2004: Rate Julie Simon-Dronet's job performance

[CajunZ1]

_ But I understand the frustration.

Its awfully hard to see NIU get something more than they deserved because of friends in the right places.

Where's our friends? When do we ever get more than what we deserve?

It's also hard to see ____ty schools like Buffalo get their act together PDQ and earn a bowl.

And it's damn near impossible to watch teams that we used to beat regularly in football and basketball (Memphis I'm looking right at you) moving along.

Don't even get me started about the "never heard ofs" that somehow got it done (Davidson?, G. Mason?)

I am patient. But we still can't ask WHEN'S our time while we are still asking IF we'll ever have a time again. _

*slow clap*

[HoustonCajun]

_
Oh, and he not only has a University run in the meantime, he also has to completely retool it from the previous admin.

Last time I checked, an athletic department was also part of a university. This school has been run for decades like athletics is totally separate and apart from the university. Let's fix the academic side, then we'll get around to the athletic side. BCS schools understand the importance of great athletic programs and what that means to the university in terms of visibility, credibility, alumni support, funding, marketing, etc. Heck, not just BCS programs. Look at Appalachian State. UL has never "got it". My point is that Dr. A never "got it". I like to think Dr. S "gets it".

"Many of you think that everything should happen right away".

Athletics doesn't need to be treated like the red-headed step child of the past. I have been following UL athletics for over 40 years and the one constant has been "wait til next year". We'll address it later. The problem is, it never gets addressed. We settle for the cheap way out every time and that means mediocrity, which we have all come to accept as the norm at UL. We are starting to see some areas getting fixed, but never get the big picture. Part of the university "retooling" you mentioned is athletics. It should no longer be business as usual because that hasn't worked. When athletics finally takes off, just watch the overall impact on the university. Athletics is not mutually exclusive with the university as you would have us believe.

"It means he knows what he's doing. He knows how the system works. He'll make his move after he finishes the groundwork. That takes time."

I don't doubt that he knows what he is doing and is politically grounded in the state, which will certainly help UL. He hasn't been in office that long, so I know it takes time to complete his groundwork. My impatience is over poor coaching and poor results, particularly in football and basketball that we have had to tolerate year after year after year. Nothing seems to be done, coaches get continuing votes of confidence, and we continue with losing records, losing attendance, losing revenue ... we are just tired of losing. And, after almost 10 years, we still have this name debacle and identity issue.

Give us a vision for this university, both academically and athletically. Give us hope and understanding that things are changing for the better. I can wait a while longer knowing that. It is the lack of communication and inaction that seem to be the hallmarks of UL that are a major cause of frustration. This board is simply a venue for releasing that frustration and finding fellow alumni who share those same feelings. And, in your case, those who do not. But, that is OK. Dialogue is good. Does it have an impact on the university? Doubtful. But, a lot of positive things have come from this forum and expressing our feelings, concern and love for UL is one of them.

[rhineaux]

One of the reasons I don't come on here much any more is that too many fans are simply ridiculous. Too many of you guys think that change is as easy as hitting a few keystrokes and then clicking the "Submit" button. Many of you think that everything should happen right away, and then proudly spout your opinions on things you don't even begin to understand.

Isn't this the premise by which your boy got elected a couple months ago?

[CajunSaint]

_ Isn't this the premise by which your boy got elected a couple months ago? _

i'm not going to be pretend i completely understand your point, but i believe that some changes are so obviously necessary, they should be easy to make. speaking of ul athletics, of course.