Dr. Kaler and other U reps were at the state capitol yesterday, lobbying for funds for infrastructure. Educational and research infrastructure. And, without athletics being brought up, this is what Rochester Democrat Kim Norton stated:
"Our sports facilities often times are state of the art, we spend a lot more attention and spend more money on those than we do on programs that really are the purpose of the state and of our land-grant mission, which is academic education and research."
First of all, there is no doubt TCF Bank Stadium is state of the art, there is a new baseball stadium, the softball stadium is nice, etc. We do have some fine facilities. But, in comparison to other Big Ten institutions, the non-competition facilities (weight rooms, practice areas for ALL sports, track, etc.) are way, way behind and we've easily spent less than almost all counterparts in that area. Tubby was promised a new practice facility seven years ago, and it sounds like we're still years from getting a shovel in the ground.
I think these lawmakers see TCF Bank Stadium and think they've solved all of the athletic facility problems. Certainly, they should be congratulated on that stadium, but they also MUST realize the Gophers are LOSING the overall arms race in the Big Ten and fading fast. Almost all other Big Ten athletic departments have better overall facilities than the Gophers and if they don't, have already begun construction on major upgrades. Even if completed, the proposed $190 million Minnesota wants to spend would likely just keep us in the middle of the pack. Yet, we have legislators who think it is apparently all state of the art and no problem at the U.
I think Norwood needs to take some of these folks on a tour of the Big Ten. My guess is they'd have their eyes opened at the commitment it takes to have a winning athletic department. At some point, we as a state have to make a decision - do we want to truly compete or just keep muddling along, trying to compete. Currently, we are driving a Chevy Lumina in a race of Chevy Corvettes.
I don't believe this is a case of public money going to these facilities. I think this should be private fundraising issue. And, I also believe academic and research infrastructure should absolutely get state money over sports. But, the simple fact of the matter that this supposedly-plugged in lawmaker is so unaware of the athletic facilities situation at the U (that private donations drive it and that we are losing the battle), perfectly illustrates the point that most people have no idea what the U is up against and the public perception is that all is well.
"Our sports facilities often times are state of the art, we spend a lot more attention and spend more money on those than we do on programs that really are the purpose of the state and of our land-grant mission, which is academic education and research."
First of all, there is no doubt TCF Bank Stadium is state of the art, there is a new baseball stadium, the softball stadium is nice, etc. We do have some fine facilities. But, in comparison to other Big Ten institutions, the non-competition facilities (weight rooms, practice areas for ALL sports, track, etc.) are way, way behind and we've easily spent less than almost all counterparts in that area. Tubby was promised a new practice facility seven years ago, and it sounds like we're still years from getting a shovel in the ground.
I think these lawmakers see TCF Bank Stadium and think they've solved all of the athletic facility problems. Certainly, they should be congratulated on that stadium, but they also MUST realize the Gophers are LOSING the overall arms race in the Big Ten and fading fast. Almost all other Big Ten athletic departments have better overall facilities than the Gophers and if they don't, have already begun construction on major upgrades. Even if completed, the proposed $190 million Minnesota wants to spend would likely just keep us in the middle of the pack. Yet, we have legislators who think it is apparently all state of the art and no problem at the U.
I think Norwood needs to take some of these folks on a tour of the Big Ten. My guess is they'd have their eyes opened at the commitment it takes to have a winning athletic department. At some point, we as a state have to make a decision - do we want to truly compete or just keep muddling along, trying to compete. Currently, we are driving a Chevy Lumina in a race of Chevy Corvettes.
I don't believe this is a case of public money going to these facilities. I think this should be private fundraising issue. And, I also believe academic and research infrastructure should absolutely get state money over sports. But, the simple fact of the matter that this supposedly-plugged in lawmaker is so unaware of the athletic facilities situation at the U (that private donations drive it and that we are losing the battle), perfectly illustrates the point that most people have no idea what the U is up against and the public perception is that all is well.
