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Tough to say about the location because that $800k wasn't "readily" available previously. (Let's be honest, even in the brown paper bag days, OL guys weren't getting that kind of scratch...) I hear you. I do. And understand that for a LONG time they never landed one of those before...but it's a brave new world.
And I don't think Atlanta was THE straw that sent it over the top...but ATL is worth a brick to our straw in that portion of the game. There's ease of his family to get to games, proximity, and the new generation factor that seems to be gravitating back towards urban centers, in general.
To compare apples to pears, we do have Siefkes on staff, and JC Price who played in the league. Our pitch to the kids has to be "we have experience in the league and know what it takes to get you there...." as well. We just don't have the deep bag. (and, the location.) My point is if VT offered that kid $800k, where would have chose to go if the money was the same? That removes some of the factors, then the other lower tier boxes start getting inspected.
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I do buy this - proximity/easy access to your (monied) boosters is helpful because it makes them easier to engage with, which makes them more willing to donate to the program.
I would hope that an expert fundraiser could address (or at least mitigate) this. After all, it's not a problem for 'main campus'.
I'm not going to say location doesn't matter. That would be ridiculous.
But also, GT got a 5-star OL to sign based on (a) $800k/year NIL deal and (b) a former OL as headcoach who pitched him on (1) development/NFL readiness and (2) a vision to build a team around an offensive line. Does he sign if GT is not located in Atlanta? I don't know. But this was a recruit that GT has never landed before, despite being located in Atlanta for 2ish centuries?
VT can never offer a recruit an Atlanta experience, but with the correctly leadership we can put together attractive vision for a team/player, and an attractive comp package to go with it.
Loved it. Gotta say, it is nice to be able to be able to look at a score like that with 4:00 to go and be able to say "there's still a chance" because the staff and players know how to manage a clock and have confidence in their leadership on the field.
Certainly still induces minor cardiac events. Can't wait to be there at Highmark for the SNF game in October against the Patriots.
Hes gotta stay for a few years though. I don't want a guy who comes in wins a bunch then is out next season....like at least get a foundation started.
TL;DR
If we lose Saturday Whit should be fired by Monday and Pry Tuesday. Start looking for a new AD and put Montgomery as Interm HC. At least he's been a HC before.
I really like Pry but I gave Fu the benefit of the doubt for a while and it never got better. But that was better than where we are now.
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(12) Clemson at GT (C -4.5) (GT is better than Clemson this year)
(6) Georgia at (15) Tennessee (UGA -4.5) (This is my biggest guess)
Pitt at wvu (Pitt -4.5) (Pitt is farther along than WVU)
(18) USF at (5) Miami (Miami -16.5) (Way too big a margin)
(16) aTm at (8) Notre Dame (ND -6.5) (Domers get a reality check)
Vanderbilt at (11) USCe (USC -5.5) (Vandy is better than people think)
Especially when there were two preseason kicks of 70+.
The only angle i can think somewhat related to this is that in many cases, one of the primary drivers for athletic donations is status in booster club which translates to priority for season tickets. So the pitch is more directly (but I know still not exactly) selling people concrete goods/services. "Donate more money and start coming to games"
In the case of Blacksburg/VT, I think there are a good amount of alumni willing to donate some amount of money, but going to games regularly or at all isn't feasible so you're basically just asking them to donate more for the sake of school pride. Personally, could I up my Hokie Club donation? sure but since I see absolutely zero return on investment physically or emotionally for that dollar and my extra money probably wouldnt even move the needle, why bother?
My data points for this are just my experience with VT and my brother in law who is an Ohio State alum, so let me know if I'm totally off base.
I'm referencing brining in new people after clearing house, convincing 5 star recruits to attend their school, and building a team of late teens and early 20-somethings to play for them. Location and what's around plays a role in that. I keep hearing about missing on recruits etc...but the proximity of VT to anywhere yet alone somewhere plays a role in that as well. It's not the end-all be-all, or even 50% of it, but it's a chunk. Some kids won't mind, but the 5-star kids that want lambos and rovers with bling on their wrist aren't going to chose Blacksburg as a stop on the train to the NFL. Not enough eyeballs, adoration, or look-at-me opportunities. So we will continue to end up with the kids that are happy with an Accord or Ram truck.
The biggest smallmouth I ever caught was on a jig 'n pig. The biggest in my boat during my time guiding was on a Mizmo Teaser Tube with a custom jig head, Also the second biggest, third and so on for the last several springs. A few on Lucky Craft Pointers, a couple on spinnerbaits, but the most on those little tubes. Several muskies as well. We primarily fished them in high, stained but clearing water, fishing exclusively in eddies where most of the fish had retreated to avoid fighting the current.
That little tube in the spring, and those dead drifted bugs in cicada dying time were my picks for big smallies on the New. The tube thing came from Ken Penrod in PA via mutual clients, heads from Johnny Cunningham in Duncannon PA. He runs the campground at the confluence of the Juniata with the Susky.
The bugs I made myself. Not imitative, per se, but evocative of a dead cicada. The dead drift was the key, and some of the fish that come out of nowhere and no water can blow your mind.
What does that have to do with convincing alumni to donate more?
They can hurt an already damaged back
ATLIEN
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10 months 2 weeks
# | Split Zone Duo Overtime: Bleak Situations at Florida and Virginia Tech The fundraising increase also corresponds with the hire for Dan Radocovick at AD.
But yes, winning + great new AD = $$$
I dunno, but we do have French to ask and I'm sure he could break it down for us.
I'm slowly figuring it out. Need to get more confident in power fishing. Only have confidence in Ned Rig and Ifish worm rig. Ned rig you can pick and pop the slower water around the riffles. You can let it drift and bounce around the bottom. I think pre-spawn and post spawn can pretty good in spring.
this is exactly the thing for me. We need to clean house. Is it risky? Of course. Is it guaranteed to make us better? Absolutely not. But you know what? I KNOW we're not getting better with our current staff/administration. Thinking we will magically improve without making substantial changes is insane. I'd rather take the risk and die trying than sit and die on the vine out of fear of failure.
See, he can't decommit from us if we cancel his offer, first!
Sounds like there was some miscommunication which sounds about right for the state of our program.... He's visiting UT instead soooo we're probably hosed.
I guess you're going 4-2 this week
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