Roos Field Renovation

[rontheoldwiseeagle2]

For goodness sakes would one of us please just win POWER BALL and solve this problem already!

Almost I was off by just 5 numbers, maybe next time. We may get lightening tonight so the odds should get better.

 

[60s Savage]

I think Gateway mentality has, probably naively, placed the stadium problem where it is today. The first response should now be creating a mechanism that can get Eastern to where it should currently be to arrive at that position, say ten years from now? Instead of waiting for something to happen, there needs to be a plan and a mechanism to get us there. Money is easier to "collect" when it is available, not when it's sorely needed. EWU needs a Foundation, established and available for donations, big and small, as large donor funding is available, and also promoting commitments to routine smaller giving. Special purpose-driven events can stir up interest bringing in funds, and a growing account balance should, with good promotions, bring in corporate contributions. But, Ya gotta have a plan as it's becomes clear (to me) the Board is not going to allocate funds. Lynn Hickey was brought to Eastern to get a project done that's sat dormant for several years, and she brings her history of proven success doing so. Regardless of Board non-consideration this month, her stadium package is still the first step! (Yeah, and wouldn't we all love to have a sneak peek at those materials before October?) Bring on the Huskies, and GO EAGS; there's a stadium waiting in Frisco!

 

[HeavyIsTheCrown]

I think Gateway mentality has, probably naively, placed the stadium problem where it is today. The first response should now be creating a mechanism that can get Eastern to where it should currently be to arrive at that position, say ten years from now? Instead of waiting for something to happen, there needs to be a plan and a mechanism to get us there. Money is easier to "collect" when it is available, not when it's sorely needed. EWU needs a Foundation, established and available for donations, big and small, as large donor funding is available, and also promoting commitments to routine smaller giving. Special purpose-driven events can stir up interest bringing in funds, and a growing account balance should, with good promotions, bring in corporate contributions. But, Ya gotta have a plan as it's becomes clear (to me) the Board is not going to allocate funds. Lynn Hickey was brought to Eastern to get a project done that's sat dormant for several years, and she brings her history of proven success doing so. Regardless of Board non-consideration this month, her stadium package is still the first step! (Yeah, and wouldn't we all love to have a sneak peek at those materials before October?) Bring on the Huskies, and GO EAGS; there's a stadium waiting in Frisco!

The last section of your post makes no sense, however, you’re right on the money in regards to a specific fundraising campaign with the sole purpose of getting a significant stadium expansion. (Many others here have mentioned this)
The fact is a football program can’t grow unless the stadium grows. Teams like Southern Utah, Northern Colorado & Idaho State aren’t going anywhere until they address the elephant in the room. EWU needs to address its elephant and the only person that got remotely close was Bill Chaves. Red turf gets installed and BOOM! EWU becomes an unstoppable force! Bill gets an A+ in my book and he’s the best thing to happen to EWU after Baldwin & Best. Lynn Hickey’s first year grade is an F, hopefully she steps up her game and changes my opinion on how incompetent she is.

 

[clawman1]

Heavy;
I both agree and disagree with your points.
Chaves decision to push the red turf was a stroke of genius and EWU athletics will never be the same because of that.
Lynn Hickey is deserving of a much higher grade than yours, she is trying to change a culture of "woo be poor us we don't deserve better" and an assumption that fans will not dig deep and support improved facilities.
IMO if we build it they will come

 

[HeavyIsTheCrown]

Heavy;
I both agree and disagree with your points.
Chaves decision to push the red turf was a stroke of genius and EWU athletics will never be the same because of that.
Lynn Hickey is deserving of a much higher grade than yours, she is trying to change a culture of "woo be poor us we don't deserve better" and an assumption that fans will not dig deep and support improved facilities.
IMO if we build it they will come

I hear ya, but she hasn’t produced any tangible results for EWUFB.

 

[LDopaPDX]

Hickey has significantly improved fundraising. That’s undeniable. Chaves failed to get any kind of fire lit on the stadium project, and even though nothing has been done under Hickey, it is at least being discussed. Chaves’ last two years were spent sweeping the entire stadium project under the rug. The haphazard Gateway Project wound up setting the university back about 6 years with empty promises and zero affect.

 

[JoinTheEAF]

Absurd to blame Bill or Lynn for our fundraising challenges. The EWU President runs the school. She answers to the Board of Trustees. Layoffs are being discussed. How many layoffs will happen at CWU or WWU? Why is their enrollment up these past five years while enrollment at EWU has fallen? Five years is long enough to make something happen in Cheney. Focus on the leadership problem in Hargreaves and continue supporting our students with your dollars. It is time for a change in Cheney.

 

[clawman1]

Hickey has significantly improved fundraising. That’s undeniable. Chaves failed to get any kind of fire lit on the stadium project, and even though nothing has been done under Hickey, it is at least being discussed. Chaves’ last two years were spent sweeping the entire stadium project under the rug. The haphazard Gateway Project wound up setting the university back about 6 years with empty promises and zero affect.

Bill is the most optimistic guy anywhere. IMO failure of the Gateway was largely on Mike Westfall, he was led down the path by Harlan Douglass, and his promises of support which never happened.

 

[HeavyIsTheCrown]

Hickey has significantly improved fundraising. That’s undeniable. Chaves failed to get any kind of fire lit on the stadium project, and even though nothing has been done under Hickey, it is at least being discussed. Chaves’ last two years were spent sweeping the entire stadium project under the rug. The haphazard Gateway Project wound up setting the university back about 6 years with empty promises and zero affect.

Bill is the most optimistic guy anywhere. IMO failure of the Gateway was largely on Mike Westfall, he was led down the path by Harlan Douglass, and his promises of support which never happened.

Agreed. I don’t want to hear excuses anymore. Red turf, videoboard, end zone seating & new press box were all great upgrades. Lynn can’t take credit for any of them. Tangible upgrades to Roos Field Lynn, where are they?

 

[rontheoldwiseeagle2]

I think Gateway mentality has, probably naively, placed the stadium problem where it is today. The first response should now be creating a mechanism that can get Eastern to where it should currently be to arrive at that position, say ten years from now? Instead of waiting for something to happen, there needs to be a plan and a mechanism to get us there. Money is easier to "collect" when it is available, not when it's sorely needed. EWU needs a Foundation, established and available for donations, big and small, as large donor funding is available, and also promoting commitments to routine smaller giving. Special purpose-driven events can stir up interest bringing in funds, and a growing account balance should, with good promotions, bring in corporate contributions. But, Ya gotta have a plan as it's becomes clear (to me) the Board is not going to allocate funds. Lynn Hickey was brought to Eastern to get a project done that's sat dormant for several years, and she brings her history of proven success doing so. Regardless of Board non-consideration this month, her stadium package is still the first step! (Yeah, and wouldn't we all love to have a sneak peek at those materials before October?) Bring on the Huskies, and GO EAGS; there's a stadium waiting in Frisco!

The last section of your post makes no sense, however, you’re right on the money in regards to a specific fundraising campaign with the sole purpose of getting a significant stadium expansion. (Many others here have mentioned this)
The fact is a football program can’t grow unless the stadium grows. Teams like Southern Utah, Northern Colorado & Idaho State aren’t going anywhere until they address the elephant in the room. EWU needs to address its elephant and the only person that got remotely close was Bill Chaves. Red turf gets installed and BOOM! EWU becomes an unstoppable force! Bill gets an A+ in my book and he’s the best thing to happen to EWU after Baldwin & Best. Lynn Hickey’s first year grade is an F, hopefully she steps up her game and changes my opinion on how incompetent she is.

I can't take it so I will have my say. Bill Chaves was one of the worst things to happen to our Athletic department. When he arrived we had around 1200 members in the EAA, and a very active participating group of members driving membership growth. This group started by Raver and greatly expanded under Barnes. The EAA had ownership of the athletic funds raised which included the Raver golf tournament and the Killin spring event. Chaves detested having to work with our organization, especially having to discuss budgets and getting our annual check transferred to his department.
He wanted nothing to do with the EAA. So over several years and different boards he talked the boards into relinquishing control of the events and then changed the EAA bylaws into the EAF which took away all control of the funds raised buy the old EAA. Under his leadership we went from around 1200 members down to under 600 with only several active members. He stopped all active fund raising by the organization and moved it in house, to students and or professional groups. These had no real skin in the game revue dropped from individuals and you can see the results. We did have momentum when he arrived and he killed it. When he left, he left us without a football schedule and millions in debt and a department dead in the water. It was not Chaves that pushed the red turf, it was several othesr in the dept and members of the Alumni Foundation.

 

[HeavyIsTheCrown]

I think Gateway mentality has, probably naively, placed the stadium problem where it is today. The first response should now be creating a mechanism that can get Eastern to where it should currently be to arrive at that position, say ten years from now? Instead of waiting for something to happen, there needs to be a plan and a mechanism to get us there. Money is easier to "collect" when it is available, not when it's sorely needed. EWU needs a Foundation, established and available for donations, big and small, as large donor funding is available, and also promoting commitments to routine smaller giving. Special purpose-driven events can stir up interest bringing in funds, and a growing account balance should, with good promotions, bring in corporate contributions. But, Ya gotta have a plan as it's becomes clear (to me) the Board is not going to allocate funds. Lynn Hickey was brought to Eastern to get a project done that's sat dormant for several years, and she brings her history of proven success doing so. Regardless of Board non-consideration this month, her stadium package is still the first step! (Yeah, and wouldn't we all love to have a sneak peek at those materials before October?) Bring on the Huskies, and GO EAGS; there's a stadium waiting in Frisco!

The last section of your post makes no sense, however, you’re right on the money in regards to a specific fundraising campaign with the sole purpose of getting a significant stadium expansion. (Many others here have mentioned this)
The fact is a football program can’t grow unless the stadium grows. Teams like Southern Utah, Northern Colorado & Idaho State aren’t going anywhere until they address the elephant in the room. EWU needs to address its elephant and the only person that got remotely close was Bill Chaves. Red turf gets installed and BOOM! EWU becomes an unstoppable force! Bill gets an A+ in my book and he’s the best thing to happen to EWU after Baldwin & Best. Lynn Hickey’s first year grade is an F, hopefully she steps up her game and changes my opinion on how incompetent she is.

I can't take it so I will have my say. Bill Chaves was one of the worst things to happen to our Athletic department. When he arrived we had around 1200 members in the EAA, and a very active participating group of members driving membership growth. This group started by Raver and greatly expanded under Barnes. The EAA had ownership of the athletic funds raised which included the Raver golf tournament and the Killin spring event. Chaves detested having to work with our organization, especially having to discuss budgets and getting our annual check transferred to his department.
He wanted nothing to do with the EAA. So over several years and different boards he talked the boards into relinquishing control of the events and then changed the EAA bylaws into the EAF which took away all control of the funds raised buy the old EAA. Under his leadership we went from around 1200 members down to under 600 with only several active members. He stopped all active fund raising by the organization and moved it in house, to students and or professional groups. These had no real skin in the game revue dropped from individuals and you can see the results. We did have momentum when he arrived and he killed it. When he left, he left us without a football schedule and millions in debt and a department dead in the water. It was not Chaves that pushed the red turf, it was several othesr in the dept and members of the Alumni Foundation.

When upgrades to Roos Field happen under Lynn Hickey’s leadership come talk to me.

 

[HeavyIsTheCrown]

Portland State just got their basketball arena built, and Idaho is building themselves a dedicated basketball arena; with practice facilities & coach offices. I’d like EWU to understand this fundamental fact when it comes to college athletics, ESPECIALLY at the FCS level:

...If one of the fundamental aspects of paying for big-time college sports is the realization you are never “there,” that the Power Five conferences keep raising the bar, there is enough of that in Idaho’s DNA to keep the university looking forward and thinking big. After the arena is built, the athletic department will swing into raising money to improve soccer facilities and beyond that to possibly expanding the Kibbie Dome.

https://treesource.org/_amp/www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/jun/14/university-of-idaho-teams-with-timber-industry-for/?amp-content=amp

 

[clawman1]

I can't take it so I will have my say. Bill Chaves was one of the worst things to happen to our Athletic department. When he arrived we had around 1200 members in the EAA, and a very active participating group of members driving membership growth. This group started by Raver and greatly expanded under Barnes. The EAA had ownership of the athletic funds raised which included the Raver golf tournament and the Killin spring event. Chaves detested having to work with our organization, especially having to discuss budgets and getting our annual check transferred to his department.
He wanted nothing to do with the EAA. So over several years and different boards he talked the boards into relinquishing control of the events and then changed the EAA bylaws into the EAF which took away all control of the funds raised buy the old EAA. Under his leadership we went from around 1200 members down to under 600 with only several active members. He stopped all active fund raising by the organization and moved it in house, to students and or professional groups. These had no real skin in the game revue dropped from individuals and you can see the results. We did have momentum when he arrived and he killed it. When he left, he left us without a football schedule and millions in debt and a department dead in the water. It was not Chaves that pushed the red turf, it was several othesr in the dept and members of the Alumni Foundation.
[/quote]
Wrong, wrong, and wrong again!!

 

[clawman1]

Portland State just got their basketball arena built, and Idaho is building themselves a dedicated basketball arena; with practice facilities & coach offices. I’d like EWU to understand this fundamental fact when it comes to college athletics, ESPECIALLY at the FCS level:

...If one of the fundamental aspects of paying for big-time college sports is the realization you are never “there,” that the Power Five conferences keep raising the bar, there is enough of that in Idaho’s DNA to keep the university looking forward and thinking big. After the arena is built, the athletic department will swing into raising money to improve soccer facilities and beyond that to possibly expanding the Kibbie Dome.

https://treesource.org/_amp/www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/jun/14/university-of-idaho-teams-with-timber-industry-for/?amp-content=amp

Expand the Kibbie dome?????????? :rofl: Why??

 

[60s Savage]

Ron The Wise Old Eagle 2: "We did have momentum when he arrived and he killed it. When he left, he left us without a football schedule and millions in debt and a department dead in the water." What do you attribute AD Chavez's indifference the then growing program? Incompetence? Poor judgement? Bad decisions? Axe to grind? Personality problems with the President, Board, Coaches? Any evidence? Proof? What did North Dakota see in him? Regarding AD Hickey, she walked into existing problems including the AD position vacancy, she's been here only nine months, and now is facing additional budget constraints.

 

[HeavyIsTheCrown]

 

[HeavyIsTheCrown]

Portland State just got their basketball arena built, and Idaho is building themselves a dedicated basketball arena; with practice facilities & coach offices. I’d like EWU to understand this fundamental fact when it comes to college athletics, ESPECIALLY at the FCS level:

...If one of the fundamental aspects of paying for big-time college sports is the realization you are never “there,” that the Power Five conferences keep raising the bar, there is enough of that in Idaho’s DNA to keep the university looking forward and thinking big. After the arena is built, the athletic department will swing into raising money to improve soccer facilities and beyond that to possibly expanding the Kibbie Dome.

https://treesource.org/_amp/www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/jun/14/university-of-idaho-teams-with-timber-industry-for/?amp-content=amp

As athletic director Bill Chaves has said several times, “If someone comes in here with $30 million, we probably could put a shovel in the ground tomorrow.”

Of course, 30,000 donors giving $1,000 each also would do the trick. That’s the whole point of the $124,000 contract with the Phoenix Philanthropy Group, which will spend a year in Cheney to help plan a comprehensive campaign that will include athletics.

However, that campaign will succeed only if Eastern alums pry open their checkbooks.

Chaves said recently in a podcast, “That just hasn’t been in the DNA of Eastern. It’s always been state or student fees, it’s not been private donations.”

“That’s kind of the model these days (for large athletic projects). It’s not new to the industry, but it is new to this institution.”

Case in point: the Gateway Project, a $65 million mixed-use project that was proposed in 2012 but never got off the ground. Chaves hopes to spend less than half that to renovate and expand Roos, but still needs that elusive $30 million.

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/jun/13/analysis-fans-will-have-to-contribute-even-more-to/?amp-content=amp


Sometimes you’ve just got to give credit where it’s due. Chaves was on the right path.

 

[rontheoldwiseeagle2]

Portland State just got their basketball arena built, and Idaho is building themselves a dedicated basketball arena; with practice facilities & coach offices. I’d like EWU to understand this fundamental fact when it comes to college athletics, ESPECIALLY at the FCS level:

...If one of the fundamental aspects of paying for big-time college sports is the realization you are never “there,” that the Power Five conferences keep raising the bar, there is enough of that in Idaho’s DNA to keep the university looking forward and thinking big. After the arena is built, the athletic department will swing into raising money to improve soccer facilities and beyond that to possibly expanding the Kibbie Dome.

https://treesource.org/_amp/www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/jun/14/university-of-idaho-teams-with-timber-industry-for/?amp-content=amp

As athletic director Bill Chaves has said several times, “If someone comes in here with $30 million, we probably could put a shovel in the ground tomorrow.”

Of course, 30,000 donors giving $1,000 each also would do the trick. That’s the whole point of the $124,000 contract with the Phoenix Philanthropy Group, which will spend a year in Cheney to help plan a comprehensive campaign that will include athletics.

However, that campaign will succeed only if Eastern alums pry open their checkbooks.

Chaves said recently in a podcast, “That just hasn’t been in the DNA of Eastern. It’s always been state or student fees, it’s not been private donations.”

“That’s kind of the model these days (for large athletic projects). It’s not new to the industry, but it is new to this institution.”

Case in point: the Gateway Project, a $65 million mixed-use project that was proposed in 2012 but never got off the ground. Chaves hopes to spend less than half that to renovate and expand Roos, but still needs that elusive $30 million.

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/jun/13/analysis-fans-will-have-to-contribute-even-more-to/?amp-content=amp


Sometimes you’ve just got to give credit where it’s due. Chaves was on the right path.

Chaves never left his office, I am sorry but he was never going make the ask. Did he ever show up at your door. Or anyone else? Yes, is right, because that is what he was doing.

 

[HeavyIsTheCrown]

Again..when upgrades to Roos Field happen under Lynn Hickey’s leadership come talk to me.

 

[marceagfan5]

We are something like 8 years into the renovation of roos field thoughts and nothing has been done. Eastern's alumni and donor base isn't a cash cow so we need to just move forward knowing that. Fix the visiting side bleachers...

I'd love to see something bigger happen, but it feels like we are just spinning our wheels...Fix the bleachers on the visiting side which are embarrassing..

As far as the Chaves/Hickey discussion. I don't think we can pin the stadium project on either one as there are a lot more involved in that situation. I'd love to see some better scheduling and the AD has direct control over that...