Phase 1

[catscat]

I don't understand and remain frustrated on this stuff. I was one of only 700 or so individuals to donate to the EZ. That is mindboggling. The same night that number was announced, I was at a county fundraiser for a humane society that had 800 people. We routinely get 18,000 for a game but only 700 ponied up? All the successful grads? Geeeezzzzzzuuuuus that was embarrassing.

I heard the dUMb got over 3000 individuals in the first month of their champions (haha) center campaign. What the hell is the matter with MSU? I hope the new AD has the answer to the riddle.

I too was one of the 700 or so donating to the EZ. Not sure the new AD has the answer to the riddle. I wrote him a letter last year about a concern and never heard from him. I'm not a 6 or 7 figure donor, but he doesn't know that. Sooner or later he's going to ask all of us to donate. I'll have to think long and hard if I want to support an athletic department that does not value me enough to answer a letter. I'll continue to donate to MSU, but athletics - maybe not.

[AFCAT]

I know MSU isn’t Boise, but BSU and Learfield were paid $12.5 million by Albertsons for the naming rights to their stadium.

[KittieKop]

I don't understand and remain frustrated on this stuff. I was one of only 700 or so individuals to donate to the EZ. That is mindboggling. The same night that number was announced, I was at a county fundraiser for a humane society that had 800 people. We routinely get 18,000 for a game but only 700 ponied up? All the successful grads? Geeeezzzzzzuuuuus that was embarrassing.

I heard the dUMb got over 3000 individuals in the first month of their champions (haha) center campaign. What the hell is the matter with MSU? I hope the new AD has the answer to the riddle.

I too was one of the 700 or so donating to the EZ. Not sure the new AD has the answer to the riddle. I wrote him a letter last year about a concern and never heard from him. I'm not a 6 or 7 figure donor, but he doesn't know that. Sooner or later he's going to ask all of us to donate. I'll have to think long and hard if I want to support an athletic department that does not value me enough to answer a letter. I'll continue to donate to MSU, but athletics - maybe not.

The only time I've really felt "valued" as a booster was after the EZ Project, being invited to the early opening. I too was one of those 700, and while I'm far, far from a big donor, I drop a couple grand a year on tickets, booster fees, etc. My biggest gripe? I sit on the east side, the "ghetto" and feel most times like that's how we're treated. Between the rust holes in the stands, falling every damn winter and busting your ass on the icy metal bleachers, every stadium promotion aimed at the club ticket holders on the west, etc, etc I don't exactly feel all that needed by my University. I donate because I think it's important and I get satisfaction and entertainment out of it, not because I think MSU really values my money. THAT'S probably the rub with the fund-raising logic. I understand the strategy of why it's done the way it's done, but it leaves the rest of us really feeling like MSU couldn't care less about whether they get my paultry $1,000 or $2,000 gift to a stadium project.

[CARDIAC_CATS]

I don't understand and remain frustrated on this stuff. I was one of only 700 or so individuals to donate to the EZ. That is mindboggling. The same night that number was announced, I was at a county fundraiser for a humane society that had 800 people. We routinely get 18,000 for a game but only 700 ponied up? All the successful grads? Geeeezzzzzzuuuuus that was embarrassing.

I heard the dUMb got over 3000 individuals in the first month of their champions (haha) center campaign. What the hell is the matter with MSU? I hope the new AD has the answer to the riddle.

Yes it was. I was blown away by that 700 number as well. Especially since those donations were earmarked solely for the endzone project itself. I was one of the 700 that donated. I think that web page where it had the goal tracker (football field with yards to go) really helped push that over the top. It helped keep people interested in it and pushing towards the goal.

[lutecat]

Denny Washington was raised most his life in Missoula, MT and his net worth is 6 billion. Not sure those guys are just easy to come by out the back door of bobcat stadium

MSU graduate and she lives in Bozeman. Her brother is worth just as much and he lives in Livingston.

https://www.celebritynetworth.com/riche ... net-worth/

Soooo that article says she is worth 3 billion... see if my math is correct here:

If she were to donate 15 million to the stadium fund... that would be the equivalent of someone worth 1 million dollars, donating 5 thousand..........

C’mon now......... that should be easy.

If she donates to the football stadium we would proabably have some sweet flower beds around it for landscaping.......

[Hawks86]

Costello will be available at a booth for the next home game. Hugs are $500. Words of appreciation are $100.

[DCC2MSU]

it is still strange to me that the program can't find a "denny Washington" in the Bozeman area to make a large donation toward athletics.... whether that be a person or a business.... Comparing the demographics of Bozeman to Missoula, its not even close. There is sooooo much money in the Bozeman area. Ted frickin Turner has a ranch their for Christ sake (not that he is a bobcat fan, but just an example).

Does anyone know the total $ donated both athletically and academically to MSU and UM? I don't follow UM donations, but don't recall seeing a news story about any donation in the ballpark of either the new engineering or business buildings. I would think MSU has a higher total $ influx, just that it doesn't all go to football. Maybe also a big reason the enrollments of the two schools are on much different trends??? It's pretty amazing to me when I come back to to town and walk thru campus the improvements that are continually happening.

[ilovethecats]

I don't understand and remain frustrated on this stuff. I was one of only 700 or so individuals to donate to the EZ. That is mindboggling. The same night that number was announced, I was at a county fundraiser for a humane society that had 800 people. We routinely get 18,000 for a game but only 700 ponied up? All the successful grads? Geeeezzzzzzuuuuus that was embarrassing.

I heard the dUMb got over 3000 individuals in the first month of their champions (haha) center campaign. What the hell is the matter with MSU? I hope the new AD has the answer to the riddle.

I too was one of the 700 or so donating to the EZ. Not sure the new AD has the answer to the riddle. I wrote him a letter last year about a concern and never heard from him. I'm not a 6 or 7 figure donor, but he doesn't know that. Sooner or later he's going to ask all of us to donate. I'll have to think long and hard if I want to support an athletic department that does not value me enough to answer a letter. I'll continue to donate to MSU, but athletics - maybe not.

The only time I've really felt "valued" as a booster was after the EZ Project, being invited to the early opening. I too was one of those 700, and while I'm far, far from a big donor, I drop a couple grand a year on tickets, booster fees, etc. My biggest gripe? I sit on the east side, the "ghetto" and feel most times like that's how we're treated. Between the rust holes in the stands, falling every damn winter and busting your ass on the icy metal bleachers, every stadium promotion aimed at the club ticket holders on the west, etc, etc I don't exactly feel all that needed by my University. I donate because I think it's important and I get satisfaction and entertainment out of it, not because I think MSU really values my money. THAT'S probably the rub with the fund-raising logic. I understand the strategy of why it's done the way it's done, but it leaves the rest of us really feeling like MSU couldn't care less about whether they get my paultry $1,000 or $2,000 gift to a stadium project.

this is a bummer story and I know the powers that be don't want any fan to feel like this. i'm not sure what the answers are but I know they're not trying to alienate anyone.

we all want the same thing. we want a winning program with great student athletes playing in amazing facilities. and while we're not all capable of writing 6-figure checks, we can all play a part in reaching that goal. but I see how hard these guys all work behind the scenes to get us there and I think they'd be really bummed to know some people feel this way.

my guess is they already have people working to make sure that big donors and small donors all know they're appreciated.

[catscat]

I don't understand and remain frustrated on this stuff. I was one of only 700 or so individuals to donate to the EZ. That is mindboggling. The same night that number was announced, I was at a county fundraiser for a humane society that had 800 people. We routinely get 18,000 for a game but only 700 ponied up? All the successful grads? Geeeezzzzzzuuuuus that was embarrassing.

I heard the dUMb got over 3000 individuals in the first month of their champions (haha) center campaign. What the hell is the matter with MSU? I hope the new AD has the answer to the riddle.

I too was one of the 700 or so donating to the EZ. Not sure the new AD has the answer to the riddle. I wrote him a letter last year about a concern and never heard from him. I'm not a 6 or 7 figure donor, but he doesn't know that. Sooner or later he's going to ask all of us to donate. I'll have to think long and hard if I want to support an athletic department that does not value me enough to answer a letter. I'll continue to donate to MSU, but athletics - maybe not.

The only time I've really felt "valued" as a booster was after the EZ Project, being invited to the early opening. I too was one of those 700, and while I'm far, far from a big donor, I drop a couple grand a year on tickets, booster fees, etc. My biggest gripe? I sit on the east side, the "ghetto" and feel most times like that's how we're treated. Between the rust holes in the stands, falling every damn winter and busting your ass on the icy metal bleachers, every stadium promotion aimed at the club ticket holders on the west, etc, etc I don't exactly feel all that needed by my University. I donate because I think it's important and I get satisfaction and entertainment out of it, not because I think MSU really values my money. THAT'S probably the rub with the fund-raising logic. I understand the strategy of why it's done the way it's done, but it leaves the rest of us really feeling like MSU couldn't care less about whether they get my paultry $1,000 or $2,000 gift to a stadium project.

this is a bummer story and I know the powers that be don't want any fan to feel like this. i'm not sure what the answers are but I know they're not trying to alienate anyone.

we all want the same thing. we want a winning program with great student athletes playing in amazing facilities. and while we're not all capable of writing 6-figure checks, we can all play a part in reaching that goal. but I see how hard these guys all work behind the scenes to get us there and I think they'd be really bummed to know some people feel this way.

my guess is they already have people working to make sure that big donors and small donors all know they're appreciated.

Let's hope the do have people working to make sure donors know they are appreciated. Based on KK's and my own experience, if they are, it appears they aren't very successful so far.

[AFCAT]

I made a 4 figure donation to the facilities plan last year and I received a letter from Cruzado and Costello thanking me. The Alumni foundation even called me up and I had coffee with one of their representatives and learned a bit about the new plan. I make monthly donations to the facilities plan too and I receive a thank you letter every time. I even asked them to stop the thank you letters and just send me a yearly update (for tax purposes) of my donations instead. I feel appreciated, but I do get why others might not. I believe MSU could do a better job of reaching out.

Oh, I also get a couple of phone calls a year from student athletes thanking me for donating to the athletics program.

[The Butcher]

I think that MSU have missed the boat on a huge opportunity. I have said it before, and will say it again; there has been NO effort to keep former athletes in touch with the University. I receive my degree from MSU while being an all-conference, 3 year starter, and 4 year letter winner on the football team. After I exhausted my eligibility, I never heard from the athletic department again. I wouldn't say my feelings are hurt, but over the years I feel less connected to MSU and have put my philanthropic donations into other areas that I feel more connected to. I have voiced my thoughts to the athletic department over the years with no response, and frankly don’t try anymore. I know many other former athletes feel the same way. I don’t see this ever changing, but maybe I will be surprised and there will be an effort to reconnect former athletes to the athletic department and build another opportunity of community and fundraising.

[Clinton T]

I don't understand and remain frustrated on this stuff. I was one of only 700 or so individuals to donate to the EZ. That is mindboggling. The same night that number was announced, I was at a county fundraiser for a humane society that had 800 people. We routinely get 18,000 for a game but only 700 ponied up? All the successful grads? Geeeezzzzzzuuuuus that was embarrassing.

I heard the dUMb got over 3000 individuals in the first month of their champions (haha) center campaign. What the hell is the matter with MSU? I hope the new AD has the answer to the riddle.

I too was one of the 700 or so donating to the EZ. Not sure the new AD has the answer to the riddle. I wrote him a letter last year about a concern and never heard from him. I'm not a 6 or 7 figure donor, but he doesn't know that. Sooner or later he's going to ask all of us to donate. I'll have to think long and hard if I want to support an athletic department that does not value me enough to answer a letter. I'll continue to donate to MSU, but athletics - maybe not.

Not to pile on, but I had a similar experience. On two separate occasions PF got back to me the same day I called with a question/concern. He didn't know me from Adam, but still took five minutes out of his day to speak with me. I appreciated that and the gesture went a long way toward me becoming a booster and donor. Now, I understand that LC's time is better spent courting big time donors, and I hope he is spending most of his time doing that, but it doesn't take much to shoot an email (or have your secretary send an email in your name). He is not the athletic director of a P5 school and certainly has the time to speak with consumers, even if it is for two minutes. Heck, I have read stories about CEOs of multibillion dollar companies who budget an hour a day to speak directly with consumers.

[Catfanatic84]

I don't understand and remain frustrated on this stuff. I was one of only 700 or so individuals to donate to the EZ. That is mindboggling. The same night that number was announced, I was at a county fundraiser for a humane society that had 800 people. We routinely get 18,000 for a game but only 700 ponied up? All the successful grads? Geeeezzzzzzuuuuus that was embarrassing.

I heard the dUMb got over 3000 individuals in the first month of their champions (haha) center campaign. What the hell is the matter with MSU? I hope the new AD has the answer to the riddle.

I too was one of the 700 or so donating to the EZ. Not sure the new AD has the answer to the riddle. I wrote him a letter last year about a concern and never heard from him. I'm not a 6 or 7 figure donor, but he doesn't know that. Sooner or later he's going to ask all of us to donate. I'll have to think long and hard if I want to support an athletic department that does not value me enough to answer a letter. I'll continue to donate to MSU, but athletics - maybe not.

Not to pile on, but I had a similar experience. On two separate occasions PF got back to me the same day I called with a question/concern. He didn't know me from Adam, but still took five minutes out of his day to speak with me. I appreciated that and the gesture went a long way toward me becoming a booster and donor. Now, I understand that LC's time is better spent courting big time donors, and I hope he is spending most of his time doing that, but it doesn't take much to shoot an email (or have your secretary send an email in your name). He is not the athletic director of a P5 school and certainly has the time to speak with consumers, even if it is for two minutes. Heck, I have read stories about CEOs of multibillion dollar companies who budget an hour a day to speak directly with consumers.

Unfortunate experiences........I saw LC in Portland at the Alumni event...spoke with him for a few minutes, even though his ride was waiting outside...seemed very gracious. My overall intereaction with MSU the last few years has been excellent...very responsive....I hope your experience is some sort of misunderstanding.....we need everyone solidly behind the Cats!!

[gtapp]

it is still strange to me that the program can't find a "denny Washington" in the Bozeman area to make a large donation toward athletics.... whether that be a person or a business.... Comparing the demographics of Bozeman to Missoula, its not even close. There is sooooo much money in the Bozeman area. Ted frickin Turner has a ranch their for Christ sake (not that he is a bobcat fan, but just an example).

We do have people like that but they donate to the academic buildings... stupid academics...

Exactly. Our people give to the academic side. Can’t lie, if I had enough money, I’d rather give it to academics than to the football team.

I would go purely Athletics because it will serve both needs. I interviewed leaders at 3 schools (U of Wisconsin), (U of Minnesota) and (U of Montana). All three emphasized that when the football team wins (or becomes a winner after years of losing) academic contributions go up many fold. U of Montana told me that when they won the national title academic contributions went up $10 Million.

[kmax]

it is still strange to me that the program can't find a "denny Washington" in the Bozeman area to make a large donation toward athletics.... whether that be a person or a business.... Comparing the demographics of Bozeman to Missoula, its not even close. There is sooooo much money in the Bozeman area. Ted frickin Turner has a ranch their for Christ sake (not that he is a bobcat fan, but just an example).

We do have people like that but they donate to the academic buildings... stupid academics...

Exactly. Our people give to the academic side. Can’t lie, if I had enough money, I’d rather give it to academics than to the football team.

I would go purely Athletics because it will serve both needs. I interviewed leaders at 3 schools (U of Wisconsin), (U of Minnesota) and (U of Montana). All three emphasized that when the football team wins (or becomes a winner after years of losing) academic contributions go up many fold. U of Montana told me that when they won the national title academic contributions went up $10 Million.

But we just got a $50 million gift and a $25 million gift (I think those numbers are right) that were strictly for academics despite losing seasons in football. Pretty sure both donors had absolutely no cares for the athletics department. Yes athletics success helps all areas, but it goes the other way too. Putting $75 million into athletics probably wouldn’t have found us a cool $150 million for academics.

[AFCAT]

Sigh.......................

[BozoneCat]

They should have broken ground on getting rid of that stupid track.

[BelgradeBobcat]

[luckyirishguy25]

Phase 1: collect underpants

Phase 2: ?

Phase 3: profit

[AFCAT]

Not as nice as the one the Cats have planned for 19 years from now.