Reese upgrades?

[oldtimeewualum]

I heard today that plans are in the works to replace the old, antiquated wooden bleachers on the lower level of Reese. It is about time that something was done to show recruits that we actually care about our basketball team! From the orange and brown seats (ORANGE AND BROWN!!!), to the wooden bleachers that were left pulled out because they were too difficult to move (and consequently minimized practice space), to the outdated shot clocks that malfunctioned too often, to the dinosaur goals, to the lighting that Earlywine told me wouldnt be fixed until the building is renovated ("game" lights are ok, but go in there for practice and you'll see what I mean as one end of the gym has nearly half the lights out), to the lockerroom that is subpar for D2, etc, etc. When was the last time something was done in Reese that a recruit could look at and say, "EWU really wants to win in basketball?"
In the past several years the football lockerroom was renovated, the football coaches offices were renovated, a new pressbox was built and a new turf field was installed. Look what happened - national championship! Recruiting is the name of the game in college athletics and recruits want to go somewhere that they think is committed to winning.
Of course, I am told that this upgrade is being paid for because Coach Hayford is going to play an extra money game this year. I was told by Earlywine and a former athletic department official that Earlywine played extra games his first 3 years that brought in $190k above and beyond what was required. He did so because when he got the job he was told that he could use any additional monies to enhance the program. When Chaves came aboard, he told Earlywine that he only got to keep half the money and that the other half would go to the general athletic department fund. At the end of his third year, after he had got NONE of the $190k, Earlywine refused to play "extra" money game his fourth year. As he told me, it was just another of the instances of Chaves flat-out lying to him.
It's interesting that Chaves is now allowing extra guarantee money to be used to upgrade the program. Could it be because Chaves' butt is now on the line? Because he is invested in the new coach like he never was with the old coach that he didnt hire? Is it because (as Earlywine told me in a recent phone conversation) Chaves is trying desperately to get out of EWU and, because he cant/hasnt raised ANY money since becoming the AD, he sees this hire as his ticket out? If he can point to Beau and the new bball coach as "his" hires, that might be enough to get him another job in spite of the fact that AD's are hired in D1 to raise money and he cant/doesnt???
Whatever the reason, at least we are finally doing something to help the basketball program. It's about time.

 

[Vic E. Wallace]

oldtimeewualum,
The Bleachers are not going anyplace. They are supposed to be going behind both Basketball Baskets Nets. New seats are supposed to be coming in for installation. These plans have been in the works for some time. They were talking about having the Coaches Offices there with the players. The Coaches Offices is no longer in the playbook. Don't know why. The new seatings might be in by the end of December, I hope. Vic

 

[nwray1]

We've attended about 6 games or so a year for the past four years, when visiting Cheney. I have often imagined how great it would be to have a full house. Given the compact size of the gym, 6,000 fans would make Reese an impossible place to play for the opposition. I think it would make the Gonzaga gym seem quiet by comparison.

 

[Vic E. Wallace]

nwray1,
Years ago when I worked there, we had approximately 10,000 individuals in Reese Court. Of course there was a concert with three bands, we had to open doors to satisfy the Fire Department. Of course the BB Floor was used for the Fans to sit and get close to the Bands, once the lights went off, we could see and smell of the weeds that were lit. :shock: :mrgreen:

We had Damn Yankees, and two other Bands, I couldn"t remember their names. Those used to be the days when students,etc, would be streaking on Campus. :thumb: :nod: We would catch some of the students, put them on a School Bus, they would open the back door of the bus, and started to streak again. :lol: Those days were what we called "The Good Old Days" :lol:. Have a nice weekend. Vic Wall

 

[EWURanger]

@ Vic - I went to a Jane's Addiction concert at Reese Court back in the early 90's......and a few other ones like Run DMC and Coolio in the mid-90's....you can get over 10k in there for a function like that. Of course, some of those people would have been on the floor around the stage.

@ Oldtimeewualum - Read a few of your posts now, and can't help but wonder if you've got some sort of "agenda". Raising over a million for the Red Turf project plus other stuff like scoreboard, etc. isn't raising "any" money? Hmmm..

 

[LDopaPDX]

I went to that Jane's Addiction concert and was told 7,500 were in attendance. But that, of course, utilized floor seating.

Reese Court doesn't have nearly as much upgrading to do as, say, Woodward / Roos, but it can use some modernization. 6,000 seats is just right for a venue size so no expansion is really needed.

 

[Vic E. Wallace]

LDopaPDX,
What I was told a few months ago, is all the seating on the floor area, especially where the benches are on the visitors side, should be completed sometime in December (hopefully). They will be replaced by chairs tha folds away like the Benches does. :nod: :nod: :clap: :clap: The Benches on the Students side will remain there. The Benches on the visitors side is supposed to go behind the Basketball Netss on the East & West side of the BB Court. :clap: :clap: :thumb: :thumb:

Took a trip out to Campus yesterday, I noticed Troy Ticket Booths are almost completed. I noticed some
insulations on the counter top of the ticket Booth. :thumb: :nod: :nod: The Old Ticket Booths are in the rear the tailgate areas. Maybe they could be used for "Honey Buckets" :lol: :lol: Just kidding. Troy keep up the "Outstanding Work" you are doing. I think most of our FB Players are home now, they must be back by Aug 9th. Coaches should be there today. All 17 Players and two ladies ate good on Thursday, July 28th, was a pleasure feeding those great young women and men. Now time to recoop. :clap: :clap: :thumb: :thumb:
Off The Subject:
I looked at the "Road To The Championship", "National Champonship", and "Roll Out Of The Red Turf", Friday Evening, Saturday Morning, now I just can't wait for FB to get started. Wineguy, I saw your embrace with Bo Levi, and the hug from his brother Pat. Hope I got his name correctly.

I remember after one of the Playoff Games @ EWU, I give Pat a ride to where he supposedly live. I spoke to Bo a few days later, Bo Said, Vic, we live on the other side of the City. Pat was feeling great along with his friend, if you know what I mean :lol: Time for bed. Go Eagles.!!!!!Vic

 

[oldtimeewualum]

In the interest of full disclosure, let me be clear: I definitely have an "agenda." The agenda to try to get the administration (both the university and the athletic department) to support the basketball program so we can hope for some sustained success. According to figures from the US Dept of Education (sorry, I couldnt attach the link) we spend less money, by a pretty significat amount, on our basketball program than any Big Sky school. Is it any wonder that only one of our last seven coaches has had a winning record? And Coach Giac had the benefit of a "sugar daddy" who was giving thousands of dollars to the program every year. I hope that Coach Hayford can match his reputation as a fund-raiser because I think that is the only way we are going to be able to consistently compete in the top half of the conference.
FYI to EWURanger - according to more than one person with knowledge of the situation, the AD had nothing to do with any of the money raised for the turf. Obviously, a significant chunk of the money came from Roos thanks to his relationship with Beau and the offensive line coach. Marc Hughes and the university foundation office were responsible for the the remainder.
Keep in mind this AD refuses to meet with the EAA. What Division 1 athletic director doesnt meet with the booster club that is trying to raise money to help him???

 

[clawman1]

FYI to EWURanger - according to more than one person with knowledge of the situation, the AD had nothing to do with any of the money raised for the turf.

You are absolutely wrong!! I can personally testify to that.

 

[Vic E. Wallace]

oldtimeewualum,
I just read your post. Most of the money for the Red Turf was done by Marc Hughes, and some of the other Coaches. I know Marc would go to other Universities, with Ex-Coach Dick Zornes, and former Players to get Turf money, i.e. Univ. Alabama. Due to the budget, he had to his trips to two a year. Don't know if that have changed. Maybe AD Chaves had something to do with getting some money also, honestly, I don't know.

Also, I am an EAA Member, I have seen AD Chaves at numerous meetings. He even spoke @ the meetings. Maybe something is going on I am not familiar with. I have been an EAA Member now going on my 12th year. One thing about AD Chaves, I try like hell to get information, he is a hard nut to crack. He is so damn hard to get information from, he pisses me off. :lol: :roll: Go Eagles!!!!!Vic Wallace

 

[weberwildcat2]

@ Vic - I went to a Jane's Addiction concert at Reese Court back in the early 90's......and a few other ones like Run DMC and Coolio in the mid-90's....you can get over 10k in there for a function like that. Of course, some of those people would have been on the floor around the stage.

@ Oldtimeewualum - Read a few of your posts now, and can't help but wonder if you've got some sort of "agenda". Raising over a million for the Red Turf project plus other stuff like scoreboard, etc. isn't raising "any" money? Hmmm..

Cool to hear about any upgrades around the Sky.

btw, you should chance your signature to "2010 Div I Football National Champions". The FCS title is the National Title not just an FCS title. Now the FBS title is only the BCS Champion, NOT The National Champion of DI.

 

[Vic E. Wallace]

To All,
NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE
About 9 days ago, I made a statement about our AD. I stated he is a hard nut to crack, and he pisses me off.
Well about 5:30pm yesterday,two and one half hours after the team finished practicing, the AD walked up to me and ask, "What do you mean I am a hard nut to crack? He is no longer a hard nut to crack. He threw me a bag of nuts and said, here Vic, and you should let everyone know "you got my nuts" :lol: , we both had fun from that post. :clap: :clap: Forgot the name of the nuts, were sweet and sugar coated. :nod: :nod: :thumb: :thumb:

The team is back in "Winning Condition", they are really looking great. Nelson Fishback did make it in, he was at practice today, the Recruits practiced with team today. I was impressed with Vernon Adams & Nelson Fishback, both of those Quarter Backs, I feel will be in the line up before long, Maybe in another year, they will be ready. Big David Delgado, DT, he is very smooth on his feet, he gets down in his stance, and get off like someone that knows the game. IMO we will be very "outstnading Team" with our Recruits. Don't know which ones will RS.

Noticed some of the Players numbers have changed. i.e. Grant Williams now #18, used to be #48,Cory Mitchell #19, used to be #26, Demitrius Bronson #4, used to be #20, RB from UM. Team goes @ 3pm, today, will be in pads. I don't know if most of you are aware, Coach Torrey Hunter, is now an Idaho Vandals Coach, found that out during practice yesterday. No replacement as yet.

Reference Andru Pulu, be prepared, Larry Weir, "The Best Radio Announcer" I have had an opportunity to listen to, will have more information here on the blog pretty soon. Got to hit the sack. Be Go Eagles!!!!! Vic Wallace

 

[Vic E. Wallace]

To All,
I did make it out to practice after a trip back from fishing with my son, in Twin Lakes, Idaho. The team is coming along in great form. We will miss Tyler Jolley, and other players, I can tell you this. Our defense will hold its own against any team including UW. Look for #96, Zach Chapman, #58 David Delgado,both on the defense, these are two of the recruits, they look outstanding in practice. Chapman RS last Season.

Yesterday they did some hitting, things are really getting heated on the field. Bronson RB, trans from UW is running the ball very well. He seems very strong going up the middle, that "STUD" made some moves yesterday, I had not seen before. :thumb: :thumb: No need to talk about the returning Defense, they will have to be respected on the field. The new Defnse/Offense Recruits, will fill in greatly. I heard that #16, Greg Panelli, left the team, why I don't know. He wasn't at the last two practices. Vernon Adams/Nelson Fishback both Quarterbacks, are going to be great additions to the team, they both look great in practice. Will be out there today. Trying to make as many practices possible, my surgery comes up this Tuesday. Hoping to make the Scrimmage on the 20th, will keep my fingers crossed.
p.s.
Remember I mention sometime in February, Renard Williams DAD needed a Heart Transplant? Great News: Yesterday when I arrived at Practice I saw him sitting in his automobile observing the practice. I can tell you he looked Great, looking like a "Young Whipper Snapper" :nod: :nod: :thumb: :thumb: :lol: :lol:
He left about 4:45hrs, he stated he had to go home and prepare a great meal for his son before practice was over. I was nice seeing him again, and as healthy as can be. Have a Great Sunday, Go Eagles!!!!!Vic

 

[hp_dude]

Lets not forget the girls volleyball team plays in Reese as well. I believe they have lead the league in attendance many years!

 

[oldtimeewualum]

To my point earlier in this thread regarding our AD not raising money or engaging the EAA, how about him not even taking the microphone and speaking at the Raver golf outing? I will pose this question: can anybody out there name another D1 athletic director who wouldn't speak to a gathering of fans/donors/boosters? I worked in and around education for a long, long time and cant believe it.

I understand that a big part of the job initially for Chaves was to stabilize things after Hamilton. However, at what point is simply being the anti-Hamilton (not making any waves) not good enough?

I know that several of the coaches are discouraged by what they perceive as really poor leadership and a lack of commitment from the administration. As I stated earlier on this board, the only hope I have right now for our basketball program is that Coach Hayford can raise as much money as we've been led to believe. From everything I see and hear, Chaves cant do it and, in fact, doesnt even believe it is his job to do so.

 

[EWURanger]

Lets not forget the girls volleyball team plays in Reese as well. I believe they have lead the league in attendance many years!

Very fair point. I'd love to see the VB get back to its ways of Big Sky domination. I remember for a few years it was either Sac State or EWU that were contenders.

 

[hp_dude]

Ranger, from what I have heard the spring training/exhibition games for the volleyball team went very well. I belive they beat Idaho 2-3 times, beat Mt State and Univ of Portland. I heard they played very well against OR and OR state too, keeping those matches very close to within 2 points or so. They have a very tough preseaon coming and that will also improve them. dude

 

[kalm]

To my point earlier in this thread regarding our AD not raising money or engaging the EAA, how about him not even taking the microphone and speaking at the Raver golf outing? I will pose this question: can anybody out there name another D1 athletic director who wouldn't speak to a gathering of fans/donors/boosters? I worked in and around education for a long, long time and cant believe it.

I understand that a big part of the job initially for Chaves was to stabilize things after Hamilton. However, at what point is simply being the anti-Hamilton (not making any waves) not good enough?

I know that several of the coaches are discouraged by what they perceive as really poor leadership and a lack of commitment from the administration. As I stated earlier on this board, the only hope I have right now for our basketball program is that Coach Hayford can raise as much money as we've been led to believe. From everything I see and hear, Chaves cant do it and, in fact, doesnt even believe it is his job to do so.

I want my AD to:

1) Make good hires
2) win NCAA appeals
3) raise money (even during a very down economy)
4) run a tight ship from a compliance standpoint
5) retain good coaches which is very challenging at a stepping stone.

Check, check, check, check aaaannnnd check.

Is Chaves directly responsible for all of this? Yes. Does that mean he has to be hands on? No. There are different leadership styles and one style is to surround yourself with competent assistants which Bill has obviously done. This doesn't mean everybody has to like him or that he hasn't made mistakes in regards to certain issue. When you're in charge you are going to piss some people off regardless of what you do. But from this lifelong Eagle's perspective, things have been pretty damn good under his tenure.

 

[oldtimeewualum]

@ kalm For the most part I agree with the list of priorities for the AD. I would disagree with the order. Fundraising should be #1 - it makes everything else like hiring/keeping good coaches much easier. I would definitley add public relations to the list. The AD should be one of the 3 most recognizable faces at the university along with the football and basketball coach (see Bill Moos).

The biggest disagreement that I have is with the "check" that you gave for fundraising. Aside from the huge gift that Roos gave and the money that the fundraising offfice (Hughes/Simonowski/Westphal) was able to piggy-back off of that, the fundraising in the athletic department has been miniscule - unless you count the money that Earlywine brought in from extra money games - and then was not allowed to use.

In case you havent figured it out, I am a basketball "homer" and want to see our bball team do well. Knowing what I know about the lack of commitment from the university and how that commitment has actually worsened in the last 3 years, I think it is going to be very difficult to make more than marginal improvement. I think the upside for the university of a winning bball program is so much greater than in 1AA football. I am not one of those crazies that thinks we should do away with football. I just think we have to find a way to invest more than we have in our bball team. As I stated earlier, I hope Coach Hayford can deliver on the promise of big fundraising dollars. I simply think the fundraising effort should be headed by the AD as it is at most D1 schools. I certainly dont want Coach Hayford thinking about fundraising from October until March.

 

[EWURanger]

@ kalm For the most part I agree with the list of priorities for the AD. I would disagree with the order. Fundraising should be #1 - it makes everything else like hiring/keeping good coaches much easier. I would definitley add public relations to the list. The AD should be one of the 3 most recognizable faces at the university along with the football and basketball coach (see Bill Moos).

The biggest disagreement that I have is with the "check" that you gave for fundraising. Aside from the huge gift that Roos gave and the money that the fundraising offfice (Hughes/Simonowski/Westphal) was able to piggy-back off of that, the fundraising in the athletic department has been miniscule - unless you count the money that Earlywine brought in from extra money games - and then was not allowed to use.

In case you havent figured it out, I am a basketball "homer" and want to see our bball team do well. Knowing what I know about the lack of commitment from the university and how that commitment has actually worsened in the last 3 years, I think it is going to be very difficult to make more than marginal improvement. I think the upside for the university of a winning bball program is so much greater than in 1AA football. I am not one of those crazies that thinks we should do away with football. I just think we have to find a way to invest more than we have in our bball team. As I stated earlier, I hope Coach Hayford can deliver on the promise of big fundraising dollars. I simply think the fundraising effort should be headed by the AD as it is at most D1 schools. I certainly dont want Coach Hayford thinking about fundraising from October until March.

Good points. I would like to see our B-Ball program get back to where it was in the early to middle part of the last decade. And I would agree that fundraising has to get better and I hope that Coach Hayford can spark some of that. Disagree about the football comment - I actually feel like doing well in both "money" sports is vital to the exposure and growth of the University.

I also agree with Kalm in his assessment. Things have been pretty decent but that can always get better, and one area we need to improve on is fund-raising. I've felt that way for a long time.