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gostangs wrote:

SMUer wrote:First of all, IΓÇÖve always been of the opinion that we should have put a bubble over the IM fields 15 years ago to have something to point to, and only then try to gather up funding for something grander.

But since we are bemoaning not being able to afford Valhalla...

1) I donΓÇÖt know why it is exclusively on SMU ADΓÇÖs shoulders to ΓÇ£pony upΓÇ¥ the cash for Peter WeygandΓÇÿs world class lab...world-class reseachers use donations or grants from benefactors to build their own world class laboratories all the time...is private, industrial or military money to add the the coffee?
2) We have the Michael JohnsonΓÇÖs Performance center and the American Heart Association both based on Dallas; no relationships to cultivate there with a ΓÇ£world-classΓÇ¥ facility? Hell, why donΓÇÖt we make a push to be an Olympic Training Center for track, athletes already come to Dallas for MJP, perhaps we offer residential housing and bring in world-class coaches on the USOC payroll to work with help our trainers.

If you are focused and aggressive, you can usually get things done. I just donΓÇÖt think SMU wants a world-class facility enough to go beyond an initial ask to RGTΓÇÖs donor friends. ThatΓÇÖs what it really disappointing for all our resources and proximity to major companies and organizations, SMU still operates in a bubble.

Its called setting priorities. Nobody cares that much about track, and nobody cares about having the very best IPF ever - and rightfully so. Even if you care about track - you cant really say having that level of indoor track is worth it to a 6k student university who is trying to be great at things that matter. We can use that time and those connections and resources elsewhere. Thanks goodness you folks are not in charge.

Box checked. Next item on the list please.

RGV Pony wrote:I've heard that question asked a few times, one answer I can remember is that it would absolutely have to be the right sponsor (e.g. Rolex).

tristatecoog wrote:Which private U's or big time public U's have corporate sponsors on stadiums?
Houston, Tech, Louisville, UNT...yes.
SMU, TCU, UT....no....except baseball at both UT and A&M.

Black Horseshoe wrote:I heard from a well placed source that the funding necessary that get over the 80% threshold is looking shaky.

Well, the original plan was that in exchange for a scholarship to play under such a great coach in a high-powered offense, a small honorarium was arranged by Jones to push the IPC funding over the 80% mark. Since Chad left with JerryΓÇÖs blessing and SJS is in all likelihood heading to Arkyland, Hart doesnΓÇÖt have anywhere to turn for the last 4 million. Would have helped if Mrs. Jones had donated the $10,000,000 to athletics not Meadows. Also been bugging me that Jerry was a member of the CoC for June but not Chad.

Sonny understands, but is a little miffed because multiple boosters confirmed to him during his interviews that funding was secured.

DonΓÇÖt want to cause concern but this is why it has been so quiet.