New Gentile Center unveiling

[wh]

LU is playing its first game against Fordham right now in it's newly updated Gentile Center.  The game is being televised on Lakeshore Public TV, ESPN3, and the HL Network.  I have been to the old GC.  It was nothing more than a high school gym.  From what I can tell so far, the newly revamped facility looks beautiful.

[wh]

Article and picture from the Chicago Tribune:

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-11-25/sports/ct-spt-1126-loyola-gentile-arena--20111126_1_ben-averkamp-alumni-gym-ramblers

The game announcers said the revamp cost was $100 Million.

[swiftmutiny]

I believe the $100 million includes a new union and several other projects as well. It's a very nice looking arena, hopefully the ARC will be comparable to it someday.

[valpopal]

LU is playing its first game against Fordham right now in it's newly updated Gentile Center.  The game is being televised on Lakeshore Public TV, ESPN3, and the HL Network.  I have been to the old GC.  It was nothing more than a high school gym.  From what I can tell so far, the newly revamped facility looks beautiful.

The facility looks very good, and it is interesting to note that the seating capacity is about the same as Valpo's. Perhaps this could be one model for consideration whenever there is future renovation of the ARC.

[bbtds]

Fordham 50
Loyola 64

A nice win for the opening of their revamped Gentile Center.

The Ramblers were up at halftime 34-25. Joe Crisman had 14 points in 38 minutes and shot 4 of 6 from inside the arc and 2 of 4 beyond the arc. Ben Averkamp had 13 points in 31 minutes and shot 5 of 12 all inside the arc. He made 3 of 5 free throws. Denzel Brito had 11 points in 34 minutes and shot 3 of 4 from inside the arc and 1 of 3 from beyond the arc. Denzel made his 2 free throws. Five other players scored 7 or less points for Loyola. As a team Loyola shot 4 of 10 from trey and 52% overall.

Chris Gaston had 19 points for the Fordham Rams but no other player for the Rams was in double figures.

[wh]

I can't help but feel a little jealous.  Loyola has crap teams for the last several years.  Their coaches and A.D. blame their facility, saying that it is killing recruiting.  So what happens?  The university responds and builds them a mini-palace.  By the way, the original Gentile Center is only 15 year old, much newer that the ARC. 

I know for a fact that Homer has been saying the same thing behind the scenes about the ARC.  But, because he still found a way to put winning teams on the court, the university ignored him and put their money into anything and everything else over many years.  Even now there is no plan on the books to do anything like what Loyola has done.  People can say anything they want, but truth is Valparaiso University is NOT committed to providing competitive athletic facilities for its athletic programs and student athletes. 

[historyman]

People can say anything they want, but truth is Valparaiso University is NOT committed to providing competitive athletic facilities for its athletic programs and student athletes. 

The real truth is that there are members of the board of directors of Valparaiso University who don't care one iota about athletics at Valpo and would drop all sports (isn't that what Northeastern Illinois eventually did) if they could. So they don't give money for athletic facilities. Therefore you have someone who has $15 million to give to Valpo and he earmarks it all for the Chapel. Did anyone else go hmmmmmmm?

[vuweathernerd]

People can say anything they want, but truth is Valparaiso University is NOT committed to providing competitive athletic facilities for its athletic programs and student athletes. 

The real truth is that there are members of the board of directors of Valparaiso University who don't care one iota about athletics at Valpo and would drop all sports (isn't that what Northeastern Illinois eventually did) if they could. So they don't give money for athletic facilities. Therefore you have someone who has $15 million to give to Valpo and he earmarks it all for the Chapel. Did anyone else go hmmmmmmm?

i'm a firm supporter of vu athletics, but let's not fool ourselves into thinking the chapel doesn't need maintenance or upgrades.

[historyman]

i'm a firm supporter of vu athletics, but let's not fool ourselves into thinking the chapel doesn't need maintenance or upgrades.

I can also tell you that even if the Chapel was not in need of maintenance or upgrades that money would not have gone to athletic facilities.

My example of the Chapel getting the money for needed upgrades was not a good one. What an observant person can see is that monies in the amounts that Valpo needs for athletic facilities is available but yet certain people don't give a penny for athletic facilities.

[vu72]

So tell us historyman, where did the money come from for the Brown Field improvements, the tennis center, the basketball practice facility, the new ARC floor or the new scoreboard?  I'm guessing we are talking multiple millions on these projects.  Small donors?  I don't think so.

Inquiring minds want to know!!

[historyman]

So tell us historyman, where did the money come from for the Brown Field improvements, the tennis center, the basketball practice facility, the new ARC floor or the new scoreboard?  I'm guessing we are talking multiple millions on these projects.  Small donors?  I don't think so.

Inquiring minds want to know!!

I believe you're guessing wrong. Do you really believe it cost multiple millions for these upgrades? Wasn't the new scoreboard paid for by the sponsor-McDonalds? Didn't someone who is not a board member give the money for the basketball practice facility? I seem to remember the ARC floor costing about 1/2 million not multiple millions. I have a feeling the tennis center cost about the same. The improvements to the football field were extensive but don't the players over the years pay for these with their tuition money because we don't give scholarships.

[valpo84]

It is unfortunate that we don't have unlimited assets and endowment that can make a couple posters happy. We are a private university with a limited endowment. We had faciliteis and still do that are under competitive in major areas like residences, the Union classrooms, not just one of the newest buildings on campus the ARC. The Chapel was in bad need of repairs after over 50 years. It is the center of campus physically and mission-wise. The ARC itself is below today's standards for space utilization and revenue maximization. Everyone, that includes, the Board knows this, but unless you all who are so critical forgot we have been in a rescession for 3 years, and we have limited funds (and your willing to step up with $15 million), you just can't make $100 or $50 million available for a revamp immediately to meet the criticisms. The University recognizes it needs to revamp the main athletic facilities, including building a facility that meets the needs of most of the student body. There are studies to find the best solutions and the end result will be announced when it's time. You have read on this board the progress of that. Frankly, there are many on that Board who are some of the biggest supporters of Valpo athletics and Valpo basketball. Introduce yourself next time you're at a game or Homecoming or a Board weekend, or send them a thoughtful note. Just ripping them without engaging in dialogue about the conflicting priorities of a University is not productive.

[historyman]

Loyola was able to revamp the Gentile Center during a recession. Where did the money for their athletic facility come from? Where will students go to school when they tour campus facilities and see our athletic facilities are behind? The answer is a place such as Loyola who can upgrade their athletic facilities during a recession. They don't make excuses they get it done.

[wh]

It is unfortunate that we don't have unlimited assets and endowment that can make a couple posters happy. We are a private university with a limited endowment. We had faciliteis and still do that are under competitive in major areas like residences, the Union classrooms, not just one of the newest buildings on campus the ARC. The Chapel was in bad need of repairs after over 50 years. It is the center of campus physically and mission-wise. The ARC itself is below today's standards for space utilization and revenue maximization. Everyone, that includes, the Board knows this, but unless you all who are so critical forgot we have been in a rescession for 3 years, and we have limited funds (and your willing to step up with $15 million), you just can't make $100 or $50 million available for a revamp immediately to meet the criticisms. The University recognizes it needs to revamp the main athletic facilities, including building a facility that meets the needs of most of the student body. There are studies to find the best solutions and the end result will be announced when it's time. You have read on this board the progress of that. Frankly, there are many on that Board who are some of the biggest supporters of Valpo athletics and Valpo basketball. Introduce yourself next time you're at a game or Homecoming or a Board weekend, or send them a thoughtful note. Just ripping them without engaging in dialogue about the conflicting priorities of a University is not productive.

Let's try to paint the story a little more accurately.  Administration and board failure to address university athletic facility needs began years before the current economic downturn.  Over all those years, they never developed a comprehensive strategic master plan for athletic facility upgrades.  Whatever improvements that have been made in the past 20 years have been piecemeal add-ons to academic facility initiatives.  I have been told that they approved the jump to the Horizon League without ever having developed an assessment of current and future athletic facility needs to be competitive in a higher profile conference.   In other words, a true cost/benefit analysis was never developed - only a superficial study that compared travel costs, etc. 

So here we sit with what is now the worst bb facility in the HL, an inter collegate track program with no track, no fieldhouse, etc., etc.  And you think the administration and board have a firm grasp on all this?  As to basketball they can thank their lucky stars that a family named Drew has SO FAR given them cover for their failure to do their job.  The day Bryce Drew leaves and we hire some young coach without a name or some elses retread, our basketball program is headed straight to the crapper.  Lastly, as to the "we have more needs than money" pity party, it reminds me of someone who buys a much bigger home than they ever should have and then cries that they don't have any money to furnish it or keep it up.  No one forced Valparaiso University to participate in D-1 athletics.  Like anything in life you have to pay to play.  From the beginning of our entry into D-1 athletics to today the leadership of Valparaiso University has never demonstrated BY ITS ACTIONS that it understands that.   

[valpotx]

Luckily, I don't believe Bryce will leave the university anytime in the future, as he has already made his money playing basketball.  Unless we show no backing for him, I don't see him leaving.

In regards to athletics backing, President Heckler seemed to indicate in his meeting down here a few months back that athletics is supported by the board, and they realize the draw a D-1 school has over other universities without similar sports.  Just the added exposure of being on ESPN every now and then gets our school name in the mainstream.  So many people know of Valpo down here because of our basketball team, that it draws applicants who wouldn't otherwise look into such a school. 

When I donate money to VU each year, I only donate it to the athletics programs (mainly baseball).    If athletics ever went away, I would no longer donate...

[lowposter]

Gonna shift gears here slightly, but Munster's very own Joe Crisman is proving to be quite the player for Loyola.  He is absolutely a stud and would have been a very good addition to the Crusaders.  Think Matt Kenney with just a bit more size.  Munster players are very fundamentally sound coming out of high school.  There is a very good point guard over there now that is a junior, which we probably will not recruit with Davidson locked up, but keep an eye on him (Schlottman).

lowposter

[Crusader03]

Gonna shift gears here slightly, but Munster's very own Joe Crisman is proving to be quite the player for Loyola.  He is absolutely a stud and would have been a very good addition to the Crusaders.  Think Matt Kenney with just a bit more size.  Munster players are very fundamentally sound coming out of high school.  There is a very good point guard over there now that is a junior, which we probably will not recruit with Davidson locked up, but keep an eye on him (Schlottman).

lowposter

He must be super-special then!

[vu84v2]

First off, it was former VU President O.P. Kretzman that said that a great university must be recognized nationally in one major sport.  This, if my memory is correct, is what started Valpo's move to Division 1.

Priorities:  I could support SOME renovation to the ARC that makes sense.  Chairback seating on both sides with the addition of permanent seating on the east end.  There is no legitimate business reason for a new stadium or significantly expanding the seating in the ARC.  Valpo had a darn good team last year and there were empty seats for the Butler and Missouri State games.  Build it and they will come is not a business strategy...it is a plan for financial failure.  Additionally, if you were running the university would you honestly spend significant dollars on a new basketball facility over what has been spent for a new engineering wing, a new classroom building, a library that is competitive with any university, a union, etc. etc.?  And do you think that there are not still pressiing priorities for new dorms that are greater than an athletic facility?  I do believe they need to plan for overhauling student athletic facilities and with that could create more quality space for the basketball team and other programs...isn't that in the plan?

I have not been to half of the facilities in the Horizon league for basketball, but I would argue confidently that the ARC is better than the old Mecca where UW-Milwaukee plays.  Bigger is not better.  And while I would consider Hinkle a historic gem, you cannot honestly tell me that the ARC is not cleaner and more comfortable for watching a game.  Heck, I go to games at Allen Fieldhouse now and (like Hinkle) it is a historic gem, but their seating makes the ARC look plush.  Environment is far more important than money spent on facilities in my opinion and the ARC is still somewhat flat (a very poor schedule for fans and students this year does not help).

The last poster talks about targeting donations.  This is great advice!  If you want money spent on athletics, target your money there.  Yeah, I know the university can adjust the Valpo fund to counteract that, but it does send a message.

[valporun]

The last poster talks about targeting donations.  This is great advice!  If you want money spent on athletics, target your money there.  Yeah, I know the university can adjust the Valpo fund to counteract that, but it does send a message.

Some of the athletics coaches could do some more individual work on fundraising too. They can't all expect/hope Mark LaBarbera will bring in all the money for them. I mean has anyone received any "cries for help" in fundraising from the tennis or track coaching staff since the FITT project was started? I didn't receive anything from Ryan Moore or Mike Straubel about helping with the track team getting funds for the track, as an alum of both track and cross country at VU.

[valpotx]

I definitely haven't seen anything related to FITT.  I only get mail from the basketball and baseball programs.

[vu84v2]

I was an athlete on a team in the 80s (far from anything major and I was not very good).  That program has sent me specific mailings asking for targeted donations - so it is at least done inconsistently from the athletic department.

[valporun]

I was an athlete on a team in the 80s (far from anything major and I was not very good).  That program has sent me specific mailings asking for targeted donations - so it is at least done inconsistently from the athletic department.

What team were you a part of?

[VULB#62]

In tune with wh, Valpotx and historyman. 

INVESTMENT: putting money or other items of value into something with an an expectation gain or favorable future returns.

All I'm looking for is more than lip service to "investing in our student athletes."  Investment means two things to me:  (1) priming the pump with a solid cash investment in visible assets and (2) bootstrapping on it with a professionally promoted and managed capital improvement fund drive to parallel and enhance the initial investment.  In this manner the university can say, "Look, see we've dumped good money into this 'important' aspect of campus life and to finish the job we need $X,XXX,XX.00 more to finish the job. Come to think of that, I still don't know how much the FITT campaign generated and why the track still isn't a reality, while the softball complex has had a renovation in the meantime (not picking on SB -- that's really great that that's been done).  Speaking only for myself, if I saw more of a commitment by the administration to truly supporting D-I athletics across the board, I'd be more willing to donate more money annually and more willing to underwrite a capital fund raising program.

[crusaderjoe]

So LUC, a private institution just like dear ol' Valpo, has revamped their athletic facility for their flagship athletic program (basketball) twice in the last 15 years, and yet here some of us are justifying the lack of movement by the folks in charge on VU's facility over the same time period.  But hey, at least we can chest-thump about new video boards that have replaced scoreboards that were installed during the Reagan administration.  That's a start.  Maybe we'll get a revised or new venue for our flagship sport by 2050.

Please, don't piss down my back and tell me its raining.

Capital contributions for new campus buildings and related items from prior campaign – $240,000,000.00 or so?
Capital contributions for a new arena or for significant ARC venue improvements from that campaign - $0.00

Oh, and the campaign had about a $30M surplus, right?

On this issue, that is all I need to know.

[78crusader]

Don't know where the idea has come up that VU ended up with a $30 million surplus from the last capital campaign.  We may have ended up with $30 million over the announced goal, but that in no way represents a surplus, especially in light of the decline in endowment value experienced by nearly every four-year school since 2008. 

President Harre, when he took over in 1988, was faced with an outdated library, a hideous student union, and a near-complete lack of music/art facilities.  He and the board decided, and rightfully so, that these projects trumped all other building projects/improvements.  The board was right then and they are right now.  Perhaps a new fieldhouse will be part of the new campus master plan, details of which should be forthcoming in the next several months (and perhaps President Heckler will provide us with a glimpse of these plans on Dec 6th during his WVUR interview).  Unless and until a major donor steps forward with a huge check, though, we are going to have to live with the ARC.  And, given our need for new dorms, another new academic building, a larger endowment, and new science and nursing facilities, that is the way it should be.  Paul