WUH

I needed that.

This is true, but then, what would SLU be without sports? I have no idea to be honest, but I imagine it looks very different.

But they did not cut the 5-scholarship maximum men's volleyball program, did they? Lindenwood is an outlier as they now have a Division I football albatross to fund, but I did offer two other examples that illustrate the point that you can run a cost-neutral men's volleyball program. As for enrollment, many college and universities have added athletic programs, outdoor programs, recreation centers to increase the gender parity, a strategy that has been known attract more male students--both athletes and non-athletes. That strategy is probably more useful at a McKendree than it is a SLU, but still...

Maybe I should edit that to say SLU should investigate the possibility of adding lacrosse and men's volleyball. Determine whether one or both can be added in a fiscally responsible manner. The latter certainly can. Men's volleyball allows for a maximum of 5 full-time scholarships per program and with a roster of 20-25, the tuition revenue would go a long way. Lindenwood, McKendree, and Quincy added men's volleyball specifically to increase enrollment. Each are members of the 9-team MIVA conference with 7 of 9 programs being a 5-hour or less road trip away. The conference also includes more intriguing opponents such as Loyola and Ohio State. And the game is so much fun to watch.

SLU should keep field hockey and add lacrosse. Mens Volleyball would be even better.

Nearly every Ivy League school finished substantially higher than SLU in the Learfield Director's Cup. It took skiing, rowing and so on to do it, but if you are the Ivy League, a substantial percentage of your competitors are already like-minded, academics first and foremost institutions. https://nacda.com/documents/2024/6/10/23.24DI_SpringConferenceStandings_6.11.24.pdf

Thanks in advance for all the observations / analysis you and others will provide this season. Your posts are appreciated. Bring on the Hooooosiers!

-Nevermind, just assume the professor knows more.

No one pays the sticker price anymore except for those in the Top 25-50.

Higher education is a Veblen good. Cost signals quality.

Do you believe your debt should be forgiven and if yes, why?

First, they would need to start with athletic scholarships which they have not offered in over 100 years or something.

Bookstore or Spirit Store or whatever has lots of new clothes including throwback gear. Adding more in the next few weeks. Looks like the Spirit Store is not going to change that much.

$30,000-35,000. I would probably revise that to $25,000-30,000, but closer to $30K. Regardless, just a guess.

I have no insider knowledge, but the market is such that $30-35K is a good guess. Keep in mind, SLU is not only competing with Creighton, Loyola and Marquette for students, but is also competing with Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Mizzou and to a lesser extent, Missouri State, SIU and UMKC. The vast majority of institutions will see their discount rate increase in 2024-2025 as they try to mitigate the effects of the disastrous FAFSA overhaul.

Simon Recreation Center is highly functional as far as I can tell, but it looks and feels date. And has so much potential. My proposal would be for SLU to convene a committee of staff from admissions, student involvement, health center and such along with students and faculty from related programs (e.g. counseling, physical therapy) to develop a set of plans to improve around the following priorities: 1) Cost effective short term improvements. Namely paint, flooring and signage. Maintenance for the most part. 2) Revitalize the second floor cardio area which has high-end tread mills, but otherwise appears to have machines left over from the last renovation. 3) Reconfigure the dance studios, meeting rooms, smoothie bar. Also the adjacent common areas where students can socialize away from the machines. 4) Renovate the main entrance and equipment room. The committee would also work with architectural consultant to develop multiple plans for a major overhaul. I could imagine several expansions to the North and West to add a building within the building. The idea could be to create a hub for all things health and wellness including space for the health center, counseling, religious life and so on. I could imagine a major donor being interesting in the naming rights of a project of this kind over a classroom and lab building or dorm. Between the ability to fund raise off the project and knowing how important facilities are for recruitment, for me this is a no brainer.

Tuition is $54,760 next year. I think the minimum scholarship is in the $30-35K range but I am not sure. A substantial percentage of students are getting other forms of need-based and merit aid and students who live on-campus get more aid than those who do not.

Thanks! It had to be the best recreation center in that state in 1982 and one of the best in the nation. And not directly related to athletics, though this is going to be a challenging year enrollment-wise and anything that helps enrollment is going to be good for athletics.

I imagine SLU had one of the best fitness centers among midwestern colleges and universities when Simon opened, but that was 1985 or 1986 maybe. SLU might be able to find a major gift to name the expansion in to the parking lot next door. The Ross Chaifetz Health and Wellness Center or Taylor Family Whatever at the Simon Rec Center or something. A major expansion could then host an expanded health center, counseling center, health promotions center and such.

Just a random, off-topic, throw-away comment. The next fundraising campaign and capitol project needs to be for a revitalized Simon Recreation Center. Renovate the entrances, modernize the paint, lights, carpet, signage. Transform the cardio overflow area on the second floor. Bring in the latest equipment for the lower floor. Integrate student health center services. In 2024 and beyond, a relatively modern recreation center is going to be key for undergraduate student recruitment.

Is that three weekends?

Kalu Anya was very impressive. I really liked the other No. 13. Josiah Dotzler.

Thanks, I should have grabbed one of these.

Thanks! Dude is having a game.

Is Swope No. 1 Blue?