MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[WUPHF]

[...] I know you've seen and been in those games. You know how it is when the first one doesn't drop. And, the second goes all the way down and back out. And the third........ and you just can't believe what your watching. Then you wake up and Bryce Dolan goes 8-8 from Downtown. And, I'm high fiving everyone. And, some where between I keep asking, "Why not Webster?

There is little chance that the Webster marketing and communication office is reading D3boards.com but if they are, they must concerned over your portrayal of Webster in the negative (i.e. the use of the word not).  Maybe they are even working on another post tourney chess team campaign.

I have to admit, though, you got me excited.  +1  And, who doesn't love a good underdog/buffalo/cheetah story?  I am going to walk up to the bookstore today and get a Gorlok t-shirt.

Otherwise,  I am thrilled for Webster with the opportunity to go on the road rather than up Big Bend.

[BunchTime]

Speaking of Webster chess and the WU marketing office, anyone know if they are promoting Webster's SLIAC tournament championship or NCAA tournament appearance?  I assume the answer is resounding NO.  The Webster administration does very little to promote athletics nor seems all that concerned about them.  Yet, they bring in a handful of chess players who by all means are talented at what they do, and I start seeing plenty of marketing and promotional tools being employed with respect to the chess team.  Must feel like a slap in the face to the student-athletes at WU.  Anyone ever see a Webster athletics billboard?  Not me.  Preemptive DISCLAIMER: I don't have anything against chess or promoting the No. 1 chess team.  A little equality would be nice, however.   

[y_jack_lok]

Speaking of Webster chess and the WU marketing office, anyone know if they are promoting Webster's SLIAC tournament championship or NCAA tournament appearance?  I assume the answer is resounding NO.  The Webster administration does very little to promote athletics nor seems all that concerned about them.  Yet, they bring in a handful of chess players who by all means are talented at what they do, and I start seeing plenty of marketing and promotional tools being employed with respect to the chess team.  Must feel like a slap in the face to the student-athletes at WU.  Anyone ever see a Webster athletics billboard?  Not me.  Preemptive DISCLAIMER: I don't have anything against chess or promoting the No. 1 chess team.  A little equality would be nice, however.

When the chess team billboard appeared there was a strong reaction from student athletes that ultimately led to a meeting with the administration which, I was told, was attended by a lot of athletes. I don't know what the outcome of that meeting was. You might want to check with people you know in the WU athletics department to get information on how all that went down.

Because of the success of the baseball team, I think they've gotten a little more love from the WU higher ups.

[Denny McKinney]

Being a former SID and PR Rep whose been thru this. I would have to say WU has contacted their contacts with the Post, Channel 5, StLToday.com and hopefully Josh Spellmeyer from the Webster Groves Journal. Fun part of planning was seeing how many show to send off the team bus!!!!

#WhynotWebster

[WUPHF]

When the chess team billboard appeared there was a strong reaction from student athletes that ultimately led to a meeting with the administration which, I was told, was attended by a lot of athletes. I don't know what the outcome of that meeting was. You might want to check with people you know in the WU athletics department to get information on how all that went down.

I have a few friends that work at Webster and while they do not work in PR, I think the end result was a meeting helped provide a clarification (they had a clever idea and they ran with it), but without any other promises.

Honestly, it was a clever idea, but I understand the concerns of the other athletes.

I did not see the billboard.  I think they were only used in the Columbia, MO area.  It really was designed to contrast Webster with MU.

[BunchTime]

Show to send off the team?  HAHA!  Not happening!  There is little organization at Webster for things like that.  I mean, how hard would it be for some student organization (or perhaps the AD's office working in conjunction with another organization) to organize a bus for interested students?  You can't tell me 50 kids in the dorms (or whoever else) wouldn't be interested.  The key though is marketing and organizing.  I imagine most students (including those who live on campus) that have no connection to the athletic department don't even know Webster's men's team is in the NCAA tourney.  Friday night game, charge $10 a person, provide them pizza, leave at 3, get back to Webster at midnight.  I would be stunned if anyone at Webster even considered this.  I truly think most folks have chalked up promotion of Webster athletics as a lost cause. 

[Denny McKinney]

That's a shame BT. Wrong AD. I know personally it would have to be a lack of effort. At a school that size. When does the Prez announce to the students, " First 64 on the bus. Tix and box meals from Jackson Brothers. On me." Every single time. It is a two call fundraiser. Bus line and Food Service. Believe me. It's not tough!!!

Quick story: First time to Hanover. The team bus arrived for the game, about 2 mins behind the Fan Charter and about 4 school vans from Fontbonne. It seemed like two hundred people. They lined both sides the 60 feet from team bus to gym door. One of the surreal moments of many.

For any WU Administrator Reading. Get it done. You pay both purveyors a ton. To be allowed to get your contract. The minute Dad walked on Campus. Coke was gone. Pepsi was in. And, FU didn't spend one penny on that Midcourt Scoreboard. It was the bomb in '92. And, Pepsi did so much more for All of Dad's teams. My Life experience has been different I guess.

#WhynotWebster

[BunchTime]

Good post, Denny.  Yep, the lack of effort is pretty sad, IMO.  And it all starts with the top - the higher ups in administration - who don't have any interest in athletics and it trickles down from there.  The best word I would use to describe the overall effort to rally up spirit, market events, and get students involved is apathetic.   

[Denny McKinney]

I guess then I'll continue to think Dad did it up right. The experience I had with the '00 Lady Griffin's was unbelievable. I feel fortunate to have been their SID. We flew to the twin cities. Checked in. Went to Mall of America for dinner. That was the largest meal tab I had seen. And, them crazy girls down there riding those indoor rides. I had three of the starters work my Girls HS Camp. All three said we will beat Wash U before we leave. They were freshmen and hadn't attended one class. Haha They saved Coach Wooden's win streak by two games. After being beat by same team by 30+ earlier in the season.

I'm just saying. Only in basketball. #WhynotWebster

[BunchTime]

Here is a stat for you as it relates to our WU discussion.  Approximately 20% of the entire incoming freshman class at Webster was comprised of athletes.  20%!  One-fifth of the class!  Do the higher-ups realize how much money Webster athletics generates each year in tuition.  Granted, Webster, like nearly all D3 schools, is usually a loser in terms of direct revenue (i.e. ticket sales, concessions, etc.).  However, in terms of indirect revenue, Webster athletics is an enormous money maker!  When will the administrators understand this?  When will the administrators invest in this very important aspect of Webster University?  When will the administrators understand that its head coaches are the biggest and best recruiters for the University to bring in new students?

I drove through the campus yesterday morning and I saw not one poster marketing the basketball game.  I have never seen a Webster athletics billboard like the chess team had.  I have seen nothing on social media hyping up the game.  Can they really not pay for a bus for students to attend the game?  I guess the academic geeks at Webster simply don't see the correlation of how a strong athletics program benefits the ENTIRE University.

I know since my time at Webster the higher ups really penny pinched the head coaches, despite the fact that coaches like Coach Bunch routinely bring in 10-20 man recruiting classes just like Coach Seiner does for soccer as do the rest of the coaches.  Yet, 10 chess players can somehow magically fund trips around the world to places like Europe and Iceland.  I guess it won't change until you have someone running the show that actually has a vested interest in athletics.     

[iwumichigander]

Here is a stat for you as it relates to our WU discussion.  Approximately 20% of the entire incoming freshman class at Webster was comprised of athletes.  20%!  One-fifth of the class!  Do the higher-ups realize how much money Webster athletics generates each year in tuition.  Granted, Webster, like nearly all D3 schools, is usually a loser in terms of direct revenue (i.e. ticket sales, concessions, etc.).  However, in terms of indirect revenue, Webster athletics is an enormous money maker!  When will the administrators understand this?  When will the administrators invest in this very important aspect of Webster University?  When will the administrators understand that its head coaches are the biggest and best recruiters for the University to bring in new students?

I drove through the campus yesterday morning and I saw not one poster marketing the basketball game.  I have never seen a Webster athletics billboard like the chess team had.  I have seen nothing on social media hyping up the game.  Can they really not pay for a bus for students to attend the game?  I guess the academic geeks at Webster simply don't see the correlation of how a strong athletics program benefits the ENTIRE University.

I know since my time at Webster the higher ups really penny pinched the head coaches, despite the fact that coaches like Coach Bunch routinely bring in 10-20 man recruiting classes just like Coach Seiner does for soccer as do the rest of the coaches.  Yet, 10 chess players can somehow magically fund trips around the world to places like Europe and Iceland.  I guess it won't change until you have someone running the show that actually has a vested interest in athletics.   

Bolded and ()- mine.  Do the higher-ups realize how much money Webster athletics generates each year in tuition (alumni development dollars)?  Maybe you are preaching/appealing to the wrong choir? 

I'll bet your Alumni Development Office and Board of Directors knows how many endowment and giving dollars come from athletic department alumni.  Your head golf coach sits on that board.  So do a couple of folks from Maritz on the alumni board (and, from working with that organization - they understand relationships and how to put an event/ trip  together).

[BunchTime]

You're right, iwu.  I'm sure I am preaching to the choir with folks on this board who all enjoy athletics.  Nevertheless, I thought I'd share as I know people read this board but don't necessarily post their thoughts. 

[WUPHF]

I know for a fact that Webster is well aware of the students and revenue that come from varsity athletics.  The admissions office certainly knows.  They are like so many other tuition driven liberal arts colleges; they would not have athletics otherwise.

Probably anyone who has thought about the game expects someone else on campus to organize the bus.  I am sure that Webster could pass on the full cost to students and still sell out the bus.

[Denny McKinney]

So true Both of You. My Dad's Masters Thesis was about how athletics drive enrollment at small colleges. He showed that if recruit an athlete from HS "A" how many just students will follow. FU gets a lot of students from Perryville MO. Nobody in that town ever heard of FC. But, Women's bball and soccer coaches got a couple kids and now I would say FU gets 8 students a year from Perryville not to mention HS out Hwy 44. Look at WU's texas connection.

Maybe the New A.D. Will be one of those that get it.

But we're talking now. Hollis Edwards and Huskey will never have this experience again!!!!

[iwumichigander]

I know for a fact that Webster is well aware of the students and revenue that come from varsity athletics.  The admissions office certainly knows.  They are like so many other tuition driven liberal arts colleges; they would not have athletics otherwise.

Probably anyone who has thought about the game expects someone else on campus to organize the bus.  I am sure that Webster could pass on the full cost to students and still sell out the bus.

IWU takes good natured kidding on the CCIW board about our senior citizens that turnout on the fan bus.  The truth of the matter is those senior citizens organize the fan bus trips all by themselves.