Director of Athletics Kevin Saal

[ShockerFever]

Singeril didn't say anything about farmers being dumb. Than was Pin.

And I’m pretty sure pin was making a joke about himself because I’m pretty sure farming hits close to home with him.

[SB Shock]

Oh so you haven't donated to NIL?

I think that has been pretty clear - and I probably never will.

You seem content on the traditional donation avenue - see season tickets and saso. That's obviously the financial base for funding the AD.

If the financial base of the program is not first priority, then NIL is just throwing away money. And the financial base of the athletic department is on shaky ground.

But it's not going to buy the players we need.

If WSU success depends on "buying players" - there is not going to be success. WSU doesn't have the donor base or people with big enough pockets who care. WSU success is going to be about bringing student athletes that want to come to WSU and represent. That comes about because of relationships.

If you are hiring FA, all they are going to be concerned about themselves and finding that next big payday.

As far as my pocket change and meddling in NIL affairs, I hope no one associated with the university or a supporter of WSU athletics has that mindset.

That probably what the AD wished, but Money buys access.

Now let's say you're 100% correct that they're focusing all their efforts on deep pockets. I still expect baseline communication and transparency about those efforts.

If you are not getting the transparency or basic communication you desire, then you are not donating anything significant - remember money buys access.

Now that may change if the NCAA makes the schools takeover NIL, then there will be forced transparency and reporting requirements for the University.

[BostonWu]

If WSU success depends on "buying players" - there is not going to be success. WSU doesn't have the donor base or people with big enough pockets who care. WSU success is going to be about bringing student athletes that want to come to WSU and represent. That comes about because of relationships.

How's life these days in Mayberry?

[JVShocker]

How's life these days in Mayberry?

Better than it probably ever will be again in some states and cities, what with substance abuse, homelessness, impaired and distracted driving, poverty, the zombie drug, fentanyl, and mental illness running rampant. There were actual student athletes. No NIL.

I could have just shown it in pictures, but I mean, what's the point. Would the Shox have had Ron, Evan or Fred for 4 years? Carr? McDaniel? (just trying to keep it on topic)

[Shocktoberfest]

I've been to several U of Houston games. They advertise their NIL on the jumbotron and make announcements about if before the game and at halftime. They have QR codes on the jumbrotron you can scan while you look at it. It's not that difficult to put it in front of the public.

We've gotta have something like this. Some communication that is very visible. Please! Make it easy for us.

[1972Shocker]

I went back to listen more closely to ADKS' farmers and factory workers comment. Not sure it was all that bad.

Here is the pretty much exact quote:

I think about the community of Wichita. Like who are playing for and who do we represent, right? We're farmers, we are livestock producers, we are engineers, we're aviation experts, we're factory workers, right? There's ingenuity, there's innovation, all those things. We're blue collar. We work hard. We don't make excuses and have attitude. At the end of the day that aligns with what we are trying to create in our program so that it resonates with the people of Wichita and they want to support it...that is not going to happen overnight.

I don't really sees that as a deplorable moment. In fact. I think ADKS intended that to be a compliment. Now whether or not he fully has his finger on the pulse of what Wichita is and what makes it go and where the money is might be debatable. Although I'm sure he knows who the big boys are.

He proceeded those remarks with:

If you're going to build something that is meaningful and worthwhile it will take time. And that's not our society right now, right? We live in a microwave society. Everything is under scrutiny. When like when are we going to see the gratification. How quickly that will come. At the end of the day it takes time to build a program.

He followed the farmer and factory workers remark with:

At the end of the day, and we said this from the outset guys, I said it in June of 22 when I accepted the job and we talked about when we introduced Paul Mills. There is not shortcut to winning and if you wan to take the shortcut to winning, at the end of the day it is not sustainable number 1, and number 2 it's going to put your institution and program in trouble.

It seems to me like ADKS might be living in a world that may not longer exist. The big question though is can Wichita State become a player in the new world order of big-time college athletics. That seems to primarily depend on whether the alienated big boy boosters and the apathetic general fan base can be re-energized. If that doesn't happen fairly soon then who knows where the floor is for this athletic program.

Now I could do without the constant use of "at the end of the day" in ADKS' remark. Worse than Steve Shogren's "in that regard".

[ShockerExpress]

I went back to listen more closely to ADKS' farmers and factory workers comment. Not sure it was all that bad.

Here is the pretty much exact quote:



I don't really sees that as a deplorable moment. In fact. I think ADKS intended that to be a compliment. Now whether or not he fully has his finger on the pulse of what Wichita is and what makes it go and where the money is might be debatable. Although I'm sure he knows who the big boys are.

He proceeded those remarks with:



He followed the farmer and factory workers remark with:



It seems to me like ADKS might be living in a world that may not longer exist. The big question though is can Wichita State become a player in the new world order of big-time college athletics. That seems to primarily depend on whether the alienated big boy boosters and the apathetic general fan base can be re-energized. If that doesn't happen fairly soon then who knows where the floor is for this athletic program.

Now I could do without the constant use of "at the end of the day" in ADKS' remark. Worse than Steve Shogren's "in that regard".

I’m glad you went back because I wanted to and didn’t have the time.

Idk how someone can read that and say he’s “talking down” to how blue collar Wichita is.

He sounded like Gregg Marshall.

[Atxshoxfan]

I’m glad you went back because I wanted to and didn’t have the time.

Idk how someone can read that and say he’s “talking down” to how blue collar Wichita is.

He sounded like Gregg Marshall.

It wasn't some people, it was cold. In fairness he didn't specifically say it was a " deplorables moment", he said he thought it was. When cold verbalizes his thoughts, most don't agree, or even pay it much attention.

And by the way he says he'll bring the strategy to the SN picnic. So I guess everyone else just needs to bring the drinks, food and mucho moola to give him so he can execute his strategy.

[AZ Shocker]

I'm not so sure what he means though when he says..."it takes time to build a program". What does he mean? The program was already built and still had plenty of cache even after being "off" the last couple years.

Wish ADKS would've swung for the fences on a new coach. Maybe PM will turn into something in Wichita but out of the gate...I ain't seeing it.

[Maizerunner08]

No idea if this belongs here…and it’s more-or-less a boilerplate response but still wanted to share..

[Aargh]

I'm not so sure what he means though when he says..."it takes time to build a program". What does he mean? The program was already built and still had plenty of cache even after being "off" the last couple years.

Wish ADKS would've swung for the fences on a new coach. Maybe PM will turn into something in Wichita but out of the gate...I ain't seeing it.

Wow, talk about answering a question by saying ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. KS is probably feeling that the temperature of his chair is about the same as the temperature of Mills's seat.

[1972Shocker]

nm

[ShockingButTrue]

No idea if this belongs here…and it’s more-or-less a boilerplate response but still wanted to share..

If anyone has any questions refer to the text# provided.

[DwShock]

Saal to Nebraska?

[shoxlax]

Saal to Nebraska?

What prompted that question?