slu72 fan

I may have missed it, but Jensen indicated that PE has a herniated disc and is questionable for the start of practice. He indicated that KM would be starting at the point and backed up by KL or possibly RC. As to the question of RC being a shooting guard, Jensen and BE both indicated that he had the best range on the team with his 3 point shot. It sounded to me as if he is definitely being considered a 2 and might have to play some 1, if he can prove that he has the ability. The players were asked which of the new players had caught their eye, and both indicated KM, because of his ability to penetrate and hit the open player. BE indicated that KC was a surprise and would be a help to the team. Surprisingly nothing was said about any of the three taller players.

A new President of the Billiken Club was announced at the meeting last Tuesday. I'm sorry, but I don't feel comfortable revealing the name. No statement was made as to the reason for the change. Kim was at the meeting, and did not seem any diferent.

As of today, there is no local radio deal for the upcoming season. It is my understanding SLU is attempting to rebid the package.

At the Billiken Club Board Meeting last Tuesday, CM indicated that the A-10 has yet to finalize their portion of the schedule for both men and women.

I agree with most everything you post. I don't mean to start a big riot again, but the University is actually out no new money on the coach. We are paying his salary by the increase in the required donation levels from those originally intended (prior to his hiring). While the University is on the hook for the building, I've not seen any projections for what the real expense will be after calculating the reduction in fees paid to others (Savis) and the income generated by the new building. I've always wondered why the University is so quick to charge the Athletic Department for the cost of tuition, etc., when they don't give them a credit for the advertising the University receives from the exposure. Personally, I've always felt that the value of the advertising far exceeds the amount the AD is charged, particularly when you consider that the marginal cost to adding a student/athlete to a classroom is nominal.

The Harris Stowe head coach told me that they would play us in an exhibition at the new building as a thank you for allowing the Bills to use the HS gym for practice last year. With our playing Memphis in the closed scrimmage, we are only allowed one exhibition game. Last year was the same situation with our only exhibition game being against UMSL.

Good for Shimmy and the women. The team really needs some size and she'll be eligible when T and the others are seniors.

Hard to imagine it will be as much fun without you guys and Ray. We had a great time.

Section 104, row H, seats 16-20

I heard yesterday we are opening the season with an exhibition game against Harris-Stowe. This is a thank you for allowing the Bills to practice in the HS gym. By the way, I heard RM had his managers cover up the small slit windows at the door to the HS gym when SLU practiced.

Wonder if they're going to offer any multi-game packages for the remaining seats? The Cardinals do that, I assume with some success.

I think a number of people don't post, due to the criticism and sarcasm that exists on the Board. I only post when I know something to be untrue or I have information that is new to the Board. Frankly, I think it may be a generational thing. I assume most participating regularly are in their mid 30's and younger. Based on my perception of this Board, the rudeness and lack of respect is disappointing. I continue to read the posts, because I'm starving for information. In large part because RM doesn't communicate with the supporters and casual fan. He does give an occassional interview, but if you're around him enough, it's the same stories everytime.

Based on the information I have from the Billiken Club Board meetings, I believe they are very serious about the reseating every 3 or 4 years. This is the only way they can be sure people continue to donate to the Billiken Club. It will all depend on the performance of the team. If the team does well, attendance goes up, demand for seats goes up, and the place will be reseated. Conversely, if the team does poorly, attendance declines further, I think they'll be very nervous about reseating and potentially losing more season ticket holders. I started much of this discussion by stating I thought MW had done a good job, given what is his task, and that the project was nearly complete. Having read the thread it appears that most people, not all, have been able to purchase seats in locations that they can live with. No plan of this scope will make everyone happy, but it seems most are. When I said that the project was nearly complete, which Clock took exception towards, I'd say we're in the last few days of a two year project. I think that's nearly complete. I began having discussions with MW nearly 2 years ago. The original plan morphed a number of times to it's final shape. It seems, given the culture change, to have accomplished the goal, raise more money without destroying the season ticket base, and provide a culture for continued giving. Again, the onus will be on the team to deliver a brand of hoops that we, and others, are willing to fork out cash to come see.

Just a general comment. Mark Wright's name has been mentioned on this board a number of times, and rarely in a positive manner. Now that the process is nearly complete, I think he's done a very good job in a very difficult situation. Most that have been through the seat selection process comment how well it has gone and they are pleased with their selections. Mark has taken a tough assignment and carried it out damn well. Most of us have, or will have, seats that we're satisfied with and he's put in place a plan that has raised substantial money for the athletic program. Where it goes from here is out of his hands. It rests squarely on the performance of the team and our coaching staff. As an aside, I believe they are very serious about reseating the stadium in a few years. It's the only way to keep people donating.

As I posted yesterday morning, groups of 4 and 5 were in the building looking for seats. So, I think there is NO issue about more than one or two people going in for the selection.

I agree with everything stated above, but a few additional comments: It was very well organized, had a number of people and they were very helpful and patient. I saw groups of 4 and 5 going through. You can take as long as you want, but every 4 minutes an additional group enters. As stated above, a large number of the lower red seats are gone. They were taken by the university for use by player's parents, visiting team ticket requirements, and for recruits that the coaches invite. I went in at 5:20, stayed 40 minutes, because my first choices were gone, but I am happy with my selection. At that point, not nearly as many blue seats were taken as I expected. Several people who chose before me opted for the green seats not requiring an annual donation. A couple of people told me they'd continue their donation, but liked those seats the best. I was told by one of the workers that as the process moved forward, more people would be in the building selecting at one time. If you have any questions, feel free to send me a PM and I'll try to answer. Good luck everyone!

I definitely pick tonight. I've checked several times to be sure. I was told that the initial indication made with last season's ticket renewal was not a binding thing. You could change your designation, up or down, or even decline to get seats for this year. I believe in the end, when you walk into the building, you can pick ANY uncommitted seat, irregardless of the initial indication, as long as you're willing to pay the freight.

I pick this evening at 5:20. If no one else does by then, I'll post up how the process went, and what seats are being taken.

I ponied up some more money, but still dropped 8 spots. I'm in the low 50's now.

No, its always been that way. Most of the building does not require an annual donation.

I indicated that they would be mailed on Tuesday, because that's what she told me at the Golf Tournament. What is curious, is the comment that she couldn't give someone their position on the phone, because it might change. How can that happen, if only points accumulated by early April counted towards this prioritization.

Hope Elam has left to be closer to home and Klotz is no longer with the program. Shimmy has agreed to bring Heather King back for her redshirt year, reversing a previous decision.

I'm glad he's meeting with Conklin, but couldn't he have gone on the next day? By the way, nobody get's drunk. I guess we're too old. I'm not picking on the Coach, but there really is more to his job than coaching the team. When he wants, he's very engaging and willing to commit the time. It just seems to me that yesterday was an opportunity to sell his program to some people that aren't season ticketholders.

At the golf tournament, Margot stated that they would be mailed on Tuesday to the entire season ticket base. I was told there are reservations for less than 6,000. Apparently, our season ticket base has continued to shrink. On a side note, RM attended the lunch for the event and spoke, although most didn't hear him, because of the bad acoustics and most were outside. He no showed the dinner when all the players (men's and women's) were introduced. Shimmy spoke as did Porter Moser, in RM's absence. Between the two teams, we only have 11 scholarship athletes returning. Personally, I was very surprised RM wasn't there in the evening when most would have expected him to speak. It's very possible he explained his conflict at lunch, when a handful heard his comments.

A couple of points, my ranking prior to the last mailing was in the high 70's. That's why I think I might rise about 50 spots or so. Previous higher ranked people becoming members and several new people dropping money on the program. I was told by Mark Wright each person would have 3 minutes to make their seat selection. If you're not able to make the selection time they assign, you can give them your top choice, or two, they'll pick it if available or pick for you. I think they are doing everything they can think of to try and make this orderly.