I thnk what bothers some of us is the quasi-dishonesty amongst the principal players here. I keep hearing that they've raised 70 M in one year but the original plan was announced in July 2013 signaling the silent fundraising phase. Typically they want to secure some larger seed gifts during the silent phase before they "go public". additionally, Anyone following gopher football knows this has been in the works since 2012. It's communication for politicians 101 and everything he says is full of weasel phrases.
Absolutely fair comments. The "we've raised $70MM in less than a year" is b.s.
The reality is that I AM "rooting" for new facilities. My issue is that the path Teague has decided to take to get there is wrong and has wasted more valuable time.
The sources of funding, the total costs, etc... all done wrong for what is needed - improved facilities, NOW.
The HOPE is that Teague and the U continue to change course and change the rules.
I'd like to see:
Scrap the "only private funding" crap.. the reality is it won't EVER be all privately funded. They can pretend there is an 80% rule and "short term debt," but the facts remain they won't have all cash in the door for a decade+. For example, Land O Lakes (which is often misreported as a $25MM donation to the project - it most certainly is not), is being paid over a decade. Be aggressive - own the revenues that athletics bring in - yes, there are large TV contracts with growing revenues. "We brought that in. We are going to use some of it to upgrade facilities." - THIS is what I'd like to see and hear. Not, "oh there's a meeting in 6 weeks.. August should be good to go for breaking ground.. and uh... there are like.. a group of people that we haven't even talked to yet! But they know we're coming! Sometime! It's only been like 10 months!! hehehe"
Start building now - even in earnest, because it can help further fundraising when people see things are starting. For example, start building the outline of bball and football practice facilities. Do it tomorrow.
It's beyond frustrating. More importantly, it's wrong.
Again, I'm hopeful things get done soon - and they might. But I believe it will require Teague to change the rules even more than he already has. Not sure if he's ready to do so yet. Needs more pressure from the right people.
Math exercise:
Was: $190MM project, including the tear down of Bierman
Is: $150MM project, with an additional $40MM later for re-purposing old buildings... no tear down of Bierman
= Same price, no new buildings specifically for the non-bball and football sports.
That's fine, but you've changed and it hurts your case with some people (and brings about 'equal rights' complainers).
Have a GOOD vision and work DILIGENTLY and HONESTLY to get it done.
Good vision? Nope. Dollars are way too high. Plans have already changed.
Working diligently? Nope. You've got a great group you haven't gone to yet? But you want to have groundbreaking approved in 6 weeks? What?
Honestly? Nope. Claims about the fundraising (timing, dollar amounts) haven't been truthful. Plans have changed.
Go Gophers!!