Fire Mike Eaves?

[Hammy]

Re: Fire Mike Eaves?

I am officially on the regime change bus. The talent is there...but talent has to have the latitude to be creative and not just conform to a system. Eaves has not shown the ability to adjust...and kids are not going to come if they know eaves is going to stifle them.

Wisconsin Hockey: It IS Bad.

Good to see you alive and well. Even if the topic isn't pleasant for you.

 

[joeyv]

Good to see you alive and well. Even if the topic isn't pleasant for you.

Scott...thanks. It's been a very busy couple of years. Very frustrated with the direction of the program.

Wisconsin Hockey: Alive but not Well.

 

[Greyeagle]

Re: Fire Mike Eaves?

Good to see you alive and well. Even if the topic isn't pleasant for you.

Ditto.

 

[gwhinwi]

Re: Fire Mike Eaves?

Isn't the 09-10 attendance figure skewed by having 55,000 home attendance for the Camp Randall game?

Yes, attendance is down but youve got an apple in with those oranges...

If you take out the Michigan game, the 2009-10 season still averages 13049.15, and the low game for that year, attendance-wise, was 11,225.

No game, for the entire 2012-13 season has even hit that number yet. That's a very large drop off in attendance in 3 seasons, but let's go further back...

2008-2009 - Average attendance - 13,785
2007-2008 - Average attendance - 14,133
2006-2007 - Average attendance - 14,430

That is over $100,000 per game in revenue lost on ticket sales alone. Not to mention merchandise and food and drink.

It's clear that something has to change, because you can't keep losing money like this. Fans expect better out of a program like this and there is just no light at the end of the tunnel right now.

 

[joeyv]

Ditto.

Hey Sean. How u doin? In NY for giants/pack tonite and checked the uw scores...Christ what a disgrace.

Wisconsin Hockey: Go Pack Go.

 

[GB Puck Fan]

Re: Fire Mike Eaves?

It's clear that something has to change, because you can't keep losing money like this. Fans expect better out of a program like this and there is just no light at the end of the tunnel right now.

The question becomes what is the definition of "losing money"?

If the hockey team is still profitable - or, to put it another way - if it is meeting budget expectations, then the decrease in attendnance may not be alarming to the bean counters.

Is attendance down? Yes. And I don't think anyone thinks that's a good thing, either from a budget standpoint or from an atmosphere point of view. What we don't have here (to my knowledge) is an understanding of 'tolerance' on a budget side. If the budget is for 9,000 per game (with above that being 'gravy') then this line of thinking may not yet advance the argument of those wanting Eaves dismissed.

 

[bucky15]

Re: Fire Mike Eaves?

The question becomes what is the definition of "losing money"?

If the hockey team is still profitable - or, to put it another way - if it is meeting budget expectations, then the decrease in attendnance may not be alarming to the bean counters.

Is attendance down? Yes. And I don't think anyone thinks that's a good thing, either from a budget standpoint or from an atmosphere point of view. What we don't have here (to my knowledge) is an understanding of 'tolerance' on a budget side. If the budget is for 9,000 per game (with above that being 'gravy') then this line of thinking may not yet advance the argument of those wanting Eaves dismissed.

I think you are correct. Barry doesn't want to pay for two head coach's wages, so unless attendance drops to 6k and the team only wins less then 10 games nothing will change until his contract is up. If you want to make a difference cancel your tickets and stay at home and watch the game or find something else to do in the winter on Friday and Saturday night from 7-9:30 pm. That is tough to say and do, but what is on the ice at this moment is a joke. Also, Eaves post game comments are a joke after each game about the team showing improvements. They have taken one period off each game and have no offense to make up for the period they decide to just go through the motions.

 

[solovsfett]

Re: Fire Mike Eaves?

I think you are correct. Barry doesn't want to pay for two head coach's wages, so unless attendance drops to 6k and the team only wins less then 10 games nothing will change until his contract is up. If you want to make a difference cancel your tickets and stay at home and watch the game or find something else to do in the winter on Friday and Saturday night from 7-9:30 pm. That is tough to say and do, but what is on the ice at this moment is a joke. Also, Eaves post game comments are a joke after each game about the team showing improvements. They have taken one period off each game and have no offense to make up for the period they decide to just go through the motions.

"I told the kids we're beginning to turn the boat"

yeah, again moral victories don't count. Engblom had to be embarrassed for that team's performance, I'm sorry he witnessed that. And stop with the metaphors and anecdotes Coach, the kids have to be tired of it.

 

[solovsfett]

Re: Fire Mike Eaves?

Long hiatus for me. I can no longer remain silent. Eaves must go...period. I am tired of games, low octane offense, and talk of "hard work".

Wisconsin Hockey: Disaster at the Door.

Joeyv - glad to see you back!

anyone know if Eric Hybert is still lurking here at all?

 

[bucky15]

Re: Fire Mike Eaves?

"I told the kids we're beginning to turn the boat"

yeah, again moral victories don't count. Engblom had to be embarrassed for that team's performance, I'm sorry he witnessed that. And stop with the metaphors and anecdotes Coach, the kids have to be tired of it.

As is this fan.

 

[Scottyp]

Re: Fire Mike Eaves?

What really gets me mad about this program is how you don't see any player development on the offensive side. It seems their entire offensive plan is to throw as many 40 foot shots on goal as possible, hope someone is standing in front of the goalie, or the goalie doesn't see the puck or a scrum develops in front of the net and the puck manages to dribble in. Hockey by probability. If we take 50 bad shots from the blueline every game, we should be able to eek out a goal or two. No creativity. Nobody making a move to drive on the net. No play to put someone on the backdoor.

Watch us when we break out into a 3 on 2 rush. Do you see any players crossing over each other? Drop passes? Cut sideways in front of the net looking for space? No. All three players skate right at the goalie and we end up with a feeble shot and three players in no position to make any plays.

This would have been my 30th year for season tickets. I cancelled them because we finished so poorly last year and nobody in the athletic department seemed to care enough to do anything about it. Watching this team is not worth $22 a game. If I go at all this year, I am bringing a paper bag to wear over my head. Maybe that will start getting people's attention. You don't even hear any grumbling yet in the media.

 

[Carter]

Re: Fire Mike Eaves?

anyone know if Eric Hybert is still lurking here at all?

I assume Eric has remained very busy with this family endeavor.

http://www.restoringhope.org/

 

[JDUBBS1280]

Re: Fire Mike Eaves?

Glad to see this program is where it belongs. Maybe this is a blessing, and you'll finally understand the perils of being a plug-n-play program. As long as your program is in shambles, you might as well fix this fundamental problem.

Anyways, just wanted to drop by and see how you guys are coping. Enjoy your "birth right" as bottom-feeding talent importers

 

[gwhinwi]

Re: Fire Mike Eaves?

The question becomes what is the definition of "losing money"?

If the hockey team is still profitable - or, to put it another way - if it is meeting budget expectations, then the decrease in attendnance may not be alarming to the bean counters.

I've always believed that the Hockey program is gravy to the athletic department here at Wisconsin. I can't think of many other schools that could count on 12-13,000 people paying $20+ for the 3rd most popular sport on campus. I think you're right that they might still be profitable, but a smart business (and anyone who thinks that college sports isn't a business, is crazy) would look at a 33% attendance and revenue drop (in only 3 years) as a very bad thing that should be addressed before it becomes a 40 or 50% drop.

Not saying that a new coach would definitely be the answer, but something has to change... and quickly.

 

[bucky15]

Re: Fire Mike Eaves?

I've always believed that the Hockey program is gravy to the athletic department here at Wisconsin. I can't think of many other schools that could count on 12-13,000 people paying $20+ for the 3rd most popular sport on campus. I think you're right that they might still be profitable, but a smart business (and anyone who thinks that college sports isn't a business, is crazy) would look at a 33% attendance and revenue drop (in only 3 years) as a very bad thing that should be addressed before it becomes a 40 or 50% drop.

Not saying that a new coach would definitely be the answer, but something has to change... and quickly.

With next years recruiting class it may not be that quick.

 

[burd]

Re: Fire Mike Eaves?

Glad to see this program is where it belongs. Maybe this is a blessing, and you'll finally understand the perils of being a plug-n-play program. As long as your program is in shambles, you might as well fix this fundamental problem.

Anyways, just wanted to drop by and see how you guys are coping. Enjoy your "birth right" as bottom-feeding talent importers

DUBBS! Get that spell of Hirschitis treated?

 

[Almington]

I've always believed that the Hockey program is gravy to the athletic department here at Wisconsin. I can't think of many other schools that could count on 12-13,000 people paying $20+ for the 3rd most popular sport on campus. I think you're right that they might still be profitable, but a smart business (and anyone who thinks that college sports isn't a business, is crazy) would look at a 33% attendance and revenue drop (in only 3 years) as a very bad thing that should be addressed before it becomes a 40 or 50% drop.

Not saying that a new coach would definitely be the answer, but something has to change... and quickly.

The problem is that season tickets are inertial things, every year you write your check to UW, get your tickets and go to the games. You don't really have to think to much about it, it's almost automatic.

It's adding new season ticket holders that is hard, you have to make a multi weekend commitment for many hundreds of dollars. The problem is that anyone who drops their tickets finds something else to fill the time and to spend the money.

I assume that the renewal rates after about 5 years is very high, so having those loyal long term fans choosing not to renew should get the attention of the athletic department bean counters: it's a case of death by a thousand cuts. Even if the men's hockey program remains profitable, a drop in revenue of 20% or more isn't going to go unnoticed and if the trend is not just declining, but declining at a faster rate it may not take long to lose more in profitability than the cost in paying two head coaches.

 

[Chuck Schwartz]

Re: Fire Mike Eaves?

The problem is that season tickets are inertial things, every year you write your check to UW, get your tickets and go to the games. You don't really have to think to much about it, it's almost automatic.

It's adding new season ticket holders that is hard, you have to make a multi weekend commitment for many hundreds of dollars. The problem is that anyone who drops their tickets finds something else to fill the time and to spend the money.

I assume that the renewal rates after about 5 years is very high, so having those loyal long term fans choosing not to renew should get the attention of the athletic department bean counters: it's a case of death by a thousand cuts. Even if the men's hockey program remains profitable, a drop in revenue of 20% or more isn't going to go unnoticed and if the trend is not just declining, but declining at a faster rate it may not take long to lose more in profitability than the cost in paying two head coaches.

You bring up some good points here.

Also, Mike Eaves has four years left on his contract. I'm not sure what the exact dollar amount is at this point but I'd estimate it to be around $250k. IF they did let him go, they'd owe him the rest of the contract...but I believe if he finds other employment then they don't owe him the rest. So basically if he takes a job next year they won't have to pay off the rest of his contract. Maybe someone can correct me if that's not true?

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: Fire Mike Eaves?

You bring up some good points here.

Also, Mike Eaves has four years left on his contract. I'm not sure what the exact dollar amount is at this point but I'd estimate it to be around $250k. IF they did let him go, they'd owe him the rest of the contract...but I believe if he finds other employment then they don't owe him the rest. So basically if he takes a job next year they won't have to pay off the rest of his contract. Maybe someone can correct me if that's not true?

Most contracts are written to where Wisconsin would not be liable for the $$ that he was making at his new job.

For example, if he was owed $250k/year for four years, and he accepted a job at $150k/year, Wisconsin would likely be on the hook for that $100k/year difference for those four years.

Again though, his contract could very well be different.

 

[Almington]

You bring up some good points here.

Also, Mike Eaves has four years left on his contract. I'm not sure what the exact dollar amount is at this point but I'd estimate it to be around $250k. IF they did let him go, they'd owe him the rest of the contract...but I believe if he finds other employment then they don't owe him the rest. So basically if he takes a job next year they won't have to pay off the rest of his contract. Maybe someone can correct me if that's not true?

Depends on if the contract has a buyout clause or if a buyout can be negotiated. If no buyout is reached, the university would be on the hook for the difference between the salary in the contract and what he would be making at the different job. Most likely they would negotiate a buyout because Eaves would get that money regardless of what his new job pays and it would open up his employment options because he would not have to report his new salary to the university which is super to a FOIA request.

Assuming eaves believes he can get a new job with little trouble, I'd guess that a buyout of about ~1/3 of the total remaing contract value would be enough. It would also allow eaves to save face by resigning as opposed to having his contract terminated.