Greg Ambrose
Registered User
Re: UNH Recruits: 2012-2018
Chuck, the missteps of the athletic department are a direct result of the missteps of the University System as a whole. New Hampshire has ranked last nationally in state support for higher education for years, behind even Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas and the rest. It's been that way since I arrived in Durham in 1970, 45 years ago (how's my math?). I am not a great believer that the success of a university's athletic teams significantly impacts donations to the school, but I do know that when UNH Hockey ascended in the late 90's and early aughts, Coach Umile in particular and the team in general was a welcome sight when they visited Concord. Not sure how it is with the football team, but I generally agree with you that UNH Athletics has missed opportunities to promote a warm and fuzzy feeling for the school throughout the state.
On the hockey side I just look at it practically. Over the years other Hockey East schools have come into the state and recruited multiple players who have gone on to become significant players someplace else. Freddy Meyer is only the most notable example. More than a few times I have had conversations with fans, long time season ticket holders, who openly deride the coaching staff's recruiting priorities. They will watch a game where some mid-talent from the midwest is outclassed by a kid who grew up down the road. The question always is "why are we wasting our time flying all over the country to get a kid like (name withheld) when this other kid is right here in New Hampshire?" I've asked the question to Umile, Lassonde and McCloskey myself. The response was always something along the lines of UNH1932 - "we tried, but didn't succeed." When is that answer going to begin to be unacceptable?
Chuck, the missteps of the athletic department are a direct result of the missteps of the University System as a whole. New Hampshire has ranked last nationally in state support for higher education for years, behind even Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas and the rest. It's been that way since I arrived in Durham in 1970, 45 years ago (how's my math?). I am not a great believer that the success of a university's athletic teams significantly impacts donations to the school, but I do know that when UNH Hockey ascended in the late 90's and early aughts, Coach Umile in particular and the team in general was a welcome sight when they visited Concord. Not sure how it is with the football team, but I generally agree with you that UNH Athletics has missed opportunities to promote a warm and fuzzy feeling for the school throughout the state.
On the hockey side I just look at it practically. Over the years other Hockey East schools have come into the state and recruited multiple players who have gone on to become significant players someplace else. Freddy Meyer is only the most notable example. More than a few times I have had conversations with fans, long time season ticket holders, who openly deride the coaching staff's recruiting priorities. They will watch a game where some mid-talent from the midwest is outclassed by a kid who grew up down the road. The question always is "why are we wasting our time flying all over the country to get a kid like (name withheld) when this other kid is right here in New Hampshire?" I've asked the question to Umile, Lassonde and McCloskey myself. The response was always something along the lines of UNH1932 - "we tried, but didn't succeed." When is that answer going to begin to be unacceptable?
Never had you pegged as the wide-eyed optimist ... 
