Megan Franklin, new UNI AD

[BCPanther]

Hartzell turned attendance around by papering the house. It's absolutely worth a try to get things rolling again!

[Born-a-Panther]

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.

I was on a walk on one of the CF trails last night and had the opportunity of running into Dr. Franklin walking the same trail as us. I stopped her and introduced myself, and we walked a couple of blocks together. This was one of the points of emphasis of our brief conversation. She mentioned they are putting a strong focus on getting attendance numbers back up and creating an environment people want to be part of.

[kochrab]

I was on a walk on one of the CF trails last night and had the opportunity of running into Dr. Franklin walking the same trail as us. I stopped her and introduced myself, and we walked a couple of blocks together. This was one of the points of emphasis of our brief conversation. She mentioned they are putting a strong focus on getting attendance numbers back up and creating an environment people want to be part of.

That's really encouraging to hear. David did nearly next to nothing to emphasize getting the gameday experience to be a draw for people--ticket prices included. Some of the best years of Panther athletics have had a heavy dose of creative ingenuity put into the gameday atmosphere and ticket promotions. I'll never forget my years at UNI (2009-2013) and standing in line to get in for men's basketball games as a student. Those games were incredibly fun.

[UNIdad]

Great to hear some good news going into this sports year.

[Panther AC]

Here's some not so great news: Jamar Thompson, former UNI fb player and 8-year veteran in the athletics department, is leaving for an athletics fundraising position at his home state University of Minnesota. His last day is this Friday.

[BCPanther]

Here's some not so great news: Jamar Thompson, former UNI fb player and 8-year veteran in the athletics department, is leaving for an athletics fundraising position at his home state University of Minnesota. His last day is this Friday.

Luckily, it seems as though Scott Peace is hitting the ground running. Lots of positive energy there.

[run&blade]

You are not going to draw dick for fans any more unless they win, and win a lot.

period. End of story.

I guess a few idiots still think otherwise.

[Wxcpanther]

Here's some not so great news: Jamar Thompson, former UNI fb player and 8-year veteran in the athletics department, is leaving for an athletics fundraising position at his home state University of Minnesota. His last day is this Friday.

It's a little sad, but he was a David Harris guy through and through. Not bad to get a total reset

[BCPanther]

It's a little sad, but he was a David Harris guy through and through. Not bad to get a total reset

Absolutely. Megan deserves to have her team in place the way she wants it and the more of those connections we can eliminate, the better...

[PantherAlum09]

I'm all for whatever we have to do to get the Dome and McLeod filled up. The kids deserve it. I just hope football shows at least an entertaining brand early on to spur some excitement.

[HBpanther]

UNI cant go to the same people for money all the time....Jamar was part of problem. Great guy, he saw what was coming. Him not able to fund raise outside giving him names .....not good

[kochrab]

It's generally a healthy thing to have some turnover when you have a new lead role filled like we just did. I'd be more concerned if there weren't some pressure being put on the current staff that were hired under David or have been there before him to get on board with a new direction or get off the ship. I'm encouraged to see Dr. Franklin making headway on that part.

[UNIpanther99]

Looks like a good hire with experience managing a challenging budget situation.

https://unipanthers.com/news/2024/8/20/general-jerry-wollmering-named-chief-financial-officer-for-uni-athletics

[BCPanther]

That dude got **** done and buildings built at a really hard place to get people to spend money.

Her first batch of hires has been pretty impressive and her media is getting better. Here we freaking go!

[kochrab]

That dude got **** done and buildings built at a really hard place to get people to spend money.

Her first batch of hires has been pretty impressive and her media is getting better. Here we freaking go!

I've been incredibly impressed with the hires we've been making. I also love seeing things like our student-athletes and Dr. Franklin participating at the state fair. Even from my distance in Colorado, her community presence has seemed like she's very much involved in and around the community.