AJC Report: Cobb New Ga. St. AD

[AppAttack]

Instead of taking on so much debt, why don't we all go back to Conrad Stadium and play Lenoir-Rhyne at 11AM on Saturdays in front of 1500 people. Move back in with our parents, eat all their food and borrow their cars.

[wataugan03]

The debt discussion is entertaining, if not disturbing. First, issuing debt for academics is different than issuing debt for athletics. One is the mission of the university while also being a public good to the state. The other is entertainment for alumni.

Now there's a really broad-minded view for us. That took a lot of thought. Were you ever a member of a varsity team in any sport at our Alma Mater? Ever leave your blood on a field or court on our campus? Are you a contributor to the Yosef Club?

If this is how you feel, what brings you to this forum, anyway?

Maybe he enjoys the entertainment and wants to talk about it, but thinks its something that should be paid almost entirely through alumni donations and ticket sales rather than student fees. . . Even if that means a lesser product on the field.

Maybe he thinks this board includes topics about education, administration, and finance that matter to both sports fans and non-sports fans. And maybe he thinks its important that a non-sports fan's input should be considered on those topics.

[wataugan03]

You can't discuss the value of intercollegiate athletics to a schools development with those who see no value or see the correlation in school growth and athletic success and improved student admissions. That is what is disturbing.

In fairness the correlation isn't obvious (much less the causation). Auburn can win a million football games, but academically they are still Auburn. Virginia can lose a million football games, but academically they are still Virginia. There is nothing that can happen on the field that will put Auburn in the same class as Virginia.

Athletics might improve school development (when you're actually winning) but the improvements seem to be marginal. Its also clear that good athletics are not necessary to great academics. The only way to create great academics is through massive state funding of academics or a big endowment. There isn't much evidence that I know of that would make me believe athletic success is likely to lead to a big endowment or a big increase in state funding.

[TheMoody1]

You mean like the $17,000,000,000,000.00 plus that we owe mostly to the Chinese?

FYI- China holds about 8% of US debt.

http://www.factcheck.org/2013/11/who-holds-our-debt/

[APPARJ]

You mean like the $17,000,000,000,000.00 plus that we owe mostly to the Chinese?

FYI- China holds about 8% of US debt.

http://www.factcheck.org/2013/11/who-holds-our-debt/

The top debt holder?

American citizens.

Why?

Because we're collectively stupid enough to let a private bank print out money out of thin air so we can pay for things we can't afford or sustain.

Oh yeah.

Go Apps!

[AppGrad78]

The debt discussion is entertaining, if not disturbing. First, issuing debt for academics is different than issuing debt for athletics. One is the mission of the university while also being a public good to the state. The other is entertainment for alumni.

Now there's a really broad-minded view for us. That took a lot of thought. Were you ever a member of a varsity team in any sport at our Alma Mater? Ever leave your blood on a field or court on our campus? Are you a contributor to the Yosef Club?

If this is how you feel, what brings you to this forum, anyway?

Chuck, I have tons of respect for you and other ex-ASU athletes for the contributions they've made for this university. I also genuinely appreciate the numerous contributions you have make to this board.

But...

Rather than make sarcastic personal attacks to someone who seemingly is a newcomer to this board, why don't you simply say you disagree with his opinion and then explain why. If we limit this thread to ex-ASU athletes and/or Yosef members, we'll have a very limited discussion.

[Rekdiver]

I understand completely why Chuck took offense to the comments by the new poster. My reaction was the same and you are right 78. Civility is what separates us from AppFan.......

[bcoach]

Instead of taking on so much debt, why don't we all go back to Conrad Stadium and play Lenoir-Rhyne at 11AM on Saturdays in front of 1500 people. Move back in with our parents, eat all their food and borrow their cars.

Move back in with our parents, eat all their food and borrow their cars. [/quote]
That is kind of what we are doing by putting so much of the burden on the students and their parents.
I want great facilities also but I just think we the fans should be paying a larger share. Our season tickets are just plain cheap. You pay double or triple that to go to a concert and don't think twice about it. Our contribution level is also pretty low for what we have. The bad thing about posting is you don't get the body language or tone of voice so let me say this. I am not ranting and I am not upset with anyone I just think we need to share more of the burden. I also am not complaining about student fees for my own sake as I have not had to pay them for quite a few years. I just think that what is fair is fair and what is fiscally sensible is sensible. No problem with any of you. I love you all, even the lawyer

[Rekdiver]

I agree fans should share more of the burden thru ticket prices. It also aggravates me that so many people do not contribute a dime to the Yosef Club.

[APPARJ]

The debt discussion is entertaining, if not disturbing. First, issuing debt for academics is different than issuing debt for athletics. One is the mission of the university while also being a public good to the state. The other is entertainment for alumni.

Now there's a really broad-minded view for us. That took a lot of thought. Were you ever a member of a varsity team in any sport at our Alma Mater? Ever leave your blood on a field or court on our campus? Are you a contributor to the Yosef Club?

If this is how you feel, what brings you to this forum, anyway?

Chuck, I have tons of respect for you and other ex-ASU athletes for the contributions they've made for this university. I also genuinely appreciate the numerous contributions you have make to this board.

But...

Rather than make sarcastic personal attacks to someone who seemingly is a newcomer to this board, why don't you simply say you disagree with his opinion and then explain why. If we limit this thread to ex-ASU athletes and/or Yosef members, we'll have a very limited discussion.

Chuck has good reason to be unnerved. Our football program has done more to generate positive interest from new, high caliber students than our academic reputation alone.

That shouldn't offend anyone either. The football team is just as much part of App State as any academic department.

[asu66]

The debt discussion is entertaining, if not disturbing. First, issuing debt for academics is different than issuing debt for athletics. One is the mission of the university while also being a public good to the state. The other is entertainment for alumni.

Now there's a really broad-minded view for us. That took a lot of thought. Were you ever a member of a varsity team in any sport at our Alma Mater? Ever leave your blood on a field or court on our campus? Are you a contributor to the Yosef Club?

If this is how you feel, what brings you to this forum, anyway?

Chuck, I have tons of respect for you and other ex-ASU athletes for the contributions they've made for this university. I also genuinely appreciate the numerous contributions you have make to this board.

But...

Rather than make sarcastic personal attacks to someone who seemingly is a newcomer to this board, why don't you simply say you disagree with his opinion and then explain why. If we limit this thread to ex-ASU athletes and/or Yosef members, we'll have a very limited discussion.

Charlie, I probably deserved to be called out for my reply to App1990. It was, however, his verbal attack that went through me like a bolt of lightning. I did have a knee-jerk reaction.

These two comments (see below) were, to me, indictments of our athletic program; our scholarship and non-scholarship student-athletes who are at Appalachian to earn a degree; our current and former chancellors and decisions they've made; and our current and former Boards of Trustees.

(1) "The debt discussion is entertaining, if not disturbing. First, issuing debt for academics is different than issuing debt for athletics. One is the mission of the university while also being a public good to the state. The other is entertainment for alumni."

(2) "It's easy to be stupid with other people's money. Unfortunately, the system breeds it. But we should be better than the rest."

I hold no ill will toward App1990 or any other member of the forum. I don't wish to see anyone stop posting or to drop out completely. I did think the aforementioned comments were inartful at best; and downright snarky at worst. They were, in my opinion, just uncalled for. But that's just me. App1990 is entitled to his point of view and entitled to freely express it. He has done so.

I posed two or three questions for him; which he has, thus far, declined to answer. That, too, is his right.

[Rekdiver]

By the way i guess the thousands of undergrads who attend the games, stay to the end of games, paint up , shave a Block A in their back and cheer like crazy get to enjoy this alumni entertainment? Snarky is a great word to describe 90's comments.

[WataugaMan]

Is the statement "entertainment for alumni" another way of saying "keeping alumni connected to the University"? If so, I agree. Keeing alumni and fan support alive is very benefical to the University and serves the public good. Right?

[JTApps1]

The debt discussion is entertaining, if not disturbing. First, issuing debt for academics is different than issuing debt for athletics. One is the mission of the university while also being a public good to the state. The other is entertainment for alumni.

Now there's a really broad-minded view for us. That took a lot of thought. Were you ever a member of a varsity team in any sport at our Alma Mater? Ever leave your blood on a field or court on our campus? Are you a contributor to the Yosef Club?

If this is how you feel, what brings you to this forum, anyway?

Chuck, I have tons of respect for you and other ex-ASU athletes for the contributions they've made for this university. I also genuinely appreciate the numerous contributions you have make to this board.

But...

Rather than make sarcastic personal attacks to someone who seemingly is a newcomer to this board, why don't you simply say you disagree with his opinion and then explain why. If we limit this thread to ex-ASU athletes and/or Yosef members, we'll have a very limited discussion.

Charlie, I probably deserved to be called out for my reply to App1990. It was, however, his verbal attack that went through me like a bolt of lightning. I did have a knee-jerk reaction.

These two comments (see below) were, to me, indictments of our athletic program; our scholarship and non-scholarship student-athletes who are at Appalachian to earn a degree; our current and former chancellors and decisions they've made; and our current and former Boards of Trustees.

(1) "The debt discussion is entertaining, if not disturbing. First, issuing debt for academics is different than issuing debt for athletics. One is the mission of the university while also being a public good to the state. The other is entertainment for alumni."

(2) "It's easy to be stupid with other people's money. Unfortunately, the system breeds it. But we should be better than the rest."

I hold no ill will toward App1990 or any other member of the forum. I don't wish to see anyone stop posting or to drop out completely. I did think the aforementioned comments were inartful at best; and downright snarky at worst. They were, in my opinion just uncalled for. But that's just me. App1990 is entitled to his point of view and entitled to freely express it. He has done so.

I posed two or three questions for him; which he has, thus far, declined to answer. That, too, is his right.

I'm with you Chuck. Athletics is likely the single most important department for keep alumni, donors, and students involved with the university. Just imagine what our fund raising would look like if we didn't have football Saturday's to draw people back up the mountain.

App1990, how do you feel about a university taking on debt to build a performing arts center?

[The Annoying Peasant]

Beasley is interim AD just announced.

Edit Link: http://chancellor.appstate.edu/messages/id/39

Any chance Beasley could end up getting the job? Why not???

Rick is a great guy, an admired part of ASU's athletic history and as asu66 said a politician. Anyone who has been around Rick for any length of time can tell you he has never taken a position contrary to that of the administration who is in place. When Borkowski and Laney were running the show Rick was in 100% agreement with their actions and agenda. Peacock came along, hired Cobb, did a 180 from the previous administration and Rick jumps in 100% behind the new team's ideas. One thing you have to say about Rick, he is Mr Positive. Some say to the point of living in a fantasy world.

Rick is not a leader, he's a follower. He is also not AD material.

Do you recall that Rick was town manager of Newton for many moons? One has to support the elected officials in the hierarchy to hold that type job for a couple decades or so.

He's not AD material for a university of our size, but has definitely shown leadership skills during his careers. He raised a great deal of the money that Gerald Adams has been credited for since he has been onboard. On the playing field, Rick exhibited a great deal of leadership when he was hooked up as a sure handed receiver with Steve Brown back in the day. It could be argued that Steve wouldn't be our color announcer today had it not been for Rick's part in the duo. Of course Rick might not be an employee of ASU today had it not been for Steve's influence input in getting Beasley on board. . To me, that says a lot a about leadership skills even as a 22 + or - a year old or so..

New App I am going to take into consideration your name in my response. Yes, I know of Rick's previous position. Still waiting on someone to explain how being town manager of a population around 8,000 qualifies them to be the lead fund raiser, responsible for securing large donors, for ASU Athletics. You said it best, he was a support person.

You think Gerald receives credit for money Rick raised? Rick was hired to oversee acquiring major gifts, Gerald is in charge of the rank and file membership. The overwhelming majority of the increases to Yosef has been through individual donations. The number of significant gifts since Rick's arrival in 2005 is unimpressive. Candidly, it is pathetic considering the success and notoriety App has enjoyed. The reality is since 2005 Yosef has been cashing checks more than raising money. In my book Ken Peacock gets as much if not more credit for the increases. The new AD would do well to bring him on as the lead in acquiring major gifts. Once Gerald retires put Rick in that role. He is great at shaking hands, slapping people on the back and telling them how great things are.