The Bubble is down!

[grizfnz]

Actually, and people will disagree, but UM fans aren't the best donors. For as much as you believe it is a failure of the AD, it is also a failure of the donors. Actions of the AD aren't the only reason fundraising for the practice facility lagged.

I’ll ask again. How many people outside the “insiders circle” were asked by UM AD to donate for the IPF? Bozeman AD put it out a message to everyone: welcome one, welcome all…..no donation is too small, help put us over the top, come be part of something special. Pretty sure everyone who donated any amount has their name written on the donor wall, not as large of font as the whale donors, but acknowledgement that their donation made their IPF possible. Now after a winning a championship, their donors have proof that their investment paid off. I’m curious as to what is going to happen to UM athletics when the current “inner circle” donors age out.

 

[grizfnz]

UM has done a shit job of that. Ever seen the pictures of the cats bringing the Football team up to the Yellowstone Club? The Griz need to be getting up to Whitefish/Flathead and down into the Bitterroot valley. There’s a lot of wealth all along Highway 93. Gotta make a more aggressive push to tap into the wealth across Western MT.

They’re up at the YC several times a year.

 

[HelenaHandBasket]

Agree to disagree. You posted that it was known it was a temporary situation. Considering an IPF is a luxury rather than a need, fundraising for one twice rather than just waiting is a poor fiscal decision. It absolutely will end up costing UM more in the long run.

Other than the fact that this design allows for the base to put into place for a permanent structure. So a portion of the expense was to minimize the cost moving forward. Any fundraising is a continuation, but they would have a temporary solution in place until the full amount is raised. As time goes, it was always going to cost more, and that was part of the accounting.

 

[HelenaHandBasket]

I’ll ask again. How many people outside the “insiders circle” were asked by UM AD to donate for the IPF? Bozeman AD put it out a message to everyone: welcome one, welcome all…..no donation is too small, help put us over the top, come be part of something special. Pretty sure everyone who donated any amount has their name written on the donor wall, not as large of font as the whale donors, but acknowledgement that their donation made their IPF possible. Now after a winning a championship, their donors have proof that their investment paid off. I’m curious as to what is going to happen to UM athletics when the current “inner circle” donors age out.

I wouldn't consider myself within the "insiders circle" but I knew a fundraising drive was underway for the facility.

 

[CDAGRIZ]

Incorrect

Whew! Then, I don’t like the bubble. I think it’s a kinda hokey half measure. I wish UM would’ve waited and whole assed an IPF.

 

[gotgame75]

I mean he is also in his 90s. Is he even like in tune much with UM in his old age? Have heard the boys wanna start getting more involved.

Denny is unbelievably mentally sharp and physically healthy for a 90 year old. Has had very few significant health issues. It’s honestly astonishing. Has continued to be very active in overseeing his business empire as well.

But Denny gets tired of being the default ask every time the Athletic Department comes up short on fundraising, so I’d be surprised if he makes any more massive contributions in the near future.

Once it’s in the boys’ hands it’ll be a different discussion. Despite being an alum, Kyle is pretty disconnected from UM Athletics , so I have no idea how invested he is willing to be on a personal level.

 

[ResilientGriz]

I find this news nothing but good. Hopefully we are done with this bubble and restore the most beautiful place on campus to it's former glory

Yeah, the weedy, muddy, potholey, and rutted intramural fields were glorious.

 

[grizfnz]

I wouldn't consider myself within the "insiders circle" but I knew a fundraising drive was underway for the facility.

So someone contacted you and asked if you’d like to contribute?

 

[ResilientGriz]

Someone needs to ask why the bubble was inflated when the weather is nice.

"All of it will be covered by an inflatable dome that will come down when the weather is nice, and go up when the temperature begins to drop."

https://www.montanasports.com/sport...d-running-on-grizzly-indoor-practice-facility

 

[oldngrizzly]

Yeah, the weedy, muddy, potholey, and rutted intramural fields were glorious.

so you think looking at some artificial canvas piece of crap was better rather than looking at nature? I watched football practice,cheerleader practice and many others use it with no issues. It destroyed the appeal of the university and made it look cheap.

 

[ResilientGriz]

Someone needs to ask why the

so you think looking at some artificial canvas piece of crap was better rather than looking at nature?

Is your office in the Montana Museum of Art & Culture, School of Law, or the Performing Arts, Radio, and TV Center?

 

[Griz til I die]

Denny is unbelievably mentally sharp and physically healthy for a 90 year old. Has had very few significant health issues. It’s honestly astonishing. Has continued to be very active in overseeing his business empire as well.

But Denny gets tired of being the default ask every time the Athletic Department comes up short on fundraising, so I’d be surprised if he makes any more massive contributions in the near future.

Once it’s in the boys’ hands it’ll be a different discussion. Despite being an alum, Kyle is pretty disconnected from UM Athletics , so I have no idea how invested he is willing to be on a personal level.

You must know the family on a personal level huh?

 

[mthoopsfan]

Well this bubble isn’t safe. From pictures it collapsed, still haven’t answers the question what if a team was in there.

It deflated over time. Didn’t collapse. Wasn’t related to storm. The bubble is terrific.

 

[Copper Griz]

LMFAO….Gary Tharaldson was from Valley City, grew up with nothing and got a PE degree and was a school teacher. Invested in a hotel and grew it from there. Truly self made billionaire.

Not related to oil money at all….and yes…an NAIA will have a far superior practice facility compared to UM.

UM is falling behind….it is going to really be evident here in the next couple of years when they are still in the FCS and MSU has moved on.

I have to laugh at the ignorance of your post. Nothing in life is static. Nothing. Economic conditions are deteriorating and we are about to hit a recession. National debt, foreclosures spiking, inflation and the number of new jobs created tell of a not so rosy picture ahead. Let’s see how things shake out. The U of M had a family that was their cash cow for quite some time. They got ahead of everyone else with facilities and recruiting. Then other schools figured out how to fund raise. There will be some big changes coming in the next few years for college football. The U of M and MSU are right where they need to be. One school won’t and really cannot move without the other. The BOR won’t allow it. Educate yourself a bit.

 

[2011BisonAlumni]

I have to laugh at the ignorance of your post. Nothing in life is static. Nothing. Economic conditions are deteriorating and we are about to hit a recession. National debt, foreclosures spiking, inflation and the number of new jobs created tell of a not so rosy picture ahead. Let’s see how things shake out. The U of M had a family that was their cash cow for quite some time. They got ahead of everyone else with facilities and recruiting. Then other schools figured out how to fund raise. There will be some big changes coming in the next few years for college football. The U of M and MSU are right where they need to be. One school won’t and really cannot move without the other. The BOR won’t allow it. Educate yourself a bit.

I think you sound exactly like a UND fan who said the same thing about NDSU in 2002 and 2025.

The BOR doesn’t have the power to prevent a move.

 

[MontanaGrizSoccer]

I’ll ask again. How many people outside the “insiders circle” were asked by UM AD to donate for the IPF? Bozeman AD put it out a message to everyone: welcome one, welcome all…..no donation is too small, help put us over the top, come be part of something special. Pretty sure everyone who donated any amount has their name written on the donor wall, not as large of font as the whale donors, but acknowledgement that their donation made their IPF possible. Now after a winning a championship, their donors have proof that their investment paid off. I’m curious as to what is going to happen to UM athletics when the current “inner circle” donors age out.

Bingo. MSU AD running circles around Kent and his team. They have the messaging, a master class plan that’s relevant, Leon is personable, people like him. Just like this so called west side expansion is it real where is the messaging, even look at BSUs AD he’s out there on X every month calling out Micron and Albertsons for more fundraising.dollars.

 

[MontanaGrizSoccer]

Other than the fact that this design allows for the base to put into place for a permanent structure. So a portion of the expense was to minimize the cost moving forward. Any fundraising is a continuation, but they would have a temporary solution in place until the full amount is raised. As time goes, it was always going to cost more, and that was part of the accounting.

So they spent million dollars for a concert slab, got it

 

[MontanaGrizSoccer]

Show of hands. How many of you, who are regulars on egriz, were contacted by the AD’ office and asked to contribute to the original project?
Perhaps if they had cast a wider net and not been in such a hurry to have the first IPF in the state, more funds could have been raised.

Heck folks donated to day of giving and to specific sports programs and didn’t get any kind of thank you, when you donate to MSU you at least get a signed thank you card from there AD.

 

[grizfnz]

Heck folks donated to day of giving and to specific sports programs and didn’t get any kind of thank you, when you donate to MSU you at least get a signed thank you card from there AD.

Wow, that’s crazy. We got letters thanking us for donating to the academic programs we supported during the Big Give and also received an invitation to the Foundation Gathering with Dr Shinn on October 1st.

 

[Grizbeer]

Other than the fact that this design allows for the base to put into place for a permanent structure. So a portion of the expense was to minimize the cost moving forward. Any fundraising is a continuation, but they would have a temporary solution in place until the full amount is raised. As time goes, it was always going to cost more, and that was part of the accounting.

Honest question- I seem to recall that the bubble was delayed for at least a season because there was an issue with the foundation and it couldn’t carry the load - I might have the wording wrong but I am sure that it was late opening because it didn’t pass inspection- is the current foundation now approved for a real building? Or will that require a new inspection and permit?

Truthfully I am not opposed to a bubble as a concept but this thing has been an embarrassment to the university and the AD from the jump and is as ugly as sin. I honestly don’t think they could have done worse. It might have been the right decision- it has been horrible execution.