Post by GANNO on Jan 10, 2009 23:41:17 GMT -6
The Blackburn campus and Alumni circles are buzzing with some very disappointing news. It appears College President Mim Pride, and Provost Jeff Aper, in all their infinite wisdom, will suggest to the board of trustees that the football program be dropped immediately.
As Alum, I am a little frustrated and confused! The enrollment at Blackburn is somewhere in the 500's (estimating). Every year the football program contributed in bringing in at least 50 kids, in some years they brought in up to 100. While football at Blackburn has seen very little success in the way of wins, it has brought kids into the school. It seems to me that football could have been a key ingredient in raising enrollment and building a good reputation for the school, if only the administration would invest in it. The program was always underfunded, understaffed, and underutilized. They could not keep coaches because administration would not buy in and back the program. Coaches would have to fight administration over issues such as paying of assistants, and improving facilities.
It was impossible to run a college program, due to constrains put on the coaches by administration at Blackburn. In 2003, Blackburn was very lucky to get hall of fame coach, Skip Mathieson, who had every intention in building the program. He resigned 2 years later because he was tired of dealing with the constant roadblocks put in front of him. In 2004, Coach Mathieson brought in 108 football players (tuition $23,000 each), but when he asked for one additional paid assistant ($13,000), they refused his request. That is one example of the many obstacles the coaches faced. Blackburn lacks a leader with a clear purpose or vision for the school.
I see this as a huge hit for the college, and expect enrollment to drop. The administration's reason for dropping the program, ‘they cannot fund a football team.’ Along with cuts to the football program, there are several tenured staff members who are being 'let go' as a cost cutting measure. Blackburn has not been smart financially and they are in big trouble. In my estimation, the college will be forced to close their doors in the next five years. Dropping football will only speed this process up. As I said before, I am both confused and frustrated! Improper management of funds, wasteful spending, and no vision has contributed to Blackburn's state of affairs. If you want to fix the problems, get a plan and vision for the school and community.
If you are Alum or have a vested interest in Blackburn, I implore you to voice your concerns!
Mim Pride, Blackburn’s President
mprid@mail.blackburn.edu
Jeff Aper, Blackburn’s Provost
japer@mail.blackburn.edu
Heidi Heinz, Dean of Students
hhein@mail.blackburn.edu
Kirk Chandler, Athletic Direction
kirk.chandler@mail.blackburn.edu
Kim Warma, Public Relations
kim.warma@mail.blackburn.edu
As Alum, I am a little frustrated and confused! The enrollment at Blackburn is somewhere in the 500's (estimating). Every year the football program contributed in bringing in at least 50 kids, in some years they brought in up to 100. While football at Blackburn has seen very little success in the way of wins, it has brought kids into the school. It seems to me that football could have been a key ingredient in raising enrollment and building a good reputation for the school, if only the administration would invest in it. The program was always underfunded, understaffed, and underutilized. They could not keep coaches because administration would not buy in and back the program. Coaches would have to fight administration over issues such as paying of assistants, and improving facilities.
It was impossible to run a college program, due to constrains put on the coaches by administration at Blackburn. In 2003, Blackburn was very lucky to get hall of fame coach, Skip Mathieson, who had every intention in building the program. He resigned 2 years later because he was tired of dealing with the constant roadblocks put in front of him. In 2004, Coach Mathieson brought in 108 football players (tuition $23,000 each), but when he asked for one additional paid assistant ($13,000), they refused his request. That is one example of the many obstacles the coaches faced. Blackburn lacks a leader with a clear purpose or vision for the school.
I see this as a huge hit for the college, and expect enrollment to drop. The administration's reason for dropping the program, ‘they cannot fund a football team.’ Along with cuts to the football program, there are several tenured staff members who are being 'let go' as a cost cutting measure. Blackburn has not been smart financially and they are in big trouble. In my estimation, the college will be forced to close their doors in the next five years. Dropping football will only speed this process up. As I said before, I am both confused and frustrated! Improper management of funds, wasteful spending, and no vision has contributed to Blackburn's state of affairs. If you want to fix the problems, get a plan and vision for the school and community.
If you are Alum or have a vested interest in Blackburn, I implore you to voice your concerns!
Mim Pride, Blackburn’s President
mprid@mail.blackburn.edu
Jeff Aper, Blackburn’s Provost
japer@mail.blackburn.edu
Heidi Heinz, Dean of Students
hhein@mail.blackburn.edu
Kirk Chandler, Athletic Direction
kirk.chandler@mail.blackburn.edu
Kim Warma, Public Relations
kim.warma@mail.blackburn.edu
