David Teel Interview with John Ballein- Not an AD candidate/Problems with Fundraising

Blog: #Hokies' associate AD John Ballein talks about interviewing for AD job, department's strengths, weaknesses. http://t.co/5Ga6tqQjio— David Teel (@DavidTeelatDP) January 23, 2014

In this interview, Ballein confirms that he is not one of the finalists for the AD position, and he discusses some of the major challenges that Virginia Tech is having with fundraising through the Hokie Club. I thought this was rather poignant given our discussion about the ineffective efforts of the Hokie Club in drawing members and raising money.

Were at a crossroads right now financially with our scholarships, Ballein said. Were at a point right now where our scholarship funding may have to be taken out of our operating funds, and youre not going to be successful with that. We need to increase our Hokie Club membership. We need to build relationships, and we need to start young. I took the NFL shield and made it HFL. Hokie For Life. Start in high school, the minute they sign their admission offer from Tech.

I dont think we thank enough people that give to this university. If we took every student-athlete, 512 of them, and we took every employee of the department, approximately 200 of them. If we took those 712 people and divided up 9,953 Hokie Club members, that would give each one of those individuals 14 people. Couldnt we call 14 people a year and thank them for what they do for Virginia Tech? Its a small thing, but I think we get away from it. I think we tend to forget those people that are giving and thats not the route to go.

Ballein told the search committee that a vital component of bringing youth and energy to the Hokie Club is the schools NFL players, which this season numbered more than 20.

I think we need to do a better job with our lettermen, he said. Honoring them, promoting them. Our pro players, last year, made almost $48 million and we didnt receive any money from them.