Paul Plinske at Nebraska-Kearney

[PantherU]

Over on the UIC board, they're talking about Jim Schmidt. I chimed in, mentioned Paul Plinske, then thought I'd check in and see how he's doing at UNK since being hired there in August 2013.

For those who don't know, after Plinske was passed over for the Milwaukee AD job twice, he took the job at Division II Nebraska-Kearney. In two years as Athletic Director, here's a short list of accomplishments for the UNK Lopers:

- Ron & Carol Cope Stadium (football) has gone significant improvements, with branding and signage and the establishment of "Loperville," a new tailgating area that has helped turn gameday into a big event in Kearney

- Addition of a Coaches Radio Show

- Brand new online merch store, LopersGear.com

- Men's basketball, women's basketball and volleyball locker rooms have all been totally renovated to state-of-the-art facilities

- Football's locker room is going through a complete renovation as we speak

- Health & Sports Center (basketball/volleyball) has undergone a makeover, removing bleachers in favor of chair back seats. They've also added top-level baskets for the hoops team (those can get real expensive)

- Added office space and replaced all the furniture throughout the department with new furniture

- Upgraded the weight rooms and training rooms for both the Health & Sports Center basketball/volleyball teams and Memorial Field, home of the baseball team

- Volleyball led Division II in attendance

- Basketball had its highest attendance in eight years, jumping to over 2,000 fans per game

- Corporate sponsorship has increased over 600% since Plinske was hired

- Raised over $600,000 for the 2015 fiscal year for scholarships alone

- Has raised over $7 million in private gifts since he was hired

- Added numerous jobs to the support staff of the department

[skrapheap]

But would he have voted "No" on Motor City Madness?

[ghostofdylan]

Are they the Lopers or the Loppers?

[lakefront1976]

Wow! Something our current AD should strive for! Someday, instead of raising no money and getting rid of some very special, dedicated and caring people.

[PantherU]

Jan 22, 2016 12:16:06 GMT -6 lakefront1976 said:

Wow! Something our current AD should strive for! Someday, instead of raising no money and getting rid of some very special, dedicated and caring people.

It should be noted that Milwaukee Athletics broke the school record for donations, raising $770,000 from 687 donors.

Then again, $7 million-plus by Plinske at UNK, even when divided by three (3 yrs) blows that away. I'd also point out that we've lost some long-standing corporate sponsors here without replacing them, whereas Plinske's UNK has grown corporate sponsorship over 600%.

There's a lot of work to do.

[Hack]

Heck of a debut post.

[skrapheap]

Jan 25, 2016 9:46:14 GMT -6 Hack said:

Heck of a debut post.

Saw the post, and immediately thought: this is that Indianawhatever poster (who had some kind of ax to grind, either with Amanda Braun individually or with Campus Administration for selecting her over another candidate) popping out of the woodwork.

The post isn't as raving as the others, but it's early days...