I met with President Royce Engstrom

[Bear Pause]

Look at the takeaways from his replies:

1. "Delaney has done an incredible job." That could probably be quantified, with discipline he certainly has, with results on the field - he hasn't. Without the ability to follow up on that I'd have to assume Royce clearly thinks that an "incredible job" is pretty much completed by discipline and top-end control. Therefor should we presume that W-L doesn't matter to Royce? Such a short-sighted approach to this is just asking for trouble because when a successful program stops filling seats, selling advertising, etc - the school foots the bill.

2. "Knew that some people would be complaining [about Pflu and O'Day being fired]" SOME people? How about MOST people? He honestly didn't think this would turn the fan base upside down before making this firing? And I'm fully aware he didn't have a coach ready before the firing because he called the assistants together and asked them who they want to have take over. Bob Beers came back at him and said no way, you got us in this mess - you appoint the next HC."

3. "Positive meeting with the Missoulian Staff / they did their job" Wow...

4. "Enrollment drop affected a little by the bad press" Time will tell

5. "Does not think that donors will back off now that the academic center is for all students" Shows a strong disconnect with Grizzly Sports boosters, IMO.

6. Branding company comments sound like he has no clue as to what they're doing but I'll hold my overall opinion until NativeGriz posts his follow up on the successes they've given the UM.

You are quoting Beers now? Not sure he would appreciate that!

 

[Bear Pause]

Overall the replies given by Royce to Native really strike me as answers coming from someone who is not fully informed/aware on many issues surrounding athletics. I'm really surprised by what appears to be the overall lack of concern and unwillingness to fully figure out what's going on by Engstrom. As I said in my first reply here, I'd say I'm shocked... but nothing regarding this shocks me anymore.

sigh...

So, instead of wasting time chasing players and coaches around and giving us your expert analysis on the team, why don't you organize the Griz fans to get rid of this president? It can be done, if enough fans and financial boosters demand it to the board of Regents. You're the man right? Get on it!

He is the man. This coming from a Cat fan. You are just an asshole.

This is a big, serious deal and demands real, serious people.

Thanks for the reporting Native, and thanks for the insight, Brint.

Your man-crush is duly acknowledged. I know that I wait each week with uncontrolled expectation for his expert analysis of teams and players, to direct my bets on games. I would never think of betting beforehand.

 

[Bear Pause]

Re: Bear Pause

"You are just an asshole."

:thumb:

Don't you love these pin heads who write a 5-word sentence, then have to edit it!!! :thumb:

 

[Silvertip]

I will give you my opinion of how this went. First off, I got exactly what I expected in regard to the questions he was able to answer within the guidelines of privacy-I don't have problems here and I respect his answers. Here is what I was hoping he would say in regard to some of the other questions. I wanted him to admit to some mistakes and then give a little direction in how he was hoping to overcome the mistakes. For example: I was hoping he would say he had not done enough to help bring COT to Missoula, but he was now being proactive and setting up meetings with the BBB, Mayor's office, and other leading groups in Missoula so they could work together in getting this accomplished. I want a leader that has the balls to stand up to the media when they are wrong. If the Missoulian continued to put out misleading facts, then go to a paper not controlled by the Lee. Find someone that would provide balanced reporting. I believe had he done that, he would not have received as much emotional pressure from people reacting to the Missoulian stories. I can only imagine how he was slammed in this area by a bunch of emotional people and I am sure Pat/Carol Williams were two of them. I am sure REs final decision to let his AD and FC go was affected by these people-I recall a bunch of egrizers calling for JO and RF head early on before some of the other truth started coming out from places other than the Missoulian. I would like to see a leader defend innocent people when the police are wrong - and so on and so on. I realize I am dreaming, but I am sick of seeing what is happening at UM. I have no question RE would be a great Provost, but I did not come away thinking he is a qualified CEO. I met his VP in charge of communication and I loved her energy/personality, so I don't want to make it sound like I am jumping on everyone, but I do not feel RE has the most qualified people in place to overcome his short comings as a leader of an institution as large as the University of Montana. The old adage "Nothing changes if nothing changes" and clearly something needs to change.

Is your name Native Griz, or Naive Griz? Dude, you need to understand that this is a very small community. Royce is not going to declare was on the Missoulian, nor the Missoula police department. He knows he would be very sorry if he did. Both entities could be the Icy Hot in his underwear for years to come! My previous post in this thread said it all in a single sentence. Engstrom is just like any politician. He gives only the talking points he wants you to hear, with no substance. It will not change. Chill out and start your weekend out with a stiff drink, or two, or three, or.............!

:roll: "Dude"...the ultimate pejorative uttered most frequently by post adolescent Safeway buggy jockeys living in their folk's basement.

 

[Bear Pause]

I will give you my opinion of how this went. First off, I got exactly what I expected in regard to the questions he was able to answer within the guidelines of privacy-I don't have problems here and I respect his answers. Here is what I was hoping he would say in regard to some of the other questions. I wanted him to admit to some mistakes and then give a little direction in how he was hoping to overcome the mistakes. For example: I was hoping he would say he had not done enough to help bring COT to Missoula, but he was now being proactive and setting up meetings with the BBB, Mayor's office, and other leading groups in Missoula so they could work together in getting this accomplished. I want a leader that has the balls to stand up to the media when they are wrong. If the Missoulian continued to put out misleading facts, then go to a paper not controlled by the Lee. Find someone that would provide balanced reporting. I believe had he done that, he would not have received as much emotional pressure from people reacting to the Missoulian stories. I can only imagine how he was slammed in this area by a bunch of emotional people and I am sure Pat/Carol Williams were two of them. I am sure REs final decision to let his AD and FC go was affected by these people-I recall a bunch of egrizers calling for JO and RF head early on before some of the other truth started coming out from places other than the Missoulian. I would like to see a leader defend innocent people when the police are wrong - and so on and so on. I realize I am dreaming, but I am sick of seeing what is happening at UM. I have no question RE would be a great Provost, but I did not come away thinking he is a qualified CEO. I met his VP in charge of communication and I loved her energy/personality, so I don't want to make it sound like I am jumping on everyone, but I do not feel RE has the most qualified people in place to overcome his short comings as a leader of an institution as large as the University of Montana. The old adage "Nothing changes if nothing changes" and clearly something needs to change.

Is your name Native Griz, or Naive Griz? Dude, you need to understand that this is a very small community. Royce is not going to declare was on the Missoulian, nor the Missoula police department. He knows he would be very sorry if he did. Both entities could be the Icy Hot in his underwear for years to come! My previous post in this thread said it all in a single sentence. Engstrom is just like any politician. He gives only the talking points he wants you to hear, with no substance. It will not change. Chill out and start your weekend out with a stiff drink, or two, or three, or.............!

:roll: "Dude"...the ultimate pejorative uttered most frequently by post adolescent Safeway buggy jockeys living in their folk's basement.

"Pejorative". Nice word, dude! Do you want plastic or paper? :thumb:

 

[NativeGriz]

Actually good point BP, so maybe I am coming on a bit strong here, but with the Missoulian-what was the alternative....Say nothing and bend over? We all saw the results there. And as for the police, probably very right. Much more subtle approach was needed, but at least make some approach. Dont tell me they did their job, when they deserved to have their a$$ sued and I hope that day will still come. It was like a coordinated effort by the Missoulian and the police to bring UM Football program down and ruin a couple of kids football careers at the same time and nobody at UM that I am aware of stood up to them. I am sure Oday was stifled in this. I did not see leadership at the top in these areas.

 

[Bear Pause]

Actually good point BP, so maybe I am coming on a bit strong here, but with the Missoulian-what was the alternative....Say nothing and bend over? We all saw the results there. And as for the police, probably very right. Much more subtle approach was needed, but at least make some approach. Dont tell me they did their job, when they deserved to have their a$$ sued and I hope that day will still come. It was like a coordinated effort by the Missoulian and the police to bring UM Football program down and ruin a couple of kids football careers at the same time and nobody at UM that I am aware of stood up to them. I am sure Oday was stifled in this. I did not see leadership at the top in these areas.

I'm on your side. I said earlier it was a noble effort on your part. I just know the futility of trying to get open and truthful info from a bureaucrat.

 

[NativeGriz]

Looked up one fact. There was a 3.2 million dollar institutional funding difference last year between UM and MSU and that difference will increase next year as UM funding decreaes and MSU increases.

So if you are as outraged as I am, start writing a letter.

Clay Christian Commissioner of Higher Education.
Board of Regents same address:
2500 Broadway St. PO Box 203201
Helena, Mt 59620

Or email: [email protected]

Or write individually to BOR members, email addresses in link below.
http://mus.edu/board/BORmembers.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[tnt]

Looked up one fact. There was a 3.2 million dollar institutional funding difference last year between UM and MSU and that difference will increase next year as UM funding decreaes and MSU increases.

So if you are as outraged as I am, start writing a letter.

Clay Christian Commissioner of Higher Education.
Board of Regents same address:
2500 Broadway St. PO Box 203201
Helena, Mt 59620

Or email: [email protected]

Or write individually to BOR members, email addresses in link below.
http://mus.edu/board/BORmembers.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Why are outraged? Do you understand the funding process?

 

[Umista]

msu has the luck and wishes of all the Eastern congress persons and have in the past funded msu far more than UM. Fact.

Pat and Carol Williams both had a heavy hand in the Pflugrad/O'Day debacle. RE acted like a puppet.

RE will be gone in time. Problem is this: Is it a short time or long time?

Thanks native for your effort. Old RE is sly, sneaky and sleazy in my mind.

 

[NativeGriz]

Looked up one fact. There was a 3.2 million dollar institutional funding difference last year between UM and MSU and that difference will increase next year as UM funding decreaes and MSU increases.

So if you are as outraged as I am, start writing a letter.

Clay Christian Commissioner of Higher Education.
Board of Regents same address:
2500 Broadway St. PO Box 203201
Helena, Mt 59620

Or email: [email protected]

Or write individually to BOR members, email addresses in link below.
http://mus.edu/board/BORmembers.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Why are outraged? Do you understand the funding process?

As a matter of fact I do. In fact I have heard the process from multiple sources and with multiple view points. I also understand our huge advantage in past revenue is a part of the reason and it started with Dennison. The MSU program's revenues are increasing and yet they still increased their institutional funding. Thus they will be able to make athletic related improvements, while UM will have to forget about improvements, in fact they have to cut maintenance.

 

[tnt]

Looked up one fact. There was a 3.2 million dollar institutional funding difference last year between UM and MSU and that difference will increase next year as UM funding decreaes and MSU increases.

So if you are as outraged as I am, start writing a letter.

Clay Christian Commissioner of Higher Education.
Board of Regents same address:
2500 Broadway St. PO Box 203201
Helena, Mt 59620

Or email: [email protected]

Or write individually to BOR members, email addresses in link below.
http://mus.edu/board/BORmembers.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Why are outraged? Do you understand the funding process?

As a matter of fact I do. In fact I have heard the process from multiple sources and with multiple view points. I also understand our huge advantage in past revenue is a part of the reason and it started with Dennison. The MSU program's revenues are increasing and yet they still increased their institutional funding. Thus they will be able to make athletic related improvements, while UM will have to forget about improvements, in fact they have to cut maintenance.

Please explain then.... "Institutional funding" has multiple sources......

 

[NativeGriz]

I have heard it explained from multiple sources. Sorry I did not make that more clear.

 

[mtgriz]

Looked up one fact. There was a 3.2 million dollar institutional funding difference last year between UM and MSU and that difference will increase next year as UM funding decreaes and MSU increases.

So if you are as outraged as I am, start writing a letter.

Clay Christian Commissioner of Higher Education.
Board of Regents same address:
2500 Broadway St. PO Box 203201
Helena, Mt 59620

Or email: [email protected]

Or write individually to BOR members, email addresses in link below.
http://mus.edu/board/BORmembers.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Don't know the guy or how well suited he is for the job, but the article I read a while back about the hiring of the current Commissioner of Higher Education made that decision making seem a little unorthodox also.

 

[NativeGriz]

I heard the same thing MtGriz. I dont really know him even though he is from Polson. I sat next to his wife on a flight from AZ recently. When you consider his background, you do wonder how he ended up the commissioner of education with a strong 3 figure salary. That said I have not heard anything bad, so hopefully he is doing a good job.

 

[Gaeilge1]

Thanks Native! Good work!

Throughout this whole saga I have been struck by one overriding premise that was seemingly solidified by the answers given by President Engstrom. That is that "The Peter Principle" is being proven daily at Main Hall.

 

[mcg]

The thing that strikes me is that 5-6 and and ninth place in the BSC represents 'incredible' work by the coaching staff.

 

[statler & waldorf]

I had the same thought, only my interpretation of the word was about 180 degrees from Engstrom.

 

[Spanky]

We shouldn't be suprised at the outcome of hiring Engstrom, who was an insider and benefited from a rotten closed so-called national search process. The hiring of Haslam wasn't much different. Nice guy ? Yes. Qualified? Some may think so. National contacts? Not so much.

 

[Copper Griz]

Thanks for the article Native and I applaud your efforts - Now for the questions I would love to see Rolls answer. First, do you need some lubricant to pull your head out of your a$$. Second - when your head comes out, please check to see if you have any balls. If they are not there, does Pat Williams have them in his hand? Third - have you ever taken an IQ test and what were the results? Fourth - how many football players picked on you when your were a kid? Five - Have you called MSU's President to get a f'ing clue yet? (that one actually hurt me when I typed it). I think that will suffice for now. In case you couldn't tell, I am just a wee bit bitter!!!!