from Andy
After doing an interview with SCSU Gridiron Club President Bill Mund the other day I asked if he could send me the letter the club was working on sending out to its members.
Mund sent it to me today. Here are the thoughts of the Gridiron Club on the state of SCSU football:
Dear Gridiron Club Members, Alumni, and Football Supporters,
I am writing to everyone today to convey some thoughts on all that has transpired over the last month. I must say I was taken by complete surprise a few weeks ago when the St. Cloud Times first reported that SCSU was considering dropping football from its athletic program to close a projected $550,000 deficit in the budget. While I did understand that SCSU was going through some significant budget challenges I had no idea of the magnitude of potential cuts.
I, along with several Gridiron Club Board members, attended a public meeting on August 30th to address the issue of potentially eliminating football. In all honesty I must say I left the meeting feeling that any efforts to keep football alive on the campus of SCSU would require both a huge effort on our part but also some significant fortunes to come our way.
In the week following the August 30th meeting I have received several, if not hundreds, of emails with various thoughts and an incredible amount of speculation. To say the least, the rumor mill is operating in full gear. I have tried to diligently get a response to all of the questions that have been raised. In most cases very reasonable explanations and answers have been provided.
I was contacted by the SCSU Presidents Office and requested to be at a meeting with Dr. Potter. I and our club Treasurer Mike Holman attended this meeting on Friday September 3rd.
A number of points were discussed at this meeting and I would like to relay to our club members and interested supporters our impressions of where SCSU Husky Football stands. Let me reiterate that this is the impression that both Mike Holman and I have after meeting with Dr. Potter:
1. As we all know Dr. Potter will be asking the NSIC Presidents on September 20th if SCSU could be given a waiver to remain in the conference if they drop the required sport of football. It was indicated to us that there may in fact be other presidents who support this idea but have not publicly voiced that opinion. After discussing this with Dr. Potter I tend to believe this is more of an attempt to gather information to better understand potential options that will be available to manage the budget problem. It also would be more difficult to eliminate football if the conference does not grant a waiver.
1. Neither Mike Holman nor I believe that Dr. Potter has any hidden agenda that works against the football program. We found him to be open and honest in detailing the problems with the athletic department and possible solutions.
1. It seemed very clear to both of us that a solution that would prevent football from being eliminated would have to include a significant increase in the student fees going to athletics. A $2 increase would provide approximately $600,000 of new revenue to the athletic program. If we can find a way to couple that with some additional fundraising we can put SCSU Athletics back on a sound financial track. It is clear from our meeting that there will be some changes in the Athletic Department Administration to help solve the current financial problems.
1. It is also our impression that Dr. Potter will make every effort possible to maintain a vibrant and competitive athletic program on campus. He will however be prepared to make the final decisions that are necessary to balance the Athletic Department budget.
1. Another point we discussed is the current organization of the various booster clubs on campus. As they are currently organized we are not in compliance with MNSCU Policy. We need to make some changes and what has been suggested is we become a 509A Organization. I have not had the time to research this but will work on it in the coming weeks. President Potter pledged his support in providing the staff we would need to establish ourselves as a 509A organization.
1. To dispel any rumor about this from the start, I do not believe this has anything to do with whether or not football is eliminated. It is my opinion that this is part of a bigger high level review of the athletic department and how the various booster clubs have been organized in the past.
1. During our meeting with President Potter we were assured that this handling of the various booster clubs would be applied evenly to ALL current and future clubs.
1. We were also given a letter explaining that the University was no longer going to have a permissive attitude in regards to alcohol consumption while tailgating. As most of us are aware MNSCU does have a policy that does not allow alcohol to be consumed on University property. For several years SCSU has had what we might refer to as a "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" enforcement. Alcohol consumption during tailgating events will not be allowed beginning with our September 18th home opener.
1. Again, it is my opinion that this is actually separate from the entire issue of balancing the sports budget. I have been very closely involved in a number of City of St. Cloud and SCSU initiatives aimed at alcohol consumption and the many problems it causes. I am not at all surprised that Dr. Potter wants the University to be held to the standard set and will ensure that MNSCU policies are followed.
1.
1. I would encourage our members to respect the rules and polices that are in place and not consume alcohol at tailgating functions.
In closing I want to re-iterate that we are a long way from football being eliminated. Both Mike Holman and I pledged our support to work with Dr. Potter to find a viable long term solution to the funding of SCSU Athletics. We believe that we must continue to work with meaningful dialogue and cooperative focus to ensure football remains a part of campus. To that end I would ask that all of our members, supporters, and fans continue to be a part of the conversation in a respectful and positive manner.
Sincerely,
Bill Mund
Gridiron Club President
On the other hand if he makes that fat in muscle he could be one big SOB.....
