That’s when the Athletic department became involved. Questions up front are good and bad-there is a potential for screening or whitewashing but there is a thoroughness aspect-during a live event, it’s easy to miss some topics and the presubmitted questions makes sure that doesn’t happen.
I think a lot has to do with who is setting the agenda and who is participating.
IMO, Jay has always been very open in any conversations I've had with him.
I found Tom Perrotta similar in his approach. Syd was very cautious and really just didn't seem comfortable in this space.
When Development gets involved, due to the nature of their role, it's all about lights, mirrors and $$$.
It's about putting the best face on things to raise the most money. That's what has changed the nature of this event.
That’s when the Athletic department became involved. Questions up front are good and bad-there is a potential for screening or whitewashing but there is a thoroughness aspect-during a live event, it’s easy to miss some topics and the presubmitted questions makes sure that doesn’t happen.
I think a lot has to do with who is setting the agenda and who is participating.
IMO, Jay has always been very open in any conversations I've had with him.
I found Tom Perrotta similar in his approach. Syd was very cautious and really just didn't seem comfortable in this space.
When Development gets involved, due to the nature of their role, it's all about lights, mirrors and $$$.
It's about putting the best face on things to raise the most money. That's what has changed the nature of this event.
Sydney had some fine traits, the people that knew him well seemed to have positive feelings about him. But public speaking and demonstrating humor and candor were not his strengths. Every HC gives you some level of coachspeak but from Sydney that's all you got. Nothing real. No direct, honest, insightful perspectives. The christian side of me thinks he didn't want to say anything bad about anyone but then I look back on the incident in Albany and say well that's not really true. In that case he through his players under the bus. But I think he just preferred to live in the world of hyperboles and platitudes, that's just who he was. It had to be tough for Johnson to follow Cooley, as I felt Cooley really excelled in this area. I never had a conversation with Cooley where he didn't have something meaningful or inciteful to say. The guy was funny and kept it real. He was a great communicator. TOT and Cormier were not as funny or good as Cooley but they were at least always genuine and honest in their communications. I appreciated them both. I have not interacted with young as much or in the way I did with past coaches, but so far I have found him to be relatively candid in his interactions so I appreciate his communication style. I hope this turns out to be a good event.
The fundraiser was a very nice event. It was a beautiful warm evening and country club of Fairfield has a wonderful setting on a bluff overlooking the Long Island sound. A open bar located on the rear portico was available for the entire event. I had the opportunity to visit with “ son of doc” , “ reindeer fan” and “ paulie 74”. The event raised $15k for FF basketball and was attended by 50-75+ attendees. Paul Schlickmann addressed the group. Nothin new from him. The standard dialog, it’s a great time for FF athletics and athletics are on great upward trajectory to establishing a premier mid-major program etc. Crisler , Green and Benning were at the event with Taj speaking and thanking all for their continued support. Coach Young spoke to the crowd acknowledging his new contract and indicating he wants to coach at FF to the end of his career. He took Q&A’s from the audience. One attendee asked if any school had been identified as a opponent for the first game at the CC. Jay indicated “ NO” but would like to see a traditional opponent like Holy Cross or some other school that FF has history with. The speaker segment ended with “ Son of Doc” speaking about the origin of of “ Docs Rountable” and how it was started by his dad and my friend the late Dr. Walt Pleban during the Terry O’Connor coaching era. Overall a very nice evening!
Speaking with the FF development staff at the event they indicated the CC is on schedule with completion in November. As posted bt another poster previously the expected cost is $51m higher then the original $45m estimate. That is par for the course as these large construction projects rarely under run or come in on estimate.
Zach said last night there have been 1,800 responses to the online survey sent a few days ago. They appear to be very open to suggestions.
This is the most bullish thing I’ve read about Fairfield basketball in a while. Time to wake up the dormant Red Sea and give them a reason to finally show up en masse!
Hopefully the University will not skimp on first class amenities? One chance to get it right.
I raised that point in a conversation with someone in Development and the answer was an immediate "No". (they will not skimp)
SHU is spending 70(?) on their hockey arena-ice cost less than 25. From a source, ideally we’d spend 65 but things were cut back because of negotiations with the professors. It’s probably why they are saying no debt (idiotic not to do that in today’s market). I’m sure it will be nice, new, clean- but this is the most visible place on campus. It should be special, not standard/ cookie cutter. What will make this special?