Our Glorious Athletic Director

[Consigliere]

I'm also part of a family of alumni.

Alumni often don't know squat until the very last step.

Strikes me that people really have no clue how fundraising happens, how options are explored and deals are made (or not made) before the general public (including alumni) are ever informed or asked for input.

Yes it strikes me as well. We're constantly solicited for projects that the school deems worthy. That is the key, it comes from the school. They determine the projects and priorities. They come up with the plans. How about the school leading for once? How about the school (if the answer is NO) releasing the studies proving it can't be done and allowing us to critique it? How about the school releasing the studies of what they need?

Remember the school has done all these "studies" let's see them.

Right...you're solicited by the university AFTER they have conducted feasibility studies, found that it's feasible, contacted big-name donors to raise start-up funds for vendors/contractors, lined up the necessary permits, put forth a design concept, etc, etc, etc.

The university doesn't contact alumni or send out a PR announcement to the gen public until they've got all their ducks in a row. They don't alert you of stuff that isn't feasibly going to happen.

How about the school releasing the study so we can critique it?

 

[Consigliere]

If the university wants to do an updated feasibility study, then go for it.

That is very big of you.

Wow, and you're patronizing, too. Why don't you lead the study? You seem to know your way around Google Earth.

I am aware we have to lead the study. Did you see our AD's comments?

How long can you stay hard to the $350 Million Renovations?

 

[Consigliere]

I have seen past quotes from ADs about the stadium issue and the fact that they've researched the options and found nothing that turned out to be feasible. To think that the athletic department hasn't is just asinine.

OMG, he saw quotes. That is enough. Lock the thread.

 

[Miami82]

This board has been insufferable, but great posts here by db.

Half the people calling for a feasibility study here have had to copy and paste the term to maintain its proper spelling. Just because you haven't seen it doesn't mean it hasn't been done. And if UM was smart, they'd have a bunch of smart, ambitious, and incentivized grad students turn in a bunch of feasibility studies -- see if any young, bright minds had any ideas they may have missed -- and at absolutely no cost to them!

/ohwait

LMAO, you mean the same administration that hired a consultant firm to hire our HC and ended up hiring Randy Shannon... Yep I would believe in that brain trust. smh

 

[Consigliere]

i don't remember exact figures because this was 3 years ago, but tropical park would be the cost of the land, the cost of stadium construction, and somewhere around $14-20 million from the state to build direct on/off ramps to the stadium site off of the 826 to prevent bird and miller from clogging up. baylor's new stadium cost $266 million to build. it seats just under 45k and is probably the closest thing to what we need that we can judge costs from. i don't know what the construction cost index is for miami compared to waco, but it's definitely more expensive. also tropical park would come at extortion prices because the city has no reason to sell the land and we have no leverage to get it.

the other sites past the hammocks on the west side of the city were the cost of land, stadium construction costs, $125-175 million from the state alone to construct/expand new roads, and we actually ended up losing count of the property values of what would need to be demolished in order to widen the roads enough (it was in the hundreds of millions). that's all discounting the inevitable lawsuits from displaced businesses and homes if the state were to somehow claim eminent domain over those properties for highway road construction, which would also be fought tooth and nail by the city to begin with.

the biggest problem that we have isn't the fundraising, it's the politics. the lands out west would require the state to justify spending tons of money to displace homes and businesses as well as build roads to a stadium that would suit our needs, but isn't big enough to be a premier venue for shows/events. the potential for revenue at a site on the remote outskirts of the city isn't as high as it is at the existing stadium (sun life). tropical park is municipal and buying city land like that, especially that much prime property in the middle of an urban area, is a battle in itself. like i said, it's not impossible, but you'd have to find the right person to lobby to the right politicians, have the right timing, and have the business plan to make it a profitable venture.

"also tropical park would come at extortion prices because the city has no reason to sell the land and we have no leverage to get it."

Exactly, and that is a huge, key issue. Baylor and other such schools that got their mid-sized stadiums built have one large advantage over us. Their cities or metro areas actually work with them and view them as partners. Miami-Dade is an extremely corrupt government and business atmosphere that would ***** over their grandmothers when cutting a deal. They have no loyalty to, or interest in, UM unless they can skim a lot off the top. The OB issue was fully and completely on the city. There's no reason to believe they would be any less cut throat when it comes to any other land they own.

Is the city running at a deficit?

Has that ever made a difference to the city?

Well they're working on cutting costs and reducing the deficit. I would say it makes a difference.

To close a $64 million budget deficit, 674 positions would be eliminated across county government, which has a work force of about 25,000.

 

[dk72]

I have seen past quotes from ADs about the stadium issue and the fact that they've researched the options and found nothing that turned out to be feasible. To think that the athletic department hasn't is just asinine.

OMG, he saw quotes. That is enough. Lock the thread.

Compared to you lame asses making the ridiculous assumption that the university simply hasn't looked at the stadium issue despite it being a major topic being brought up all the time, it's a **** of a lot more than you've got. You seem to think that the University has to keep you informed of every single thing they assess and examine.

 

[Consigliere]

if the solution was that simple, don't you think the city would have done something by now? they already have marine stadium that they do nothing with that was a unique, intimate concert venue, but it still sits there collecting dust despite people wanting to buy it and do something with it. tropical park is not some empty lot in the middle of nowhere. it's a public works installation in the middle of the city and is built to lose money in exchange for public benefit.

Simple to who, the County? The county doesn't always have or realize every option on the table. Sometimes it has to be brought to them (with the plans and studies) so they can see it.

 

[Consigliere]

I have seen past quotes from ADs about the stadium issue and the fact that they've researched the options and found nothing that turned out to be feasible. To think that the athletic department hasn't is just asinine.

OMG, he saw quotes. That is enough. Lock the thread.

Compared to you lame asses making the ridiculous assumption that the university simply hasn't looked at the stadium issue despite it being a major topic being brought up all the time, it's a **** of a lot more than you've got. You seem to think that the University has to keep you informed of every single thing they assess and examine.

It's funny how you guys fight so hard when you know so much.

If you were satisfied with all the necessary steps being taken and knew all the REAL information; it seems to me you would just let us "lame asses" make our "ridiculous assumptions" in peace. Why fight when you know everything? Why fight when we're totally wrong?

 

[CaneInHeelCountry]

I'm also part of a family of alumni.

Alumni often don't know squat until the very last step.

Strikes me that people really have no clue how fundraising happens, how options are explored and deals are made (or not made) before the general public (including alumni) are ever informed or asked for input.

Yes it strikes me as well. We're constantly solicited for projects that the school deems worthy. That is the key, it comes from the school. They determine the projects and priorities. They come up with the plans. How about the school leading for once? How about the school (if the answer is NO) releasing the studies proving it can't be done and allowing us to critique it? How about the school releasing the studies of what they need?

Remember the school has done all these "studies" let's see them.

Right...you're solicited by the university AFTER they have conducted feasibility studies, found that it's feasible, contacted big-name donors to raise start-up funds for vendors/contractors, lined up the necessary permits, put forth a design concept, etc, etc, etc.

The university doesn't contact alumni or send out a PR announcement to the gen public until they've got all their ducks in a row. They don't alert you of stuff that isn't feasibly going to happen.

How about the school releasing the study so we can critique it?

When's the last time they released a feasibility study of anything--any building or reno on campus--to the gen public? It's simply not done. That's not the way these things go.

 

[Consigliere]

If the university was able to acquire land and profit somewhat from non football events , they'd make it happen. Additionally, money is only asked of donors after feasibility studies. Often the first donation announced is not the first one that was made,

huh

 

[Consigliere]

I'm also part of a family of alumni.

Alumni often don't know squat until the very last step.

Strikes me that people really have no clue how fundraising happens, how options are explored and deals are made (or not made) before the general public (including alumni) are ever informed or asked for input.

Yes it strikes me as well. We're constantly solicited for projects that the school deems worthy. That is the key, it comes from the school. They determine the projects and priorities. They come up with the plans. How about the school leading for once? How about the school (if the answer is NO) releasing the studies proving it can't be done and allowing us to critique it? How about the school releasing the studies of what they need?

Remember the school has done all these "studies" let's see them.

Right...you're solicited by the university AFTER they have conducted feasibility studies, found that it's feasible, contacted big-name donors to raise start-up funds for vendors/contractors, lined up the necessary permits, put forth a design concept, etc, etc, etc.

The university doesn't contact alumni or send out a PR announcement to the gen public until they've got all their ducks in a row. They don't alert you of stuff that isn't feasibly going to happen.

How about the school releasing the study so we can critique it?

When's the last time they released a feasibility study of anything--any building or reno on campus--to the gen public? It's simply not done. That's not the way these things go.

Would you agree that many people (alumni and fans) talk about the stadium endlessly?

Side note: When in Rome is not a defense to the counter-argument.

 

[NVA CANE]

I have seen past quotes from ADs about the stadium issue and the fact that they've researched the options and found nothing that turned out to be feasible. To think that the athletic department hasn't is just asinine.

OMG, he saw quotes. That is enough. Lock the thread.

If they have done research then good on them, but any dummy would know to mention that while doing an interview and not make yourself look like a passive buffoon that's just waiting on a knight in shining armor to come and hand you a stadium.

 

[dk72]

I have seen past quotes from ADs about the stadium issue and the fact that they've researched the options and found nothing that turned out to be feasible. To think that the athletic department hasn't is just asinine.

OMG, he saw quotes. That is enough. Lock the thread.

Compared to you lame asses making the ridiculous assumption that the university simply hasn't looked at the stadium issue despite it being a major topic being brought up all the time, it's a **** of a lot more than you've got. You seem to think that the University has to keep you informed of every single thing they assess and examine.

It's funny how you guys fight so hard when you know so much.

If you were satisfied with all the necessary steps being taken and knew all the REAL information; it seems to me you would just let us "lame asses" make our "ridiculous assumptions" in peace. Why fight when you know everything? Why fight when we're totally wrong?

Wow, pot meet kettle. Hypocrite, you jump into every thread and every post by anyone who says something that you don't agree with and that you are "sure" is incorrect.

 

[dk72]

I have seen past quotes from ADs about the stadium issue and the fact that they've researched the options and found nothing that turned out to be feasible. To think that the athletic department hasn't is just asinine.

OMG, he saw quotes. That is enough. Lock the thread.

If they have done research then good on them, but any dummy would know to mention that while doing an interview and not make yourself look like a passive buffoon that's just waiting on a knight in white shining armor to come and hand you a stadium.

They have mentioned it in the past. That's EXACTLY why James made the snarky comment about waiting for someone to bring them one. The question about the stadium keeps getting recycled despite the fact that UM has already commented about looking into it and not finding any viable option, as if somehow something magically changed since then. Hence, the only option left is to wait for that knight in shining armor to bring us a stadium. In fact, the administration jumped right into the conversation when the MLS stadium was being discussed, because that was the first new, even semi-viable possibility to arise in years.

 

[Consigliere]

I have seen past quotes from ADs about the stadium issue and the fact that they've researched the options and found nothing that turned out to be feasible. To think that the athletic department hasn't is just asinine.

OMG, he saw quotes. That is enough. Lock the thread.

Compared to you lame asses making the ridiculous assumption that the university simply hasn't looked at the stadium issue despite it being a major topic being brought up all the time, it's a **** of a lot more than you've got. You seem to think that the University has to keep you informed of every single thing they assess and examine.

It's funny how you guys fight so hard when you know so much.

If you were satisfied with all the necessary steps being taken and knew all the REAL information; it seems to me you would just let us "lame asses" make our "ridiculous assumptions" in peace. Why fight when you know everything? Why fight when we're totally wrong?

Wow, pot meet kettle. Hypocrite, you jump into every thread and every post by anyone who says something that you don't agree with and that you are "sure" is incorrect.

Hypocrite, you can do better then that. Tell me how you really feel. Send me a PM if you want to use stronger words then hypocrite.

Can't you just let us "lame asses" have our "ridiculous assumptions" in peace?

DB305 was bringing some good info, there is nothing wrong with dialogue about his studies (since it is the only one that may exist) and discussing our thoughts. We get your thoughts. It can't be done and the school has done all the studies and determined it is not possible. Thanks for sharing. Do you want to add anything else?

 

[tjl1388]

To close a $64 million budget deficit, 674 positions would be eliminated across county government, which has a work force of about 25,000.

And if they ran at anywhere near an efficient level those positions wouldn't even be missed.

 

[NVA CANE]

I have seen past quotes from ADs about the stadium issue and the fact that they've researched the options and found nothing that turned out to be feasible. To think that the athletic department hasn't is just asinine.

OMG, he saw quotes. That is enough. Lock the thread.

If they have done research then good on them, but any dummy would know to mention that while doing an interview and not make yourself look like a passive buffoon that's just waiting on a knight in white shining armor to come and hand you a stadium.

They have mentioned it in the past. That's EXACTLY why James made the snarky comment about waiting for someone to bring them one. The question about the stadium keeps getting recycled despite the fact that UM has already commented about looking into it and not finding any viable option, as if somehow something magically changed since then. Hence, the only option left is to wait for that knight in shining armor to bring us a stadium. In fact, the administration jumped right into the conversation when the MLS stadium was being discussed, because that was the first new, even semi-viable possibility to arise in years.

If he's said it before then I stand corrected. I have no problem admitting I am wrong.

 

[Consigliere]

I have seen past quotes from ADs about the stadium issue and the fact that they've researched the options and found nothing that turned out to be feasible. To think that the athletic department hasn't is just asinine.

OMG, he saw quotes. That is enough. Lock the thread.

If they have done research then good on them, but any dummy would know to mention that while doing an interview and not make yourself look like a passive buffoon that's just waiting on a knight in shining armor to come and hand you a stadium.

Our AD is a tremendous retarded puppet and he shouldn't have said anything. But he could bench *** so he is fine for now.

 

[dk72]

OMG, he saw quotes. That is enough. Lock the thread.

Compared to you lame asses making the ridiculous assumption that the university simply hasn't looked at the stadium issue despite it being a major topic being brought up all the time, it's a **** of a lot more than you've got. You seem to think that the University has to keep you informed of every single thing they assess and examine.

It's funny how you guys fight so hard when you know so much.

If you were satisfied with all the necessary steps being taken and knew all the REAL information; it seems to me you would just let us "lame asses" make our "ridiculous assumptions" in peace. Why fight when you know everything? Why fight when we're totally wrong?

Wow, pot meet kettle. Hypocrite, you jump into every thread and every post by anyone who says something that you don't agree with and that you are "sure" is incorrect.

Hypocrite, you can do better then that. Tell me how you really feel. Send me a PM if you want to use stronger words then hypocrite.

Can't you just let us "lame asses" have our "ridiculous assumptions" in peace?

DB305 was bringing some good info, there is nothing wrong with dialogue about his studies (since there the ones that may exist) and discussing our thoughts. We get your thoughts. It can't be done and the school has done all the studies and determined it is not possible. Thanks for sharing. Do you want to add anything else?

"Do you want to add anything else?"

After you.

 

[Consigliere]

Compared to you lame asses making the ridiculous assumption that the university simply hasn't looked at the stadium issue despite it being a major topic being brought up all the time, it's a **** of a lot more than you've got. You seem to think that the University has to keep you informed of every single thing they assess and examine.

It's funny how you guys fight so hard when you know so much.

If you were satisfied with all the necessary steps being taken and knew all the REAL information; it seems to me you would just let us "lame asses" make our "ridiculous assumptions" in peace. Why fight when you know everything? Why fight when we're totally wrong?

Wow, pot meet kettle. Hypocrite, you jump into every thread and every post by anyone who says something that you don't agree with and that you are "sure" is incorrect.

Hypocrite, you can do better then that. Tell me how you really feel. Send me a PM if you want to use stronger words then hypocrite.

Can't you just let us "lame asses" have our "ridiculous assumptions" in peace?

DB305 was bringing some good info, there is nothing wrong with dialogue about his studies (since there the ones that may exist) and discussing our thoughts. We get your thoughts. It can't be done and the school has done all the studies and determined it is not possible. Thanks for sharing. Do you want to add anything else?

"Do you want to add anything else?"

After you.

Follow the thread. Suspense......