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Yes, these are not the best of times to be a State fan. In fact, they may be the worst of times. The Pack is coming off an embarrassing display in Columbia. Coach Tom O'Brien joked beforehand that if people weren't interested in politics, then perhaps they could watch the ESPN-aired game instead of the Democratic National Convention. Hmm. Even the most ardent Conservative State fan (and there are many) had to think that Mr. Hope probably was more enjoyable to watch.
A loss is bad enough. But to lose AND continue to suffer more setbacks is just so darn disheartening.
Well, take heart, Wolfpack fans. The good news is N.C. State can still lay claim to being an elite university -- particularly when it comes to fundraising.
"N.C. State University leaders kicked off a capital campaign seven years ago hoping to raise $600 million," wrote the News & Observer last week.
"As the money rolled in, that bar was quickly lifted to $1 billion.
"Mission accomplished.
"The Achieve campaign has closed with $1.37 billion, Chancellor James Oblinger told a faculty group this week, letting slip a secret that will be formally announced next month.
"In topping the $1 billion mark, NCSU joins a fairly exclusive club. About 50 universities have hit the $1 billion mark in fundraising campaigns, according to data kept by the Chronicle of Higher Education. Ten institutions have hit that number twice, and one, Stanford University, has done it three times, according to the data."
So, there you have. Hold your heads up, State fans.
"Anyone who achieves success in a billion-dollar campaign has achieved something significant," said Rae Goldsmith, spokeswoman for the Washington-based Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, who added that the success may pay off again. "People do like to give to success. Once an institution has demonstrated it has used the funds it raised wisely, people will give again."
Oblinger also noted that NCSU got to the billion-dollar mark without the benefit of a medical school, traditionally one of the most popular destinations for donor dollars.
"Things like cancer research and pediatric medicine are causes close to donors' hearts," said Goldsmith, the CASE spokeswoman. "So it's often easier to connect with donors because it's personal."
2 comments:
What makes this all the more impressive is that it comes at a time when school pride, particularly in our athletics departments, is in quite a bit of a lull.
Again, never underestimate the benefit that a winning (or at least non-embarrassing) sports program can do for alumni spirit, and thusly, giving.
I know I've read on many occasions (though without any way to verify the veracity) of folks on the State message boards that are so fed up with the direction and leadership of the school, both athletically and overall, that they've refused to give one more dime until changes are made.
It's understandable. Folks want to take pride in their school and its accomplishments, and to not be the doormats to anyone they consider peers. We, as State fans, I think can realistically say that Carolina (and to some extent Duke) will always hold an advantage in athletic sucess if you put a gun to our head, but no one likes to feel like a nobody or pushover when their team takes the field.
I think tom O'Brien has got us heading in the right direction, and I still have faith that Sidney Lowe can get it done, but two-plus decades of losing takes its toll on a giving alumni. Without a sense of pride in ones school, it gets tough to fork over the dollars.
Here's hoping Chancellor Oblinger gets his act together soon; not treating the fanbase like children (the five hour tailgating restrictions, the good ambassador program that makes us look like hooligans more than good sports) would be a start. I'll admit, however, that I don't see him doing so.
His actions, to this point, come across like those of a Yes Man, the same kind that crucified Jimmy V unjustly back in 1990 by acting before reviewing all the facts.
But nevertheless, I am Wolfpack born and Wolfpack bred, and when I die I'll be Wolfpack dead.
Yeah, I was talking wiht a fellow alum the other day, and he commented that from an athletic AND academic perspective, we have among the best support of any school. We're over $1B in fundraising, and among the elite in number of athletic foundation members. Yet we could name just a couple of athletic programs (XC, women's bball, baseball, softball, wrestling) that are "pretty good"; yet most are horrendous.* It's simply uncalled for.
*I'm confident that the General will get football to "above average" level.
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