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Pylons
Joined: 08/25/2005
Posts: 26,250
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Pylons
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Presidential relationships play pretty much no part in

grant decisions. Presidents wouldn't even be involved in research grant work unless it's a really unique situation. REALLY unique. Relationships between any level of academician in a suite play no part. That's not how academic people and their research works. Academics work with folks who provide mutually beneficial research relationships. Athletics has nothing to do with that. Pick an average faculty researcher and they probably can't even name half the schools with which they share an athletic conference. Hell, a pretty healthy percentage probably couldn't even name their conference. I worked with lots of students in- and out-of-state. Athletics just doesn't ultimately matter for most. I think people on an athletics board easily forget there's a whole big world out there that doesn't care much about sportsball. If athletics are so important, why is VT academically so healthy? (or maybe you think VT isn't?) We're a model of mediocrity at best in the high-visibility sports in recent history.
Posted: 03/12/2025 at 07:41 PM ET
(In response to this post by Big12 guy)

Thread Replies (54)

Full Thread →
2nd cup of coffee musings
VTCALS72 • 03/12/25 09:24 AM ET
Don't under-estimate tailgating
CoolJCPA • 03/12/25 01:36 PM ET
I am curious how far do you drive to tailgate at a Virginia Tech game?**
Stech • 03/12/25 02:31 PM ET
38 miles from Roanoke**
CoolJCPA • 03/12/25 03:29 PM ET
Thanks for letting me know, those coming from DMV, RIC and HR it becomes
Stech • 03/12/25 04:24 PM ET
Better games and Talgates be better
MrFantastic! • 03/13/25 08:06 AM ET
I think diminishing returns are a huge issue for mid-level programs like VT
HokieNoVA • 03/12/25 10:14 AM ET
It takes leaders with big visions that aren't scared, Sands Academically, &
Stech • 03/12/25 02:39 PM ET
VT needs to be whom they are . Not go crazy spending.
MrFantastic! • 03/12/25 01:33 PM ET
this is not crazy spending, but its a market driven business
1947Sunbowl • 03/15/25 08:56 AM ET
Great 1st paragraph, As for the 2nd
VTCALS72 • 03/12/25 11:34 AM ET
It's not the same model for Revenue different
1947Sunbowl • 03/15/25 09:00 AM ET
Iowa State is doing pretty well
hokieZ71 • 03/12/25 11:04 AM ET
Perfect, you just said that for who VT is, and yes, ISU is a peer
VTCALS72 • 03/12/25 11:36 AM ET
agree
MrFantastic! • 03/12/25 02:21 PM ET
This, x 1,000,000.
Baltimore_Hokie • 03/12/25 10:54 AM ET
It's all about student recruitment, donors, and
Big12 guy • 03/12/25 11:30 AM ET
Baloney
Pylons • 03/12/25 05:50 PM ET
Really. Look at student enrollment when you team does well. Look at
Big12 guy • 03/12/25 06:38 PM ET
VT has stunk at football for a decade
Pylons • 03/12/25 06:54 PM ET
Pylons, what percentage of VT’s student body is out of state? And has it
Poultrygeist • 03/12/25 10:05 PM ET
34% of undergrads are out-of-state
Pylons • 03/13/25 07:58 AM ET
And here is an interesting table where you can select the year
RJHokie • 03/12/25 11:05 PM ET
Here’s some info **
RJHokie • 03/12/25 10:35 PM ET
I didn't say that you get grants through athletics, i said that they
Big12 guy • 03/12/25 07:20 PM ET
Presidential relationships play pretty much no part in ◄
Pylons • 03/12/25 07:41 PM ET
All that is meaningless if you're a supporter of the program.
Baltimore_Hokie • 03/12/25 11:41 AM ET
Toledo added a medical school and
Big12 guy • 03/12/25 11:51 AM ET
Don't confuse a decision happening at a football game
Pylons • 03/13/25 08:04 AM ET
I agree with this 100%. Academic decisions are not made because
Big12 guy • 03/13/25 09:05 AM ET
Again, I'm not stupid. I understand the "front door of the U" concept.
Baltimore_Hokie • 03/12/25 12:53 PM ET
I don't think you are stupid, just
Big12 guy • 03/12/25 01:09 PM ET
People invest money n leaders that will deliver success. Sands Academically
Stech • 03/12/25 10:03 AM ET
This post assumes that Whit is supposed to be or allowed to compete for
VTCALS72 • 03/12/25 11:58 AM ET
Whit is the entrepreneur or should be not a powerpoint producer
1947Sunbowl • 03/12/25 05:36 PM ET
WB didn't have business accumen in the previous college athletics either.**
NokieHokie • 03/12/25 09:07 PM ET
probably wrong canddiate for a land grant school
1947Sunbowl • 03/13/25 08:29 AM ET
Of course he's allowed to fundraise any way needed. I'm sure plenty of
reestuart • 03/12/25 01:45 PM ET
In answer to your last part, the siloing within the university is strong.
saret • 03/12/25 05:03 PM ET
Whit just hired two nice people that have no fundraising experience, just
Stech • 03/12/25 12:33 PM ET
Bingo. Whit hires people who are thankful for the job and will not
VT ChemE 1986 • 03/12/25 01:27 PM ET
No it doesn't. You created these assumptions in your fantasy land head.**
NokieHokie • 03/12/25 12:32 PM ET
Is there nothing you won't excuse Whit from? You are his Supreme Apologist**
saret • 03/12/25 12:04 PM ET
I don't excuse him from anything within reason
VTCALS72 • 03/12/25 08:40 PM ET
I disagree. Whit is highly flawed and has no business running a p4 program**
Poultrygeist • 03/12/25 09:22 PM ET
Your very answer shows why it is the incorrect take
VTCALS72 • 03/12/25 09:49 PM ET
He is terrible at running the VT football program, however you define it.**
NokieHokie • 03/12/25 09:52 PM ET
Well, some of us would say he doesn't run it now. He's a perfunctory
saret • 03/12/25 09:41 PM ET
So, the answer is no, there is nothing you won't excuse him for and give
saret • 03/12/25 08:55 PM ET
Its like we're racing in the Grand Prix with a stock Toyota Corolla
HokieNoVA • 03/12/25 11:40 AM ET
A great AD that was an Assistant AD at *Ohio State for instance experience
Stech • 03/12/25 12:45 PM ET
KA-BOOOOOOOOMMMMMMM!! ^^THIS^^**
91HokieBob • 03/12/25 04:57 PM ET
I have been advocating for this for months. It is the path forward.**
VT ChemE 1986 • 03/12/25 01:29 PM ET
Exactly**
VTCALS72 • 03/12/25 12:01 PM ET
thank 100 percent says it all. period
1947Sunbowl • 03/12/25 10:41 AM ET