LSSU hockey 2013-14

[DM2SM]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

Here is my Two cents. I don't thing it is Roque. I don't think it is in the Hockey program at all. I think the issue is higher up the food chain then that. I think in my humble opinion it is Dunbar. She is a JOKE as an A.D. her one and only concern is money... Not spending it.... She does not get that with out a STRONG LSSU hockey program her love child basketball has NOTHING... Dunbar is the one that needs to go. LSSU needs someone with vision, someone that is willing to see the program for what it is. The reason that LSSU Has any other sports at all. Time to go Kris.... you have over stayed your welcome.

I agree and disagree. I agree that the A.D. job at LSSU is primarily if not entirely money related. LSSU is a low budget D3 school that has put the majority of it's athletic financial resources into its hockey team. The donor asked for an increased financial commitment that brought us up with our competition and in order to push the renovation donation through the admin. met the demand. The donors wanted security in the program and Coach Roque got a multi-year deal which I understand is against University policy and he is the only coach to have more than a one year contract. I disagree that Mrs. Dunbar is pushing basketball because you put your money where your loyalty lies and the Athletic Departments money has gone into the hockey program. I ask that you provide some specifics to support what you say. I think we are on the same side of the fence but I think the hockey program has been given what it argued that it needed to be successful with the exception of increased wages for coaches. We have a decent sports program with the exception of the merry go round we call our hockey team and from what I've heard she fully supports the hockey program and to our dismay the current coach.

 

[Lakers2Glory]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

This has nothing to do with LSSU or the donor. The Feds are holding up the transfer of funds to LSSU until some other business is cleared up. It has taken a lot longer than LSSU or the donor expected. That info. is straight from the top. According to LSSU officials, everything is in place to go, but they can't start without cash in hand.

 

[Lakerblue]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

Ferris State went to the Frozen Four and they play in a dump, with facilities that many D-III programs would loath.

LSSU has a great stadium, private suites, good locker rooms for the home team, and good training gear.

Does the program need more? Perhaps. The rush and desire to spend, spend, spend, build build build in NCAA sports -- nationwide, in all sports -- is absurd.

LSSU has very good facilities. Older, perhaps. Not on par with North Dakota or Denver's opulent resources. But they aren't exactly Western's dull bowl, Ferris' high school facilities, or NMU's bland multipurpose cement bunker.

I believe that things happen. And sometimes they have NOTHING to do with the school or the leadership. In the late 1990s, Peter Karmanos and his Compuware people cut a deal with Wayne State athletics. They were going build an on-campus hockey stadium for WSU. Then business went sour, and Karmanos et al were unable to make the generous donation. Had nothing to do with Wayne State hockey or Athletics.

This situation is not nearly as perilous as the WSU situation (without the stadium, Wayne hockey struggled to find a footing and eventually failed).

Seriously -- I find it funny to hear people complaining about not having a new lobby? Not having a new "player's lounge"? Who cares, really?

We have a great stadium. We needs some W's and it'll be full and rocking. But whether or not some wealthy donor is writing million-dollar checks or not, should be of little concern. My suggesting to anyone worried about Athletics funding is . . . . donate. Any little bit helps, right?

Sometimes we get too caught up worrying about what we don't have -- instead of being very happy with the amazing things we do have.

Just my two cents.

 

[Lakers2Glory]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

Ferris State went to the Frozen Four and they play in a dump, with facilities that many D-III programs would loath.

LSSU has a great stadium, private suites, good locker rooms for the home team, and good training gear.

Does the program need more? Perhaps. The rush and desire to spend, spend, spend, build build build in NCAA sports -- nationwide, in all sports -- is absurd.

LSSU has very good facilities. Older, perhaps. Not on par with North Dakota or Denver's opulent resources. But they aren't exactly Western's dull bowl, Ferris' high school facilities, or NMU's bland multipurpose cement bunker.

I believe that things happen. And sometimes they have NOTHING to do with the school or the leadership. In the late 1990s, Peter Karmanos and his Compuware people cut a deal with Wayne State athletics. They were going build an on-campus hockey stadium for WSU. Then business went sour, and Karmanos et al were unable to make the generous donation. Had nothing to do with Wayne State hockey or Athletics.

This situation is not nearly as perilous as the WSU situation (without the stadium, Wayne hockey struggled to find a footing and eventually failed).

Seriously -- I find it funny to hear people complaining about not having a new lobby? Not having a new "player's lounge"? Who cares, really?

We have a great stadium. We needs some W's and it'll be full and rocking. But whether or not some wealthy donor is writing million-dollar checks or not, should be of little concern. My suggesting to anyone worried about Athletics funding is . . . . donate. Any little bit helps, right?

Sometimes we get too caught up worrying about what we don't have -- instead of being very happy with the amazing things we do have.

Just my two cents.

What we should be worried about is the NCAA and many coaches' desire to give Division 1 Athletes "cost of living" funding. At an extra $2,000 per player per year, any increase the hockey budget received would be eaten up rather quickly.

 

[Laker54]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

This has nothing to do with LSSU or the donor. The Feds are holding up the transfer of funds to LSSU until some other business is cleared up. It has taken a lot longer than LSSU or the donor expected. That info. is straight from the top. According to LSSU officials, everything is in place to go, but they can't start without cash in hand.

Now that wouldn't surprise me with all the government regulations that are out there.

 

[Bill]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

Now that wouldn't surprise me with all the government regulations that are out there.

And it's only going to get worse, especially with all the Obamacare regulations that are being written.

 

[RapidsCity]

This has nothing to do with LSSU or the donor. The Feds are holding up the transfer of funds to LSSU until some other business is cleared up. It has taken a lot longer than LSSU or the donor expected. That info. is straight from the top. According to LSSU officials, everything is in place to go, but they can't start without cash in hand.

I love how some of the ungrateful individuals oh here get their undies in a bunch when money they haven't donated doesn't arrive in their time frame. They rip Roque. They rip Dunbar. They rip Tony. They even chirp about the donor. Even if the donor scaled it back to 10% of the initial pledge, it's still a lot more than the nameless, faceless complainers here have given combined. The bottom line is that no one here knows all the details. And since it's not your money being donated, the details are really none if your business. Just be thankful that there is someone who will step up and support the program. Personally, if it was my $$$, I'd be nearly ready to tell some to shove it.

 

[Laker-Blue]

I love how some of the ungrateful individuals oh here get their undies in a bunch when money they haven't donated doesn't arrive in their time frame. They rip Roque. They rip Dunbar. They rip Tony. They even chirp about the donor. Even if the donor scaled it back to 10% of the initial pledge, it's still a lot more than the nameless, faceless complainers here have given combined. The bottom line is that no one here knows all the details. And since it's not your money being donated, the details are really none if your business. Just be thankful that there is someone who will step up and support the program. Personally, if it was my $$$, I'd be nearly ready to tell some to shove it.

Thank you very much. It's about time someone said it. 99% of these posters think they know and they don't know a fraction of the truth and frankly unless you pony up more than the tuition you paid back in the 90's don't have the right to know what happens on the inside. Why? BECAUSE ITS THE INSIDE AND YOUR NOT THERE!

 

[DM2SM]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

Thank you very much. It's about time someone said it. 99% of these posters think they know and they don't know a fraction of the truth and frankly unless you pony up more than the tuition you paid back in the 90's don't have the right to know what happens on the inside. Why? BECAUSE ITS THE INSIDE AND YOUR NOT THERE!

We don't know the fraction of what truth? Speaking for myself, the project does not bother me in the least. I agree with Mr. Lakerblue that our facilities are more than adequate, that our funding is more than adequate. Posts people are making are not a matter of being on the INSIDE or OUTSIDE, a building or blaming anyone for anything. We are posting about the general feeling regarding the PERCEPTION of our HOCKEY PROGRAM and the underlying fact that PERCEPTION IS REALITY. Nothing is ever up front and because we don't give large amounts of money we don't matter. There is no way that Federal Regulations have held up the renovation project for the past 8 years. The project is fully funded by a private donor. Once the plans were completed and the announement was made it was ready to go. Penn State has a private donor building up in two years. Notre Dame did a building in a year and a half after announcing. Perception is that there is something else going on. Coach Roque is applying to Clarkson, no he's staying, no he's applying, no he's staying, no he's going to Buffalo, no he's staying. Perception is that he is not completely content.
The only true REALITY is that we can count on 2nd half collapses. That attendance is very low (Less than 1,000 people at game three of a playoff series last year) and that the overwhelming majority of supporters are not pleased with the leadership and direction. It is true that we only purchase tickets to games. The PERCEPTION is that those such as you on the INSIDE want us, the vast majority, to keep quiet. If the people that feel like me did as you ask then your seats would be EMPTY. That is REALITY. Is that what you on the INSIDE really want because speaking for myself I am close to accommodating you.

 

[MeridianStreet]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

Bill...............you need to watch a little less Fox News

 

[Truth Serum]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

Thank you very much. It's about time someone said it. 99% of these posters think they know and they don't know a fraction of the truth and frankly unless you pony up more than the tuition you paid back in the 90's don't have the right to know what happens on the inside. Why? BECAUSE ITS THE INSIDE AND YOUR NOT THERE!

Right on, right on! Don't question the administration or those on the "inside". Just buy your season tickets, join the Laker Club, and keep your mouths shut, we know what's best. Judging by the last 8 years of proven results I can see why.

Year 9 is going to be the best one yet!

 

[Lakerblue]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

Just to be clear -- y'all know there is a me, the lovable scamp Lakerblue . . . and another poster by the name of Laker-Blue. Confused even me. Just making it clear.

Now, can the program, and the University, be a little more media-and-fan-friendly? Yes. One of the nuggets of rare truth that is spouted by Truthy McTruth is that there is a rather cloistered communication ring on the Hill. I would personally like to see more information, tid-bits, news, etc . . . coming from Athletics. I don't think there is any conspiracy abounding -- I think its a combination of resource management, and myopic small town attitude.

What is a myopic small town attitude: "Why should we try to inform anyone outside of the Hill? Nobody is paying attention anyhow. We are too small. And its Tiger season, not hockey season."

This attitude literally lives in the water like a plague in Sault Ste. Marie -- but the Soo is not unique. It is this exact attitude -- this acceptance of small stature and significance outside of the footprint region -- which keeps many schools down, keeps many schools looking and acting small and insignificant. And in this day and age -- with nonstop internet availability, there is no excuse for media vacuums such as occurs, routinely, every summer from the Hill.

As an example -- as I have noted before I have friends and family in North Dakota. North Dakota Athletics -- and specifically the hockey program -- roll out news daily. It is likely that not more than a day or two goes by in North Dakota where there isn't something from the school, or provided by the school to the local media, about the hockey program.

Why? Because fans like it.

And really, why not? Its easy. It keeps people connected.

The old school way of communicating with fans and alumni in the off season was marked in two segments: One local article talking about the new recruits; and one local article announcing the finalization of the school schedule.

But today, any sloppy intern could sit at a computer screen and put out an article.

I am not a genius (WAY from from it) -- but why not -- for instance -- have a review of each new WCHA team. History. Coaches. Plans. Buildings. Heck, do something daffy and put in a call to the other sloppy intern over at Mankato and get an old press kit from last year. North Dakota has daily features on hockey alumni. A former Sioux player signs a contract to play in Davos next year? They cover it -- often calling the player and getting a quote. A former Sioux recruit, who went to the WHL and is recently drafted in the NHL draft -- they cover that too. Son of a former Sioux player make some elite hockey team? Covered. Changes in the game-day experience? Yup -- another article, another posting.

I do NOT agree that LSSU is some underfunded program hanging on for dear life. We have dedicated donors and great facilities. Our facilities might be second only to Tech in the new WCHA. Our facilities outshine the morgue in East Lansing or the rotting old pool in Ann Arbor. Only when compared to the big schools out west does LSSU come up (somewhat) short.

But I DO agree that our friends and fellow Laker fans in the Athletics Department need to join the 21st Century, and be a little more proactive in their off-season coverage. Just my opinion.

 

[jnacc]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

I love how some of the ungrateful individuals oh here get their undies in a bunch when money they haven't donated doesn't arrive in their time frame. They rip Roque. They rip Dunbar. They rip Tony. They even chirp about the donor.

This isn't about the donor but about what is believed and what is fantasy. This project announced back in 2009 has turned out to be a fantasy and for the past year many of us here have told you so.....hey if someone wants to donate....DO IT, if not....shut up and move on. As for Roque, sure we rip on him because he is incompetent and seems to be in over his head. He has had the most talent that this program has had in the past 15 years but he cannot produce a winner. Many of us are saying that its time for him to go. As for Dunbar, I really do not have an opinion but I will say this, she, like Roque, was handed the job...no interview required, no national search done. Here you go Mrs Dunbar, enjoy the job. That is not the way a college should conduct business. Of course both Dunbar and Roque were former athletes and the high ups in the administration such a Bill Crawford (awesome radio guy...lousy administrator) simply saw fit to hand the head coaching job to Roque and gave the nod to Dunbar and here we are today.

 

[Lakers2Glory]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

DM2SM - This project was announce in March of 2010. This has not been going on for 8 years. And yes, it is Fed Regs keeping this project from happening. I have read the info. that came straight from the donor, like other shareholders. This holdup isn't just affecting LSSU, it's also holding up others from getting money as well. Conspiracy? C'mon man!

To quote Dan Akroyd in Tommy Boy: "What the American public doesn't know is what makes them the American public."

I guess I'm strange in that I don't mind the lack on info. during the summer. It builds up anticipation for the upcoming season. Plus, those Tigers......

 

[bigblue_dl]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

I guess I'm strange in that I don't mind the lack on info. during the summer. It builds up anticipation for the upcoming season. Plus, those Tigers......

I think the idea of the constant info isn't to appease the people like you, or others on this board. You're already hooked. You put the constant information out there because, hopefully, at some point, it clicks in peoples minds that otherwise wouldn't go to games. If they continually see articles/blurbs about LSSU hockey, it sticks in their subconscious mind. At some point, they read an article, hopefully get interested, from one hook or another, and maybe go see a game or 2 next year. The idea is to keep the name, and the program in peoples minds, make it a part of their life by putting it in front of their face in the newspaper, or online every single day. That is how you drum up interest.

 

[Laker54]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

The idea is to keep the name, and the program in peoples minds, make it a part of their life by putting it in front of their face in the newspaper, or online every single day. That is how you drum up interest.

I couldn't agree more; it's called marketing. You want fans to chomping at the bit for the season to begin. It might even help sell season tickets.

 

[Lakers2Glory]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

I couldn't agree more; it's called marketing. You want fans to chomping at the bit for the season to begin. It might even help sell season tickets.

LSSU Athletics and Marketing don't belong in the same sentence. The two haven't been together in 30 years

 

[Truth Squad]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

This isn't about the donor but about what is believed and what is fantasy. This project announced back in 2009 has turned out to be a fantasy and for the past year many of us here have told you so.....hey if someone wants to donate....DO IT, if not....shut up and move on. As for Roque, sure we rip on him because he is incompetent and seems to be in over his head. He has had the most talent that this program has had in the past 15 years but he cannot produce a winner. Many of us are saying that its time for him to go. As for Dunbar, I really do not have an opinion but I will say this, she, like Roque, was handed the job...no interview required, no national search done. Here you go Mrs Dunbar, enjoy the job. That is not the way a college should conduct business. Of course both Dunbar and Roque were former athletes and the high ups in the administration such a Bill Crawford (awesome radio guy...lousy administrator) simply saw fit to hand the head coaching job to Roque and gave the nod to Dunbar and here we are today.

The Truth Is Out There....
TBA

 

[jnacc]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

DM2SM - This project was announce in March of 2010. This has not been going on for 8 years. And yes, it is Fed Regs keeping this project from happening. I have read the info. that came straight from the donor, like other shareholders. This holdup isn't just affecting LSSU, it's also holding up others from getting money as well. Conspiracy? C'mon man!

What we (the fans...you know the ones that really matter because without us bye bye program) were requesting was simply an update from time to time...was that really too much to ask? So you say you have inside info (good for you) so please share with us how much the donation entails and what exactly is to be done and where...or is that classified information and to high up the food chain for us little peons?

You will forgive me of course if I state I have no confidence in this donation nor believe what you are saying. Not that it really matters. It would have been nice to see some improvements to the facility but as other (wiser) posters have stated, staff matters much more than facilities. Laker hockey has adequate facilities.....Laker Hockey has an inadequate coaching staff. I would much rather see a donor or group of donors put in money in order to hire the proper staff like Michigan Tech did.

 

[davyd83]

What we (the fans...you know the ones that really matter because without us bye bye program) were requesting was simply an update from time to time...was that really too much to ask? So you say you have inside info (good for you) so please share with us how much the donation entails and what exactly is to be done and where...or is that classified information and to high up the food chain for us little peons?

You will forgive me of course if I state I have no confidence in this donation nor believe what you are saying. Not that it really matters. It would have been nice to see some improvements to the facility but as other (wiser) posters have stated, staff matters much more than facilities. Laker hockey has adequate facilities.....Laker Hockey has an inadequate coaching staff. I would much rather see a donor or group of donors put in money in order to hire the proper staff like Michigan Tech did.

Is that the same Tech squad that won 13 games last year while LSSU won 17?