donors

Get the legislators and staff in session at the General Assembly to attend games in those front row seats

 

[VCU Finance 2008]

curiousity question does President Rao and family go to the basketball games and schmooze donors or potential donors

I don't know if he is at every one but the short answer is yes. I have seen him and his son at several home games and tournaments.

 

[WillWeaverRVA]

curiousity question does President Rao and family go to the basketball games and schmooze donors or potential donors

Get the legislators and staff in session at the General Assembly to attend games in those front row seats

Yes, I've seen Rao at quite a few games.

Terry McAuliffe and his wife attended a few games when he was governor. I think Glenn Youngkin went to some as well.

 

[rams3fan]

I was driving to the St Joe's game with my friends. One friend said that she thinks Ed will be the new A10 commissioner. It came out of nowhere and everyone in the car was flummoxed by her random thought. Ha!

She is/was the smartest person in the car, just for reference.

 

[Bluey]

She is/was the smartest person in the car, just for reference.

I think intelligence is less important than being connected in this case…of course, smart and connected is a mighty combination.

 

[Ramaholic]

didn't richmond area just complete a fund raising for expansion of VMFA for about $150 million ?-

money is in the community with corporations and their leaders as well as in the state/region and with alumni too - just got to build the relationships and unfortunately between the President, AD and fund raisers at VCU Athletics the success in doing such has not been there to date but that is what needs to be done. (and like I said It is a real real real heavy lift but our future success depends upon it)

curiousity question does President Rao and family go to the basketball games and schmooze donors or potential donors

Get the legislators and staff in session at the General Assembly to attend games in those front row seats

I think we are very successful at fundraising and generating revenue for a mid major at the top of the A10. I would imagine we are in the top 5% of mid majors in generating revenue. Sure it can get better. The problem is we want to spend like a major. Even programs with a Queally/ Robins (fUR), Wichita (Koch), SLU (Chaifetz) dont really seem to move the needle noticeably in the mid major universe. Pretty much, all those programs do is spend more money.

 

[N Mollen]

Scheduling Rules!!!! Everyone needs to toughen it up...quit scheduling like soft handed Frenchmen!!

15 of SLU's 19 games have been vs Q3 or Q4 opponents. A persuasive argument could be made that scheduling weaker teams is the ticket

 

[Half-baked Mcbride]

15 of SLU's 19 games have been vs Q3 or Q4 opponents. A persuasive argument could be made that scheduling weaker teams is the ticket

NEVER!!!! (imagine a dramatic echo as well)

I mean, it's working....kinda....if you don't dig deep....any casual fan looking into SLU is just gonna think "Awwwwww, cute lil A10 team"

It's only a matter of time before they drop one, and then some talking head is gonna say what we all know. Paper tiger, paper thin OOC SOS....and then our Rams are gonna go into Chafietz and wipe our A$$ES with them!!

 

[N Mollen]

NEVER!!!! (imagine a dramatic echo as well)

I mean, it's working....kinda....if you don't dig deep....any casual fan looking into SLU is just gonna think "Awwwwww, cute lil A10 team"

It's only a matter of time before they drop one, and then some talking head is gonna say what we all know. Paper tiger, paper thin OOC SOS....and then our Rams are gonna go into Chafietz and wipe our A$$ES with them!!

Not my job. I'm not claiming to know the secret sauce. But the reason the A10 teams played D2 schools is because the league encouraged them to do so. The reason Mason and SLU are getting all the slobber from the CBB press is because they have gaudy records, albeit against JV teams.

I don't know. But some people who are actually paid to know these things think that is the way to go.

 

[dwhite]

I wonder if Temple would consider moving up to the A10? Come back home Temple. Bring USF with you.