Walkon79 said:
The list of transfers for the MSU women over the same period is also lengthy, so I agree.
The No. 1 point that most administrators, coaches and athletic departments miss is this: there are trends and things that become a part of life even if you don't like it. Example: Everyone wanting to transfer or quit. It's a trend. We hate it. But it's the way it is now, the norm. But you can deal with it by staying ahead of it.
What internal collegiate sports peoples seem to have a hard time grasping is that you can enhance your relationship with the media and you can use the media as the tool it can be to benefit your athletic department by being accountable and transparent.
Montana has had 16 players leave the team over the last four years. During that same time, 12 players have left Montana State's women's basketball team. The difference is Montana does not make announcements on roster movement until its reported by Skyline Sports and other media outlets. And its usually not confirmed until long after the news is old. It makes it seem like they are hiding something even if they aren't trying to hide a thing.
Montana State most often makes announcements of roster movement via press release. Montana does not acknowledge or give detail or thank players that leave the program. Montana State's releases usually include reasons for leaving the program and a quote giving thanks to the player for competing for MSU.
And if MSU does not have a release, if a reporter or news outlet calls, they will at the very least acknowledge and confirm the departure and usually help explain the why even if a quote is not provided.
This is not on UM sports information. All of the SIDs at Montana are very helpful. This is a cultural issue from the top down; a fundamental misunderstanding by the institution as a whole on how to manage basic pieces of news so they do not seem controversial or more than just part of a national trend, like transfers.
This Shannon Schweyen situation is yet another example of Montana's failings in this area. The fact that every news outlet in Montana has reported this, Shannon has GONE ON THE RECORD with the local paper to confirm it and Montana still has not sent out a press release to confirm this is an error to say the least.
It doesn't have to be a soliloquy. You don't have to have a press conference until you're ready. But the cut and dry "Montana athletics has decided to not renew the contract of Shannon Schweyen after four seasons. A coaching search will commence immediately," seems very necessary to me.
Then you factor is that Shannon is an icon, a beloved and legendary former athlete and it's not a good PR situation whatsoever.
Staying ahead of the news, operating with transparency and accountability as a STATE PUBLICLY FUNDED institution is a very good strategy and one that should be required but has faded in recent years.