Pounder, we need to make the best of what we have. You're saying it's not being handle well. I know you care, so, okay I, for one, want to hear from what you recommend as to what CAN be done? What do you suggest be done to get the biggest bang-for-the buck? The most economical gain from our current monetary fuel supply.
I, for one, believe in Mitch Greenlick's idea of building serious prestige value through merger between PSU and OHSU (actually OHSU and OGI). I believe that would give us the clout needed to near-instantly be on par with the Valley Youse. There would be gaps to fill to shore up missing elements, but then Oregon would have its THIRD(truly) major university. Helps PSU's evolution and Oregon's image simultaneously. I believe in this "If you build it, they will come" strategy.
Portland Metro is where the conglomerate of small business money is. It is also where large organizations that find Portland a mandate city in which to have a presence. I believe even Nike, Columbia Sportswear and others would find it difficult to resist supporting the new hybrid university. I would love to see the new hybrid institution named the Oregon Institute (and its graduate school named the Oregon Graduate Institute) ... of Science, Technology and the Arts.
I agree that the HS kids today have no real connection to great players of the (seemingly recent) past. They probably have no idea who Roger Craig is. It would be like us going to an event with Otto Graham and Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch in our day. I just think the HS kids would work wonders in spreading the word to those who have the mullah. It is their enthusiasm which would be infectious.