Sustain Fencing at Stanford - Donate by 8/30/11

[fdad]

Are you claiming that even Stanford's portion of the Fed and FICA and State and DUI/SUI will come from the fencing budget, as well as health/medical insurance, pensions, etc? I wouldn't say that all adds up to equal salary. I'd say it'll add up to .6 of salary for a total cost of 1.6x stated salary. Both co-head coaches probably make the same amount (or thereabouts) and the assistant coaches make less, most likely. But they both make most of their money from the club giving lessons and classes (or they should).

Ican't be sure, but I'd assume Stanford provides other benefits to employees that cost them something ((partial) healthcare, 401K, etc.)

[Superscribe]

I have corrected my spelling error as above. My knowledge is factual re the finances of many programs. Your post is funny; I appreciate the humor. Please feel free to contribute to the enormous amount of money that the Stanford fencing program already possesses. I most certainly will not.

From what i understand, you are a teenage girl. Why did you think it was important to proclaim the self evident fact that you will do nothing?

[indypacers]

I wish Stanford all the best in it's efforts, however; from the Summer Nationals I'd have to say with coaches recruiting, sporting colors and gear I've seen two student kids wearing Stanford gear and an older guy sporting a black Stanford shirt and a younger guy wearing a red one. I've met a saber mom and haven't not seen a single piece of literature/information on Stanford or it's efforts. If anything in that environment Stanford would at least generate some interest from an active database............

[hello?]

While it might seem crazy (or insensitive) for Stanford to be asking for money so publicly, given the fact that so many other NCAA fencing programs have been cut or might be cut, it would be crazy for them not to do so. When would it be "appropriate" for them to start asking for money again? A year before they run out of the pledged donations? Six months? At the time they hire the hung-ho administrator that has been making his mark cutting the fencing program wherever he is hired?... They need to start now. Just like every fencing program that has not started actively fund-raising should do so immediately.

[Mr.MightyMouse]

I wish Stanford all the best in it's efforts, however; from the Summer Nationals I'd have to say with coaches recruiting, sporting colors and gear I've seen two student kids wearing Stanford gear and an older guy sporting a black Stanford shirt and a younger guy wearing a red one. I've met a saber mom and haven't not seen a single piece of literature/information on Stanford or it's efforts. If anything in that environment Stanford would at least generate some interest from an active database............

1. Congratulations on meeting a saber mom.

2. The older guy in a black shirt is an Olympic Champion and 5 time World Champion - he does need a light up in the dark top hat to get attention of the right people.

3. The little kid you saw in a red shirt won Y12 WS today, so the older guy in the black shirt might be doing something correctly.

4. Stanford can not afford a 40 member team a la Penn State, so they do recruit albeit very selectively and (even more very) seldom.

5. The academic requirements to have a chance for getting into Stanford, are akin to buying a yacht - if you have to ask how much it is, you probably can not afford it.

[pillow]

While it might seem crazy (or insensitive) for Stanford to be asking for money so publicly, given the fact that so many other NCAA fencing programs have been cut or might be cut, it would be crazy for them not to do so. When would it be "appropriate" for them to start asking for money again? A year before they run out of the pledged donations? Six months? At the time they hire the hung-ho administrator that has been making his mark cutting the fencing program wherever he is hired?... They need to start now. Just like every fencing program that has not started actively fund-raising should do so immediately.

You miss the point. The point is that Stanford has been fortunate to get a large donation from a wealthy individual. That donation is well known to those of us in the fencing community. Therefore, I have no sympathy at all for the Stanford program begging for more money under the threat of being cut. What they SHOULD do is learn to better manage the money that has been donated, and work on the political front to try and avoid the ending of the program by the University.

Just asking for more money is crazy and in bad taste. I would much rather contribute to other programs that really need the money and have not been given such a large gift. If Stanford and its alums and supporters cannot get it together, as did Brown, then so be it.

[fencerX]

What wasn't explained in the OP was the deadline of August - it implied the program would be cancelled unless the goal was met by 8/30/11.

I read the "What Now" and "Why Now" sections of the OP to explain $20,000+ towards the fencing endowment by 8/30/11 as simply their near term goal.

[epeemike81]

You miss the point.

The irony of this statement is simply amazing...

You are missing the point of this entire thread... What is necessary to sustain a program long term is to make it independent of the whims of the athletic department. That is what Stanford is trying to do by raising an endowment. The generous gift they got is what is providing the breathing room for them to raise that money.

I assure you, if Brown does not raise a similar endowment, they will simply find themselves in the same danger a year or two from now.

-m

[gladius]

I read the "What Now" and "Why Now" sections of the OP to explain $20,000+ towards the fencing endowment by 8/30/11 as simply their near term goal.

You read it right. $20,000 is a near term goal only. The longer term goal is to have an endowment in the order of $5 million + to be non dependent from funding from Stanford Athletic Department for operating expenses.

This situation is not unique to Stanford nor is it unique to fencing. Other non revenue sports in top universities have done or are doing what Stanford Fencing is trying to do. Every college fencing program (or programs of non revenue producing sports) is under the Sword of Damocles held up by a horse hair. The strength of the hair, whether measured or perceived may vary, but a horse hair it is and ignoring this fact may produce very unpleasant surprises.

Brown, Stanford and other top universities may appear to be more at risk with their fencing program but the pain and fear is felt by all. Talk to any head coach at any university and no one will tell you he feels safe or sleeps peacefully at night. They all are at risk of being cut abruptly (Rutgers, anyone?).

What Stanford Fencing is trying to do--raise an endowment to become non dependent for the operating budget from the Athletic Department--is what other top university programs in fencing and other sports are trying to do, and if they don't they'd better get going...

While it might seem crazy (or insensitive) for Stanford to be asking for money so publicly, given the fact that so many other NCAA fencing programs have been cut or might be cut, it would be crazy for them not to do so. When would it be "appropriate" for them to start asking for money again? A year before they run out of the pledged donations? Six months? At the time they hire the hung-ho administrator that has been making his mark cutting the fencing program wherever he is hired?... They need to start now. Just like every fencing program that has not started actively fund-raising should do so immediately.

Absolutely 100% right!

You miss the point. The point is that Stanford has been fortunate to get a large donation from a wealthy individual. That donation is well known to those of us in the fencing community. Therefore, I have no sympathy at all for the Stanford program begging for more money under the threat of being cut. What they SHOULD do is learn to better manage the money that has been donated, and work on the political front to try and avoid the ending of the program by the University.

Just asking for more money is crazy and in bad taste. I would much rather contribute to other programs that really need the money and have not been given such a large gift. If Stanford and its alums and supporters cannot get it together, as did Brown, then so be it.

(my emphasis: your reply is to hello? above)

I generally avoid commenting on your posts for two reasons,

(a) you seldom understand what the topic is, and

(b) when on rare occasions you understand the topic most of your comments are... puzzling

This time in your reply to hello? above you exceed even your own... standards.

[pillow]

You read it right. $20,000 is a near term goal only. The longer term goal is to have an endowment in the order of $5 million + to be non dependent from funding from Stanford Athletic Department for operating expenses.

This situation is not unique to Stanford nor is it unique to fencing. Other non revenue sports in top universities have done or are doing what Stanford Fencing is trying to do. Every college fencing program (or programs of non revenue producing sports) is under the Sword of Damocles held up by a horse hair. The strength of the hair, whether measured or perceived may vary, but a horse hair it is and ignoring this fact may produce very unpleasant surprises.

Brown, Stanford and other top universities may appear to be more at risk with their fencing program but the pain and fear is felt by all. Talk to any head coach at any university and no one will tell you he feels safe or sleeps peacefully at night. They all are at risk of being cut abruptly (Rutgers, anyone?).

What Stanford Fencing is trying to do--raise an endowment to become non dependent for the operating budget from the Athletic Department--is what other top university programs in fencing and other sports are trying to do, and if they don't they'd better get going...




Absolutely 100% right!



(my emphasis: your reply is to hello? above)

I generally avoid commenting on your posts for two reasons,

(a) you seldom understand what the topic is, and

(b) when on rare occasions you understand the topic most of your comments are... puzzling

This time in your reply to hello? above you exceed even your own... standards.

Do you have any personal interest in the Stanford Women's fencing program you would like to share with us?

[Mr.MightyMouse]

Do you have any personal interest in the Stanford Women's fencing program you would like to share with us?

Another missed point?

C'mon the thread is about keeping a fencing program, not about Gore Vidal's opinion on fiduciary obligations of elite schools threatened sports programs.

On a positive note - talked to a friend who sent $50 yesterday - so Ms. Jellison's message is not entirely wasted on pillowfights.

[pillow]

Another missed point?

C'mon the thread is about keeping a fencing program, not about Gore Vidal's opinion on fiduciary obligations of elite schools threatened sports programs.

On a positive note - talked to a friend who sent $50 yesterday - so Ms. Jellison's message is not entirely wasted on pillowfights.

Nice that GLADIUS has you for a spokesperson for something he wishes not to comment about. Wonder why?

As far as your thoughts about "keeping a fencing program"---I, nor anyone else would like to see Stanford fold. As I said, there is nothing wrong with raising money for a team. Although $$ is rather important, so are competition results. Perhaps Stanford needs to improve in this area as well.
I would also note that regardless of how much money is endowed or raised, the political backchannels between the fencing program and the AD and in fact, those higher up the food chain must be cultivated. Perhaps Stanford needs work there too. If you feel that "privatizing an athletic team" will insure its survival by isolating it from financial pressure, you are mistaken. The team must be an important part of the culture of the school. Do you think that OSU and UND fencing are now in the process of forming their own separate bank accounts--even if they are, if the school wants to cut the teams, it will, as there are more factors in a school retaining a team than just money. There are issues of school tradition, legal liability, the power of the individual head coach and his/her relationship with the AD, among others.

Stanford has a great start with the money it already has. I suggest it work on some of the political factors to try and survive, rather than beg for more money.

[indypacers]

Pillow,,,,,

home run in your response. The irony is that after reading some of the other responses I see why "fencing programs" have the problems they do. This post is a plea to help a financially distressed program a humble plea, yet in the next breathe there is all this attitude about school's reputation and high academic standards. I think all the NCAA school with active fencing programs all have high academic standard and good academic reputation, but not all schools have the deep funding pockets, or produce winning results or MANAGE THEIR RESOURCES EFFECTIVELY.

high academic standards = utilizing the resources of an College of Business/MBA undergrad/grad program to model out a plan to effectively manage a NCAA program and a developmental high school/club program to serve as an ancillary revenue stream.

and Pillow - managing the politics of academia is so on point, and I think the body fencing fails to hit that target even when they are looking at the score area and have the point in line and right of way.

[mrbiggs]

Not pointing fingers or arguing, just typing into the air that just because a fencing team is given a certain amount of money, that doesn't mean that they have any say whatsoever in how to spend it. In fact, my experience is that they generally have nearly no say.

[Jason]

I suggest it work on some of the political factors to try and survive, rather than beg for more money.

Not mutually exclusive.

[Eva.Jellison]

The 8/30/11 deadline is to get together a $20,000 endowment donation out of smaller individual contributions, which I guess is not allowed otherwise.

We have three paid coaches and other volunteers who are not paid but occasionally travel.

The program was on the chopping block along with other sports who don't have their own endowment and don't make the university money (only men's and women's basketball, baseball and football generate revenue). There are some politics involving space mostly.