… And Yet Another Flub

General56

As if the previous report isn’t embarrassing enough, this morning’s N&O highlights yet another flub by NC State’s athletic powers that be.

It seems the ACC has a new program in which non-revenue sports contests are shown via webcast. This is a good idea. Non-revenue athletes labor in near-complete anonymity compared to their football and basketball counterparts. Giving those athletes some exposure, even via the Internet, is a great idea. I rarely credit the Swofford-run ACC for anything, but they deserve it here: The ACC is the first conference in the country to come up with a program like this.

Duke and Carolina are already implementing the webcast program. Guess which Triangle-based ACC school hasn’t, well, gotten around to it yet? If you guessed “the Research Triangle university primarily dedicated to technological advancement,� you’re right! From the N&O:

In the Triangle, Duke and North Carolina already have had webcasts; N.C. State has not yet launched the service. By the spring, all 12 ACC schools are expected to be participating.

Well, really, you say. Who cares? But let’s face it: this is yet another example of N.C. State athletics making yet another third-place showing in comparison with its Triangle competitors. That’s bad – and predictable – enough. But, again, when you consider that N.C. State is the technological base of the Research Triangle, it’s downright embarrassing.

Tighten up, Mr. Fowler. If N.C. State athletics and Wolfpack Sports Marketing can give you a special – hell, a unique – television show, ostensibly to publicize the very non-revenue sports at issue here (and pay you for the “privilegeâ€?), they can afford to have a couple of interns webcasting non-revenue sports and give those athletes just a little of the public exposure you so obviously crave in your own right.

General

56 Responses to … And Yet Another Flub

  1. joe 10/12/2006 at 11:22 AM #

    I’m not defending Fowler here, but what would be illegal about him taking money for a TV show? If it’s legal for coaches, it’s legal for him.

  2. tcthdi-tgsf-twhwtnc 10/12/2006 at 11:24 AM #

    The university has been taken over by a small group of highly unethical people leaving large of the backs of everyone that pays taxes. The fact that the athletic department sucks should be no surprise. State’s athletic department has become a fundraising machine with no emphasis what so ever on winning. The time is right for a new group of fans to form outside of the WPC and the Alumni Association.

    Speaking of the Alumni Association, if you think the new alumni building at NC State is for alumni then you are sadly mistaken. The building is for ‘State Club’ members and at a cost of a couple thousand a year and $30 a sandwich you too can enjoy the tax payer run facility. It is true the building was built with private money- money that could of been raised for something useful for students- the reason there is an NC State. However, to heat the marble floors and 30 foot ceilings that will come from everyone paying taxes though you have no right to do little more than look at it.

    Criminal.

  3. Chief93 10/12/2006 at 12:38 PM #

    “I believe that Fowler is the only ACC AD to have his own show, particularly in addition to the the coach’s shows for each of the two major revenue sports.”

    FWIW, isn’t it all just one show in one timeslot and they added the Fowler stuff to fill the weeks between basketball ending and football beginning? I think the basic idea of having a dedicated NC State Athletics show is great. I can’t speak to the implementation or execution though since I never watch it (I do realize that refraining from posting based on lack of knowledge and experience may be a very foreign concept to many).

  4. Pack Laddie 10/12/2006 at 12:40 PM #

    The building is for ‘State Club’ members and at a cost of a couple thousand a year and $30 a sandwich you too can enjoy the tax payer run facility. It is true the building was built with private money- money that could of been raised for something useful for students- the reason there is an NC State.

    of course, the majority of the people that are members of the State Club, or contributed to the Park Center building fund, have also contributed thousands of dollars for scholarships at NC State, both academic and athletic.

  5. Trout 10/12/2006 at 12:56 PM #

    tcthdi-tgsf-twhwtnc – did you make this kind of idiotic rant about the Vaughn Towers as well? That certainly costs more than the Park Alumni Center, and is far more “out-of-reach” to alumni than the Park Center.

    The Park Alumni Center is open to ALL alumni and friends of NC State. Yes, to EAT there requires a State Club membership. So what, you couldnt eat AT ALL at the old Alumni Building. The Park Center will allow the Alumni Association to enhance programming, offer a state of the art building for alumni, faculty, staff, students, business leaders, donors, etc to enjoy.

  6. Cardiff Giant 10/12/2006 at 12:57 PM #

    “FWIW, isn’t it all just one show in one timeslot and they added the Fowler stuff to fill the weeks between basketball ending and football beginning? I think the basic idea of having a dedicated NC State Athletics show is great. ”

    Chief, if you read the contract (and it’s been some months since I looked at it) you will see a separate and binding commitment to produce a television show, allegedly focusing on non-revenue sports, called “Wolfpack Sports With Lee Fowler.”

    Now, I have never seen the show. I have heard, though, that it does not focus on non-rev sports as the contract specifies. I do not know if this focue perception, reported to me second hand, is accurate.

    I do, however, know this: No ACC athletic director other than Lee Fowler has his own TV show, either in conjunction with the regular coach’s shows or otherwise. And, no other AD is getting paid – again if memory serves – $50k for a television show in which he offers his OWN perspective about university sports programs.

    Laddie, I’ll bet you know the answer to this question: How many non-revenue scholarships would $50,000 per year pay for? There’s your answer to the question, is this a wise use of funds?

  7. Pack Laddie 10/12/2006 at 12:58 PM #

    Trout, I will see you at the black tie gala grand opening of the Park Alumni Center in November.

  8. Pack Laddie 10/12/2006 at 1:02 PM #

    cardiff—an endowed scholarship at the WPC is $100k. So, the 50k (if that is in fact what it is), would endow a scholarship every two years.

    But, that money is generated by WSM, via ads, promos, etc. They would not be contributing it to the WPC’s coffers, IMHO.

  9. RAWFS 10/12/2006 at 1:12 PM #

    Cardiff — we should get a copy of the contract and post it either here or at RAWFS or both.

    There’s certainly something rotten in Denmark, to paraphrase Hamlet. Anyone who positively compares Leerfield Sports and WSM needs to get their medication’s dose adjusted in my opinion.

    In case no one knows, that nice video scoreboard in Kenan was paid for by Leerfield. What has WSM put into C-F?

  10. Cardiff Giant 10/12/2006 at 1:20 PM #

    “cardiff—an endowed scholarship at the WPC is $100k. So, the 50k (if that is in fact what it is), would endow a scholarship every two years.

    But, that money is generated by WSM, via ads, promos, etc. They would not be contributing it to the WPC’s coffers, IMHO.”

    Thanks for this information. And you are obviously right about the generation of the funds. But what of this point: Is this money better spent being a source of a half-scholarship every year, or going into Lee Fowler’s already well-padded bank account? That is the question WSM should be answering here. And why did Fowler demand this in the first place? It honestly smacks of payola to me. ***

    RAWFS: I tossed my copy some months ago during a pre-trial office-cleaning purge. It’s public record, though.

    *** I am assuming, of course, that WSM didn’t decide among themselves, “What we are really lacking here is a TV show starring Lee Fowler. Do you think if we gave him $50k he’d condescend to do that for us? It’ll be a BLOCKBUSTER!”

    Does this seem reasonable?

  11. RAWFS 10/12/2006 at 1:25 PM #

    First there was “The FBI.” Then, “Mannix” and “Cannon.”

    Now, Quinn-Martin Productions is proud to present “The AD.” Starring Lee Fowler as The AD. The son of Buddy Ebsen, Fowler has an impressive resume’ as an actor: for years, he played the role of athletic director for several universities, while simultaneously playing the role of a knowledgeable basketball coach.

    Watch for “The AD” on a station near you – consult your local guide for dates and times.

  12. redfred2 10/12/2006 at 1:32 PM #

    Yes honey, this is football talk.

    I know, I know, but they’re talking about a certain type of scholarship.

  13. class of 74 10/12/2006 at 1:57 PM #

    Does LF have a gambling debt, drug addiction or some other malady I’m unaware of that requires his skimming $50k/yr. from WSM? The more I think about this the madder I become. He deserves to be frog marched from his office this afternoon straight to the Wake County Courthouse. This really should be a matter that is taken up at the next WPC meeting.

  14. graywolf 10/12/2006 at 2:51 PM #

    Maybe Mr Fowler will follow V’s example and donate his earning back to the university……well then again I guess not.

  15. CaptainCraptacular 10/12/2006 at 3:37 PM #

    *I’m not defending Fowler here, but what would be illegal about him taking money for a TV show? If it’s legal for coaches, it’s legal for him.*

    The reason I question the legality is not related to him specifically taking money for a TV show. The question is more related to fact that there is a 10 year no-bid contract, and out of this Fowler gets paid handsomely for a TV show, which smells suspiciously like a bribe to get State into this contract. From the surface, wouldn’t this contract pretty much kill all our options if we wanted to go elsewhere?

    I was under the probably ignorant impression that some state and local governments required employees responsible for negotiating contracts to accept the lowest bid. And of course accepting a bribe to secure said contract would be highly unethical, if not illegal.

    I don’t know, but from the cheap seats here the bungling and missed opportunities and the fact that we are stuck with this organization for 10 years is beyond belief and frankly reeks of impropriety.

  16. tcthdi-tgsf-twhwtnc 10/12/2006 at 3:52 PM #

    Trout- Yes, I think Vaughn towers money could of been put to better use. For example I would much rather of seen that money raised on a new seating section for students. You have lifetime season ticket holders that will never see the inside of the towers, students that won’t ever have a chance to enjoy the game from 150 feet above the field while dining on ham biscuits and drinking liquor but you got the same 100 or so NC State employees up there every week while the guy flipping burgers at the dining hall can’t get a ticket for the game.

    It isn’t the donors that piss me off, they pay for so they should use it (provided they continue to pay at least a portion of annual expenses) but the State employees that pursue and start campaigns to raise money for luxury boxes so they don’t have to sit with the common people anymore are highly unethical folk. It is the people that build alumni buildings with full kitchens for staff and offices with showers for their personal use all while saying looks like we need to raise tuition this year because there just isn’t any money to buy chalk. BS.

    OK- Now that you have the $1,000 lamp post put in at the alumni center why doesn’t the association say our next campaign is for a new student center, a library or a cafeteria on Centennial Campus or will they say we need to build another wing to our alumni building. My guess is the students will be screwed over so that a handful of State employees can have use of a ball room.

  17. Wolfpack4ever 10/12/2006 at 3:54 PM #

    Constantly referring to Fowler as a country bumpkin is offensive to a lot of us non-lawyer Cow College folks. We may be from the country and are not the doctors. lawyers and indian chiefs like alumni of the hole, but there is ablsolutely nothing wrong with being country or hill billy. I’ve never heard anybody say, “Look! A hill-billy with his hand in his own pockets.”

    If 1/10 of what is said about Fowler is a violation of ethics, poor management, bungling, etc., then either Oblinger, his boss, is blind or in cohoots with Fowler. We call Fowler to account for the failures, perceived and otherwise, of the coaches. I’m left to wonder why Oblinger is not called to account here for Fowler in the same manner as Fowler is called to account for Chuck and old what’s his name. Besides Oblinger had the authority to fire old what’s his name, not Fowlup… er Fowler. I don’t say Fowler is great or even competent, I just am saying it’s hard to see the trees in a picture if everything is painted green. I can tell you this the 100% negative interpretations of everything he does or does not do, serves to cast a shadow of doubt over the real blunders and concerns.

    2 schools out of 12 I believe it is, have started what appears to be amatuer video productions and one would have thought Fowler discontinued football from some of the comments. Has anyone called to ask what is happening and if and when we could expect to see this on-line video — if we wanted to. I don’t go to see a lot of minor sports so I’m not affected one way of another.

  18. class of 74 10/12/2006 at 4:01 PM #

    Actually there are $ level restrictions in most state government contracts. Once that level is met the state requires 3 qualified bidders. Some areas allow for what is known as “in the state’s best interest” to expedite this by going with a single bid but those are suppose to be “exceptionable circumstances.”

    Heck, the governor should ask for appearance and speaker’s fees when giving a speech.

  19. tcthdi-tgsf-twhwtnc 10/12/2006 at 4:01 PM #

    One last thought on the subject is that Vaughn Towers will probably make money for the program over the years as opposed to the alumni center that will just suck money out of the people’s pockets. Making VT a much more tolerable luxury. There should be 30-50 seats up there available in a lottery for students and the season tix holders on a game-by-game basis.

  20. Trout 10/12/2006 at 4:59 PM #

    tcthdi-tgsf-twhwtnc:

    Without a doubt, you have ZERO knowledge of what you speak when it comes to the Park Alumni Center.

    Only the 3rd floor of the Park Alumni Center uses taxpayer and/or tuition/fee money. And once the Alumni Association reaches a critical mass of dues paying members, ZERO % of those dollars will be spent on the PAC (Park Alumni Center). Floors 1 and 2 of the PAC are paid for through revenues from the State Club and receptions/meetings/etc. NC State didnt have a fully functional Board Room until the PAC was built. The Chancellor and the BOT and BOV now have a decent place to conduct business. When the Chancellor wants to entertain Jim Goodnight, or other high level business executives, he wont have to go to the Cardinal Club, he’ll take them to the PAC. Instead renting the North Ridge Country Club or the Prestonwood CC for signature NC State events, those will be held at the PAC. Game watching parties, student clubs, alumni clubs, alumni affinity groups (ie, Lawyers Society) will meet at the new PAC.

    “You have lifetime season ticket holders that will never see the inside of the towers, students that won’t ever have a chance to enjoy the game from 150 feet above the field while dining on ham biscuits and drinking liquor but you got the same 100 or so NC State employees up there every week”

    I’ll never be able to give $5 million to NC State. So what? That’s called life. You seem to have a real problem with NC State employees being the Vaughn Towers. Whom do you think raised the money to pay for the Vaughn Tower, and the PAC. Who continues to use the VT and PAC to raise additional money for NC State. Just last week, at a meeting held at the new PAC, the Alumni Association got a $1 million+ gift to endow 10 additional Caldwell Scholars. The Alumni Association gives out over $750,000 PER YEAR in student scholarships. The Alumni Association sponsors student related events that reach over 10000 students per year (ie, Homecoming, Legacy Luncheon, Ring Ceremony, etc). The PAC will only ENHANCE those efforts. And yes, NC State employees are working in the PAC. It is a building they have needed and deserved for many, many years – and I’m damn proud to say I helped make it become a reality by donating my hard earned money.

    NC State is in the midst of a $1 Billion dollar campaign. That, with the bond money, is building new dorms, new labs, new facilities and providing new scholarships. Not everything is perfect at NC State, but you are pissing on the wrong tree with this one.

  21. tcthdi-tgsf-twhwtnc 10/12/2006 at 5:45 PM #

    We will see if Park is able to fund floors 1 and 2 with meeting and State Club money. The Dean Dome was going to be paid for from concerts and events and that doesn’t happen.

    We have a vast disagreement on how public institutions should be run and how money should be spent so your justifications that Oblinger will have a place to eat and give a power point presentation doesn’t move me. I would love to see the sholarship money increased 10 fold and throw in some carpet in the PAC. I’m a little confused but it seems as if you are giving credit to the PAC for the CS. I’m pretty sure that that check could be cut anywhere.

    There are 150,000 living NC State alumni how and many are paying members, lifetime members?

    Are you are saying the State employees that raise money should be given lifetime rights to Vaughn Towers? So what do the people that teach the students get? A house in Pine Hurst?

    I’m not saying there isn’t a need for new facilities it is how it is done. I’m sure gold plated urinals would impress some people too.

  22. tcthdi-tgsf-twhwtnc 10/12/2006 at 5:52 PM #

    I was speaking of Pinehurst, NC.

  23. Packaholic1 10/12/2006 at 7:13 PM #

    Shocking – another anti-State piece in the schiesszeitung – you expected something different?

  24. class of 74 10/13/2006 at 7:19 AM #

    If LF were the CEO of a publicly held corp. and he gave a nobid contract to Grey Advertising for marketing for his firm. Later it was discovered by the shareholders LF was being paid a consultant’s fee by Grey for marketing services. Do you think they shareholders might have some concerns?

  25. Trout 10/13/2006 at 8:20 AM #

    “We have a vast disagreement on how public institutions should be run and how money should be spent”

    My view is that it takes money to make money. Just like in athletics, facilites make the program better. The PAC will strengthen the Alumni Association, an organization that serves the ENTIRE university – students, faculty/staff, alumni, friends and donors.

    “your justifications that Oblinger will have a place to eat and give a power point presentation doesn’t move me”

    I think it is a tad more than that. My guess is that you have NO idea who the Chancellor, Board of Trustees, Board of Visitors, etc come in contact with in their efforts to advance NC State. NC State raises around $200 million a year in private funds, even more through grants and corporate support. These corporations make their decisions on many aspects – NC State having a nice facility to entertain them (PAC, VT) is a significant part of the process.

    What’s wrong with marble being in the new PAC? A first class facility has to have certain appointments. Marble is in the grand ballroom – it looks great. It was privately paid for and wont ever have to be replaced.

    “you are giving credit to the PAC for the CS. ” – No, I’m not. Its just an example of how the building can be used (ie, Endowment Ceremonies).

    “Are you are saying the State employees that raise money should be given lifetime rights to Vaughn Towers?” – They dont have lifetime rights. Some of them are in VT during games due to the nature of their job. Why do you have a problem with that? Do you expect NC State to invite donors up to VT and then not be there to HOST them? Its obvious to me you dont work in sales or marketing.

    “So what do the people that teach the students get? ” – Many of the faculty are up in VT every week, hosting corporations and donors that are interested in supporting their work and research. By the way, the Alumni Association awards monies each year to Outstanding Faculty, along with the student scholarships.

    “There are 150,000 living NC State alumni how and many are paying members, lifetime members?” – About 23,000. 35,000 members should be enough to fund AA activities. Are you a member?

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