Megan Franklin, new UNI AD

[BCPanther]

Where does Steve Gearhart rank in all this?

He works for the foundation with large donors. I don't believe he has any type of PR role.

[asihe_1991]

In light of some this fundraising discussion, has anyone else had experiences with PSC where it seems like they simply don't want your money? I'm a small-time donor - I'm not getting sideline passes or traveling with a team. But I have spent 2+ years trying to figure out what my PSC member ID is so I can get "credit" for my donations and I can't get anyone at PSC to tell me what it is. It's not listed anywhere in the annual thing I get in the mail with the donation form, and I have never once had someone return the voicemails I have left. I got an email back once and rather than tell me what my damn member ID is, they just said "thanks for your donation." I know it's a little petty to expect something in return for the little bit I give, but if I'm supposed to get a voucher to use at the bookstore, I'd like to actually get it. Maybe I'm just a dumbass and nobody else has this problem lol

['70 Grad]

On the pledge form, the very first line is the ID number. It isn't pre-filled in as a returning member when you join the second, etc., year? I get bookstore vouchers with my football season ticket pack or fall benefits mailing, I think. I know that things have been slow the last 4-5 months since Nathanial Smith left and a replacement did not immediately come in, as discussed above. Your problem does go back further?

[asihe_1991]

On the pledge form, the very first line is the ID number. It isn't pre-filled in as a returning member when you join the second, etc., year? I get bookstore vouchers with my football season ticket pack or fall benefits mailing, I think. I know that things have been slow the last 4-5 months since Nathanial Smith left and a replacement did not immediately come in, as discussed above. Your problem does go back further?

Yes, this has been a problem for me for at least a couple years. The member ID is not listed where it should be on the things I get in the mail, and nobody at UNI has ever been able to tell me what it is. Might just be a 'me' problem lol

[Purple member]

In light of some this fundraising discussion, has anyone else had experiences with PSC where it seems like they simply don't want your money? I'm a small-time donor - I'm not getting sideline passes or traveling with a team. But I have spent 2+ years trying to figure out what my PSC member ID is so I can get "credit" for my donations and I can't get anyone at PSC to tell me what it is. It's not listed anywhere in the annual thing I get in the mail with the donation form, and I have never once had someone return the voicemails I have left. I got an email back once and rather than tell me what my damn member ID is, they just said "thanks for your donation." I know it's a little petty to expect something in return for the little bit I give, but if I'm supposed to get a voucher to use at the bookstore, I'd like to actually get it. Maybe I'm just a dumbass and nobody else has this problem lol

I had this problem a few years ago and did some research. At that time I was able to find it somewhere on the PSC website

About Us | Support The Panthers

Now I see this isn't updated either

[MVCBeat]

Yes, this has been a problem for me for at least a couple years. The member ID is not listed where it should be on the things I get in the mail, and nobody at UNI has ever been able to tell me what it is. Might just be a 'me' problem lol

That is very frustrating that they can't take even a few minutes to help you with your problem. It isn't a "you" problem. You should be frustrated.

If I were you I would email Jacoby Odegaard. He is the member of the development team that is lowest on the hierarchy. I have found those folks can be more responsive to lower end donors.
[email protected]

[Born-a-Panther]

Pete is so good and passionate at what he does. He's been great for the university.

This cannot be stated enough. I have had several personal interactions with him, exchanged several messages regarding various things... and he totally "gets it." From the athletics side, the academic side, the community side, the relationship side... he just gets it. He understands how it all has to and is supposed to work together. Whoever found him and made the decision to bring him in is a genius.

[iron panther]

That is very frustrating that they can't take even a few minutes to help you with your problem. It isn't a "you" problem. You should be frustrated.

If I were you I would email Jacoby Odegaard. He is the member of the development team that is lowest on the hierarchy. I have found those folks can be more responsive to lower end donors.
[email protected]

just out of curiosity what would be considered a lower end donor?

['70 Grad]

I just sent an email with a copy to Jacoby. His copy bounced back. Is he gone?

[Panther AC]

I just sent an email with a copy to Jacoby. His copy bounced back. Is he gone?

Yes, he took an athletics department fundraising job with Purdue University.

['70 Grad]

I figured his (training) time was about up here. Nice step up for him, but further from home in S Dak.

[Newsbreaker]

I think we're at a point where we need to be pretty concerned about Dr Franklin.
She did 20 plus minutes with Cole today and it was, quite simply, a disaster. She had zero specifics, offered zero vision for anything that she wants to accomplish and actually gave off the vibe that she doesn't understand what FCS football is or where it fits in the grand scheme of things.
She didn't seem to have a real answer for what she envisions for her senior staff. She very obviously didn't contribute much or have any ideas for the future of sports at our level when discussed at Valley meetings.
https://1650thefan.com/2024/06/05/6-...mpany-podcast/

I'm just coming to this thread, and I listened to her interview. I don't think it's quite as negative as you guys. There is a lot of vaguely corporate leader speak, but that's not an inherently bad thing. What I hear there is a leader who isn't terribly comfortable with the forum type, and who is still in learn-and-plan mode.

Would I most like "my ambition is this, we have that money in hand already to do it, and my senior team is going to be structured in a specific way to accomplish it all?"

Yes. Obviously. And some leaders come in and are able to do that. But I've worked with good and bad leaders at organizations that make our athletic budget look like Tuesday morning's rounding error, and with much bigger problems to solve.

Sometimes leaders who come in with big statements and seemingly concrete plans are awful, because they work in service of a half-informed vision. The best leaders I've worked with are a bit squishy, high-level, and non-specific for a long while, so they can listen and learn. And then, when the gates open, the horses really leave the barn.

I'm hoping for the latter.

[UNIAlum95]

I'm just coming to this thread, and I listened to her interview. I don't think it's quite as negative as you guys. There is a lot of vaguely corporate leader speak, but that's not an inherently bad thing. What I hear there is a leader who isn't terribly comfortable with the forum type, and who is still in learn-and-plan mode.

Would I most like "my ambition is this, we have that money in hand already to do it, and my senior team is going to be structured in a specific way to accomplish it all?"

Yes. Obviously. And some leaders come in and are able to do that. But I've worked with good and bad leaders at organizations that make our athletic budget look like Tuesday morning's rounding error, and with much bigger problems to solve.

Sometimes leaders who come in with big statements and seemingly concrete plans are awful, because they work in service of a half-informed vision. The best leaders I've worked with are a bit squishy, high-level, and non-specific for a long while, so they can listen and learn. And then, when the gates open, the horses really leave the barn.

I'm hoping for the latter.

I hope you are correct. That said I would have hoped to hear at least an acknowledgement of where some of UNI's biggest challenges are and that she's understanding that the status quo isn't going to cut it anymore. There really was nothing in that to indicate she understands what it is going to take to get the ship righted and back on course. It's too early to fully judge but if there isn't a better message out of her by fall, I will be disappointed.

[kochrab]

We just hired Scott Peace as the Senior Associate Athletic Director for Revenue Generation. Peace has a decent amount of experience over the last 10 years, but I would imagine others have better info.

Article here: https://unipanthers.com/news/2024/7/...nue-generation

[kochrab]

Didn't know where else to put this, but I have seen A LOT more ticket promotions on social media for all our major sports this upcoming season. Seems like they're really making a conceded effort to get butts in seats this season. If I were local I'd totally be hitting up the family fun pack tickets which are $14 for any "home Football, Volleyball, Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball and Wrestling contests" also including a soda and hot dog in the price of it.