The Athletic Department still doesn't get it

[bonwich]

After reading about the University's gross incompetence in transporting students, I'd note that the busing incident was just one of many yesterday that continue to illustrate that we will never be a first-rate program or a first-rate institution until someone in charge shows half a care about all the little things that go into running an event properly.

1. As B-Roy has noted, that game wasn't promoted. The ads for yesterday's game touted the "Big Shark Bicycle Giveaway" and the "Somebody Somebody Schedule Magnet Day." Freaking Lute Olsen and the #7 team in the country comes to town, and our new marketing guru, or our athletic director, or *someone* (nobody ever takes responsibility) can't think as far as "$5 General Admission for the entire upper bowl"?

2. We're on our own home court, and we have to play the last six minutes without benefit of a shot clock or game clock, including that key final shot? It isn't as if that was a fluke -- that the THIRD TIME this year the backboard clocks have malfunctioned. So what if we don't own the facility -- the General Counsel of the University should be serving a lawsuit to Laurie first thing Monday morning demanding all of our rent back for that game owing to the damage to our reputation on national TV, and should put him on notice that we'll file for punitive damages if it even happens again. Simultaneously, the U. should release notice of that suit to the media. (Hey, it's not like the Savvis Center incompetents can threaten not to renew our contract when it expires.) We've been treated like utter crap over and over at Savvis -- lack of ticket-takers at crowded games, poor traffic management outside, minimal concessions stands, TV monitors on the concourses turned off, etc.

3. Over and above the ball-throwing incident, how well is our University represented when our P.A. announcer ridicules our students and fans during time-out promotions? Whoever the "donor" is who keeps Guy in his job should have to publicly defend that classless style.

4. The Spark Agency pays to have its name on the halftime statistics on the Jumbotron. It would be pleasing if whoever is in charge of the halftime statistics would actually ensure that they show up on the scoreboard.

5. Several dozen U of A fans invaded the area behind the SLU basket before the game. When the real ticketholders showed up, the ushers made them move -- BUT NOT TO THEIR REAL SEATS. (Granted, a minimal amount of promotion on SLU's part would have obviated the problem by putting SLU fan butts into the endcourt seats, but I digress.) "May I see your tickets please? Oh, these are in section 320, row XX -- that's 200 feet up. Let me escort you to the proper section."

The busing incident was an embarrassment. The event management was an embarrassment. Guy Phillips is an embarrassment. (The team's play, however, should have made us all proud. And Reggie was the last guy I'd ever have expected to toe the line on anything.)

So who in the University leadership is going to stand up and demand excellence not just at building buildings but at doing all the little things right as well?

[billiken_roy]

nothing to add to that great post!

[3star_recruit]

I nominate Tonka.

[slufanskip]

Well said and I agree with everything you said. I hope Woolard, Biondi, and Brad get a copy.

Official Billikens.com sponsor of H. Waldman

[davidnark]

All great points Joe. I suggest that we start an e-mail campaign to get Guy Phillips fired. It is long overdue.

[SLUNATE]

how did you get that logo nark?

[TheA_Bomb]

Fellow Posters,

Soon my committment to the Army will be up and I am looking for a job. Do I have any experience in promotions and athletics? Well, I did convince some in the media that we would find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq does that count for anything? What I'm saying is they need to hire a dire hard that will work tirelessly to promote the school, attract students, and create excitement around Billiken Athletics. Hell, I'd do it for free if I didn't have to pay back all those student loans my wife and I accumulated while at SLU.

We need some help we're at a cross-roads right now moving to a new conference, building a new Arena, and a young coach dedicated to success it is our choice to renew old traditions create new one's and create a true collegiate atmosphere around the program.

Woolard have your people contact my people [email protected]

I'm available May 04.

[Schasz]

TheA_Bomb,

For what it is worth, you sold me that you are the man for the job, and I agree that we need someone like you who is passionate about our Billikens.

[Quality Is Job 1]

If Doug Woolard is going to hire someone, this individual is going to have to promote all SLU athletics and most likely won't be able to focus just on (men's) basketball all year long.

[davidnark]

Why? Why wouldn't the program focus its personnel on men's basketball, which produces nearly all of the revenue and exposure for the athletic department?

[Quality Is Job 1]

I don't disagree with you, but I'm telling you how I think Doug Woolard is thinking.