about softball doing more with less, and football doing less with more. All of that is true. However, what really irks me is the obstructionist decisions made by the AthDept (i.e., Babcock, Helms and Wurthman) re: softball. @VTChip is too much of a gentleman to say so (I'm not so encumbered). The aforementioned have taken multiple actions to make Chip's fundraising difficult. They have repeatedly made his fundraising efforts re: game worn softball jerseys difficult, if not almost impossible. First, saying the jerseys couldn't be worn in the actual game (a last minute decision). Next, saying the jerseys could only be made by NIKE (which he got from a vendor, not directly from NIKE); then, saying the jerseys couldn't have a tribute to Arthur on them. Yet, Chip motored on, which is his MO, and look how successful he's been. Needless to say, the efforts by Chip and @laphroaig to sell tickets to softball were repeatedly rebuffed. They (Whit, Brad and Chris) should be embarrassed. It should be noted, it was because of the neglect by Chris Helms of the SB program (playing with 5-year old socks) that initiated Chip's beneficent efforts (I guess that obstruction by Helms had a benefit). Guys/Gals, those of us who contribute to the VT Athletic programs are swimming upstream against a triumvirate of muting obstructionists who won't even communicate with us. All they do is grift us for money, make some obstructionist decisions to hinder the non-rev sports, and treat us like mushrooms. We get what we deserve. ** Edited by saret at 9/3/2024, 4:13:37 PM

operate 1980 in 2024.

really love to write an article about how WB and his oom pahs have done all they could to frustrate and place barriers in fron to Pete and the hard working ladies year after year. I took the time to do an estimation of how much $$ could be made for Softball ( very conservative estimates), and after minimal expenses, $200,000 to as much as $250,000 would be possible, not including any NCAA post-season money. I used to be a WB guy, but softball, as well as his spending on several other sports, has depleted any good vibes I has for the man Sorry for the rant, but get rid of crap programs like Volleyball and tennis, and put $3-4 million into softball and wresting, where they have a chance to become even more nationally relevant than they currently are, and yearly show why they are keystone sports, along with FB and BB!!

Whit, Brad and Chris. As I said, I'm not so encumbered. I openly admit Chip is a better man than I.

Waiting to be wheeled into the operating room for my ankle surgery and I’m going with a smile on my face. 😂

conference revenues further diverge, I fear that this will become increasingly difficult. Otherwise peer schools (e.g. UMD, UK) will begin to fund better teams simply because they can. We put most if not all of our eggs in the football basket for what many considered a “do or die year” to “audition” for the P2. How’d that work out yesterday in Nashville to an SEC bottom feeder and converted FCS quarterback? I know, I know, this is a softball board, and I love and contribute to the team. But there are larger forces in play, and I’m beginning to feel like even if I increase my giving tenfold, it isn’t going to significantly move the needle without some overarching structural change. And those with the money advantage won’t easily give it up. Sorry for the negativity. I guess I’m still stinging from yesterday (the hype made it worse) and now I feel there is little that can be done to stem an inevitable slide towards being irrelevant in all sports. I do appreciate all you do, and will continue to try to do what I can within reason. Just feeling down at the moment.

right...But it was still only the first game.

Yesterday was certainly a disappointment - no question about that. Football certainly has to drive the bus, but I do worry about what will be left over. When I saw the recently published 2023 softball budget numbers, that really raised more of a red flag for me. I suppose we'll just have to support the best we can. If you missed them, here was the Top 20 programs by budgeted dollars for 2023. The fact that VT has been able to be competitive despite the difference in dollars is amazing. 2023 Top 60 Softball Budgets 1. Oklahoma $6.58M 2. Florida State $5.37M ***** 3. Tennessee $4.10M 4. Washington $3.97M 5. Alabama $3.79M 6. Auburn $3.50M 7. Oklahoma State $3.48M 8. Texas $3.42M 9. Ole Miss $3.39M 10. LSU $3.32M 11. Florida $3.18M 12. Arkansas $3.18M 13. Arizona $2.99M 14. Oregon $2.89M 15. Stanford $2.89M ***** 16. Michigan $2.88M 17. Notre Dame $2.88M ***** 18. Nebraska $2.86M 19. Missouri $2.85M 20. Clemson $2.83M ***** 31. Duke $2.34M ***** 36. Boston College $2.16M ***** 39. Syracuse $2.11M ***** 40. North Carolina $2.06M ***** 43. Georgia Tech $2.04M ***** 47. Virginia Tech $1.95M **************** 50. California $1.84M ***** 54. Virginia $1.78M ***** 56. Pittsburgh $1.77M ***** 59. Louisville $1.71M *****

has benchmarked the various VT sports in terms of expenditures versus actual finish? Has anybody in the VTAD done that? While the plain and simple fact is the revenue sports need to be fed to keep the revenue generation pump primed benchmarking the sports gives an indication of where results measure up to investment and COULD be a useful tool in evaluating programs and coaches as well as determining future allocations. Another benchmark worth considering is revenue generation opportunities foregone. VT softball is clearly doing more with less and the only wildcard is actually how much less IF other programs are generating off budget revenue like your efforts for VT softball. It cannot be said enough, THANKS FOR ALL YOU DO!

tight ship. Tracking and analysis such as you suggest might lead to accountability, and Whit can't allow that, because he's in charge. You and I have discussed on a few occasions how viable the CFO might or might not be. I think we're getting some answers.

asking for data like that would seem fairly standard for board members and those that oversee department managers. I am sure very little occurred like that before CJF's dalliance with Baylor but, after learning how far VT was behind, if I was a board member I would want more benchmarking data not just on football but, sports and other university departments.

it does depend on how readily available and reliable the data might be and the intended uses or actions from such data. I have seen as a board member where benchmarking data was very helpful and other cases where it was less useful than toilet paper but, (1) you never know until you ask the question and see what's available and (2) determine how it might be used.

job it was made for. :-)

big boys/girls in all sports will be to find one 6-7 figure sponsor for each individual sport, or find a huge sponsor for all VT athletics. Even with the high dollar donors already on board, that is obviously not enough. A $20-30 million per year donor will allow sports the opportunity to compete at the highest level in all offered sports. It's that or a P2 conference invite, which I don't see happening soon, if ever.

it's a curse instead of a blessing. "Softball doesn't need more money. They're doing very well with what they have."

Baseball is doing less w/ more. Ditto for men’s basketball. Women’s basketball is more like softball, and I am already a big fan of Coach Duffy. I sure hope football can turn it around, every VT sport would benefit from that. So I’m rooting hard for that to happen. But regardless of that, softball ought to be getting more and baseball ought to be getting less, in my opinion. It comes down to how well the staff uses their resources. I think Pete and his staff have proven that they know the value of a dollar and whatever resources they get are invested wisely. I am not sure the return on dollars into the baseball program has been all that great. They had one outstanding season, but they aren’t that consistent. Some of the in-game pitching decisions are just baffling, and player development seems to be hit or miss. Softball hasn’t reached the peak we want them to reach yet (‘22 was very close), but I think they can. They are consistently good to great. You know what to expect when you watch them and I think Pete is excellent at roster construction in terms of having all the pieces he needs and having good instincts about how they’ll play together. This is not meant to pit softball against baseball. They can both do well simultaneously (as they did in ‘22), and I hope they do so in the future. But when resources are limited, and baseball (like softball) is never going to become a profitable program, you allocate more to the Olympic program(s) that can best elevate the overall athletic department. By definition, that means less to the ones that are less likely to elevate it. Softball will look very good in that regard when it gets compared to all other Olympic sports, men’s and women’s. And there are a few other Olympic programs (on both the men’s and women’s side) that are comparatively underfunded relative to their results and ultimate potential. ** Edited by HolidayInnHokie at 9/2/2024, 4:33:33 PM

When he arrived the talent level was in the crapper. See the wipeout vs Maryland in the Pinstripe Bowl.

... when hell freezes over for the 3rd time.

Can't, won't, don't know how to raise some money with reserved seats at TSP. Call me selfish but something in return for a donation is not too much to ask.

We should be giving softball at least half a million more immediately. Ever hear any scuttlebutt on how we stack up with other ACC schools on NiL?