Michael Smith and Derek Horne (pictured) are the two finalists for FAMU’s vacant athletic director position. According to published reports, both candidates were interviewed last week.In April, FAMU President James Ammons decided to extend the AD search after interviewing two prospects.
Smith has served as FAMU’s interim AD since January. Prior to that, he served as FAMU’s director of business & auxiliary services. His duties included supervising the University Bookstore, Copy Center, Dining Services, Meal Plan Program, Rattler Card, Post Office, Beverage and Snack Vending, Laundry Services, and AMEX Cards.
Horne is the associate athletic director at the University of Mississippi. He is in his 14th year there, having begun as an assistant athletic director in 1995.
At Ole Miss, Horne spearheads the athletics department’s correspondence and development with former letterwinners in all sports. He also oversees the CHAMPS Life Skills program and concessions at all athletics venues. Additionally, he assists the athletics director in administering all activities of the department and serves as a representative of the athletics department at alumni, civic and intercollegiate athletics functions.
No offense, but when you read Horne's bio on his schools website it reads like the stereotypical black face with no power to show diversity. I can't believe there is a real intention to hire him especially given other comments by President Ammons where he compliments Smith as part of a team that's "smartly" reducing the budget. Humph!
ReplyDelete7:06 AM, I totally agree with you. Sounds like Horne was a regular clerk at Ole Miss.
ReplyDeleteWhat type of AD experience has Mike had? At least Horne would be coming with a "clue". Mike doesn't even have that.
ReplyDeleteI would like to know what happen to the original two finalist, Magee & McElroy?
ReplyDeleteOnce again this shows how incompetent Dr. Ammons is.This will be the year famu falls and heads will start turning to Ammons.
ReplyDelete@ 10:07 am... Ammons could take the rest of the year off and not be as incompetent as his two predecessors !
ReplyDeleteYou must be one of the people he sent to the unemployment lines his first week you hater!
11:19 AM, I TOTALLY agree with you. Some of these misinformed haters must have a severe case of amnesia. How soon they forget the mess that Dr. Ammons inherited. Whoever Dr. Ammons chooses for the next AD, I will support him until I'm given valid reasons not to. With that said, I hope he selects Mike Smith. We are hypocrites if we don't give our own an opportunity.
ReplyDeleteMike Smith "Mr. Excitement" for FAMU's AD
I like Mr. Smith. Unless Horne can promise that he can take us to the NEXT LEVEL, I'm not impressed. The information I found on Horne was little at best. It all made him sound like he wasn't leadership material and that he was only a former athlete brought home to make good with the letter winners and alumni. Nothing about fund raising and "OLE MISS" has so many ADs I wonder if he'd be overwhelmed of our demands and needs. Does he know anything about Florida, Florida A&M, Tallahassee, the HBCU experience/saga? How about the MEAC and our NEED to escape form it ASAP? Can he get all of our sports on a competitive championship level in a few years while ensuring matriculation and development of student athletes? Most interestingly, does he know how to raise funds form our base and others and help turn our BRAND into the envy of the collegiate and licensing world? Perhaps he should be brought here to do just about what he does at "Ole Miss" but not the head director? I have questions for Mr. Smith, and I'm sure he'll return my query with answers.
ReplyDeleteI like Mr. Smith for the AD job. We should look to add McGee to the staff tho. We may have a job in the department for Horne yet though.
ReplyDeleteGo with Mike Smith for AD. He is a hardworking and honest young man
ReplyDeleteI completely understand why some of you are questioning Horne's credential; however, what are Smith's credential. Prior to being named the interim, did he have any athletic administration experiences? From what I can tell, he does have managerial experiences as the (former) director of business and auxiliary services. However, such experiences don't necessarily mean he will be able to LEAD an athletic program. IMHO, our athletic department really needs someone who is a visionary, has some type of athletic administration experience, and can grow our brand.
ReplyDeleteI'm not so sure Smith's or Horne's bios suggest they are the visionaries we need at this time. However, at this late stage in the process, we will have to live with one of them, probably Smith.
And yes, I will support whoever is eventually hired.
This is hilarious!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHorne is at the very least an associate Athletic Director from a school that athleticallyIS where we would LOVE to be (Unless you want to argue that the MEAC outperformes the SEC competitively and finacially). He actually has EXPERIENCE dealing with managing a university's athletic program. You'd rather take a director of "Auxillary Service" at FAMU over an Assoc. AD from an SEC school!!!!
Wow!!!
I guess that is why we will forever be in the MEAC, because we only will hire from there. How is someone supposed to get us around a corner if they themselves have never been there.
Alot of you are saying pretty much hire Smith for personal reasons....can anyone tell me his qualifications for dealing with major athletic programs, athletic revenues, what he's done to negotiate TV rights, student athletes.....etc??????
Oh, nevermind....he's doing that NOW as INTERIM.
God forbid we choose someone that has been doing it for FOURTEEN years in a major program. I guess its too bad Horne didn't graduate from FAMU, be a family member of someone who already works at FAMU or attend one of your churches.
I like Mike Smith too, as a person, but this is the reason they make the statement....."Business, never personal."
I swear some of you all would have your gardner file your tax returns (just because they went to your school) and wonder why you got audited four years later.
This conversation is LAUGHABLE!!!
What's laughable is that he didn't pick from the first two....McElroy and Magee whose qualifications in comparsion to the current "finalists" are stellar plus.
ReplyDeleteI know Michael Smith great guy but he will be a puppet to Roslyn Hall. Mrs. Hall needs to go back to where she came from alone with all the North Carolinian’s. Dr A is loosing his alumni with the reason firings and the decisions that are being made by his staff. Derrick MaGee was the best person for the job the current Foundation Director and the Athletic Marketing person is a joke as well with no plan neither one has any experience at what they are doing fast talking none proving jokes. Athletic staff don’t even get there Marketing Department any credit other than walking around and playing golf.
ReplyDeleteSeems like FAMU is making the same mistakes of its past. In order to move forward and reach higher, we need to bring in someone who thinks outside of same ole same ole. I got excited when I learned that Derrick McGee pulled out and ex University of Miami Grad and FIU Asc. AD A.C. Tellison was contacted by several Rattler Alum to throw his name in the hat. Not sure if he followed up but if he did, not bringing him in to interview, lets us know that we are the same ole FAMU..nothing has changed. I will reconsider where I make my future donations, can't no longer support this mess!!!!
ReplyDeleteResponding to A$$ kissing 11:19 AM. I'm no hater, just someone who knowns from inside what's going on. I know my facts. I guess you get your news from The Negro National Enquirer.This is the year you will be shocked.
ReplyDeleteI will continue to send my donations to FAMU. Is this the same Kevin Hicks that was pulled from the slums of Miami by FAMU, given a scholarship to FAMU, left FAMU to run pro, bad mouth FAMU, went over to FSU and help trained their runners, and was made to look like a fool by FSU? If so, I would be ashamed to show my face at FAMU again.
ReplyDeleteSome of you people are unreal. An AD's accomplishments depend a lot on the support of the alumni & supporters. Mike Smith is a very smart young man. I think he will do well as FAMU's AD. If he's selected, he definitely has my support. So does Dr. Ammons.
5:16 PM, this is the year YOU will be shocked. Take your ball & glove and go home.
ReplyDeleteThe sooner some of you people realize that you can't run FAMU's business, the better off you clowns will be. We have people in place at the university to do their respective jobs. Do yours (if you have one) and let them do theirs.
ReplyDeleteI support Dr. Ammons & FAMU.
5:16
ReplyDelete"shocked" what's that supposed to mean ?
2:48 p.m. you summed up things nicely. I don't know Mr. Smith but according to the article he is responsible for food service and vending. As a parent of a FAMU student and friends with several faculty, I know first hand what a lousy job Sodexo does for the university. If Mr. Smith is responsible for the level of service provided by this direct report then he clearly has not demonstrated a level of leadership capable and worthy of an AD.
ReplyDeleteIt would have been perfectly reasonable to find and hire an experienced AD and make Mr. Smith an Associate so oneday he will be ready to take over and do great things. For those of us who attended FAMU many years ago were taught to LEAD not blindly follow. It is our responsibility to voice concerns and share our concerns about decisions that impact FAMU.
Hello, I started this conversation with the "No offense . . ." I am not promoting the hiring of Smith, rather I'm saying that it appears rigged in his favor because the other guy isn't very qualified. If you've ever worked in state government you know how this works.
ReplyDeleteFAMU needs a culture change and no one past or present including Bryant, Ammons and Humphries appear capable of truly transitioning FAMU to a "no excuses" highly competent organization. I am grateful for Ammons rescuing us, but status quo or worse isn't good enough. It's time to take FAMU to a higher level and you can't do it by running away or firing outsiders who offer more to the unversity than the insider has beens that are favored.
@7/12/2010 5:16 PM - I'm just asking, why did FAMU not select Magee & McElroy? Also, how does Ammons/athletic department "truly" feel about the Legacy Bowl?
ReplyDeleteWhat happened to McGee and McElroy? Both of their resumes were more impressive than the two finalists now. But of these two, I'd go with Horne because he has the 14 years in athletic administration at a program on a higher level.
ReplyDeleteAccording to the Tallahassee Democrat, Horne does have management and fundraising expertise:
http://rattlernews.tallahassee.com/article/20100708/FAMU08/7080332/FAMU-President-Ammons-still-looking-for-program-s-next-AD
"Horne's background indicates that he is seasoned in athletic management and fundraising. He also has a knack for appealing to alumnus and activities management, according to his brief biography on the Ole Miss website."
Is there a way that FAMU can employ both of the finalists? Keep Smith as the financial management administrater?
I am the Kevin Hick's who owns his sports photo studio in south Florida, with contracts with the NBA, NFL, MLB, and the NCAA. The same Kevin Hicks that has supported FAMU for over 20 years both in the stands and out of my wallet. So when you have the courage to stop hiding behind “anonymous” and talking non sesnse from hidden location. Then we can have an intelligant conversation.
ReplyDeleteHow is it that alot of you all are saying Horne isn't very qualified? 14 years in athletic management at a Division I nationally recognized successful program versus a director over the vending machines we put in our athletic complexes here at FAMU???? If Horne isn't qualified to be AD at FAMU, then please tell me how Smith is. This is why we are laughed at by D1 schools. Our athletic marketing person has no experience in athletics, and more importantly..... marketing, and if we hire Smith our AD will go from stocking Vitamin Water at the new gym to being over all athletics at FAMU.
ReplyDeleteSeriously????
Can any one of the posters name any achievements that Mike Smith has accomplished or any athletic management experience he has that outweighs Horne's or any of the other associate and assistant AD candidates (past and present)? Can you say anything other than....."Well he is a nice and intelligent young man, i'm sure he'll do well."
Is there anyone that wants to put hard facts in here other than subjective assertions?
When will some of you wake up and see what we are talking about. Mike Smith's claim to fame is being over ON CAMPUS VENDING...... i'll say it again.....VENDING. He's also a point of contact for Sodexo, and who most complain about on campus. If he had such great leadership skills, then why can't he turn around Sodexo's image? Why hasn't he increased Sodexo's quality of service and staff?
So if this (FAMU) were your own business....honestly, what would you do? Would you put someone with experience from a more storied and successful firm over your biggest account, or the guy in charge of your mail room that's never been outside your office doors?
Support of Horne's hiring or non-support of hiring Smith does not mean you have to defame Smith. Also Sodexho does what it wants and if there were other good options I'm sure FAMu would've changed. Fact is, your children come to FAMU on diets that one would hope the parent knew nothing of. Beyond that, it comes down to who you trust to be the visionary for FAMU and who you'd hand a check to. If the athlete come home worked for Ole Miss and we want what they have, why not Smith. If we simply want or are more comfortable with someone who has worked at an SEC school then Horne is your guy. Even though he won't be working in the SEC anymore. Grass is always greener boy... None of you can really tell us what either of them does. I'd take someone from any SEC school of they could say that they've done something that we need. If you ask me Horne is just the Ole Miss version of Smith. Former athlete who loves and works for alma mater. I can't even find what Horne studied in school. What we need to do is come up with our collective vision because if we're not sold on -and engaged in each of the steps to that lofty and attainable vision, he wouldn't survive our fervor for instant gratification. Remember FAMU exists in a hostile place, Ole Miss is, well Ole Miss- the "flagship" university of Mississippi. I still wouldn't take anything from Mississippi, but that's me. This is so polarizing, I didn't Like the other lady because of her disconnect and past employment. Think, who's gonna get the community and most of all the students back in the seats? The guy form Ole Miss? Can the guy from Ole Miss get football and real sports fans into FAMU's facilities regardless of the school? Can he get our HOME games to be as big as our marquee classic games? Nevermind our feelings, who will the person be that demands FAMU's legitimacy in the D! league. FAMU is a D1 school for the haters out there and in large part has admirers beyond what most know. Liek the Miami Heat, it's TIME to turn up the Heat and get real about some things. Immediately and collectively. I'm tellin' you that as long as we have a visionary campaign that we can see before we drop money, either would prrobably be ok. But until I'm sure of Mr. Horne, Mr. Smith is my choice. Too bad this isn't as public as the fund raising will have to be. Go FAMU
ReplyDeleteI can tell you that many Alumnus are getting fed-up with these decisions that are clearly not moving FAMU forward. What happened to Magee and McElroy? FAMU is obviously afraid of the challenge or afraid of being shown up by someone who can think for themselves, possibly clean house and make some REAL moves! Alumni let's speak out and stop standing for ANYTHING!
ReplyDeleteI remember back in the day when Rattler Nation would have dug up the scanned applications of both finalists so that everyone can see what the candidates bring to the table and can offer FAMU. I guess the inside person who can get us access to that information is no longer on the Hill.
ReplyDeleteThere needs to be more transparency in these kinds of processes. That even includes the selection of our new VPSA. There should be an open forum for stakeholders to address the candidates on their vision and plans for Rattler Athletics. For example, what will be the new AD's plan for FAMU when the MEAC decides to forfeit our chances to compete for a national championship for some reincarnated Heritage Legacy Bowl? We will need PROACTIVE leadership so that a plan will be executed within the next year. Dr. Ammons has already stated where FAMU stands on the issue, so our new leadership must be able to galvanize the Rattler Nation to give superflously in support of our President's position. If that means vacating the MEAC for another FCS regional conference to keep our national championship goals in tact, then at least will ALREADY be ready to make that move. That is why it is IMPERATIVE that we REALLY get this decision right this time!
I'm staying prayerful, and most importantly, will continue to support FAMU with my wallet, voice, and love!
1:20 PM, your comments make more sense to me than any I've read. I don't think Horne can do anything for FAMU. Besides, any Negro that played football for a school that is nicknamed Rebels and waved a rebel flag at the games ought to have his ass kicked and has absolutely no place PERIOD on FAMU's campus.
ReplyDeleteMike Smith is my choice and I'm ready for duty, AD Smith.
I just want however can keep us out of the Legacy Bowl!!!!
ReplyDelete^^^ correction
ReplyDeleteI just want whoever can keep us out of the Legacy Bowl!!!!
Michael Smith for Athletic Director - wow wow wow I have nothing against this man, but he is not the one for the AD job.
ReplyDeleteHow can you have "3" children in living in town with the school you love (FAMU) and athletic depart. you want to run and did not send NOT one of your them to participate in sports at FAMU or attend FAMU!!!
How can you promote FAMU Athletics when you didnt even let yours participate there.
you have 1-football and 2-track AND THE BAD THING ABOUT IT "TRACK AT ANOTHER HBCU" """ MEAC """ SCHOOL.
Now you want to promote athletics and now it's the best place to be.
"FAMU has always been the best" and if we are searching for top athletes - ?? hummm
Again He's a good guy, but but but
Athletics - Horne (Experience)
Aux - Smith (Food, Bookstore, Business, Finance, OVER BUDGETS, BUT NEVER RAISED MONEY. Not fundraising Exp)
I wish I had the opportunity to go to FAMU.
On another note - Please don't do that to Dr. Ammons he is a winner and truley for FAMU.
No matter who the AD is you people out there in rattler nation world are never going to support the program $, buy in to any vision, or promote anything positive.
ReplyDeleteIf you all would go buy the season tickets; support, support, support the department by giving your donations through the Foundation - you can even select which sport you want to contribute too.
Remember Mr. Bill Hayes who wanted to raise money - well no one would give!!! Only give negative feedback. WELLL the man has only been at WSSU for six months and have raised so much money and have so much going on for that school you wouldn’t believe it.
I believe Mr. Horne would be great for the job, but look at the welcoming committee already bashing the man before he can show what he can do. 14 years no matter what you are saying that's not right.
I think Horne should be the AD for FAMU and Smith should be the Business person for athletics - since he's monitored, cut spending.
Everyone should be in the fundraising business for FAMU. If you gave - then contact a company or two and ask them to send in their donations to help the school.
Please no more bashing Mr. Smith, Mr. Horne or anyone for that matter.
Everyone don’t realize that people all around the nation want to come to FAMU, work for FAMU, just be a part of FAMU and/or just to know someone at FAMU and so on. BUT ONCE THEY GET HERE they really find out how “we” are – the people on the bash blog, non supporting Alum, and the you know which category you fall into.
No matter what the FSU’s, Uof F’s, the Uof M’s, UCF’s, and all across the land support their school regardless. Why can’t we?
Again, I believe it would work with Horne as AD for FAMU
and Smith should be the Business person for athletics - since he's monitored, cut spending.
No matter what the FSU’s, Uof F’s, the Uof M’s, UCF’s, and all across the land support their school regardless. Why can’t we?
ReplyDeleteAgain, I believe it would work with Horne as AD for FAMU
and Smith should be the Business person for athletics - since he's monitored, cut spending.
I completely concur 7/14/2010 12:24AM
Can you say alcohol sales and big corporate sponsors... Those schools don't rely on alumni for money-most of their fans have no real connection with the school. Most can hardly tell you where the school is. Did anyone go and look at the number of ADs Ole Miss has? I know Horne has experience, and I think that is a factor, but what also is a factor is what 1:20 said. We have unique situations in an adverse and unusual environment. How does one in the SEC look at FAMU and its brand? Ole Miss no less. Ideally I'd say get both and still find an experienced AD to be the head fundraiser and visionary to take us into the next 20 years.
ReplyDeleteHubba 7:45. Sounds like some can't think of D1 without bringing up certain schools. Maybe we're not trying to be like them. I'd prefer a Vanderbilt approach or a Stanford, Oregon or even Penn State. Notre Dame even! I don't think I'd want FAMU to be likened to any of the ones that were mentioned earlier. We have our own story and a great legacy to uphold, studying and consulting the programs and ADs I just listed and perhaps hiring from them would better ensure our collective goals- however lofty. But Ole Miss doesn't even have any in state competition. Go Rebels? This job is challenging to be polite and the next person needs to know that they will be given DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES, not power. They need to know that the constituents of FAMU need to see and feel empowered.., and get outta the MEAC into a healthier situation for FAMU and its students. And we need to drop the "dry campus agmeday" ban. Let's be real, for real. Go Big Rattler! Orange and Green!
ReplyDeleteWe do not need any former confederate rebel players on FAMU's payroll. Perhaps Horne should apply for the AD's job at Georgia. He'll fit in well there. Besides, the first time he hears "Mighty Rattler" instead of "Dixie" he'll quit anyway.
ReplyDeleteMike Smith for FAMU's AD.
07/14/2010 AT 12:24 A.M. Great Post!
ReplyDeleteNo matter who the AD is you people out there in rattler nation world are never going to support the program $, buy in to any vision, or promote anything positive.
If you all would go buy the season tickets; support, support, support the department by giving your donations through the Foundation - you can even select which sport you want to contribute too.
Everyone should be in the fundraising business for FAMU. If you gave - then contact a company or two and ask them to send in their donations to help the school.
Please no more bashing Mr. Smith, Mr. Horne or anyone for that matter.
Everyone don’t realize that people all around the nation want to come to FAMU, work for FAMU, just be a part of FAMU and/or just to know someone at FAMU and so on.
BUT ONCE THEY GET HERE they really find out how “we” are – the people on the bash blog, non supporting Alum, and the you know which category you fall into.
Please no more bashing Mr. Smith, Mr. Horne or anyone for that matter.
You gotta put on a show to get even the most willing benefactor or donor to drop money. How should it be different for us. Gotta have a hella of a pitch and 3-D and digital tours. People are visually stimulated and you gotta show them where they are headed and how it will BE not just look via some rendering.
ReplyDeleteFrom "No offense"
ReplyDeleteTo the people that say we are bashing understand that the opposite is true. I am a top contributor to FAMU Boosters and am involved in supporting other areas. If you've lived here you know more than you want to and I'll admit I do. For years FAMU's leadership has blamed racism and lack of funding for FAMU's misfortunes. It is time to hold leadership accountable and for those of us that are loyal to the role of FAMU we cannot stand by and just say rah rah rah. People on the hill need to clean up their act and stop repeating the some oldddd mischief over and over again. Promising scholarships and leaving students hanging after they get here; mismanaging money; hiring and firing based on personal loyalties, thus creating layers of incompetence; inside fighting like street thugs; abusing positions of authority; etc--it's got to stop. Otherwise those kids from all over the country, who want to come to FAMU, will not have a FAMU to come to.
I'm an alumnus of Winston-Salem State University - I have seen inept management of athletics up close and personal (somewhat similar to the reclassification process that happen in 2003/4 in Tallahassee). I don't have a dog in the Florida A&M show, but my educational background is in Sport Administration so I look at the A&M situation with intrigue.
ReplyDeleteThe aspirations of Rattler Nation is clear in obtaining the prestige of division I-A status. If that is not attainable Rattle Nation would like to have a national identity at its current level.
The NCAA is trying to prevent universities from jumping the gun like what happen in 2003/4. There is currently a resolution being proposed that a school would be required to have a Division Conference Sponsor (invited to membership) in order to apply for D-I status.
Staying in the MEAC appears safe, but the school's long-term athletic goals are in direct conflict with the MEAC. In order for Florida A&M to reach its potential and move beyond a regional university (if using athletics as the driver) the school must learn to both embrace its HBCU roots but be prepared to blaze a new path.
The next athletic director, be it Horne or Smith, is going to be tasked with figuring out a resolution to the problem of how to escape from the MEAC and retain a "HBCU" feel.
How to accomplish this? It is pretty simple really, Florida A&M goes independent. Certainly there is part of the alumni base that would throw a fit, but in order to move into the next level of athletics FAMU has got to change.
Like I said earlier it is possible to retain some HBCU roots in athletics. How would this look? The sport that matters is football:
2 $$$$ game vs big school (away)
2 Neutral Site Games (Bethune Cookman-Orlando, Tenn State-ATL)
3 away games (2 white, 1 black)
3 home games (2 white, 1 black)
1* Classic/Miami/Extra Home (black)
It is important to integrate white schools into the schedule consistently. Partnering up with these schools will open up new opportunities and associations.
Not having to travel up the east coast would be a tremendous cost savings if the school is able to partner with local universities in non-revenue sports.
Another decision that the new AD needs to set clear is expectations for the basketball team and the process they would take to hire the next coach. With a new basketball arena there is NO acceptable reason why the program is in such dire situation.
I look at this situation like this......I ask myself a very simple question. Do I want FAMU's athletic programs to remain in the same state or would I love for it to grow and expand into a D1 challenger?
ReplyDeleteI've seen for TOO long the leadership in athletics only come from FAMU or other MEAC influences. Where have we gotten to? Remember when we tried to go D1 and were embarrassed by the ineptitude and complete ignorance of our leadership at the time. Wasn't the guy at the head the grandson of GRE Lee (who Lee Hall was named after)? The handling of that task was pitiful in my opinion and I believe it was handled that way because there was no one in the room making the decisions that had any experience from a D1 school. When USA wanted to go into space and initiated NASA, they didn't go get second and third tier scientists, engineers and pilots. No, they ONLY ACCEPTED THE BEST OF THE BEST. Maybe that is why the space program was successful, because they started with success.
I can understand that most people from FAMU, have only known FAMU so they only trust FAMUans. They believe that FAMU is the pinnacle of greatness in all its endeavors and needs absolutely no assistance from anyone or anything. I get that. It's almost like a child that has grown up only around their family in a very small town and so when "outsiders" come they are naturally skeptical because they have only seen other places/people outside their town on tv and in magazines. Unfortunately, in my opinion, this leads to a delusional mindset whereas status quo is king.
You can say what you want, but i'd love to see FAMU ranked athletically (only because this is the topic, I have op's about academics too) as ANY school in the SEC. Hell, I'll take the Big East, ACC, Big-10, Pac-10, Big-12.....well you get my point.
See we can say..."Oh, well FAMU is the best...we're better than FSU!" But let's be real......(athletically) FSU beats us consistently in every sport we play them in......even volleyball which probably has our best athletes who dominate non-D1 schools. Why do you ask?.......because they're whole teams consist of D1 athletes while ours may have 1 or 2, depending on how many D1 transfers we can get. Even then, we are not getting top tier D1 athletes.
I want FAMU to go D1 and become competitive because of the financial benefits and for pure bragging rights. Sorry, I don't want to hire anyone based on how NICE they are. FAMU has done enough of that and look at where that has gotten us. I'd rather hire someone who has been where we would like to be (or maybe where only I would like it to be). Who cares if they know the "FAMU culture"..... what they should be concerned with is doing the job they were hired for and being successful. Turning the page with our athletic programs and relieving the burden of football having to pay for every other sport here.
But I understand.....many of you like FAMU being exactly what it is. For me, i've been outside my town and the rest of the world looks great. FAMU is a great place to me that could be much greater if we open our minds and employment to it. Let's stop only just saying we are the best and actually strive for it. Let's start to employ visionaries and those with talent and not just those whose only achievement is receiving a diploma from FAMU.
While I don't think it is impossible for FAMU to reach the level of BCS schools, I think a more realistic goal would be to use athletics in the same manner as Gonzaga University.
ReplyDeleteThe attention for the university that the men's basketball team at Gonzaga has earned is beyond most people comprehension. Nobody had ever heard of Gonzaga before the basketball start making March Madness every year back in the 90's.
It did not take the university ten years to reap the benefit of the success. Every year there are students that apply to Gonzaga from parts of the country that Gonzaga has never recruited. Not only did they get exposure, but the caliber of student applying to the school improved as well.
That type of outcome can be replicated (to a degree) by FAMU. Becoming the premiere public HBCU in the country is attainable. Respectability from the general public is possible, but FAMU has to be willing to change. IS FAMU the university ready for the spotlight?
As far as the athletic director position the ability to have a VISION is not something that is exclusive to big schools. In fact at a lot of big schools things are on auto-pilot for most departments. The person in charge of Student Athlete Alumni Affairs do not have to worry about compliance, marketing, budeting, hiring/firing. In fact it is possible to do that job without having any direct contact with student athletes.
Arriving on campus from a big school can be as much a handicap as it can be a benefit to an individual. Having being involved with an ACC athletic department as well HBCU, I can say that there is a lot more specialization and expertise at the bigger schools than can be imagined. There are backups to backups for some departments. In the department that I worked in there was 20 people doing what the HBCU school across town did with 5 plus some of the HBCU staff had to wear a second hat.
If FAMU was going to go for the career assistant from a BCS school, ideally the person would have a background in Marketing/Liscensing or Fundraising (Vice President of a Booster Club would be ideal). If Horne is hired, perhaps I should apply for the job in 5 years or whenever he leaves. Within 5 years he leaves for greener pastures or is fired.
This is unreal, you guys at FAMU have no idea how good you have had it for years. I am a graduate of an HBCU School in the SWAC, and believe this, ALL schools in the SWAC would only compare themselves to one school (FAMU). To see the way you guys bash your own and the program is very unimpressive. I am a strong supporter of ALL HBCU Sports Programs and I know you guys will do well with whomever is appointed as AD...
ReplyDeleteWho is anonymous op-ed person?
ReplyDeleteHubba 11:44, 11:46- I feel you.
ReplyDelete9:46 & 11:44, as well as some of the earlier poster, have done a nice job summing up what I know to be the sentiments of at least 10 other alumni. Some of them even local business owners. None of us are active members of the alumni for precisely the issues that have been disgusted about this scenario and other similiar personnel decisions. We would like to see our alma mater do better. What would you propose as a next step to getting this across to administration? What is the national and local alumni association doing?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe first step to get the Administration to take your concerns seriously is that you have to be a "vested" partner. Most of the time nobody pays attention to people simply offering suggestions and not putting anything in. Regardless of how right you are, in our society you have to be deem part of the solution in order for your voice to have creditability.
ReplyDeleteI would propose the small band of alumni (10 local alums including business owners) that you mention does a strategic deposit into the university. Look for promising opportunities that are not on the agenda for the administration. Ideally this would be something that you would able to control and it would be easy to see tangible benefits.
I have no ties to FAMU, but my suggestion would be to focus on the honors college. I don't know the current condition of the honors college, but there are certainly things that could be done to improve the program.
The reasons why I suggest investing into the the honors college: A) they are high achieving/potential student B) a small amount of resources can go a long way C) Direct impact with the students is possible D)removes layers of FAMU administration E) possibility for hands-on directed resources investments can reap huge rewards and F) in-kind service can be maximized.
If you are interested in particular program/investment ideas let me know and I will share a few.
By showing a commitment and bringing in resources to the university there will be a level of clout with your group. You will be in a lot better position to express your desired changes to the university and getting a receptive audience from the administration.
If you were in charge of FAMU would you listen to the alumni that sit around complain but does not put money into the school or the few that is making a positive impact on the school?
FAMU Athletics traditionally has been a cut above most HBCUs, akin to the New York Yankees - envied and hated at the same time.
ReplyDeleteSadly, I suspect that FAMU has become a victim of its' own success, as leadership and the fan base are still dazzled by the past glories wrought by Jake Gaither, Bob Hayes, Althea Gibson, Andre Dawson, et al, yet fail to realize that this is a new day.
Those heady days of glory came largely due to segregation, but a look at recent NFL Drafts will tell you that HBCUs are no longer the diamond mines they once were as black athletes in all sports, opt to go elsewhere because they can.
Face it folks, HBCUs, both academically and athletically, are facing a challenge similar to that of the old Negro League (baseball) when the Major Leagues began skimming the best players in the late 1940s and the 1950s, reducing the once-glorious association into a historical footnote.
While the HBCUs will in all likelyhood continue to operate academically in the coming years, the future of the sports side is more in question.
I threw out the Negro League analogy to drive home the point that the HBCU community - leadership, alummni, fans, students - must come together now and work towards the survival of these schools.
Leadership (Ammons, AD, BOT chair, et al) must lay out a clear vision or blueprint for athletics that clearly defines short term and long term goals - a strategic plan that includes a mechanism for all parties to financially support the program (like President Obama's grass roots campaign funding plan).
That plan should be rolled out after an in-depth study of:
@ Conference options (including going independent).
@ Division I-A possibilities (potential conferences, fund-raising investment campaigns, operational timelines, etc.).
@ Upgrading of facilities (for all sports, because any move in football will effect the other sports too), additional staffing, scholarship endowments and recruiting (adequate budget and effective strategies).
@ A state-of-the-art marketing and promotions plan that ramps up fundraising, annual giving, corporate and business sponsorships, improves the broadcasting of sports events via radio, television, pay-per-view and via the Internet (webasting), effectively promotes athletics and athletic events.
CASE IN POINT: Can we get a real athletic website - FAMU should be cutting edge, not saddled with the current backwater effort that severely undersells and undermines the FAMU brand).
@ The plan also need to show how athletics can effectively partner with the academic side to raise all boats at the same time (increased national visibility helps with recruiting and fundraising for scholarships and academics too.)
While we the people have a role to play in this situation (less name calling and negativity), perhaps one of the university leadership's biggest tasks is to help bring us together under one umbrella by cutting out the indecisiveness that seems to rule over their hiring practices (AD, men's track and baseball coach) and taking a firm lead of the program.
Perhaps Dr. Ammons and the BOT should take a page from the late George Steinbrenner, who bought the Yankees for $10 million in 1977 and turned them into a $1.5 billion sports franchise.
Steinbrenner early on micromanaged the Yankees almost into the ground before wising up and hiring a solid baseball man as general manager (i.e., athletic director), who was responsible for the all aspects of the day-to-day operation of the organization, including hiring a field manager (coaches, support staff, etc.) - and staying out of the way, except when needed.
All eyes are (and have always been) on FAMU, especially athletics and we can only hope, pray that leadership starts making all the right moves - and soon.
8:49 p.m. Your points are acknowledged, however, respectfully, I think your managerial approach is 19 century, Your comments "If you were in charge of FAMU would you listen to the alumni that sit around complain but does not put money into the school or the few that is making a positive impact on the school?"
ReplyDeleteIs precisely why young alumni are not engaged and giving. While I wouldn't relegate them to "sitting around and complaining", I think they are SPEAKING very loudly by NOT participating. If you were a business owner, you wouldn't approach the problem of not getting customers as THEIR problem, you would go to them and find out what you have to do to earn their trust and business. FAMU better get 21st century or they will find themselves gone.
1:04, I will be the first to admit that after my graduation in 2004, I have a love/hate relationship with my university. There are systematic changes that I believe need to happen, and I did not hide my displeasure then or now.
ReplyDeleteI told the chancellor to his face that I would never give the university one dime because how inept things were. I have felt the caged up hostility towards an administration and the refusal to support the status quo. One day an alumnae that sits on the state board for United Ways asked me "How would you invoke the changes that I desired to happen if I am not an active part of the solution?" Now in my late 20's I realize that setting ultimatums (in order for me to donate to the school XYZ must happen) is a form of a veiled threat. Young alumni simply can not get away with it because the carrot that they hold is not big enough.
Obama has provided a blueprint methodology that works with the younger generation: engage them directly, court their issues, promise no more status quo, and that they will make a difference.
Trying to implement that type of blueprint is resource intensive. There is a couple problems that would show up immediately: young alums are not established professionally they have small networks and little pull. Young alums lack wisdom (about the way of the world and organizational charts specifically). In order to increase the young alumni base influence someone else would have to lose power. Nobody is going to willingly give up power to young alumni.
Catering to young alumni is simply not a viable option when Baby Boomers not only give money to the school but they also have the ability to whisper in the ear in the politicians they are sending checks to.
The faculty will be opposed as well, with fresh memories of students skipping class because of pretty weather they are not going to be willing to allow their power in the administration to be reduced by kids. In general young alumni are not respected for potential contributions in the near term, nor on their ability to visualize for the long term.
Most HBCU alumni base has a 3-5% base that gives $$$ to the school. Chancellors at any university has to deal with the meshing of highly influential stakeholders that have different sometimes conflicting interest and positions. Most young alumni are on their first or second job, they are not able to drop thousands of dollars to support their university.
99% of funding that the university receive come from either state appropriations or federal funding. That is the big difference between schools and a business. FAMU is a public enterprise ran by employees who will get paid regardless.
The actions that would take place in a private enterprise is much different than what you would see at colleges or universities. Private enterprise are intent on profitable and some of them are willing to sell their souls to do so. That desperate "need" to survive shapes their approach, and it is not there in the public sector which has the support of the government.
7:56, 1:04 is exactly right. I work at the Div I school across the street from FAMU and yes we are public but we don't rely on state funding - we can't - and never really have. We focus on building relationships and nurturing those relationships into to continuous givers. Young alumni recently raised over 100,000 dollars in ~6 months to help retain some faculty who were let go due to budget reductions. I think if you want to survive you better not depend on the old who are after all leaving us (no disrespect) and who find themselves with higher medical cost, etc.. and figure out how to turn young alum into philanthropist.
ReplyDeleteThere is a difference between gave and raise. If you raise the money it means that parties gave the money to the organization. Raising money rely on people who might not directly support the cause/organization.
ReplyDelete$100K might sound like an impressive achievement to some people, but even at FAMU to get a position endowed is going to cost the school around a million with state government matching 3/4 the amount.
The alumni raise $100K at FSU and the advancement office says "Thanks, how you plan to spend it? Stay in touch." Someone give a $100K the conversation goes a little different. They want to latch on to you like a leech. To paraphrase the director of Wake Forest University Booster club "the people that give $50K a year gets the red carpet."
If you believe that FAMU, FSU, or any other university do not count on government funding (including private colleges) there really is no reason for us to continue to talking. Schools fear losing their accrediation because the federal government won't support financial aid without it. Look at what happen to Robert Morris after they lost accrediation. If you need another example look at Barber-Scotia where they have less than 30 students in the entire student body.
Just like most observers dismiss younger voters in political races, schools do the the same thing. There tends to be little organization.
If the young alumni was intent on being taken seriously they would flood the National Alumni Association. They would wrestle control away from their parents and grandparents.
What FAMU spends on athletics in one year ($9 million), remember at most schools athletics represent less than 10% of the budget, is more than young alumni will raise in the next 10 years.
If Dr. Ammons was to cater to young alumni, how do you think the Alumni Association would react?
If young alumni want to be a part of the solution they have to be at the table. In the real world, the government with appointed officials does not have to bend over backwards for you.
I agree with
ReplyDelete07/13 @ 11:53p and
7/15 @ 9:46a, 11:44a and 4:15p and
7/16 @ 1:09a
"HORNE"
These imposters don't even know that we don't have a chancellor.
ReplyDeleteOf course you would see it the way you do. You're on the other side. I really wish I could have heard the planning and plotting to leave FAMU out of the 1-A lineup and to siphon the black athlete from their traditional roots. We can't have anything eh? I see you and your ways.
ReplyDelete