Wolfpackers Jumping Off Ship

General NCS Basketball Quotes of Note132

What a day!!!

Lee Fowler’s annual version of “I support Sendek” has unleashed a fire storm out here in the real world where workers are held to standards and decisions are based on merit and not only on personal infatuations of big farmers or career climbing Jethros.

I haven’t been in the office since this morning (have to work towards my annual production goals, you see) so I haven’t had the opportunity to read any message board posts outside of these comments…but, I can’t count the number of personal emails and telephone messages of disgust that I have just picked up.

The message that Lee Fowler and Chancellor Oblinger are sending from NC State is crystal clear – NC State accepts failure to succeed at levels that are comparable to other institutions and NC State underscores this lack of ambition through its long term record of management decisions.

From what I can tell, the NC State Community is responding to this message in pretty big numbers. Many Wolfpackers that I know are simply giving up and walking away.

But, I have an additional observation about this situation that I had never considered much prior to the last few days. The interesting part of my experience in recent weeks (and particularly over the last 48 hours) is NOT that former great Wolfpacers have reached their breaking point and are apathetically walking away from their support of NC State…but it is THE TYPE OF PEOPLE that are giving up and walking away.

Since State’s Basketball season has ended, I have interacted (in person, on phone, on email) with the following set of Wolfpackers:
* 4 CEOs of companies with revenues in excess of $50 million
* 2 CFOs of nice-sized companies
* a partner at a major accounting firm
* 2 accountants of Big Five firms
* 3 employees of NC State University
* 4 attorneys from 3 different (highly-recognizable) law firms
* a judge
* 5 bankers employed by 2 of the 4 largest banks in America
* 2 consultants
* 1 political consultant
* 1 real estate developer
* 1 finance executive for a Fortune 100 company

These former Wolfpackers all shared what I considered to be interesting traits:
* Each is considered to be very successful by modern standards of the business world
* Each is beyond disgusted with NC State
* Each is between the age of 30 and 50

Of course, it is just a observation based on my personal interactions, but the fact that each of these successful individuals are between the age of 30 and 50 years old struck me as interesting. I wouldn’t think that it bodes well for the future of NC State University for so much young and successful talent to feel so disenfranchised and frustrated with the University. But, what do I know?

In twenty years NC State will be wondering why it has a huge leadership gap within its alumni community and why its alumni support the University at a rate disproportionately less than other schools (that is..if anyone at NC State would ever dare use defined, measureable, and comparable data as a benchmark for behavior). Perhaps at that point the members of the current Board of Directors, the Chancellor, Wendell Murphy, Lee Fowler, and Herb Sendek will step in and save the future of the University. Well…maybe the 2 or 3 of them that are still alive at that time. Because, I know an awful lot of talented folks that have little interest in being a part of it now…and, I fear forever.

I will leave you quotes from the last voice mail message that I received today from the CFO of a major business headquartered in the Triangle:

“I will be reducing my Wolfpack Club donation to the minimum for my lifetime rights. #&%@ it. It is time for me to grow away from NC State. I will still pull for them. But I will not care anymore.

Sadly, ^this is highly consistent with dozens of other interactions that I have personally had recently. Good Luck, NC State.

General NCS Basketball Quotes of Note

132 Responses to Wolfpackers Jumping Off Ship

  1. Batman 03/23/2006 at 3:31 PM #

    i agree with superman. the first 20 games this year was the best stretch in recent memory in my opinion, especially the win over GW (who finished with 2 losses all year mind you) and when we hung tough with duke at cameron. sure the late season collapse was regrettable, but really the performance in ncaa tourney isn’t at all bad. nothing to be ashamed of to fall to a 2 seed after upsetting a 7 seed.

  2. THE Only One 03/23/2006 at 3:33 PM #

    If the program was where it SHOULD be it wouldn’t have to “upset” a 7 seed.

    Which I think is the point of most of the fans on this site…the supporters are perfectly content earning 10 seeds, rather than truly competing for national titles.

  3. Superman 03/23/2006 at 3:51 PM #

    Well, I want a national title as bad as the next guy, but these things take time, and the only way to do that is to build our program into a national title calibre program. Are we there yet? No probably not. Are we closer than we are 10 years ago? Certainly. 5 years ago? Certainly. 1 year ago? Certainly. Again, with great recruiting classes coming in, there’s no reason not to expect better results coming in the future.

  4. THE Only One 03/23/2006 at 3:55 PM #

    2 reasons

  5. Elrod 03/23/2006 at 3:58 PM #

    Superman,

    You had me until you said “1 year ago? Certainly.” I am curious to know how you justify your position. To me, we just lost 3 pretty good seniors with no proven commodities behind them, especially at guard. I would love to be able to be that confident, but we just don’t know at this point.

  6. Superman 03/23/2006 at 4:14 PM #

    Only One – let me guess, Fowler and Sendek? Bet you didn’t know I have psychic powers (or did you?)

    Elrod – Yes we’re losing 3 seniors, but Evtimov has been seriously underperforming near the end of the season, and Bethel is good, but certainly not irreplacable. Losing Bennerman does hurt us a lot in terms of athleticism and flexibility, but we’ve got 2 4-star recruits coming in, and I’m also high on Werner, and if Atsur can mature into a reliable PG, and an already very strong sophmore class is getting better, I certainly think we’ll be able to bridge the gap in terms of raw talent.

  7. class of '74 03/23/2006 at 4:17 PM #

    Reading some of these idiot posts has me convinced we deserve Herb and Lee and in five years from now we can look back and see what a miserable failure this administration was as we prepare to hire a new AD, BB and FB HC’s. If it weren’t so tragic it would be funny. LF, HS and CA the Three Stooges.

  8. Elrod 03/23/2006 at 4:29 PM #

    Superman – What you describe is exactly what I am uncomfortable with for next year. I believe we will be pretty good at the 3-4-5 positions. Assuming that Davis and Fells man the 2 (who knows how well they will do?), Engin becomes the 1. He is intelligent, but not fast and athletic. If I am the opposing coach, I press the dickens out of us and see what happens. College BB is a guard’s game and I don’t believe we will be great in that area. What does this mean for the season? I think we will struggle to maintain where we are, in the 4-6 place finish area. Do I hope for better? Sure. Do I expect better? Not next year. Perhaps in the 2008-09 season, when we should have a better mix of experienced talent. By then I expect us to be a solid 3rd, strongly challenging Duke for 2nd.

  9. Rick 03/23/2006 at 4:38 PM #

    no idiot means I spout opinions and then claim I am too lazy to back them up.

  10. David C. 03/23/2006 at 4:41 PM #

    when I said I was taught fundamentals…

    here’s my coach, 2006 AP NC High School Coach of the Year.
    Coming off his 3rd State Title….

    http://www.news-record.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060323/NEWSREC0101/60323011

  11. David C. 03/23/2006 at 4:43 PM #

    notice there schedule, they played Oak Hill and some very tough competition in a holiday tournament in Minnesota… Coach always believed in playing the tough games in Dec. so that you were ready come playoff time in Feb.-March…..

  12. GAWolf 03/23/2006 at 4:47 PM #

    Is someone talking about the same GW team that completely laughed at by the NCAA selection committee… all people. according to Fowler, who know much more about basketball than all of us put together… AND should have gotten thumped by UNCW in the first round thus making the selection committee’s shunning look even wiser??? That GW team? That’s the win you point to as the pennacle of Herb’s tenure? Yeesh.

  13. TPack 03/23/2006 at 6:45 PM #

    17 times easier than Tennessee or BC?

    Tennessee had a tough fought game. Close the whole time.
    BC was an endurance match, which BC showed to be tougher.
    GW was down by 18 at one point, and needed a 19-0 run over 5 minutes to just get back in the game. Then it was a close game. If UNCW had any kind of talent they would have beaten GW.

    It’s easier to win a regular close game, then to have the comeback that GW pulled against UNCW.

    But back to NC State.

    “Superman – What you describe is exactly what I am uncomfortable with for next year. I believe we will be pretty good at the 3-4-5 positions. Assuming that Davis and Fells man the 2 (who knows how well they will do?), Engin becomes the 1. He is intelligent, but not fast and athletic. If I am the opposing coach, I press the dickens out of us and see what happens. College BB is a guard’s game and I don’t believe we will be great in that area. What does this mean for the season? I think we will struggle to maintain where we are, in the 4-6 place finish area. Do I hope for better? Sure. Do I expect better? Not next year. Perhaps in the 2008-09 season, when we should have a better mix of experienced talent. By then I expect us to be a solid 3rd, strongly challenging Duke for 2nd.”

    3-4-5 should all be solid. I’d assume that Fells will be a good 2 next year, and I feel the guy could be great, with proper coaching. At the 1 I have the same consern as you with Atsur’s speed. If Larry Davis is faster we might want to develop him at both guard positions.

    While I expect Wake, GT, and Maryland to all rebound next year, I feel NC State will fall in the 2-4 range. Coach it right and they get the 2, maybe (big maybe) get the 1. UNC will have a season similar to that they had in 2005 next year, assuming that Hansbrough stays. Similar because they will be very good, but not the same because the parts are different and they won’t win it all. I don’t know who will right now, but it won’t be them. I expect a lot of those top recruits to leave after next year. Especially Wayne Ellington. I don’t see him at all being in College for more than a year.

  14. The Original Big Bad Wolf 03/23/2006 at 8:43 PM #

    TPack…you have GOT to be kidding if you think we have a shot at first place. OH PLEASE STOP. You’re killing me. I would bet everything I own that WON’T be happening. We can’t beat UNC or Duke, therefore, no first place. Get ready for 5th or below.

  15. lonchaney87 03/23/2006 at 10:02 PM #

    “Well, I want a national title as bad as the next guy, but these things take time, and the only way to do that is to build our program into a national title calibre program. Are we there yet? No probably not. Are we closer than we are 10 years ago? Certainly. 5 years ago? Certainly. 1 year ago? Certainly. Again, with great recruiting classes coming in, there’s no reason not to expect better results coming in the future.” – Superman

    We are PROBABLY not there as a national title caliber program?! LOL!! You’d have to clear the Sweet 16 or be ranked in the top 25 at year’s end to think that I’d guess. Still waiting. Are we CLOSER than 10 years ago? Maybe so. I’m also closer to being a millionaire than I was 10 years ago, but guess what, I’m still not close. “Great recruiting classes coming in?” Still waiting for that from Herb too. Superman or Huckleberry Hound? The administration has just stated point blank that being a national (or even an ACC) player is not on their radar. If you see bang for the buck in flushing hard earned money and time down this sewer then have at it. It’s nothing but entertainment and I for one am not entertained. I can do w/o it and am not interested in “keeping up the fight.”

    And agreed, “Greg” is probably a troll. But if not, his attitude is probably in line with some of the top donors. But C-F holds in the upper 50,000s and the RBC holds 19K. The rank-and-file donors/excitement is still needed. The HSSS, LF, the WPC and the big $$$ morons can’t fill all those seats themselves. They can all sit there and smile and smoke their million dollar stogies, but when the arena/stadium are empty due to the “product” on the field and the incompetence in coaching/administration, they can stick the hot end of that stogie up their collective @$$ because they’ll have killed the goose that lays the golden egg. And recruits aren’t interested in playing to a half empty house. We’ve all been taken to the cleaners on the LTR situation, but that doesn’t mean it can’t stop and that future seats will be filled.

  16. Gumbydammit 03/23/2006 at 10:53 PM #

    Greg,

    I read your posts and it is obvious that you, like Lee Fowler, is either a damn fool or a damn liar. If you’re truly a top 25 donor and you continue to suport this B.S. then I got some lovely oceanfront lots in Kansas to sell you!

    Open your damn eyes. THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS of Wolfpack fans are absolutely sick as hell with Herb. The University P.R. Crisis Management machine does not kick in if things are not in crisis mode.

    Absolutely NOTHING good will come from Herb staying. Far too many fans have lost absolutely ALL faith in Herb, and it will NEVER be regained. The atmosphere is more poisonous over this issue than anything I have ever seen. The Heels weren’t half this fired up to shitcan Doherty. By supporting Herb, you only prolong the agony ans ensure that the damage is deeper and longer lasting.

    Yes he has made progress in TEN YEARS. And if he sticks around until he’s 8,912 years old, he may actually win an ACC Championship.

    Herb needs to leave NC State and get on with his life. WE need Herb to leave NC State so we can get on with our lives. If you’re really the “big man” you say you are, then act like it.

  17. cardiacpack 03/23/2006 at 11:04 PM #

    “Thousands and thousands”? Every single State alum I associate with, and their entire families, support Herb Sendek. I can count on one hand the number of people I know that think Herb should go (not including this site, of course)!

  18. TPack 03/24/2006 at 12:38 AM #

    “TPack…you have GOT to be kidding if you think we have a shot at first place. OH PLEASE STOP. You’re killing me. I would bet everything I own that WON’T be happening. We can’t beat UNC or Duke, therefore, no first place. Get ready for 5th or below.”

    We all know it isn’t gonna happen. But if you coach it right we could win the ACC. Herb just doesn’t have the coaching ability to do it. As far as the talent goes, Coach K or Roy would take this team to atleast the Sweet 16 as well.

    Realistically we should be 3rd or 4th.
    (Assuming Hansbrough stays, along with McRoberts, Dudley, and the other big names)
    I’d go with
    1)UNC (I hate to do it)
    2)Duke
    3)BC
    4)NC State
    5)FSU
    6)GT
    7)Maryland
    Then a Jumble. None of the rest will make the Tourney. 7 teams could make it from the ACC next year.

  19. Cardiff Giant 03/24/2006 at 7:55 AM #

    “Again, with great recruiting classes coming in, there’s no reason not to expect better results coming in the future.”

    There are plenty of reasons, not the least of which are (a) UNC, Duke, and probably Maryland all have better recruiting classes than we do, and (b) after ten years, Sendek has given it his best shot and continues to wallow in complete mediocrity.

  20. VaWolf82 03/24/2006 at 8:02 AM #

    Every single State alum I associate with, and their entire families, support Herb Sendek.

    And I don’t know a single one. My brother (also an alum) lives in the Raleigh area and he doesn’t know any either.

  21. NCSU'79 03/24/2006 at 8:31 AM #

    Definition of INSANITY

    Trying the same thing over & over and expecting different results.

    ie…..Sendek’s offense & Fowlers’ Defense

  22. Rick 03/24/2006 at 9:08 AM #

    “And I don’t know a single one. My brother (also an alum) lives in the Raleigh area and he doesn’t know any either.”

    I do not either.
    The last hold out gave up after the UNC game.

  23. class of '74 03/24/2006 at 11:59 AM #

    I think cardiacpack got his name from having given true state fans a heart attack with his foolish assertions.

  24. GAWolf 03/24/2006 at 12:31 PM #

    I know of probably 5 people that support Herb. 3 of those are not alumni, but are in fact “fans.” With that said, I probably have talked to at least 300 in the last two weeks that have not only no longer support Herb, but because of the failure of our administration to act no longer supports Fowler or Oblinger.

    After next year… I sure hope all of those responsible for the miserable season that will without doubt follow this one get the boot. All of them.

  25. Superman 03/24/2006 at 2:31 PM #

    Out of the people I know, only maybe 10% of them is unsatisfied with Sendek enough that they want him to leave.

    We can sit here and talk about anecdotal evidence all we want, but the fact is there isn’t a comprehensive and unbiased poll of alumni/fans to see how many of them want Sendek to leave, and probably never will be one.

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