SLU Arena

[Whelan]

This is Don Whelan, Vice President for Development and University relations at SLU. I was recently told that I am the subject of several recent postings on the Billiken Message Board.

It is true that I manage the University's overall fund raising, alumni relations and marketing/communications efforts. You may already know that we are engaged in a $300 million comprehensive campaign designed to enhance all of our schools, colleges and programs. The arena is an important part of this campaign, and I am fortunate to be the point person on fund raising for this exciting project as well.

Yes, my colleagues and I in development and university relations are very busy these days. However, no one here is too busy to respond to alumni and friends who offer to help. That includes me. I talk with people every day about participating in some aspect of our campaign. That's my job.

I'd like to set the record straight. I did not receive NYBill's e-mail message offering to help organize alumni events in the New York area. I am not sure how this happened because he successfully contacted Athletic Director, Doug Woolard, by e-mail. But rest assured that I would have quickly responded to this thoughtful offer.

I've been in the development office at SLU nearly 16 years; I am also a SLU graduate. Like many of you, I love this place. You can be certain that there are many faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends working hard every day to make the University even stronger. I would welcome the opportunity to talk with anyone interested in helping us with the arena or any other project. Please don't hesitate to call me. My phone number is listed below.

While I'm writing, I thought you might like a brief update on the arena project:

1. Fund Raising - We have raised more than 25% of our goal. Our primary focus is major gifts. You've heard of the 90/10 rule: 90% of the campaign goal comes from 10% of the donors. That is very true, and we're working hard on that 10%. Of course, everyone will have the opportunity to participate in the project before the doors open.

2. Sponsorship - This is a vital component of the project. Our goal is to secure a major corporate "naming" sponsor within the next 12 months.

3. Suites - We will focus on selling approximately 20 private suites when fund raising is substantially complete. However, we already have commitments for some of them.

4. Ground Breaking - TBD. This will depend mostly on fund raising progress.

Thank you for being so passionate about Saint Louis University and Billiken basketball.

Sincerely,

Donald J. Whelan, Jr.

(314)977-2472

[MusicCityBilliken]

Thanks Don for the update. Please continue to keep us informed on the progress.

[billiken_roy]

mr whelan, thank you very much for the update! you may find that this board is a nice tool to use to "put the word out" and to keep the rabid fans aprised. one thing that bugs so many of us here is the "secretive" ways of slu for just about anything. now i know that until somethings are final, it just cant be said, but updates like you provided today cant hurt and are very appreciative.

[AlumniFan]

Don:

Thanks for the update. I think that this is very helpful for the members of this board, 99% of whom are very passionate Billiken fans and supporters of the University (even if we do disagree, rather passionately, at times).

Some of the members of this board have been critical about the level of information coming from the athletic department with regard to the status of the arena project. I am not sure what updates have been provided to alumni oriented University publications like "Universitas" or individual school publications like "Shareholder" for the Business School, but if space is available, a short synopsis/update of the arena project would be very much appreciated. This would be an efficient way of spreading the news to the most appropriate and targeted audience.

Saint Louis Univesity has come a long way in the past 15 years. It could not have taken place without the hard work of the development office. Thank you for your efforts.

[slufanskip]

I also thank you for your efforts ... and your willingness to come on to this board and set the record straight. Please keep up the good work and keep us advised as to the progress.

Official Billikens.com sponsor of H. Waldman

[jjray]

The complaint was more general than NYBill's. Another poster also mentioned that he sent an email to the email contact address previously given on the arena web site and received no reply. I see that Bob Woodruff is now listed as the contact and his email address is given on the site. The suggestion is only that there are email addresses distributed that are monitored by real people who shall respond whether it be the athletic department or the development office. As you have taken the time to post here, it shows that you have an interesting in making sure this happens.

Thanks for the input. BTW, I for one like the Arena web site.

[bonwich]

Thanks to whoever brought the whole matter to Mr. Whelan's attention! What a thoughtful and comprehensive response.

Meanwhile, there were indirect results as well. Kshoe got a Fat Tire out of the deal (from a concession stand all the way on the other side of Savvis, no less), as did Willie, and they were kind enough to walk up several rows behind them and visit at halftime on Saturday. If I had any money to manage, after donating some of it for the arena project, I wouldn't hesitate to let kshoe do so. And Willie reiterated his kind remarks about the teaching skills of Bonwich the elder.

AlumniFan wasn't in his seat at tipoff, so he missed out on the beer, although I did manage to provide him with a redeemable promise for a rain check at a later date. (His delay was caused by the fact that he was working on Saturday morning, illustrating a level of dedication to excellence that I believe is common among many members of this board.) We did learn from visiting him that he shares another common trait with many members of the board -- his wife is the brains of the outfit, although she didn't seem to have full knowledge of the amount of time he spends on Internet discussion boards .

And although I'll probably again be called out in the future for being crabby, boorish or cynical -- I just want this University to be great in everything it does. Mr. Whelan's response was certainly indicative of an attitude and a style that reflects excellence.