Rob Oviatt leaving the program as S&T coach

[AllWeatherFan]

Ha ha ha ha ha ha. Player made a funny.

 

[PlayerRep]

An academic center is of zero benefit or interest to a strength coach. The weight room is of utmost importance to a strength coach. UM's weight room is abysmal.

I would hope academics are of interest to all college coaches.

If they are not, it's time to find a new career.

I hate to be the one to inform you that academics does equal an academic center, nor vice versa. Academics existed long be athletic academic centers were conceived. While I assume someone must think there are benefits of having an academic center for athletes or close to the athletic activities; study areas, computers, tables, and chairs exist all over the place--in libraries, other buildings, computer rooms/centers, in dorms, homes and apartments, coffee shops, etc. My guess is that the primary of an academic center is convenience for athletes, if they have shorter windows of time to study, and a good place for academic advisors to ride herd over athletes who are struggling or not performing academically.

None of this concerns or should concern a strength coach. A strength coach is and should be focused on other things, including building strength, health, motivation, and character.

A question. Do you think professors should be concerned about athletes gaining strength? Afterall, many believe that strength improves athletic performance, which increases wins, which makes alums and donors happy and more connected to the school, which improves donations, which helps improve the coffers of the university for the academic mission.

Okay, so let me see if I can make logic out of the completely illogical.

So you believe that weight rooms add to athletic performance, but academic centers don't add to academics. Yeah, uhhh, I think we'll just have to disagree and call you a tad bit crazy.

As to your question, no. I doubt any professor outside of Health and Human Performance gives two shits about a weight room. Nor would any sane person want them to. The university is in the business of educating students, not getting linebackers stronger. If that's a difficult concept for you to understand, please avoid sharp objects.

No, I believe (in fact, I know) that a weight room adds much more to athletic performance than an academic center for athletes improves academic performance. A weight room is critical to athletic performance. An academic center is not critical to academic performance(because there are multiple other places for academics to be worked on).

In addition, a nice weight room (compared to a small crappy falling apart one) would be much more helpful in recruiting athletes (at least for the major sports) than a nice academic center. Every single one of the football and basketball coaches would agree with that.

See my above post on the incorrectness of this comment of yours: "The university is in the business of educating students, not getting linebackers stronger."

 

[Big Northern Griz]

I could see a strength coach seeing value in an academic facility. Half the battle for these guys is making sure the athletes make it to their training, have the motivation to train, and stick with their program. With the academic center, you bring some convenience and comfort to these athletes ability to structure their study time, which can make a difference when you have a full class schedule. When you alleviate some of the stresses of academics, I think it allows for better performance in your training regimen. Not to mention, it also might improve communication with your athletes when you know their schedule and where they will often be. Monitoring athletes academic progress is a benefit to everybody even the strength coach. But yeah, it kind of goes without saying that a strength coach would see much much more value in a good weight facility than an academic center.

 

[EverettGriz]

Gotta hand it to you, PR. You're doggedly persistent, even if annoyingly dumb.

 

[PlayerRep]

Gotta hand it to you, PR. You're doggedly persistent, even if annoyingly dumb.

I am right on this. Almost everything you've said is incorrect. You are the one who is showing up as dumb on this one.

 

[MT Jack]

Since Everett's statement is not accurate, are you buying the beer for him to drink, or for you to throw on him?

UM's business is actually to do both. Here's the mission statement for UM Athletics, which, as you know, is part of the University.
"

No beer for you, PlayerRep.

I see where you're coming from. I do agree with you that athletics is an important aspect of a university. It's the reason why anyone is here reading/posting on egriz. But at what point do athletics start to supplant academics? You have not said that is your desire but you have to admit that you adamantly pushing the benefits of a weight room over an athletic center come off that way. I hope that there are places left where the term "student athlete" still means something. I hope the U of M is one such place.

 

[Ursa Major]

Since Everett's statement is not accurate, are you buying the beer for him to drink, or for you to throw on him?

UM's business is actually to do both. Here's the mission statement for UM Athletics, which, as you know, is part of the University.
"

No beer for you, PlayerRep.

I see where you're coming from. I do agree with you that athletics is an important aspect of a university. It's the reason why anyone is here reading/posting on egriz. But at what point do athletics start to supplant academics? You have not said that is your desire but you have to admit that you adamantly pushing the benefits of a weight room over an athletic center come off that way. I hope that there are places left where the term "student athlete" still means something. I hope the U of M is one such place.

I will be glad to buy you a beer for that post, Mt. Jack! Maybe even a bourbon too.

 

[PlayerRep]

Since Everett's statement is not accurate, are you buying the beer for him to drink, or for you to throw on him?

UM's business is actually to do both. Here's the mission statement for UM Athletics, which, as you know, is part of the University.
"

No beer for you, PlayerRep.

I see where you're coming from. I do agree with you that athletics is an important aspect of a university. It's the reason why anyone is here reading/posting on egriz. But at what point do athletics start to supplant academics? You have not said that is your desire but you have to admit that you adamantly pushing the benefits of a weight room over an athletic center come off that way. I hope that there are places left where the term "student athlete" still means something. I hope the U of M is one such place.

A new weight/locker rooms was much more needed at UM, is much more important to successful athletics in general (at least the weight room is), and should have been a higher priority at UM at this time--than a new fancy academic center. An academic center is of marginal benefit to successful academics, and there are various other places/areas to further academics--and even less important for athletics. A weight room is critical to successful athletics.

In my view, at this critical time for UM athletics (as well as UM), the less important academic center has been standing in the way of the more important weight/locker rooms, as well as standing in the way of a major donation need/opportunity that would likely get donors who are currently disillusioned, disappointed or standing on the sideline, to get back on board with more and bigger financial support. At least, the academic center appears to be finally getting moving. I hope the project has not siphoned off too much money that would have been better spent or needed for the weight/locker rooms. Unless there are one or more huge donors that arise for the weight/locker rooms (and there are rumors of a major donor), I don't see how enough money could be raised for what I believe is now a $12 million weight/locker/other project.

That being said, I doubt that there is any active poster, other than argh, who believes more strongly that academics is and should be the primary (really dominant) mission of a university, and that athletics has taken on way too much importance and influence at big time sports schools generally. I don't put UM in the big time sports school category, although UM has wonderful sports and has been very successful. UM is closer to what I view the role of athletics should be at a university. I believe in amateurism. The Ivies and Patriot league, and the D-III's, are more of the model I like--although they have issues too.

UM is getting a new academic center because Engstrom wanted it first, and was not going to improve other projects without the academic center being first. That's fine; he's the president. However, some people need to just admit this, instead of making up stuff, excuses and explanations that are neither true or accurate.

 

[tnt]

With all of PRs "inside info" he seems to have missed the bigger picture which is the bulk of the square footage of the two story "academic center" is increased space for the field house, office space for coaches etc. etc. One of the net effects being moving the Soft Ball program out of the weight room. There will be increased space for the new wight room among other things. Even with blinders and maroon colored glasses an idiot could tell given the events of the last few years what "facilities improvement" would be an easier sell (and easier to raise money for) The work being done on the academic center would have been necessary in order to do the work on the weight room. Athletics has benefited immensley.

With a constantly increasing academic focus, we are able to recruit better athletes and sell the "moms" a bit better as well. MOST athletes realize their education is important as well. These kids are high achievers to begin with, academics is not going to be secondary for most of them. That's why Boise State is full of "convicts" The built athletic facilities before their library.

 

[AZGrizFan]

In my view, at this critical time for UM athletics (as well as UM), the less important academic center has been standing in the way of the more important weight/locker rooms, as well as standing in the way of a major donation need/opportunity that would likely get donors who are currently disillusioned, disappointed or standing on the sideline, to get back on board with more and bigger financial support. At least, the academic center appears to be finally getting moving. I hope the project has not siphoned off too much money that would have been better spent or needed for the weight/locker rooms. Unless there are one or more huge donors that arise for the weight/locker rooms (and there are rumors of a major donor), I don't see how enough money could be raised for what I believe is now a $12 million weight/locker/other project.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

The $2.5 million academic center vs the $12 million weight/locker room project. That right there speaks VOLUMES about which one is deemed more important by the University.

 

[PlayerRep]

In my view, at this critical time for UM athletics (as well as UM), the less important academic center has been standing in the way of the more important weight/locker rooms, as well as standing in the way of a major donation need/opportunity that would likely get donors who are currently disillusioned, disappointed or standing on the sideline, to get back on board with more and bigger financial support. At least, the academic center appears to be finally getting moving. I hope the project has not siphoned off too much money that would have been better spent or needed for the weight/locker rooms. Unless there are one or more huge donors that arise for the weight/locker rooms (and there are rumors of a major donor), I don't see how enough money could be raised for what I believe is now a $12 million weight/locker/other project.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

The $2.5 million academic center vs the $12 million weight/locker room project. That right there speaks VOLUMES about which one is deemed more important by the University.

Note really, or only to some extent.

UM hasn't committed its fund to either of these projects. The academic center is all private money, including a million or more from GSA funds.

The academic center is only one project. The currently proposed large $12.5 million project includes multiple projects. Weight room. Football, basketball and visiting team locker rooms. Meeting rooms. Offices. Brint may know what else is contemplated.

The academic center is being done first. A bird in the hand. There is no assurance that the $12.5 project will ever be done, i.e. at that size and with all of those projects combined. There is also no assurance that it will be done in the foreseeable future. UM was talking about and trying find big donors for multiple other similar or quasi-similar projects starting almost a decade ago.

So, yes a smaller amount to a bigger amount, but not apples to oranges.

 

[PlayerRep]

With all of PRs "inside info" he seems to have missed the bigger picture which is the bulk of the square footage of the two story "academic center" is increased space for the field house, office space for coaches etc. etc. One of the net effects being moving the Soft Ball program out of the weight room. There will be increased space for the new wight room among other things. Even with blinders and maroon colored glasses an idiot could tell given the events of the last few years what "facilities improvement" would be an easier sell (and easier to raise money for) The work being done on the academic center would have been necessary in order to do the work on the weight room. Athletics has benefited immensley.

With a constantly increasing academic focus, we are able to recruit better athletes and sell the "moms" a bit better as well. MOST athletes realize their education is important as well. These kids are high achievers to begin with, academics is not going to be secondary for most of them. That's why Boise State is full of "convicts" The built athletic facilities before their library.

It's not true that the academic center would have to be done to do the weight room. As presently contemplated (as well as under some of the prior ideas), the weight room, etc. would be in a separate new building.

Athletics is not benefiting much at all with the academic center. In fact, because the academic center is standing in the way of the weight/locker rooms projects, the academic center is hurting athletics, including recruiting, much more than it is helping it.

Even to the extent moms have much influence over sons, the academic center won't positively impact recruiting in any meaningful way. Jeez, ask any coach if the academic center will help recruiting. Then, ask them whether new weight/locker rooms would help recruiting. The academic center just be another stop of the tour when UM is trying to avoid spending time in the weight room.

 

[poorgriz]

No, the only people that could claim a new weight room that might help the football team win more games is more important than an academics center... are people that sniff jocks and put the athletes up on a pedestal. Normal supporters of the university system recognize that the weight room would only be used by a tiny fraction of the students that are trying to get a degree from UM.

 

[tnt]

No, the only people that could claim a new weight room that might help the football team win more games is more important than an academics center... are people that sniff jocks and put the athletes up on a pedestal. Normal supporters of the university system recognize that the weight room would only be used by a tiny fraction of the students that are trying to get a degree from UM.

That and in all honesty its going to be a tough sell with a lot of the business community. The last weight room remodel done was financed by a group of Business People lead by Tom Sherry. (these guys all went to High school together in Lewiston ID)They were rewarded by losing their Basketball in the Box seating to Dennison's desire to entertain other fish. At the time the stadium was sold out so they were shuffled all over the place as the AD declined to move anyone else. It got worse when Tom passed away shortly afterward and they took Joys tickets away entirely.
It has cost the U literally millions. JOD was thrown out of more than one office despite his lack of involvement. (he never did get Joys seats back though) Most of the guys involved have passed but I know at least two still around who's annual beyond their football tickets hasn't been paid since. Just quick figure come up with the entire current projects cost + 300 feet of shoreline in Polson Bay.

 

[EverettGriz]

Guys, I don't think it's an act. I think he really doesn't get it, and won't no matter how much sound logic you provide. Sometimes you just gotta walk away saying, "Well I did all I could, but, you know, it was PR and...".

 

[PlayerRep]

No, the only people that could claim a new weight room that might help the football team win more games is more important than an academics center... are people that sniff jocks and put the athletes up on a pedestal. Normal supporters of the university system recognize that the weight room would only be used by a tiny fraction of the students that are trying to get a degree from UM.

The statement that a weight room will help win more games and entice more good recruits, than an academic center, is absolutely true. Only an idiot could not agree with that. Even Engstrom would agree.

The statement that the

As for whether a new academic center is, at this point in time, more important for UM athletics and UM, let's see how many people sign on to saying the academic center is more important than the weight room to UM. I say the weight room. Feel free to line up your support that the new academic center is more important UM at this time, poorgriz.

 

[PlayerRep]

Guys, I don't think it's an act. I think he really doesn't get it, and won't no matter how much sound logic you provide. Sometimes you just gotta walk away saying, "Well I did all I could, but, you know, it was PR and...".

Feel free to point out and quote one thing I said about this subject in this thread, that is not correct.

 

[poorgriz]

No, the only people that could claim a new weight room that might help the football team win more games is more important than an academics center... are people that sniff jocks and put the athletes up on a pedestal. Normal supporters of the university system recognize that the weight room would only be used by a tiny fraction of the students that are trying to get a degree from UM.

The statement that a weight room will help win more games and entice more good recruits, than an academic center, is absolutely true. Only an idiot could not agree with that. Even Engstrom would agree.

The statement that the

As for whether a new academic center is, at this point in time, more important for UM athletics and UM, let's see how many people sign on to saying the academic center is more important than the weight room to UM. I say the weight room. Feel free to line up your support that the new academic center is more important UM at this time, poorgriz.

Uh, what the hell are you talking about? I don't know what you're asking... but if you're asking what I think you're asking, why are you slipping in the "important for UM Athletics AND UM"? Of course a new weight room would be better for athletics. That's not the question. The question is what would better for UM as a whole. So if did a survey and asked 1,000 people that claim to support UM, regardless of their love or hate of football, basketball, volleyball, etc... the majority would say the academic center is more important to the university. No I don't have any facts to back this up. This is common sense. Most people aren't as passionate about their Alma Mater's football team like we are. Most people also don't understand the connection between success on the field and what that can do for the entire university, academics and all.

 

[EverettGriz]

Guys, I don't think it's an act. I think he really doesn't get it, and won't no matter how much sound logic you provide. Sometimes you just gotta walk away saying, "Well I did all I could, but, you know, it was PR and...".

Feel free to point out and quote one thing I said about this subject in this thread, that is not correct.

Can I simply copy/paste every post?

And PoorGriz is 100% right on this issue. As was MTJack. Which simply highlights the point that the only ones who feel the weight room is more important are jock sniffers. The rest of the population (e.g. the other 98%) understand what a state university is designed and tasked to do.

 

[PlayerRep]

Guys, I don't think it's an act. I think he really doesn't get it, and won't no matter how much sound logic you provide. Sometimes you just gotta walk away saying, "Well I did all I could, but, you know, it was PR and...".

Feel free to point out and quote one thing I said about this subject in this thread, that is not correct.

Can I simply copy/paste every post?

And PoorGriz is 100% right on this issue. As was MTJack. Which simply highlights the point that the only ones who feel the weight room is more important are jock sniffers. The rest of the population (e.g. the other 98%) understand what a state university is designed and tasked to do.

No, poorgriz and you are wrong on this.