SRT4driver
Junior
We Are MILWAUKEE! And I'm all about accountability, unlike '5th Placer' Jeter apologists.
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Post by SRT4driver on Feb 10, 2022 15:59:07 GMT -6
The UW System Board of Regents understand the importance of college athletics. Its flagship program, the Wisconsin Badgers, are supported very well. There appears to be very little will among the UW System Board of Regents to support UW-Milwaukee Panthers athletics beyond its current state. I agree that they certainly could be doing a lot better to help Milwaukee but we're our worst enemy. This board always blames Marquette or Wisconsin when things go bad. Yeah, I don't see anyone here blaming Marquette or UW-Madison for what has happened to our once proud, perennially winning, and *well-funded* mid-major MBB program. It's the UW System and Board of Regents that hired and keep people like Mone and Braun employed. That's who Mone and Braun answer to, and I'm seeing zero accountability from their bosses for these past 6 years. And we'd better soon, as this is now (losing) Year 5 from a head coach who had zero head coaching experience, who was already friends with the AD who hired him while they both worked together at UWGB, and who is being paid a LARGE annual salary for 5 years of terrible product, with no improvement in sight, despite having the highest freshman recruit in the 44 year history of this once proud conference! |
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SRT4driver
Junior
We Are MILWAUKEE! And I'm all about accountability, unlike '5th Placer' Jeter apologists.
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Post by SRT4driver on Feb 10, 2022 16:03:20 GMT -6
I agree that they certainly could be doing a lot better to help Milwaukee but we're our worst enemy. This board always blames Marquette or Wisconsin when things go bad. But I saw an old conference rival (Butler) make the championship game 2 years in a row before eventually moving on to a better conference. I see another former conference member (Loyola) leave for a better conference and make the Final Four. Let’s point the finger at the individuals who have done nothing to improve our conference affiliation, the program, and have been unsuccessful in their roles. At most big-time schools, the AD's job security is centered around the success of their revenue-producing sports and the head coaching hires for each. Milwaukee shouldn't be different and needs a fresh start. The fact that the state of Wisconsin only has one “flagship” university has always blown me away. Other than, Minnesota, are there any other neighboring states that only have one university that compete at the power 5 D1 level? The board of regents has consistently put UW-Madison first whether it is athletics or academics. Believe it or not, that's not true. According to the UW System charter, the UW System does indeed state that both UW-Madison *AND* UW-Milwaukee are the two flagship schools. They just don't want anyone to know that. I was blown away too when I read it. FWIW, the U of IL system also lists two flagship universities, UIUC (Illini) and UIC. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2022 16:07:34 GMT -6
Do you feel comfortable sharing the contents if not the e-mail word for word, JG? See below. I could have more aggressively expressed my frustration and provided countless examples of incompetence that would have turned this into a short novel, but I know others who share e-mails with this tone and it has been fruitless. Trying a more measured approach so it is not immediately deleted (although I'm sure this is likely the outcome). If we flood their inbox, perhaps they will get the sense that people actually care about this program and university? More likely I'm just a fool for having any semblance of hope. Anyways, here you go. Subject: Concerned Class of 2008 AlumnusDr. Mone,
This is my first e-mail expressing my disappointment as a once-proud alumnus of our university. I have withheld voicing my opinion as I have had trust in the administrators charged with moving our great university forward, but I cannot continue in silence and with blind faith.
I find it shocking, with the precipitous drop in enrollment at UW-Milwaukee over the last 10+ years, that we are not placing the appropriate emphasis on student engagement, especially as it relates to the only athletic program capable of producing significant revenue for the university. As a 2008 graduate, I witnessed first-hand what a successful men's basketball program can do for our university. Improvements in the spirit, national and regional reputation, and undergraduate applications(!) for our university are real and measurable. I'm sure you remember it well Chancellor, yet here we are, nearly nine years into our Athletic Director Amanda Braun's tenure, and we haven't once achieved anything remotely close to the success we enjoyed in the middle of the 2000s (in a conference that is watered-down and fading from relevance, no less). We haven't won a single All-Sports McCafferty Trophy after years of being the class of the league. History speaks loudly. We have been passed over multiple times for consideration by more prestigious athletic conferences (seemingly due in large part to missed opportunities, budget constraints, and poor performance). These countless mistakes and missed opportunities have culminated in what can only be considered the most disappointing season of Patrick Baldwin's five-year stint (and quite possibly the last 20+ years). This doesn't even speak to the numerous public controversies both preceding Amanda's time at UWM, and the years following.
I, along with many others, am concerned with the direction of the university and its athletic department, which, like it or not, generates the most significant local headlines for the university. Are we going to continue down this path of irrelevance and dysfunction, or are we going to move forward and awaken what has long been considered by university stakeholders as a sleeping giant in our city and state? There is so much for this university and its community to be proud of and to look forward to. Please, turn this around and help us achieve it.
Lastly, Chancellor, I hope this message finds you in good health. I will continue to think of and pray for you and your family.
If you don't get a response (or a canned, disinterested response which is what I'd expect), you should publish this letter in the Journal-Sentinel. That'd get some ppls attention. We are in a bad spot but if we can convince enough people who care who are in positions of power, ya never know. Lot of great points in this letter and honestly zero answers or defense of the status quo that I can think of. Replace the AD, new AD makes the next HC hire and properly prioritizes making MBB a perennial winner. It's not like our neighbors to the West don't already have this (and take it for granted). It wasn't too long ago (early 90's and before) when the Badgers were not that great. This letter is a great start provided the right people in the the right positions read it and heed its messsage. |
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Post by BBFran on Feb 10, 2022 17:29:59 GMT -6
victor, one of the reasons I don't buy the "it's the Regents' fault" excuse is exactly what you just mentioned: I'm old enough to have lived through a long, long painful period when the prime programs of UW-Madison athletics were awful. The Regents left that to the administration there just like they have done and will do here. It took Donna Shalala to recognize what a drag that was on the University and correct it by hiring the right people. Once upon a time Nancy Zimpher had the same effect here. That's what we need again. Mark Mone may never personally care much if at all about athletics. I don't know the man; he may not be able to distinguish a hockey puck from a soccer ball. But he can certainly see declining enrollment and stalled donations, and can see that athletics can be a powerful motivator against both. It's up to him to put in place the right people to revive our program.
Let me say one other thing about donations. I graduated from UWM L&S in the mid 70s. I'm retired now. That makes me a prime candidate for legacy donations to the University. I get solicitations all the time about that, especially from L&S. I supported athletics before the purge exactly because I thought it had a multiplier capability. But seeing how recklessly indifferent the University has been to what has gone on in our program, I am disinclined ever to give another dime to any part of the University. I just can't abide the idea that once again my dollars will be squandered or worse. There are many worthy organizations that need the money just as much as UWM and manage themselves far batter. And until and unless they get this right at Chapman Hall, that's where my support will be directed.
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Post by Duct_Tape_Pounce on Feb 10, 2022 17:40:47 GMT -6
Do you feel comfortable sharing the contents if not the e-mail word for word, JG? See below. I could have more aggressively expressed my frustration and provided countless examples of incompetence that would have turned this into a short novel, but I know others who share e-mails with this tone and it has been fruitless. Trying a more measured approach so it is not immediately deleted (although I'm sure this is likely the outcome). If we flood their inbox, perhaps they will get the sense that people actually care about this program and university? More likely I'm just a fool for having any semblance of hope. Anyways, here you go. Subject: Concerned Class of 2008 AlumnusDr. Mone,
This is my first e-mail expressing my disappointment as a once-proud alumnus of our university. I have withheld voicing my opinion as I have had trust in the administrators charged with moving our great university forward, but I cannot continue in silence and with blind faith.
I find it shocking, with the precipitous drop in enrollment at UW-Milwaukee over the last 10+ years, that we are not placing the appropriate emphasis on student engagement, especially as it relates to the only athletic program capable of producing significant revenue for the university. As a 2008 graduate, I witnessed first-hand what a successful men's basketball program can do for our university. Improvements in the spirit, national and regional reputation, and undergraduate applications(!) for our university are real and measurable. I'm sure you remember it well Chancellor, yet here we are, nearly nine years into our Athletic Director Amanda Braun's tenure, and we haven't once achieved anything remotely close to the success we enjoyed in the middle of the 2000s (in a conference that is watered-down and fading from relevance, no less). We haven't won a single All-Sports McCafferty Trophy after years of being the class of the league. History speaks loudly. We have been passed over multiple times for consideration by more prestigious athletic conferences (seemingly due in large part to missed opportunities, budget constraints, and poor performance). These countless mistakes and missed opportunities have culminated in what can only be considered the most disappointing season of Patrick Baldwin's five-year stint (and quite possibly the last 20+ years). This doesn't even speak to the numerous public controversies both preceding Amanda's time at UWM, and the years following.
I, along with many others, am concerned with the direction of the university and its athletic department, which, like it or not, generates the most significant local headlines for the university. Are we going to continue down this path of irrelevance and dysfunction, or are we going to move forward and awaken what has long been considered by university stakeholders as a sleeping giant in our city and state? There is so much for this university and its community to be proud of and to look forward to. Please, turn this around and help us achieve it.
Lastly, Chancellor, I hope this message finds you in good health. I will continue to think of and pray for you and your family.
Sorry, I’m a little late to the party, but I want to agree that this is a fantastic email. |
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Post by peterpanther on Feb 10, 2022 18:08:43 GMT -6
victor, one of the reasons I don't buy the "it's the Regents' fault" excuse is exactly what you just mentioned: I'm old enough to have lived through a long, long painful period when the prime programs of UW-Madison athletics were awful. The Regents left that to the administration there just like they have done and will do here. It took Donna Shalala to recognize what a drag that was on the University and correct it by hiring the right people. Once upon a time Nancy Zimpher had the same effect here. That's what we need again. Mark Mone may never personally care much if at all about athletics. I don't know the man; he may not be able to distinguish a hockey puck from a soccer ball. But he can certainly see declining enrollment and stalled donations, and can see that athletics can be a powerful motivator against both. It's up to him to put in place the right people to revive our program. Let me say one other thing about donations. I graduated from UWM L&S in the mid 70s. I'm retired now. That makes me a prime candidate for legacy donations to the University. I get solicitations all the time about that, especially from L&S. I supported athletics before the purge exactly because I thought it had a multiplier capability. But seeing how recklessly indifferent the University has been to what has gone on in our program, I am disinclined ever to give another dime to any part of the University. I just can't abide the idea that once again my dollars will be squandered or worse. There are many worthy organizations that need the money just as much as UWM and manage themselves far batter. And until and unless they get this right at Chapman Hall, that's where my support will be directed. Who hires the Chancellor of UW-Milwaukee? Who does the Chancellor of UW-Milwaukee report to? Where's the accountability? |
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Post by reginaldkdwight on Feb 10, 2022 18:09:30 GMT -6
My email wont be as nice.
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Post by peterpanther on Feb 10, 2022 18:53:06 GMT -6
victor, one of the reasons I don't buy the "it's the Regents' fault" excuse is exactly what you just mentioned: I'm old enough to have lived through a long, long painful period when the prime programs of UW-Madison athletics were awful. The Regents left that to the administration there just like they have done and will do here. It took Donna Shalala to recognize what a drag that was on the University and correct it by hiring the right people. Once upon a time Nancy Zimpher had the same effect here. That's what we need again. Mark Mone may never personally care much if at all about athletics. I don't know the man; he may not be able to distinguish a hockey puck from a soccer ball. But he can certainly see declining enrollment and stalled donations, and can see that athletics can be a powerful motivator against both. It's up to him to put in place the right people to revive our program. Let me say one other thing about donations. I graduated from UWM L&S in the mid 70s. I'm retired now. That makes me a prime candidate for legacy donations to the University. I get solicitations all the time about that, especially from L&S. I supported athletics before the purge exactly because I thought it had a multiplier capability. But seeing how recklessly indifferent the University has been to what has gone on in our program, I am disinclined ever to give another dime to any part of the University. I just can't abide the idea that once again my dollars will be squandered or worse. There are many worthy organizations that need the money just as much as UWM and manage themselves far batter. And until and unless they get this right at Chapman Hall, that's where my support will be directed. Mone was appointed as the chancellor in December, 2014. Since, the 2016-2017 season, the men's basketball team has a total record of 65 - 112. Mone hasn't fired the athletics director who has been in that position since 2013. Based on Mone's tenure as chancellor, what leads you to believe that Mone will be the catalyst for positive change for men's basketball? |
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Post by BBFran on Feb 10, 2022 19:04:06 GMT -6
Not much. Here’s the problem, though. If you think the Regents are going to replace Mark Mone because our athletics program is crap, you are in absolute fantasyland.
Mone needs to step up.
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Post by peterpanther on Feb 10, 2022 19:08:54 GMT -6
Not much. Here’s the problem, though. If you think the Regents are going to replace Mark Mone because our athletics program is crap, you are in absolute fantasyland. Mone needs to step up. I don't think that the Board of Regents will hold Mone to account, but they absolutely should. What leads you to believe that Mone will step up and suddenly become the needed catalyst for change for men's basketball? Mone has been a UWM faculty member since 1989 and the chancellor since 2014. |
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Post by JG Panthers on Feb 11, 2022 14:15:50 GMT -6
Rob Jeter firedMarch 17, 2016
Braun was asked what she is looking for in her new hire.
"I think pretty generically it's somebody that believes in the success that we can achieve, shares our values with regard to excellence and education," she said. "Cares a lot about being a part of something bigger than themselves on a campus and in a community.
"And, you know, a little bit of fire. Definitely want to get some fire."------------ Milwaukee Mag Q&AHow do you define success for the men’s basketball program? What are benchmarks that you expect the team to reach season after season?
Generally speaking, we find our program at the top of the league; we should be in the mix. Financially, we support the program very well in our league. Our expectation to be in the top three in the league on an annual basis, barring mitigating circumstances that sometimes occur with programs, competing for the (Horizon League) championship on a regular basis, getting to the championship game and winning it. And then advancing to post-season, the NCAA, the NIT and invitation type of tournaments. That is what you aspire to, and that is realistic for us.
When did you decide that Rob Jeter shouldn’t be the coach at UWM?
It’s not one game or one month or one season. It’s: step back and evaluate where we’ve been, how we’ve progressed, what we see as the potential for our program, and whether or not we’re in a position to do that with our current staff. With one year remaining on his contract, it was a decision of time. It’s not good to leave a coach with one year on their contract. That’s pretty standard in our business. At that point we make a decision: Do we believe in extending that (contract)? Have the metrics been met? Or, is the time now to make a different decision?
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Post by JG Panthers on Feb 11, 2022 14:21:52 GMT -6
Amazing the hypocrisy of Amanda Braun. Please don't allow her to make another hire!!!!
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Post by peterpanther on Feb 11, 2022 14:35:48 GMT -6
The UW System Board of Regents is comprised of 18 regents. Here's the the number of UW System Board of Regents with degrees from each UW System University.  The asterisk notes a current student.Here's the source for this information: www.wisconsin.edu/regents/about-the-regents/ |
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Post by Pantherholic on Feb 11, 2022 14:40:59 GMT -6
Mone doesn’t care about athletics, period. Expecting him to have a “come to Jesus” moment won’t happen. He’s going to need people internally to be a voice for athletics. One place to start would be Joan Nesbitt. She’s the new Vice Chancellor of Development and Alumni Relations. Her email is nesbitjm@uwm.edu. The problem isn’t just Mone, it’s everyone else also doesn’t care. There’s been no push from any vice chancellors, the alumni association, etc. Even if Amanda is fired, the next AD is going to deal with the exact same problems she’s facing. The only voice championing for athletics is her and (assuming nothing changes) the only person who’ll champion for athletics after her will be her replacement.
Enough with this nonsense about the Board of Regents. It’s not their job to make anyone successful in athletics. They also played no part in Whitewater’s championship run in football and will continue to play no part if Whitewater go winless for the next ten years. Complaining to them would be like Detroit Lions fans complaining to Roger Goodell about the Ford family’s handling of the team for the past 30 years.
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Post by Pantherholic on Feb 11, 2022 14:50:07 GMT -6
Amazing the hypocrisy of Amanda Braun. Please don't allow her to make another hire!!!! There’s a big difference in having the funds available to fire someone with a year left on their contract and not having the funds available to fire someone with a year left on their contract. If funds were available, they were probably reallocated to offset however much was lost from Covid. |
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