Posted on 02/11/2004 7:40:29 PM PST by kakkatekoi
Alumni to Board: Fix Football
Being the Trustee of a major university is never an easy job, as it can sometimes be difficult to put a finger on the pulse of what the various constituencies whose interests must be served may want.
But just over a week before their annual Winter meeting, the Current and Life Trustees got an idea of what concerns their alumni constituents these days when they received a letter drafted by a group of them and signed by over 400 others.
Citing disappointment over the current state of affairs both in the athletic department in general and the football program in particular, the letter emphasized the signers' belief that Notre Dame could excel at football again given the appropriate commitment, leadership and organizational structure. They charged the Board to take the program's reins in a firmer grasp, arresting the decline of "the institution that has done so much to elevate the visibility and reputation of Notre Dame."
"As alumni dedicated to the well-being of Notre Dame," said Tim Kelley, Notre Dame Class of 1964 and one of the letter's authors, "we are extremely concerned about the apparent lack of appreciation by the university's leadership for the impact that championship football has on the essence of the university and the environment that has and will develop Notre Dame students. We feel that the University's leadership has not properly managed or nurtured this very important element of what makes Notre Dame a very special institution."
"Football has had a pivotal role in making ND what it is today," agreed Kevin O'Neill, Class of 1976 and another author. "It's a source of pride and spirit that binds the Notre Dame family together. I do not know the specifics of the athletics business, but I do know good business practice, and I am not seeing that at ND. Poor hiring practices and marginalizing your customers is never a good practice."
The letter tackled many subjects, particularly the recent comments coming out of South Bend regarding potential conference membership for football. The authors attacked such a stance as "a surrender of Notre Dame’s unique national identity to the notion that Notre Dame can’t or won’t do what is necessary to succeed," and rejected the theory that such a change could be forced on Notre Dame by any change in the "landscape" of the sport.
While the letter is highly critical of the way the program is being run, its authors took great pains to point out that they were not seeking head coach Tyrone Willingham's dismissal. "Coach Willingham is a fine leader who represents Notre Dame well," the letter said, but went on to point out that continued performance along the current trend could erode that support quickly.
(Excerpt) Read more at ndnation.com ...
http://www.ndnation.com/change/BOT_letter.html
Something's cookin' and it's not at Fat Shirley's.
Over the tenure of the current Univ Pres. Ed "Monk" Malloy there has been a gradual deterioration of the storied football program. A new culture has taken hold of du Lac, transforming it before the eyes of her many devoted alumni, and friends.
"Monk" and his many BOT devotee are delighted to "brand name" the Fighting Irish, reaping monetary rewards from the football program through lucrative merchandising. Yet, they would allow the program to continue its death spiral without making any effort to affect this disturbing trend.
"The Letter" is an attempt by concerned ND alumni to call attention to those who have apparently shruged off their sense of duty to protect and restore a tradition that made ND a successful Catholic University.
According to one member of the board, who wished to remain unnamed, disappointment with last season's 5-7 record has not translated into alarm. None of the demands in the letter were considered at the board's regularly scheduled winter meetings last week. "I do not recall (the letter) even being mentioned (at the meetings)," the trustee said.
Seeing the above headline tonight after reading the article below yesterday I had a fleeting hope that the world was being set right. I forgot that Football is the job of ND not making moral human beings.
"CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY" ENDORSES GAY/LESBIAN BI-SEXUAL LIFESTYLE"
That causes ND fans to squirm at the thought headline#2, of the Irish
I had a chance to sign The Letter and declined for fear of retribution. I have a son applying and did not want to give the University any reason to look at his application in an unfair manner. Let's just say I am the suspicious type. I know a CSC that was fired from his job at ND by some very vindictive folks.
Anyway, I like the letter, its tone and the effect it has had thus far. The Trustees cannot like this very much.....lotsa bad publicity in Chicago right now at the Trib and AM 670.
All the more reason for the need of change in the current system.
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