I wonder what the skybox crowd thinks?

CyCloned · 10-24-2006, 03:27 PM

I will be the first to admit that what I do for ISU FB isn't going to change the direction of the program. They get $300 and a couple games a year out of me. The last 3 years have not increased my faith in the direction the FB program is going, so I will probably continue do the same. (And be too embarrassed to where my ISU gear in public.)

There has got to be some folks that have serious amounts of cash going into the FB program every year. These are the guys that will determine Mac's future. JP may be the AD, but these people are the ultimate power source for the program. If they decide to pull the plug, Mac will be gone.

herbicide · 10-24-2006, 03:45 PM

Exactly. We can debate all we want, but in the end the boosters (and ticket sale projections) will decide. Afterall, this CFB is a business in the end, and Pollard is the "CEO" of this business.

bostinelosd · 10-24-2006, 03:47 PM

If they pull the plug on donations, then I pull the plug on my respect for them. That may not mean much to some but regardless its poor form. Win or lose, you are donating to the school because you love it and are a fan. If you donate for personal gain you will always be dissapointed in some way. Stopping the donation will just make things harder financially in the long run to make positive changes. It doesnt solve anything.

timc243 · 10-24-2006, 03:54 PM

I am with you bostinelosd. I can't believe anyone that cares that much about the cyclones and Iowa State would pull their money after a poor football season. Their is more sports that need help at Iowa State than just football.

CyCloned · 10-24-2006, 03:55 PM

don't kid yourself. Most of those big wigs are business people, and when they are unhappy they talk with their money. Right now ISU FB is a very bad business, and if big boosters are unhappy, changes will be made.

timc243 · 10-24-2006, 04:00 PM

I knew someody would mention the business thing and I wasn't sure how to respond. The only thing I can think of is what is the return on a good season? It's not like they get anything personally. If ISU wins no games their money is spent, if ISU wins 11 games their money is spent.

bostinelosd · 10-24-2006, 04:01 PM

Well if they pull their cash, then they wont be in the skybox and I sure as hell dont want them next to me in the cheering section. I would hate to see them have to mix with us common folk. With each one of them who pulls away true fans will rise and take their place. People who talk with their money have nothing to say worth listening to in my book.

loboclone · 10-24-2006, 04:03 PM

Hey-I totally disagree with you bostinelosd. Personal gain?? what is that? We donate because yes we love ISU and it's football program. If the program is supported it flourishes and ISU goes the right direction with the program. It has happened before and is about to happen again-donations dwindle due the program going the wrong direction. It is historical and history is repeating itself, big time supporters pull back when things aren't going well and there not!! I have supported ISU football with over 100K spread over the past 30 years. When the Walden and Criner debacle took place my and other donations dried up. I wrote a check for 5K to get rid of Criner, ISU could cash it only if they fired him. I wasn't the only and I am not a Big Time donor, there are plenty bigger than me.

Pollard will do what's right. I have to trust him to make a decision. But donations and ticket sales will have a direct impact on that decision.

herbicide · 10-24-2006, 04:07 PM

It may not necessarily be a "pull the plug" type situation, because most of large boosters are corporations and use their donations as advertisements.

You know that stupid "how you live your life" ad by American Eagle? Yep, that means they are a booster/donor to ISU athletics. That is one example, Hy Vee is another with their CyHawk award and other stuff.

They don't want to lose their advertisements, but they want the best rate of return for them. So, if their marketing department thinks a coaching change will increase the audience (read: ticket sales and media coverage) they may offer to support a buyout other costs of a coaching change.

I don't think too many would "pull the plug" over changing or keeping a peticular coaching staff. But they do have a lot of leverage with the AD with their money.

cyclonedrew · 10-24-2006, 04:09 PM

Trust me when I tell you this. The boosters will never pull there money from us. EVER. It's a huge tax write off for them. It's power and prestige.

I would say half the boosters even care the outcome of the game other than standing in the sky box to impress there clientel.

I Know when I am not on the sidelines for a game I am in the sky box.

If you want to see boosters quit donating. Make it be a non tax write off. My father help set presidence with the IRS on that case.

timc243 · 10-24-2006, 04:09 PM

Good answer Herbicide. You proved it to me there. I was only thinking of personal donors so I can see your point now.

timc243 · 10-24-2006, 04:11 PM

Ok I may have spoke too soon. That's a pretty good counterpoint. Any good/civil responses?

herbicide · 10-24-2006, 04:13 PM

Originally Posted by timc243

Good answer Herbicide. You proved it to me there. I was only thinking of personal donors so I can see your point now.

Yes, isn't nice to know that much if not the majority of our funding comes from organizations that really could care less if we win or lose, just as long as they can leverage it to their advantage?

bostinelosd · 10-24-2006, 04:17 PM

Thanks for donating, the school and fans appreciate it. We just need you to continue to support the program. If everyone pulled out of donating, where are they going to get the money to change things? How do you know what the right direction is without letting it grow for a few years? How can it grow without donations? I think voicing your opinion in group will change things more then pulling donations. you honestly think Jamie Pollard doesnt know things need to change? You think money dissapearing will be his only clue? How much money dissapeared for Wayne Morgan to get fired? Probably not a whole lot. I think Pollard just knew that WM wasnt going to take us upward just by looking at the overall layout of the basketball program.

timc243 · 10-24-2006, 04:19 PM

How much do you think comes from "business" donors? Does anyone have those numbers?