I hear around town that the person that was in charge of Fundraising back in Cantenese's day has been rehired.

TeamBeer said

I hear around town that the person that was in charge of Fundraising back in Cantenese's day has been rehired.

That's a good move if it's true.

O.G., is that Susan Peirce? She was very involved in fund raising at the start of the FB program, then moved up to St. Leo University in North Florida. I knew she had come back to FAU, but I wasn't clear on the role. Among other things, she is responsible for getting the Shula Bowl trophy fabricated in time for the Owls to claim it after the first FAU-FIU game.

I believe she was caught up in the corvette-gate. She had nothing to do with it except association with those that did.

FAU did have another high powered fund raiser. Was it St Thomas that she went to? Did her leaving have anything to do with the damaged reputation FAU had to recover from?

IllinoisOwl, I think you're right. She had nothing to do with that mess other than working with some who were involved. I think the place she went was St. Leo, about 30-40 miles north of Tampa. But I could be wrong (often…),

Pierce went to St Leo. There was another with some good credentials I was asking about. She wasn't there very long. I believe she went to St Thomas but not sure.

Gray Owl, your story of the Atlantic Sun brings back memories. I was in college during and after Vietnam. Lots of veterans returned to use the GI bill. It was interesting sitting with these guys at lunch to hear the war stories.

I'm sure there are a lot of things we don't know concerning football and athletics. I have no doubt Brogan got a serious verbal lashing from the BoT after the foundation forgave the debt to the athletic dept. An event like that doesn't happen without some serious repercussions. I'm sure the pressure is on to keep the budget balanced. So now they have to do what ever it takes.

FAU athletics has been fairly successful with the budget it has now. It won't be a superpower any time soon. It will have to grow into it. I think it will happen. This is growing pains and eventually it will pass.

FAU does have a remarkable coaching staff for a university that just graduated from the A-Sun.

This is a great coaching staff, particularly considering the young age of the program. Someone in an earlier posting said it best, though: The donations have to become a far larger percentage of revenue. Student fees and minor donations won't make it in the long run. It's going to take some time, I suspect. We have to get some athletes (potential donors) into big-pay spots, and some doctors (more potential donors) out of med school and into bright futures. Meanwhile, other schools get contributions from lawyers, too – and that does not appear to be in the cards here. Those who cannot afford big donations can help create momentum by buying tickets (some of the cheapest I have ever seen) and attending games. All parts of this are required for a financially successful program.

Hopefully when we hear about the new stadium in September there will be a spark of enthusiasm and the students and community will run to purchase tickets and sports memorabilia. Wins help too ;D

http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060716/SPORTS/607160324/1002

http://www.thenewsstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2006607180337

The fund raising will continue to grow as the programs continue to develop, these things do take time. We are a very young program and our athletic program are still relatively new to 1A. We do have a solid base that has been established and with time the donations will continue to grow. It may appear to be slow, but at least it continue to grow every year.

Mistakes where made at the beggining, but at least we made efforts to right the ship. Balancing the budget will continue to be a challenge till the Innovation Village is built. Even thought the Football program has put a drain on the finances, it has help bring recognition to the University. Football will help bring the "Traditional" type of label to the University the BOT is seeking FAU to become and this Innovation Village is the key to that success. Hopefully the BOT can see the big picture and the time needed to establish the University as a hole.