Complete Pollard e-mail to donors on ISU athletics

**ChrisMWilliams** · 03-08-2010, 10:09 AM

Dear Cyclone fans,

Nearly four years ago, we implemented several strategic decisions to elevate our athletics program within the Big 12 Conference. Our initiatives were to grow funding, enhance facilities and improve academic and competitive performance.

I am pleased to share with you that we have made significant progress:

1. We have increased annual funding for our athletics program from $28 million to $42 million. More importantly, we have achieved that level of funding while reducing our annual reliance on State support from 12% to less than 5%.

2. We have invested more than $50 million in critical facility upgrades and new construction, including the Hixson-Lied Student Success Center, the Sukup Basketball Complex, the Jack Trice Club and a golf indoor practice facility.

3. Last fall, our student-athletes recorded the highest graduation rate (79%) in Iowa State University history. That rate led the Big 12 and was 14% higher than ISU undergraduates.

4. We are in the midst of, potentially, the best competitive season in school history. Our Directors’ Cup finish for the fall (22nd nationally) is the best in ISU history and we are currently fifth in Big 12 all-sports rankings (on the heels of finishing last in seven of the prior eight years).

Unfortunately, one of the key elements in that competitive success - men’s basketball - has not experienced the same level of on-court success as many of our other programs. The competitive performance of our men’s basketball program has been both disappointing and frustrating.

Some fans have suggested that we make a change in the leadership of our men’s basketball program. It is important to understand that many factors are considered when deciding who gets the privilege and honor to be an Iowa State head coach. Certainly, competitive success is an important measure. However, so are the personal character and integrity of our coaches and the performance of our student-athletes in the classroom and in public.

Although we have not yet won games at the level we all desire, Coach McDermott and his staff have exhibited exemplary character and integrity and our men’s basketball student-athletes have performed admirably in many areas. As a result, I remain fully committed and supportive of Coach McDermott and his staff. Our department will continue to provide the necessary resources for our men’s basketball program to be competitive in this league and nationally so that we can achieve the goals we have outlined for our department.

As investors in our athletics program – through season ticket purchases and/or donations to the Cyclone Club – we felt it was important to communicate directly to you about our men’s basketball program.

Thank you for continuing to support us. As true Cyclones, we know that we can count upon your help as we try to reach our goals.
Go Cyclones!

Sincerely,

Jamie Pollard
Director of Athletics

**Cyclonestate78** · 03-08-2010, 10:15 AM

Very disappointing.

**isuforlife** · 03-08-2010, 10:55 AM

b.s.as usual

**ISUFan22** · 03-08-2010, 10:57 AM

Although we have not yet won games at the level we all desire, Coach McDermott and his staff have exhibited exemplary character and integrity and our men’s basketball student-athletes have performed admirably in many areas.

A person can have great character/integrity and win. But this release is sending a message that we believe in Greg more because of his character and not the ability to win.

In the event things do not get better next season and we're sitting here again, this time at the end of year 5...what does Jamie say at that time?

**ap2049** · 03-08-2010, 10:58 AM

I have not been happy with the past few years in MBB. Their is now way we can afford a buy out of Mac contract. Two more years and if the program is not better he will be gone. I personally trust JP to make the right decision.

**gogagig** · 03-08-2010, 11:00 AM

Time to promote the Life Skills Coordinator to Head Basketball Coach. The guy has everything Pollard is looking for in a basketball coach.

**khaal53** · 03-08-2010, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by ISUFan22

A person can have great character/integrity and win. But this release is sending a message that we believe in Greg more because of his character and not the ability to win.

In the event things do not get better next season and we're sitting here again, this time at the end of year 5...what does Jamie say at that time?

Without diving too deep into the debate itself, I have to agree that Pollard leaned too much on the "character and integrity" bit. Mentioning it is fine, but I think it was overused and not especially relevant. Sure, it's easier to fire a guy that's an a-hole, but just because you're not an a-hole doesn't mean you shouldn't be fired.

And I'm not saying Mac should or shouldn't be fired.

**BryceC** · 03-08-2010, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by ISUFan22

A person can have great character/integrity and win. But this release is sending a message that we believe in Greg more because of his character and not the ability to win.

In the event things do not get better next season and we're sitting here again, this time at the end of year 5...what does Jamie say at that time?

I disagree to a certain extent... This release is saying that the record is disappointing but we have a team and coach that are "high character" guys and that trumps the losing. I just hate it when the "integrity" card is played and frankly I don't really care.

Originally Posted by gogagig

Time to promote the Life Skills Coordinator to Head Basketball Coach. The guy has everything Pollard is looking for in a basketball coach.

Haha, nailed it.

**benjay** · 03-08-2010, 11:04 AM

cry more noobs

**CloneIce** · 03-08-2010, 11:06 AM

Translation - Don't have the money to make a move.

Honestly, since Pollard was obviously sticking by Mcdermott no matter how poor the results this season, I wish he would have given him a statement of support a few weeks back to help recruiting.... and to keep the fans from getting their hopes up.

**gogagig** · 03-08-2010, 11:09 AM

"The competitive performance of our men’s basketball program has been both disappointing and frustrating."

????

**JonDMiller** · 03-08-2010, 11:09 AM

Integrity (buyout) will always trump losing when people buy close to 10,000 season tickets.

**kg-cyclone** · 03-08-2010, 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by JonDMiller

Integrity (buyout) will always trump losing when people buy close to 10,000 season tickets.

Please do some research...

**westcyedclone** · 03-08-2010, 11:14 AM

Character and integrity are certainly important things to possess when dealing with young people, I guess I would have liked to see JP lay out some examples of this. I just don't see GMAC being successful here, but I will continue to support my Clones.