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New University President: Robert S. Nelsen

Not encouraging that they picked a guy from a transitioning WAC bottom-feeder school without a Football program... :?
 
Nelsen's Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/preznelsen

Well...first sign of good news is that he is all over UTPA's (soon to be UTRGV) athletic successes...

We'll just have to see how it goes, but I have a hard time seeing a former university president in football crazed Texas not seeing a first hand positive impact that a successful football program (and athletics in general) can bring to a campus for exposure, fundraising, marketing, etc. :twocents:

Sac Bee: http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/education/article16275893.html
 
His UTPA page has a list of his accomplishments. Here are the one’s that caught my eye:

• Improved the annual financial condition of the University, despite a 5% and then a subsequent additional 17.76% budget cut in state appropriations from FY2010 to FY 2012

• Launched “Bronc Country: The Engaged University” strategic plan (2011) and appointed two presidential fellows to implement and continuously update the plan (2012)

• Established the University’s first-ever Development Board to increase fundraising and strengthen relationships with the community

• Helped plan and participated in three VistaSummits that brought to the Rio Grande Valley national funders including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Lumina, the Ford Foundation, the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, and the Greater Texas Foundation to hear local and national educators and health experts – over 600 attendees at each event

• Provided oversight to planning and construction of the following:
o New Buildings
 Academic and Performing Arts Center (to be completed fall 2014)
 University College (to be completed 2014)
 Dome Classroom Building, financed by FEMA to be used by the National Guard in the case of a hurricane (to be completed 2014)
 The University of Texas-Pan American at Starr County complex, including three classroom buildings and a library

• Stabilized budget for the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics that for years had operated
from a negative financial position

• Moved Bronc Athletics from NCAA Division I independent status to membership in the Western
Athletic Conference

• Approved addition of men’s soccer and women’s soccer, bringing total number of intercollegiate
sports to 14

An “anti-athletics” President isn’t going to stabilize the athletics budget AND add sports at the same time…all while navigating their programs from D-1 Indy hell into a home in the WAC.
 
Here's to hoping he's the guy to tap into the crazy resources available (alumni, donors, sponsors, etc...)!!!
 
Other than his online bio, I know nothing about the new prez or what to expect other than he kinda looks like Brian Cranston. My obvious hope is that he helps aid Hornet Athletics to the next level, and that there is no serious talk under his leadership of eliminating football. Now, knowing nothing of what to expect, I have hope in a few theories I've developed, none of which really mean anything. He was an administrator at Texas and A&M, two schools that put a lot of emphasis on their football and athletic programs. It's my hope that he can help direct attention to ours as a way of public marketing and general pride. Also, while at UTPA - soon to be UTRGV - rumors swirled that the school has been exploring a football program. These theories lead me to hope that he will fully support the program and future investment into its success. If he can tap into our wealthy donors, many of whom may have been turned-off by Gonzo, it will be a success in itself.

A win over Davis this year and a deep basketball run are what I hope to be early signs of great fortune to come. Until this guy shows me otherwise, I'm happy to welcome him in.
 
DOuKcVb4_400x400.jpeg

Nelsen

heisenberg_breaking_bad_i_am_walter_white_say_my_name.jpg

Heisenberg
 
The WAC is a poor choice, but probably the best available for UTPA/UTRGV. It's certainly better than what SD described as "Indy hell." This sounds like the first president in a LONG while that will adequately support our sports program instead of just showing up to soak in the glory in the rare occurrence of something good happening. Remember The Fat Man? That's exactly what HE did....
 
Looking at the UTPA athletic site

Notice that a new track and field complex
and
soccer complex is being built now and over the next two years
which looks very major for the UTPA athletic program.

And notice that lots of upgrades have been made to the UTPA gym that seats 2,500 over the past few years. The UTPA gym actually looks like a super sized Hornet Gym

Baseball is off campus.

Overall, it appears that UTPA athletic facilities either did not exist or were off campus or in very bad shape and things have improved quite a bit recently. Would assume Mr. Nelson was in the mix of this support.
 
Looking forward to President Nelson taking the helm at 6,000 J Street in 10 days. And hoping he will fast track the Sac State master plan big time. Time for Sac State to get a new events center, a new football
stadium and upgrades to all athletics facilities as this will be the calling card to all other campus projects. Alumni and the Sacramento community at large will empty their pockets for all campus upgrades when the Hornets continue to strive to become relevant in Div I sports.
 
Here is the link for the press relating to President Nelsen’s first day.
He has committed to raising private funds for a new science building and events center, as well as for rehabilitating older buildings on campus.
Press Conference video:
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eaDW07Cuxg&feature=youtu.be[/youtube]
6:00 Mark: “Athletics is important to what we are doing here because it builds pride.”
 
Someone with photoshop skills needs to Walter White/Heisenberg this guy! Seems like a very genuine guy.
 
Welcome President Nelson. Glad u want to get things done and take what is already happening on 6,000 J Street and turn it into reality. Glad you are a Hornet and glad u want to get things done and get things built!! And glad u apparently selected Sac State over other universities to be at the helm.
 
With Raske resigning and leaving for the National Power of S. Illinois (haha), is this the beginning of the
de-emphasis of athletics under a new President?

I know she said she wanted to be closer to family, but she has some of the best track facilities in FCS at Sac. Gotta wonder why at the pinnacle of her career she would go elsewhere that is not a step up?
 
President Nelsen seems pretty stoked to be in charge of a school with a football team, he was at workouts and yesterday's practices taking pictures and tweeting about it using #stingersup...
 
Kadeezy said:
President Nelsen seems pretty stoked to be in charge of a school with a football team, he was at workouts and yesterday's practices taking pictures and tweeting about it using #stingersup...

Good to see a President who supports athletics. Much better than Gerth(Pres when I was in sschool) who was more like an athletic supporter. We will see how he compares to recent when it comes time to $$ pony up.
 
GCM, it’s her alma mater in which she is in their Hall of Fame. It’s not like she left for a random school she has no connection to. Per the SIU release:
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois University announced today that Saluki Hall of Fame track star Kathleen Raske will return to her alma mater as the school's new Director of Track & Field/Cross Country, replacing fellow Hall of Famer Connie Price-Smith, who accepted a position at Ole Miss two weeks ago.

Agree with Kadeezy. Nelsen seems stoked to be here, and has indicated that athletics are a vital role in building pride in the University. He has also indicated an events center as a priority (yeah I know we heard that before). BTW, Alumni Association just sent out an email inviting some folks to join Nelsen on the Terrace for the home opener. Nelsen appears to be amped for FB season.

We clamored for leadership change and we finally got it. The least we can do is get behind the move and support them.
 
Holy sh1t!!!! Is anyone watching the Fall Address?! President Nelson just brought Herky on stage and got the whole audience to yell "Hornets are number one, stingers up!!!!" He went ape sh1t!!!! Lol

He also pledged to raise $50M for an event center!
 
This guy is out there getting his and the university names in print, he's been very well spoken and comes off as extremely intelligent and driven to bring focus, investment and growth to the school, and he seems very pro-sports. I really like this guy.
 

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