… 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. Pack Laddie 10/13/2006 at 8:29 AM #

    Well done Trout

  2. tcthdi-tgsf-twhwtnc 10/13/2006 at 1:16 PM #

    Trout- We will agree to disagree. I have a real problem with extravagant spending at tax payer supported institutions. As I stated earlier, I understand the need for new facilities but I don’t buy into the black tie/ivory tower mentality.

    The people of North Carolina are taxed a huge amount of money every year (far more than 200 million) to pay for NC State and I view it as a slap in the face when money isn’t raised to defray that expense but rather to build your ivory towers.

    Clearly just a different opinion of the way money raised for the university should be spent. Not every dollar but a good percentage money that is raised for athletics and alumni association is money not going into education and research which to me is the charge of the university.

    An honest question: Were the thousands of small donors to the PAC informed that they would need to join a club in order to use the facility prior to making a gift? Maybe you guys could put a hotdog vendor somewhere outside around the back of the building where regular AA members will have a place to hang out when they visit.

    You can type until you are carolina blue in the face about justifications for mad spending of donor money we just clearly have a different value system. Your’s seems to be a vision of black tie events and gourmet meals for state employees, mine scholarship and the best facilities in the country for the students.

  3. Trout 10/13/2006 at 1:43 PM #

    “I have a real problem with extravagant spending at tax payer supported institutions.” So you have a problem with college athletics, in general, right?

    “Were the thousands of small donors to the PAC informed that they would need to join a club in order to use the facility prior to making a gift?” – The PAC is open to anyone. You dont have to give a dime or join the State Club to use the facility.

    “The people of North Carolina are taxed a huge amount of money every year (far more than 200 million) to pay for NC State and I view it as a slap in the face when money isn’t raised to defray that expense but rather to build your ivory towers.” – First, its not an “Ivory Tower” (its a facility that has been needed for many, many years). Second, I dont work for the Alumni Association. I just realize the importance of having a strong AA. Funny, UNC, FSU, Maryland, Va Tech have all built brand new Alumni building in the past 5 years. It is an importance piece in advancing the University. Third, your tax money didnt go into bulding the PAC.

    “Your’s seems to be a vision of black tie events and gourmet meals for state employees, mine scholarship and the best facilities in the country for the students.” My vision is also for scholarships and facilities for students. I see the PAC as an investment toward that. You sure seem bitter about a small number of NC State employees that are up in the VT. NC State has 2 black tie events each year. They were black tie events BEFORE the PAC was built. Its just that now, those events can be help AT NC State. Isnt that GREAT!

  4. Trout 10/13/2006 at 1:50 PM #

    By the way, State approprations cover only 41% of NC State’s annual budget.

  5. Trout 10/13/2006 at 2:17 PM #

    “Your’s seems to be a vision of black tie events and gourmet meals for state employees, mine scholarship and the best facilities in the country for the students.”

    What’s interesting is that Dorothy and Roy Park, who gave the lead gift for the PAC, and for whom the building is named for, are also the same Park’s that started the Park Scholarships, which to date, through the Park Foundation, have donated around $54 million in student scholarships.

    They certainly thought an investment in the PAC was a wise investment. And since the Park Scholarship has done as much an anything in the past 10 years to enhance the academic reputation of NC State, I’m gonna have to trust them on this one.

  6. redfred2 10/13/2006 at 4:59 PM #

    Damn Trout, let the guy up for a breath. You’re starting to post like me.

    OK, tcthdi-tgsf-twhwtnc, your turn now. Proceed please.

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