Rick George: AD Can't afford to send students to Pac-12 tournament

[FrankRizzo]

http://www.buffzone.com/ci_25256326/rick-george-cu-buffs-athletic-department-wont-pay

The Colorado athletic department won't be taking members of the C-Unit student section to the Pac-12 Tournament or the NCAA Tournament if the Buffs earn a spot in March Madness.Athletic director Rick George informed the C-Unit of the change earlier this season, explaining that the department cannot afford to pay for the flight and hotel accommodations for the 50 most diehard student supporters of the school's athletic programs the way it did the past two years under former athletic director Mike Bohn.
However, CU is still providing 50 tickets to members of the C-Unit to attend the Pac-12 Tournament. Those students simply have to pay for their travel and accommodations.
"We just don't have the money," George said. "I'd love to do it. I think our students, the C-Unit, is phenomenal. They do a great job.
"However, I can't put a budget number in there to allow students to go to a game when I don't have enough to do something for one of my sports programs here. I just can't do it."
CU received positive national attention two years ago when Bohn first decided to take 50 students to the Pac-12 Tournament in Los Angeles. The men's team won four consecutive games in the tournament that season to capture its first Pac-12 men's basketball championship and an NCAA Tournament berth.
Coach Tad Boyle said having so much support at the tournament gave CU games a home-court feel and helped the Buffs capture the title.
Bohn doubled up by also taking members of the C-Unit to the NCAA Tournament in Albuquerque in 2012. At the time, Bohn said the travel and accommodations for students were paid for by private donations. CU also took 50 students to the Pac-12 Tournament in Las Vegas last season.
CU students earn one of the 50 spots as a reward for attending both men's and women's games.
George said he does not know how the trips were paid for in the past, but he said the department did not budget for those costs last summer when it went through the budgeting process under interim athletic director Ceal Barry, before he was hired.
George said there are no plans to budget for it next year or in the near future because the department is trying to pay off nearly $30 million in debt to the school. George said he inherited a $5.6 million budget shortfall created by poor ticket sales in football. He said he can't entertain the idea of bringing back the postseason trip for select members of the C-Unit until the department gets its financial house in order.
"We're going to have to allocate our resources, both human and financial, in a way that is a little more streamlined," George said. "We can't do some of the things we've done. It's not because we don't want to. I'm not the ogre that says, 'I don't like the students.' It's not that at all. It's just we've got to be smart on how we allocate our resources."

I understand Rick George's point, but it could've been handled better PR wise. Would've been better to say "Private donations funded the C-Unit trip in the past, and we hope we can count on our donors to help create the same dynamic atmosphere at the Pac-12 tournament that we enjoy at the Coors Event Center. Please make a donation at cubuffs.com."

I'm aware of the AD's financial position, maybe George feels he needs to cry poor to those who don't in order to attain more donations? I would and do not expect the AD to pay for students to attend out of their own pocket, but could they not help out C-Unit? All it takes is a link on the homepage for 2 weeks and 1 email blast.

 

[cubuffs85]

This isn't "new" news like Ringo is trying to portray it. He said this awhile ago, but instead of saying the AD couldn't afford to spend it, he said that he prefered to give the resources to existing programs. From a PR perspective he's saying the right things here. I'm skeptical if he tried to get private donations for this kind of thing in the first place.

http://www.buffzone.com/ci_25256326/rick-george-cu-buffs-athletic-department-wont-pay


I understand Rick George's point, but it could've been handled better PR wise. Would've been better to say "Private donations funded the C-Unit trip in the past, and we hope we can count on our donors to help create the same dynamic atmosphere at the Pac-12 tournament that we enjoy at the Coors Event Center. Please make a donation at cubuffs.com."

I'm aware of the AD's financial position, maybe George feels he needs to cry poor to those who don't in order to attain more donations? I would and do not expect the AD to pay for students to attend out of their own pocket, but could they not help out C-Unit? All it takes is a link on the homepage for 2 weeks and 1 email blast.

How about instead of 50 students going, the top 25? Or maybe subsidizing more of the trip but not as much as in years past. Or just ask Mike Bohn for some tips on how it worked for him.

 

[TDbuff]

I agree it could've been handled better, but I think RG has a laser focus on the facilities, and I think he wants donors focused on it as well.

 

[cubuffs85]

I agree it could've been handled better, but I think RG has a laser focus on the facilities, and I think he wants donors focused on it as well.

In terms of it "being handled better," sure but I don't think it would've just been accepted after they did it the past two years especially with the success they had the first year.

Like you said, he wants the donors focused on the facilities and in the long-run that's more important.

I just don't get the sense this is a big priority of his, like it was Bohn's.

 

[Buffnik]

Rick George has different budget priorities than Mike Bohn.

It's going to be run like a business now, for better and worse.

 

[FightCu1414]

As a student in the top 50 I have no issues with it at all. There are honestly more important things than financing fifty of us to go and I am fine with that. I would much rather RG have the focus on facilities and accomplish things Bohn couldn't than have my trip funded and the focus on the facilities is minimal in comparison.

 

[slider]

You want RG to call up Bohn and ask for tips?

How about instead of 50 students going, the top 25? Or maybe subsidizing more of the trip but not as much as in years past. Or just ask Mike Bohn for some tips on how it worked for him.

 

[cubuffs85]

You want RG to call up Bohn and ask for tips?

I wasn't totally seriously here, I doubt it happens.

 

[Uncle Ken]

As a student in the top 50 I have no issues with it at all. There are honestly more important things than financing fifty of us to go and I am fine with that. I would much rather RG have the focus on facilities and accomplish things Bohn couldn't than have my trip funded and the focus on the facilities is minimal in comparison.

I'm pretty sure that RG has reached the conclusion--at least from a budgetary perspective--that it didn't work for Mike Bohn.

 

[fatbuff]

Rick George has different budget priorities than Mike Bohn.

It's going to be run like a business now, for better and worse.

Business' still need to create good will. I could agree with either side of the situation, but the AD cant afford to ignore everything else in a quest for new facilities.

 

[GoonieBuff]

Business' still need to create good will. I could agree with either side of the situation, but the AD cant afford to ignore everything else in a quest for new facilities.

They are giving out 50 free tickets, and those tickets are expensive (even the cheapest single-session only tickets are over $33). If I got free tickets (and was able to get off of work - that's the kicker), I'd make my way to Las Vegas for the conference tourney. Flights can be had cheap if you're flexible regarding your departure days and times, and you can stay in a 3 star hotel for under $20).

While the trip was nice, I wouldn't say the AD is ignoring everything.

 

[FLounder]

They are giving out 50 free tickets, and those tickets are expensive (even the cheapest single-session only tickets are over $33). If I got free tickets (and was able to get off of work - that's the kicker), I'd make my way to Las Vegas for the conference tourney. Flights can be had cheap if you're flexible regarding your departure days and times, and you can stay in a 3 star hotel for under $20).

While the trip was nice, I wouldn't say the AD is ignoring everything.

Hotel in Vegas for under $20???

 

[prime teets]

Hotel in Vegas for under $20???

per person, definitely

 

[cubuffs85]

Business' still need to create good will. I could agree with either side of the situation, but the AD cant afford to ignore everything else in a quest for new facilities.

Agreed here.

They are giving out 50 free tickets, and those tickets are expensive (even the cheapest single-session only tickets are over $33). If I got free tickets (and was able to get off of work - that's the kicker), I'd make my way to Las Vegas for the conference tourney. Flights can be had cheap if you're flexible regarding your departure days and times, and you can stay in a 3 star hotel for under $20).

While the trip was nice, I wouldn't say the AD is ignoring everything.

Compared to the past, when it was an all inclusive trip, I think he's "ignoring" a lot. No it's not everything but it''s a lot different of experience than it was last year or the year before.

 

[fatbuff]

They are giving out 50 free tickets, and those tickets are expensive (even the cheapest single-session only tickets are over $33). If I got free tickets (and was able to get off of work - that's the kicker), I'd make my way to Las Vegas for the conference tourney. Flights can be had cheap if you're flexible regarding your departure days and times, and you can stay in a 3 star hotel for under $20).

While the trip was nice, I wouldn't say the AD is ignoring everything.

I think Bohn's approach was more personalized than just giving free tickets. Kind of like getting a gift card for Christmas versus getting a gift that requires thought. Even at the same fiscal value, one feels better than the other.

 

[GoonieBuff]

per person, definitely

Nope. Just saw circus circus $19 a night. Just check out Expedia or something like that. I travel to Las Vegas about 4 times a year. There are many cheap options for nice hotels. 4 star hotels can be stayed in for under $100/night. People who don't regularly travel to Las Vegas are often surprised by the cheap weekday rates at very nice hotels.

 

[GoonieBuff]

Compared to the past, when it was an all inclusive trip, I think he's "ignoring" a lot. No it's not everything but it''s a lot different of experience than it was last year or the year before.

I agree. I quoted a post alluding to George ignoring everything.

 

[cubuffs85]

Seems like RG did a better job of explaining it this time around or maybe people have just come around here. When it was first announced, there seemed to be more criticism of it. Then when it was "reannounced"(via the Ringo article), people seemed OK with it.

I think I read the entire trip cost $25k. If they can't get donations for this it's one thing. But I have my doubt whether RG even tried to solicit donations. Like someone else suggested, they could've done more of an effort like soliciting donations through the website.

Ultimately, it would've been hard whenever they ended this. And I don't think the students reciprocated in full this year with their attendance and enthusasism at games like years past as we've discussed.

 

[GoonieBuff]

I think Bohn's approach was more personalized than just giving free tickets. Kind of like getting a gift card for Christmas versus getting a gift that requires thought. Even at the same fiscal value, one feels better than the other.

Very true, and I completely agree.

Sorry for the multiple posts. I'd have used the multi-quote if I had actually read all the posts before replying.

 

[cubuffs85]

Nope. Just saw circus circus $19 a night. Just check out Expedia or something like that. I travel to Las Vegas about 4 times a year. There are many cheap options for nice hotels. 4 star hotels can be stayed in for under $100/night. People who don't regularly travel to Las Vegas are often surprised by the cheap weekday rates at very nice hotels.

I actually haven't been to Vegas besides the airport but I know hotels are cheaper than most comparable cities because they know you'll be spending your $$$ in the casinos.

 

[Quattro]

You know what's funny about this? To go to Vegas and be a top 50 member you had to go to the women's games...whole lot of students bitched about even having to go to a women's game. Totally fine with RG doing this. He needs our smaller donor base focusing on one thing and that's facilities, $25K is a good amount of money to divert away. RG addressed the students and the need to work with them more going forward. In the long run, no fan support will be lost because of them not doing the trip this year (or next, but I believe it'll come back in a few years).

 

[cubuffs85]

You know what's funny about this? To go to Vegas and be a top 50 member you had to go to the women's games...whole lot of students bitched about even having to go to a women's game. Totally fine with RG doing this. He needs our smaller donor base focusing on one thing and that's facilities, $25K is a good amount of money to divert away. RG addressed the students and the need to work with them more going forward. In the long run, no fan support will be lost because of them not doing the trip this year (or next, but I believe it'll come back in a few years).

Well those students wouldn't be going anyways. I've already said this, but this is just manufactured drama on Ringo's part. This was announced awhile ago and he's just making a bigger deal about it now.

I wouldn't be surprised if this doesn't comeback under RG, this just doesn't seem to be a priority of his. Who knows, maybe someone who went one of the last two years will end up giving some big donation in subsequent years because of their experience of seeing the Buffs win it all in LA. Just saying, they *could* gain from this in the long run and it would be $25k well spent. I think it was $25k well spent when they won the Pac-12 Tourney in 2012.

Whatever, it's done.

 

[buffaholic]

Rick George has different budget priorities than Mike Bohn.

It's going to be run like a business now, for better and worse.

Rick George has to consider all facets of the business and having a robust C-Unit helps Basketball in a lot of ways, some of which may be hard to quantify.

 

[cubuffs85]

Rick George has to consider all facets of the business and having a robust C-Unit helps Basketball in a lot of ways, some of which may be hard to quantify.

Agreed, I think having them in LA definitely helped win the Pac-12 Tourney like I said $25k well spent in that case.

 

[btbuff]

I don't have huge issues with this. I just hope they will coordinate travel with the 50 students. By the time they are informed, flights aren't exactly the 100 dollars each way. So many will be driving. The school could arrange a bus or something and a hotel deal.

 

[Quattro]

Well those students wouldn't be going anyways. I've already said this, but this is just manufactured drama on Ringo's part. This was announced awhile ago and he's just making a bigger deal about it now.

I wouldn't be surprised if this doesn't comeback under RG, this just doesn't seem to be a priority of his. Who knows, maybe someone who went one of the last two years will end up giving some big donation in subsequent years because of their experience of seeing the Buffs win it all in LA. Just saying, they *could* gain from this in the long run and it would be $25k well spent. I think it was $25k well spent when they won the Pac-12 Tourney in 2012.

Whatever, it's done.

Facilities benefits in the LR >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Gains from the trip in the LR

 

[cubuffs85]

Facilities benefits in the LR >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Gains from the trip in the LR

I'm not disagreeing with you. And for the millionth time, they aren't mutually exclusive.

 

[slider]

Ringo sucks

 

[Quattro]

I'm not disagreeing with you. And for the millionth time, they aren't mutually exclusive.

Sure, if we had a larger donor base with a track record of donating a lot of money. We don't have that. All of the donation efforts need to be going into the facilities. The AD is a multi-million dollar business and it needs to be run like one, and it is.

 

[cubuffs85]

Ringo sucks

Slider is complaining about something, release the hounds. Howell is worse IMO.

Sure, if we had a larger donor base with a track record of donating a lot of money. We don't have that. All of the donation efforts need to be going into the facilities. The AD is a multi-million dollar business and it needs to be run like one, and it is.

That's like saying basketball shouldn't be getting any attention since football is the bigger cash cow. I don't think you want to put all your eggs in one basket. I think more could've been done here like others have suggested even if the full trip wasn't subsidized. I don't think getting students involved is something RG has as a priority. Ftr, I supported Bohn's firing, I just like what he did in this aspect.