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Post by Tom on Oct 20, 2021 7:11:27 GMT -5
Interesting messages on this thread so far indeed... Also interesting that short of Nick Smith, there hasn't been a whisper of other discussion (on this forum or otherwise in the public domain) of front runners for this job. OK, just to get that ball rolling, how about Non-Alum Dave?
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Post by sader1970 on Oct 20, 2021 7:57:33 GMT -5
Unfortunately, I agree. If Gordie was going to become AD at Holy Cross, there were two earlier opportunities to do so. The only way this happens, IMO, is if a Chesney-type decision is made . . . . .look all over the place and then pick the local guy who was there all along.
Others here likely know Gordie much better than I but I'm not 100% sure that he'd even want the job despite his love for the College and Worcester. But, I'm with the posters who feel an AD with "institutional knowledge" would be best. Of course, I thought that about the College presidents as well and we haven't had that since John Brooks (McFarland gets no credit from me for being ordained in St. Joseph's Chapel or Boroughs for having been on the BoT . . . I'm talking alum). So far, I think Vince is doing well but I thought that about Fr. B initially too.
Suspect this search will be a long one and hope I am wrong.
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Post by Crucis#1 on Oct 20, 2021 8:31:04 GMT -5
Pure speculation on my part, but there is a AD at a D3 school in the region, who has extensive athletic and legal experience at a senior level at a Ivy, CAA and NESCAC institution. Based on bio, would seem well qualified and has been in the current job for 4 years.
I have absolutely no idea if there would be interested in the HC position at this time, or if HC would be interested in interviewing the candidate that I am thinking. However, I would be disappointed if this AD will not be on the Parker list of potential candidates. Probably best not to provide additional details at this time, as I have not been in contact with any of the participants, HC, Parker, or the person regarding the legitimacy of my speculation. But I would not totally surprised to see the name surface. A few may have an idea who I am referring.
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Post by sader1970 on Oct 20, 2021 9:12:45 GMT -5
No clue, my friend but if you would care to PM me (will keep it confidential) so that you are "on record" and can say "I told you so" when/if it happens?
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Post by Non Alum Dave on Oct 20, 2021 9:56:13 GMT -5
Interesting messages on this thread so far indeed... Also interesting that short of Nick Smith, there hasn't been a whisper of other discussion (on this forum or otherwise in the public domain) of front runners for this job. OK, just to get that ball rolling, how about Non-Alum Dave? Yeah, like I'd want to put myself in the crosshairs of all you zealot alumni!
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Post by purple1 on Oct 20, 2021 9:59:36 GMT -5
Absolute waste of time and money with Parker at this time. Gordie Lockbaum should be the front runner and would be a terrific AD, as Ron Perry was. He would overhaul the athletic department and be a stable leader for 10 -15 years, which is needed. Not 2 - 3 years and gone. You do not have to be a rocket scientist for this position. Gordie is nationally known to other ADs, scheduling and coaching referrals. A business man who is level headed with common sense, who can communicate with others. He knows Holy Cross for what it is and loves the school....he would be the most influential fund raiser the college has to build the athletic endowments. Our "diamond " lives in the Worcester community. This would be "slam dunk"....
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Post by WCHC Sports on Oct 20, 2021 10:09:52 GMT -5
How do you know it would pay him enough to compensate him, beyond just love, relative to that long-standing business career. Is this really a reputation builder, or a reputation killer? The other folks that came here, used us to springboard to a new opportunity will NEVER have to answer to or think about HC again. They left the apartment a little messier and a little crappier than when they arrived, and now they're onto greener pastures. They came in unknown, and in the extensive annals of HC history will barely be a blip.
Gordie on the other hand is a beloved and well-known alum. He'd enter a VERY difficult situation with high expectations. Kind of like Phil Jackson reluctantly returning to be the president of the Knicks' basketball operations. He didn't want to do it. Was essentially retired. They threw him an ungodly sum of money for the role. Came in, was a disaster, and is probably now very highly disliked by the Knicks fanbase. For HC and Gordie, not a lot of upside, and only one place to go with his own standing and reputation among Crusaders.
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Post by KY Crusader 75 on Oct 20, 2021 10:20:46 GMT -5
If the Athletic Department has been as poorly run as many believe it has for many years, wouldn't the next person-maybe Gordie-have a real opportunity to effect sifnificant improvement?
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Post by Crucis#1 on Oct 20, 2021 10:34:28 GMT -5
I don’t agree regarding the last two AD’s leaving it messier than when they arrived. Not only trucks going up the hill, but successful completion of a beautiful facility, now with video boards, a solid financial contract with Adidas, and a vision and plan for continued upgrade of facilities. Based on the department’s operations from 1998 until 2014, they both had a lot of inertia to overcome regarding malaise and lack of vision by many regarding management and the vision of how to properly run a dynamic D1 program. The current AD in the 21 Century, to meet HC job qualifications, requires more than being a retired FBI agent, a bean counter or a former athlete.
Please think future, not past. Today’s senior administrators in a D1 leadership role may not have coached or played a sport, but they are well versed in the skills of operations, legal, facilities and communications required for a program to be successful.
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Post by Sons of Vaval on Oct 20, 2021 10:40:34 GMT -5
Crucis, the buildings were getting built whether Pine or Blossom were AD or not.
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Post by alum on Oct 20, 2021 10:43:30 GMT -5
If the Athletic Department has been as poorly run as many believe it has for many years, wouldn't the next person-maybe Gordie-have a real opportunity to effect sifnificant improvement? I was telling myself not to get involved in this debate again, but I cannot resist. From looking at his firm's website, we know that he is one of seventeen white men (no women) described as a "Producers/Principals." (One man doesn't have a picture so I can't describe his race.) Like a majority of the others in that group, he is also listed as a Vice President. I think that producer is insurance talk for sales rep and I assume that principal means that they have an ownership interest in the firm. The firm has a President, a CFO, a COO, a VP of Claims, and a marketing professional. I am sure that he serves on committees and manages some people but the AD is a serious management job. I see no proof that Gordie has any background in that at all. Purple1 said " Gordie is nationally known to other ADs, scheduling and coaching referrals." Do we really think that this is true? Isn't Gordie more of a trivia question than anything else for most people now almost 35 years out? Many of these ADs are used to having current and former NFL and NBA stars calling them. I am not sure that a guy that never played a regular season down in the NFL and has never coached a day of college sports is going to impress them. If the College can afford to hire him for the Bobby V job and employ assistant/associate ADs to do the work, then maybe he makes sense. Short of that, he is unqualified under any scenario to be a D1 AD.
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Post by Crucis#1 on Oct 20, 2021 10:59:05 GMT -5
Crucis, the buildings were getting built whether Pine or Blossom were AD or not. I saw the original facility plan for the Hart Center and Fitton Field designed in the mid 2000’s’ as requested by a former AD, prior to Pine. They were on the cheap, and not nearly as extensive as the current Luth complex. With previous athletic leadership, the shovels may still not have been in the ground at this time, the building would only be as a drawing on someone’s office.
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Post by bringbackcaro on Oct 20, 2021 11:29:51 GMT -5
Crucis, the buildings were getting built whether Pine or Blossom were AD or not. I saw the original facility plan for the Hart Center and Fitton Field designed in the mid 2000’s’ as requested by a former AD, prior to Pine. They were on the cheap, and not nearly as extensive as the current Luth complex. With previous athletic leadership, the shovels may still not have been in the ground at this time, the building would only be as a drawing on someone’s office. Do you really think used car salesman Nathan Pine had anything to do with the Louths writing a check for $30M+? And if you do, do you think that our most well-know and well-respected athletics alum since Bob Cousy would not have been able to also secure the donation? —— The only thing guys like Nate Pine and Marcus Blossom are more skilled at than Gordie is ball washing search firms for these jobs.
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aaa8316
Crusader Century Club
Posts: 147
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Post by aaa8316 on Oct 20, 2021 11:46:17 GMT -5
I saw the original facility plan for the Hart Center and Fitton Field designed in the mid 2000’s’ as requested by a former AD, prior to Pine. They were on the cheap, and not nearly as extensive as the current Luth complex. With previous athletic leadership, the shovels may still not have been in the ground at this time, the building would only be as a drawing on someone’s office. Do you really think used car salesman Nathan Pine had anything to do with the Louths writing a check for $30M+? And if you do, do you think that our most well-know and well-respected athletics alum since Bob Cousy would not have been able to also secure the donation? Neither Pine nor Blossom had anything to do with Luth being committed to by the college. You wanna give credit to an AD for making that happen, give it to Regan -- but it certainly wasn't because of him. But, Regan was in charge when the Luth project got dialed up.
** As for the love affair with Gordie, I just don't see it. He was formally considered previously, and it didn't happen. He has zero experience in this career path, which whether people on this forum understand it or not, is not just about "running a business." And to Gordie's defense, why would you leave your incredible career and reputation in the insurance world to take on this thankless AD job at your alma mater which is a mess (understatement)? Hard pass.—— The only thing guys like Nate Pine and Marcus Blossom are more skilled at than Gordie is ball washing search firms for these jobs.
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Post by Crucis#1 on Oct 20, 2021 12:25:14 GMT -5
When a touchdown is scored, the credit is given to the guy who took it over the goal line, not the guy who executed the previous yardage on that series of downs. The previous AD DR had 15 years to accomplish the task, and the plans were not complete when he left. I had a conversation with the HC Physical Plant Director and reviewed the original design of a Football building above Fitton Field as designed around 2009-2010. It was not to the level of what was built as part of the Luth Complex.
The previous AD and administrators before NP, always had excuses or denials of why things were not being done. Some simply as getting rid of the original paint schemes and decor from the Hart and signage from the 1970’s. There were people who would have gladly volunteered to help complete the transition, but were told it could not be done. Once NP, was onboard, this simple change was executed without delay, in 2014.
I fully understand your gripe and personal animosity with the recent AD’s. We all have been in a similar situation during our careers in our various roles. It’s time to move on and look at it objectively. What is now getting accomplished that was not previously done. A minor thing for most, but for me, personally I was happy that the new fully array video boards are now at Fitton and the Hart. The previous board at Fitton installed around 2010, was on the cheap, in that the specific teams could not even be posted, just Home and Guest.......Guess Who?, I was told, read the program and you will find out. 🤣
Being a former accomplished athlete, does not provide the skills necessary to run a successful NCAA D1 Athletic Department. The many fine accomplishments of former USC stars Pat Haden, (Rose Bowl MVP in 1975, Rhodes Scholar, Academic All American, Successful Attorney, Venture Capitalist) and Mike Garrett (Heisman Trophy Winner In 1965, Law School graduate), were tarnished after they became the AD at their Alma Mater, USC.
I applaud the many accomplishments, recognitions and loyalty that Gordie has provided to Alma Mater. I considered him a friend, who I enjoy having a conversation with at games. I understand the emotional desire to see him bring glory to HC. However, I would hate to see his long time commitments to HC be sullied by the potential quagmire of running a D1 athletic program at this stage of his career.
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Post by gks on Oct 20, 2021 13:06:50 GMT -5
If the Athletic Department has been as poorly run as many believe it has for many years, wouldn't the next person-maybe Gordie-have a real opportunity to effect sifnificant improvement? I was telling myself not to get involved in this debate again, but I cannot resist. From looking at his firm's website, we know that he is one of seventeen white men (no women) described as a "Producers/Principals." (One man doesn't have a picture so I can't describe his race.) Like a majority of the others in that group, he is also listed as a Vice President. I think that producer is insurance talk for sales rep and I assume that principal means that they have an ownership interest in the firm. The firm has a President, a CFO, a COO, a VP of Claims, and a marketing professional. I am sure that he serves on committees and manages some people but the AD is a serious management job. I see no proof that Gordie has any background in that at all. Purple1 said " Gordie is nationally known to other ADs, scheduling and coaching referrals." Do we really think that this is true? Isn't Gordie more of a trivia question than anything else for most people now almost 35 years out? Many of these ADs are used to having current and former NFL and NBA stars calling them. I am not sure that a guy that never played a regular season down in the NFL and has never coached a day of college sports is going to impress them. If the College can afford to hire him for the Bobby V job and employ assistant/associate ADs to do the work, then maybe he makes sense. Short of that, he is unqualified under any scenario to be a D1 AD. Wow. You really have no idea or clue. You think some suit who oversaw ticket sales at some ACC or other conference school carries more juice?
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ignatius
Crusader Century Club
Posts: 122
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Post by ignatius on Oct 20, 2021 13:10:26 GMT -5
Do you really think used car salesman Nathan Pine had anything to do with the Louths writing a check for $30M+? And if you do, do you think that our most well-know and well-respected athletics alum since Bob Cousy would not have been able to also secure the donation? Neither Pine nor Blossom had anything to do with Luth being committed to by the college. You wanna give credit to an AD for making that happen, give it to Regan -- but it certainly wasn't because of him. But, Regan was in charge when the Luth project got dialed up.
** As for the love affair with Gordie, I just don't see it. He was formally considered previously, and it didn't happen. He has zero experience in this career path, which whether people on this forum understand it or not, is not just about "running a business." And to Gordie's defense, why would you leave your incredible career and reputation in the insurance world to take on this thankless AD job at your alma mater which is a mess (understatement)? Hard pass.—— The only thing guys like Nate Pine and Marcus Blossom are more skilled at than Gordie is ball washing search firms for these jobs. Dick Regan? You have to be kidding me. If you’re willing to give him so much as a shred of credit, then, oh man, do I have some stories for you.
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Post by gks on Oct 20, 2021 13:13:30 GMT -5
Dick Regan? You have to be kidding me. True that the plans were developed when Regan was there. I find more money in my couch cushions than that guy could raise. Coaches were recruiting on those plans for years and years before they finally moved ahead.
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Post by alum on Oct 20, 2021 13:20:44 GMT -5
I was telling myself not to get involved in this debate again, but I cannot resist. From looking at his firm's website, we know that he is one of seventeen white men (no women) described as a "Producers/Principals." (One man doesn't have a picture so I can't describe his race.) Like a majority of the others in that group, he is also listed as a Vice President. I think that producer is insurance talk for sales rep and I assume that principal means that they have an ownership interest in the firm. The firm has a President, a CFO, a COO, a VP of Claims, and a marketing professional. I am sure that he serves on committees and manages some people but the AD is a serious management job. I see no proof that Gordie has any background in that at all. Purple1 said " Gordie is nationally known to other ADs, scheduling and coaching referrals." Do we really think that this is true? Isn't Gordie more of a trivia question than anything else for most people now almost 35 years out? Many of these ADs are used to having current and former NFL and NBA stars calling them. I am not sure that a guy that never played a regular season down in the NFL and has never coached a day of college sports is going to impress them. If the College can afford to hire him for the Bobby V job and employ assistant/associate ADs to do the work, then maybe he makes sense. Short of that, he is unqualified under any scenario to be a D1 AD. Wow. You really have no idea or clue. You think some suit who oversaw ticket sales at some ACC or other conference school carries more juice? Purple1 was writing about college ADs picking up the phone to schedule a game or refer a coaching candidate. If you think that they are going to be star-struck because a 55 year old former I-AA player who had a good SID in the late 1980s calls them, you are confused. These people are professionals and most/likely all have met substantially more successful athletes than GL. For serious sports fans, the name rings a bell and that is about it. I acknowledged that he could do the Bobby V job because in Worcester and among alumni over the age of 45, he probably generates a sufficient buzz. And, all of the large font letters on this board don't matter because he doesn't come close to meeting the qualifications. He might get a courtesy interview but that would be it.
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Post by KY Crusader 75 on Oct 20, 2021 13:21:02 GMT -5
I think a school has "juice" much more than the man or woman in the role. For example let's have the athletic directors at Notre Dame and University of Akron trade jobs. Which one do you think will get more phone time from the AD's at USC, U Texas, Georgia, and Penn State when they place calls?
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Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Oct 20, 2021 17:51:41 GMT -5
Holy Cross has had great success in employing homegrown graduates with a Massachusetts / Worcester-centric background, and a narrow skill set /experience. See the former AD who was an accountant, the former Dean of Admissions, and the two most recent Chief Investment Officers.
Fr. B. knew the Luth gift was waiting in the wings before he arrived in Worcester. TPTB at GU were a tad envious about HC as they were then struggling to finance what would become the Thompson Intercollegiate Athletic Center.
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Post by A Clock Tower Purple on Oct 20, 2021 18:10:13 GMT -5
Wow. You really have no idea or clue. You think some suit who oversaw ticket sales at some ACC or other conference school carries more juice? Purple1 was writing about college ADs picking up the phone to schedule a game or refer a coaching candidate. If you think that they are going to be star-struck because a 55 year old former I-AA player who had a good SID in the late 1980s calls them, you are confused. These people are professionals and most/likely all have met substantially more successful athletes than GL. For serious sports fans, the name rings a bell and that is about it. I acknowledged that he could do the Bobby V job because in Worcester and among alumni over the age of 45, he probably generates a sufficient buzz. And, all of the large font letters on this board don't matter because he doesn't come close to meeting the qualifications. He might get a courtesy interview but that would be it. alum Nails it across the board.
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Post by rgs318 on Oct 20, 2021 18:14:34 GMT -5
"I acknowledged that he could do the Bobby V job because in Worcester and among alumni over the age of 45, he probably generates a sufficient buzz."
Have you looked at SHU's performance since Bobby V arrived? They have upgraded almost every team and are upgrading facilities in a big way. This AD hire could have a huge impact on HC sports. Whoever finally lands on Mt St James, I hope it is the best person for the position and for our programs, athletes and coaches..
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Post by A Clock Tower Purple on Oct 20, 2021 18:37:36 GMT -5
^
And now that Valentine has left SHU to run for Mayor of Stamford, his replacement is a bean counter hired to right the sinking financial ship that Valentine put SHU in.
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Post by Tom on Oct 20, 2021 19:11:31 GMT -5
^ And now that Valentine has left SHU to run for Mayor of Stamford, his replacement is a bean counter hired to right the sinking financial ship that Valentine put SHU in. John Farrell?
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