11-20 Overall
5-15 in Conference (.250 win %)
8-7 Home Record
2-12 Away Record
1-1 Neutral Record
5 wins in 2023
Before the loss to Murrary State, Valpo came in at 283 NET.
0-2 in Quad 1 wins
1-7 n Quad 2 wins (James Madison)
0-6 in Quad 3 wins (0-7 after loss to Murray State)
9-4 in Quad 4 wins
272 Ken Pom ranking
22-23 Combined Team Stats: https://cdn.streamlinehosting.net/valpoathletics/6BB84E97-3CBB-47F9-A0CA-84F86E9D55D3/MBBSeasonStats_022623.pdf
The light at the end of the tunnel this year is that we finished in 10th place and not in last place. Had we finished in 10th place last year that would have been last place.
So you're saying we are a bubble team for the NCAAT?
The light at the end of the tunnel is we are one year closer to the exit of Lottich.
The record does not speak on the quality of the team. Objectively, with a 1-15 record in the top 3 quads, thus a very soft schedule, this team is worse than their record.
Let's see how Valpo spins this as a successful season and how things are on the up.
I guess the only successful thing, in some of your eyes...we didn't have to end the season with a revolving door of Hedstrom, Palm, and Bayu starting at the 5, since Ben didn't have the injury issues that we had at the point guard position. I just wish we didn't have to rely on the transfer portal so much this year. The portal is so much worse than one and done. The portal is a chance from someone who didn't cut it at a high major to get playing time, just wants to finish out his career somewhere, or changed from D-II to D-I because a team in the mid-major ranks had an opening they couldn't fill.
11-20, 5-15 MVC. One win outside of Quad 4. Lost to Chicago State, and didn't win a single game against a MVC team that was picked to finish higher than Valpo. This was not a good regular season.
The light at the end of the tunnel is seeing what the new President and new AD do this spring. I'm confident they will make moves to instill hope.
Quote from: oklahomamick on February 27, 2023, 12:01:54 AM
So you're saying we are a bubble team for the NCAAT?
The light at the end of the tunnel is we are one year closer to the exit of Lottich.
That is pretty sad. The
BEACONS are showing no light at the end of the tunnel except for letting their head coach go in due time.
A small sample size, no less, but cathartic since it seems those of us posting all share the same sentiments. Sincerely hoping we can move in a different direction ...
After 3 years it was pretty obvious on Lottich. All the signs were there.
However, there were still some wearing glasses and couldn't see.
MLB should have to buy out Lottich's contract. The posters who neglected to see the truth on Lottich and continued to argue need to step up with apologies.
I think we need a witch hunt....
Quote from: oklahomamick on February 27, 2023, 12:34:09 PMI think we need a witch hunt....
I hope not! As a late convert I might get drug before the courts too.
Quote from: oklahomamick on February 27, 2023, 12:34:09 PMMLB should have to buy out Lottich's contract.
That is an interesting legal approach. Will William Stoughton get assigned to this case as the judge?
In all candor, when MLB signed Matt to an extension it was deserved. The last year in the HL excluded, his first three MVC seasons met the stated improvement expectations — i.e., the team improved each year in a more highly ranked MVC's standings and added a "bonus" — the run to the championship game in year 4 of his contract.
Since then, however, there has been a steady increase in unmet expectations culminating in this season. And during this part of his extension it has led to some hindsight remorse. To wit: Why was Matt's first extension a virtual reprise of the first contract's duration? Why not add just two years to the original contract with a rolling renewal option in 2 year increments or something like that? That's the crux isn't it? VU is in a hard place because of the extension's duration.
Quote from: oklahomamick on February 27, 2023, 12:34:09 PM
After 3 years it was pretty obvious on Lottich. All the signs were there.
However, there were still some wearing glasses and couldn't see.
MLB should have to buy out Lottich's contract. The posters who neglected to see the truth on Lottich and continued to argue need to step up with apologies.
I think we need a witch hunt....
Lottich's Valpo team played for the MVC tournament championship in it's 3rd year in the league. If you thought Lottich was destined to fail at that point, you must be clairvoyant. That said, I admit that no one is better at predicting failure than life's perpetual whiners and critics, especially if they're participants in the process.
Quote from: wh on February 27, 2023, 01:22:15 PM
Quote from: oklahomamick on February 27, 2023, 12:34:09 PM
After 3 years it was pretty obvious on Lottich. All the signs were there.
However, there were still some wearing glasses and couldn't see.
MLB should have to buy out Lottich's contract. The posters who neglected to see the truth on Lottich and continued to argue need to step up with apologies.
I think we need a witch hunt....
Lottich's Valpo team played for the MVC tournament championship in it's 3rd year in the league. If you thought Lottich was destined to fail at that point, you must be clairvoyant.
The college basketball landscape has changed dramatically since Bryce and the Drew family have left town. It occurs to me that if Matt Lottich were transported back in time 12 years with his present levels of knowledge and experience then the relative player stability of that era might provide a better platform for his preferred style of play and development. Not saying he would have equalled the Drew success but maybe closer than now?
Quote from: wh on February 27, 2023, 01:22:15 PM
Quote from: oklahomamick on February 27, 2023, 12:34:09 PM
After 3 years it was pretty obvious on Lottich. All the signs were there.
However, there were still some wearing glasses and couldn't see.
MLB should have to buy out Lottich's contract. The posters who neglected to see the truth on Lottich and continued to argue need to step up with apologies.
I think we need a witch hunt....
Lottich's Valpo team played for the MVC tournament championship in it's 3rd year in the league. If you thought Lottich was destined to fail at that point, you must be clairvoyant. That said, I admit that no one is better at predicting failure than life's perpetual whiners and critics, especially if they're participants in the process.
Yes, they played for the Missouri Valley championship, but it's important to note that they still started that tournament playing on Thursday as they finished in the bottom half of the conference in the regular season. You can't take that run away from them, but if they lose to Loyola on the Friday night, does Lottich get extended? Because outside of that run, it's not been pretty.
Quote from: may know on February 27, 2023, 10:27:03 AM
The light at the end of the tunnel is seeing what the new President and new AD do this spring. I'm confident they will make moves to instill hope.
I wish I had your confidence about changes. I hope I am wrong.
Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk
Quote from: vufan75 on February 27, 2023, 03:04:38 PM
Quote from: may know on February 27, 2023, 10:27:03 AM
The light at the end of the tunnel is seeing what the new President and new AD do this spring. I'm confident they will make moves to instill hope.
I wish I had your confidence about changes. I hope I am wrong.
We have a university president who has painted himself into a corner economically with the proposed art sale and in whom trust has been significantly eroded among the campus community. We also have an AD whose first significant hire (Elliott Charles as Executive Associate Athletic Director) lasted about a month before disappearing for unknown reasons and memory-holed by the administration. So, based upon these recent actions, my current confidence level is low, and you can color me skeptical.
Well said again Valpopal..
Quote from: AlaskaCrusader19 on February 27, 2023, 01:58:30 PM
Quote from: wh on February 27, 2023, 01:22:15 PM
Quote from: oklahomamick on February 27, 2023, 12:34:09 PM
After 3 years it was pretty obvious on Lottich. All the signs were there.
However, there were still some wearing glasses and couldn't see.
MLB should have to buy out Lottich's contract. The posters who neglected to see the truth on Lottich and continued to argue need to step up with apologies.
I think we need a witch hunt....
Lottich's Valpo team played for the MVC tournament championship in it's 3rd year in the league. If you thought Lottich was destined to fail at that point, you must be clairvoyant. That said, I admit that no one is better at predicting failure than life's perpetual whiners and critics, especially if they're participants in the process.
Yes, they played for the Missouri Valley championship, but it's important to note that they still started that tournament playing on Thursday as they finished in the bottom half of the conference in the regular season. You can't take that run away from them, but if they lose to Loyola on the Friday night, does Lottich get extended? Because outside of that run, it's not been pretty.
With the benefit of perfect 20/20 hindsight, obviously the MVC tournament run in 2020 proved to be an anomoly in an otherwise dismal 7 years and counting under Matt Lottich. My only point was that no one - including Mick - could possibly have known that at the time. Admittedly, I continued to support Matt longer than most, partly because I believed in him and partly because I knew that if he didn't succeed, Valpo men's basketball could be set back for years to come. As it has turns out, my worst fears have been realized. Thanks to the wrong coach being supported by an inept athletic department and a former university president who gave nothing more than lip service support, everything that Homer, Scott, and Bryce Drew worked so hard to build over 2 decades has been completely destroyed.
It's pretty amazing how much goodwill and capital Lottich has managed to squander the last 7 years with the fan base.
Not everything is his fault, but after 6 straight years of mediocrity it's has sapped the fanbase of any goodwill and feelings. It's truly a sad state for the program to be in.
They will be losing their 2 best players (Krikke isn't coming back if I had to guess). And there are no "star" players on the horizon. Recruits and their advisors have enough tape and a tracker record of Lottich to know the caliber of Coach he is... good guy, but just the qualification of being a nice guy doesn't translate to wins.
This program has literally exhausted me and beat me down as a fan. Anger and has turned into apathy.
Dr. Small and Pres Padilla can talk to me when Lottich leaves town. Sorry to be dramatic but I'm disgusted and over with the Lottich era.
2014 pretty much summed it up. Not anger; apathetic acceptance (especially given the contract issue). I'd add great disappointment in the ability of the athletic department to early on identify, react and right an obvious wayward course that the MBB was pointing toward.
I would also speculate that this season will chill the prospects of recruiting immediate transfer replacements for Ben (if he leaves) and Kobe.
There is a rumor that the recently departed VP of enrollment--when questioned about the continuing decline in enrollment is said to have uttered..."it's almost comical." Then the door hit him...well, you know.
Quote from: VULB#62 on February 27, 2023, 05:58:12 PMI would also speculate that this season will chill the prospects of recruiting immediate transfer replacements for Ben (if he leaves) and Koby.
Barring a huge tournament upside shock (aiding recruitment) or some kind of buyout compromise being reached I see very little chance for the 23-24 team to be an improvement over 22-23. That would mean even further downside for team results and attendance. :o Because that is unacceptable, negotiations should begin and we (the fans) may need to raise some of the money to help pick up the tab.
What I'm hearing is that it's possible Valpo doesn't belong in major college sports if the school is in this situation. As others have opined, the problem goes beyond the coach. Other schools would just move on as those schools have the resources. If Valpo can't absorb a coaching change financially, the school should decline to participate.
Given the large number of close contests that VU lost at the end, do folks think that we would've been around a .500 basketball team with better coaching? If the answer is yes, then on the merits, the coaching decision is clear.
But I agree with others that the art sale controversy contributes to an imperfect storm, whereby two constituencies that have been loyal to VU and that VU should embrace in turn may have an unhappy spring.
And...in addition to praising Ben Krikke's grit, work ethic, and relentless desire to improve, I'll say that he gives me hope for VU on another level: He shows that a promising kid with talent can potentially turn himself into a star if he stays. How many people saw in him a potential MVC Player of the Year candidate as a first-year recruit? It won't be everyone who stays for 4 years turns into a star, of course, but other kids must be out there.
The 2019-2020 was a team was full of potential, fought and hung in just about every game. Took a little luck in the Loyola game, but sometimes teams get the brakes. If Ryan Frazekas was not injured, that was a top 3 seed in the MVC tourney. The game at Arkansas in a hostile environment, against 3 NBA players. We went toe to toe had a 7 point lead late. JFL covered a lot of mistakes on defense and elevated the players around him with his hustle and winning attitude. Kiser blossomed as an offensive threat and McMillan was a threat down the stretch, Sackey at times....serviceable. The blocked shot on Krikke game at Drake. Fighting at Bradley till the end. Many close losses, but you never felt the team was out of any game. 17 three pointers made at home against Bradley late in February. That team was the perfect fit (when healthy) for his "system" Or was that just JFL and all the roll players around him? Kiser was a player coach, high IQ. Peters last season and the suspension of the Jabril was bad luck, but it appears one team/season was the outlier. The extension in hindsight was little aggressive. 2:00 Monday, we will all know the fate.
AB - are you referring to 2:00 Monday, 3/6? If so, is a press conference scheduled (regardless of the outcome this weekend)?
I don't have that kinda insider information. I am just assuming we will all know something by Monday afternoon.
Quote from: AB on February 27, 2023, 09:16:57 PM
The 2019-2020 was a team was full of potential, fought and hung in just about every game. Took a little luck in the Loyola game, but sometimes teams get the brakes. If Ryan Frazekas was not injured, that was a top 3 seed in the MVC tourney. The game at Arkansas in a hostile environment, against 3 NBA players. We went toe to toe had a 7 point lead late. JFL covered a lot of mistakes on defense and elevated the players around him with his hustle and winning attitude. Kiser blossomed as an offensive threat and McMillan was a threat down the stretch, Sackey at times....serviceable. The blocked shot on Krikke game at Drake. Fighting at Bradley till the end. Many close losses, but you never felt the team was out of any game. 17 three pointers made at home against Bradley late in February. That team was the perfect fit (when healthy) for his "system" Or was that just JFL and all the roll players around him? Kiser was a player coach, high IQ. Peters last season and the suspension of the Jabril was bad luck, but it appears one team/season was the outlier. The extension in hindsight was little aggressive. 2:00 Monday, we will all know the fate.
Nice walk down memory lane. That was a lot of fun!
Quote from: wh on February 28, 2023, 02:16:32 AM
Quote from: AB on February 27, 2023, 09:16:57 PM
The 2019-2020 was a team was full of potential, fought and hung in just about every game. Took a little luck in the Loyola game, but sometimes teams get the brakes. If Ryan Frazekas was not injured, that was a top 3 seed in the MVC tourney. The game at Arkansas in a hostile environment, against 3 NBA players. We went toe to toe had a 7 point lead late. JFL covered a lot of mistakes on defense and elevated the players around him with his hustle and winning attitude. Kiser blossomed as an offensive threat and McMillan was a threat down the stretch, Sackey at times....serviceable. The blocked shot on Krikke game at Drake. Fighting at Bradley till the end. Many close losses, but you never felt the team was out of any game. 17 three pointers made at home against Bradley late in February. That team was the perfect fit (when healthy) for his "system" Or was that just JFL and all the roll players around him? Kiser was a player coach, high IQ. Peters last season and the suspension of the Jabril was bad luck, but it appears one team/season was the outlier. The extension in hindsight was little aggressive. 2:00 Monday, we will all know the fate.
Nice walk down memory lane. That was a lot of fun!
Yes but you went down to St Louis while I stayed home and caught covid anyway. That just wasn't fair. ;)
If Valpo does not fire Lottich, who has had a more than sufficient window to perform successfully, then we know that this program is truly Division 1 in name only. Cripe, at this stage, instead of delivering the same old stuff, maybe they should remain Division 1 without athletic scholarships.
With this situation, how do you turn it around without commitment?
Did the reply #16 really say, "Padilla painted himself into a corner?" :lol: :lol:
Quote from: crusadermoe on February 28, 2023, 03:09:47 PM
Did the reply #16 really say, "Padilla painted himself into a corner?" :lol: :lol:
Thank you, moe! I was hoping someone would appreciate that and the "color me skeptical" in the same post. ;D
Quote from: usc4valpo on February 28, 2023, 08:05:31 AM
If Valpo does not fire Lottich, who has had a more than sufficient window to perform successfully, then we know that this program is truly Division 1 in name only. Crape, at this stage, instead of delivering the same old stuff, maybe they should remain Division 1 without athletic scholarships.
With this situation, how do you turn it around without commitment?
USC, how would dropping down to D-3, returning to the HL, or ending scholarships as you're currently suggesting serve the greater good of Valparaiso University? If anything, it would draw negative attention to the university at a time when it's already struggling to compete for students. Or, maybe you think it's the honorable thing to do regardless of the consequences? If so, let me suggest that Valpo doesn't owe it to the MVC, its other members, or anyone else to fall on its own sword and get out, simply because it's bb program is struggling. That's ridiculous.
Everyone is a happy, supportive fan when you are winning, but where are they when the going gets tough and the team really needs support?
True.
Did the Americans give up when Germany bombed Pearl Harbor? Who's with us? - Bluto Blutarski
Curious to know --- is that a thing? Do programs opt to lower their division level? I know programs opt to drop some sporting teams entirely (We've seen this at Valpo, obviously with men's soccer, etc.). But what recognizable programs (and when) have dropped their level as of late?
To further this inquiry, what programs have opted to drop the level of their main revenue-producing sport? While "that" sport for many schools is football, we cannot say the same for Valpo. It has to be men's bball, right?
I cannot imagine lowering the level of your primary revenue-producing program ...
Perhaps Paul O has this research somewhere in his archives?
Quote from: Dr. T on March 01, 2023, 11:44:05 AM
Curious to know --- is that a thing? Do programs opt to lower their division level? I know programs opt to drop some sporting teams entirely (We've seen this at Valpo, obviously with men's soccer, etc.). But what recognizable programs (and when) have dropped their level as of late?
To further this inquiry, what programs have opted to drop the level of their main revenue-producing sport? While "that" sport for many schools is football, we cannot say the same for Valpo. It has to be men's bball, right?
I cannot imagine lowering the level of your primary revenue-producing program ...
Perhaps Paul O has this research somewhere in his archives?
The NCAA requires that all sports be at the same level (note, FBS and FCS are both considered Division 1), with one exception. Universities that are not in the top division for their sports can have one sport compete at a higher level (e.g., Dallas Baptist, any number of hockey programs). I also believe that a university can have a sport compete in a higher division if there is no lower division for that sport. There are a number of universities that have dropped out of Division 1 over the years. Hartford is doing it now. Universities that have moved down include Savannah State and Northeastern Illinois.
Regardless, Valpo should never drop down it its conference or NCAA division.
Quote from: Dr. T on March 01, 2023, 11:44:05 AM
Curious to know --- is that a thing? Do programs opt to lower their division level? I know programs opt to drop some sporting teams entirely (We've seen this at Valpo, obviously with men's soccer, etc.). But what recognizable programs (and when) have dropped their level as of late?
To further this inquiry, what programs have opted to drop the level of their main revenue-producing sport? While "that" sport for many schools is football, we cannot say the same for Valpo. It has to be men's bball, right?
I cannot imagine lowering the level of your primary revenue-producing program ...
Perhaps Paul O has this research somewhere in his archives?
The University of Hartford announced that they were going from D-I to D-III right around this time a few years ago when they made the NCAA Tournament as a 16-seed. I believe this is their final year in D-I. It certainly didn't bring GOOD attention to them, and their coach resigned just prior to the season starting back in November. It's not at all common for teams to leave D-I.
Think way back to the Mid Con days...
Remember Valpo playing Centenary College? They played D1 sports for about 8 years and then dropped down to DIII after the 2011-2012 season.
Hartford moved up to D-I in 1984 two years after Valpo did! The difference is Valpo excelled in it's athletics and moved up to stronger more competitive conferences while Hartford stayed in the American East.
Don't forget, since the NCAA changed the transfer rules, coaches have been practically on eggshells about what they can do because kids are transferring out, without penalty, at any given moment. Lottich has even referred to this as a learning curve that coaches can't look to a reference book about how to handle constant change of roster, even when that change is during the season. This transfer portal, while fans think it is great, it is driving coaches insane because they don't know how to recruit for their programs in the same manner we all knew for years.
Wh - wrong. stay Division 1 but no athletic scholarships like the Ivy League and some of the Patriot League. We're the Harvard of the Midwest, then let's act like it.
Not firing Lottich because of cash makes us D1 in name only.
Quote from: valporun on March 01, 2023, 05:14:47 PM
Don't forget, since the NCAA changed the transfer rules, coaches have been practically on eggshells about what they can do because kids are transferring out, without penalty, at any given moment. Lottich has even referred to this as a learning curve that coaches can't look to a reference book about how to handle constant change of roster, even when that change is during the season. This transfer portal, while fans think it is great, it is driving coaches insane because they don't know how to recruit for their programs in the same manner we all knew for years.
I completely agree, but every other coach in America is dealing with the same thing. It shouldn't be a reason why Lottich gets a pass.
Quote from: AlaskaCrusader19 on March 01, 2023, 07:59:49 PM
Quote from: valporun on March 01, 2023, 05:14:47 PM
Don't forget, since the NCAA changed the transfer rules, coaches have been practically on eggshells about what they can do because kids are transferring out, without penalty, at any given moment. Lottich has even referred to this as a learning curve that coaches can't look to a reference book about how to handle constant change of roster, even when that change is during the season. This transfer portal, while fans think it is great, it is driving coaches insane because they don't know how to recruit for their programs in the same manner we all knew for years.
I completely agree, but every other coach in America is dealing with the same thing. It shouldn't be a reason why Lottich gets a pass.
Like AlaskaCrusader19 points out - it's relative. In its current form, the transfer portal is new for all coaches. Sure, some programs are more impacted by it than others. Here's the thing, though ... around 1,500 players enter the portal for MBB. It goes both ways. It's a new reality of the game. If you make over $300k a year, you should be held accountable for rolling with the punches, not making excuses. Whether a player is looking for more minutes, not content with the direction of a program, dealing with a breakup, looking for a NIL deal, not jiving with their coach, dealing with a coach leaving, looking for a bigger stage, or any other amalgamation of variables - it works both ways. If you've got the chops, you've got the chops.
USC I spit my drink out at Harvard of the Midwest
Harvard acceptance rate : 4%
Harvard grad average salary: 84k
Valparaiso acceptance rate: 93%
Valparaiso grad average salary: 55k
Basketball May have a few rough years until University gets some things right. Remember these are student athletes and real people. They want to enjoy their time at a place.
Full faith Valpo will get there. Will take some steps back to move forward. First thing I believe true is Valpos next coach should get a modest three year deal.
Dude, I'm just saying Valpo has been described as the "Harvard of the Midwest" or the "Poor Man's Harvard". And so they say, Ivy League schools do not provide athletic scholarships. You save $650k a year if the don't provide athletic scholarships. People are whining about cost, I just throw a solution. But it's probably a dumb solution. Keeping Lottich is also a bad solution.
However to 64, if the program is not performing per expectations, critiquing and addressing it is fair and correct. It is better than apathy.
We're in D1, let's act like it and treat the program like it is. Performance wise Matt is not meeting expectations. By his demeanor, he looks like he's had enough. Make the change for the better and find a way to manage the cost. Be a D1 program and not pretend.
While waiting for the next TVB to come out and just to satisfy a morbid sense of curiosity I checked the All-time MBB Results. I was curious as to when was the last time a Valpo MBB team had as many as three losing seasons in a row. While there were a number in the far distant past, the most recent was 30 years ago.
Taking over from Tom Smith who had eight consecutive losing seasons, the 92-93 season capped off a five season run of losing basketball under Homer Drew. After those five, Homer went 20-8 the following year and only had one back-to-back losing season string in the remainder of his career.
Quote from: VULB#62 on March 02, 2023, 02:31:01 PMWhile waiting for the next TVB to come out and just to satisfy a morbid sense of curiosity I checked the All-time MBB Results. I was curious as to when was the last time a Valpo MBB team had as many as three losing seasons in a row. While there were a number in the far distant past, the most recent was 30 years ago. Taking over from Tom Smith who had consecutive losing seasons, the 92-93 season capped off a five season run of losing basketball under Homer Drew. After those five, Homer went 20-8 the following year and only had one back-to-back losing season string in the remainder of his career.
How old are Lottich's kids and do any of them play basketball?
Quote from: valpopal on February 27, 2023, 03:30:16 PM
Quote from: vufan75 on February 27, 2023, 03:04:38 PM
Quote from: may know on February 27, 2023, 10:27:03 AM
The light at the end of the tunnel is seeing what the new President and new AD do this spring. I'm confident they will make moves to instill hope.
I wish I had your confidence about changes. I hope I am wrong.
We have a university president who has painted himself into a corner economically with the proposed art sale and in whom trust has been significantly eroded among the campus community. We also have an AD whose first significant hire (Elliott Charles as Executive Associate Athletic Director) lasted about a month before disappearing for unknown reasons and memory-holed by the administration. So, based upon these recent actions, my current confidence level is low, and you can color me skeptical.
Skeptical is an understatement, both University wise and athletics. I hope we aren't seeing the last years of this University
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Quote from: valpopal on February 28, 2023, 03:53:06 PM
Quote from: crusadermoe on February 28, 2023, 03:09:47 PM
Did the reply #16 really say, "Padilla painted himself into a corner?" :lol: :lol:
Thank you, moe! I was hoping someone would appreciate that and the "color me skeptical" in the same post. ;D
(https://media0.giphy.com/media/fnK0jeA8vIh2QLq3IZ/giphy.gif)
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Quote from: AlaskaCrusader19 on March 01, 2023, 07:59:49 PM
Quote from: valporun on March 01, 2023, 05:14:47 PM
Don't forget, since the NCAA changed the transfer rules, coaches have been practically on eggshells about what they can do because kids are transferring out, without penalty, at any given moment. Lottich has even referred to this as a learning curve that coaches can't look to a reference book about how to handle constant change of roster, even when that change is during the season. This transfer portal, while fans think it is great, it is driving coaches insane because they don't know how to recruit for their programs in the same manner we all knew for years.
I completely agree, but every other coach in America is dealing with the same thing. It shouldn't be a reason why Lottich gets a pass.
Prior to the pandemic, if you transferred you had to sit out ONE season. NOW, you can transfer and play immediately. Pay to play with NIL and the transfer portal has made it damn near impossible to recruit character kids because of the schools that can offer so much money compared to the programs that only have the local hot dog joints that could offer a couple hundred bucks to say "I love the Bacon wrapped 4-cheese chili dog before a game".
Valporun - do you seriously think Valpo is the only victim of the new transfer rule + NIL? Seriously ... how can you use this as an excuse to justify anything?
valporun is correct in his assessment. That scenario holds true for many mid-majors especially those in small markets like Valpo. The problem is some schools and coaches can deal with it and others have problems with it...like ML. It is just part of the problem with ML.
Lottich needs to learn from this and move, for his sake and for Valpo's sake. Another year of the same is in the wrong direction and the wrong decision.
Quote from: usc4valpo on March 04, 2023, 09:55:00 AM
Lottich needs to learn from this and move, for his sake and for Valpo's sake. Another year of the same is in the wrong direction and the wrong decision.
Matt Lottich doesn't owe it to Valparaiso University, legally, morally, or otherwise, to walk away from a signed contract or "negotiate" a buyout. It's not his fault that the university is running on fumes. He negotiated a short term contract in good faith that unlike the vast majority of American workers offers ZERO long term job security. Valpo isn't the Little Sisters of the Poor (or at least it shouldn't be). It was once a viable business with a clear vision, mission, and values that lost its way through poor leadership and myriad errors in judgement. There are no victims here.
Wh - where I am going is that both sides need to make a compromise and move on. Regardless, keeping the same is bad for Valpo and bad for ML. Something needs to be figured out.
0 reason for Matt to compromise. He had a 24-9 season under his belt and the verdict is out about Valpo the University.
He's still owed about 680k, Stanford degree and a head coach before 40.
He's going to keep getting them checks.
Valpo had 10/15 seasons with under 10 wins the 15 years prior to Homer Drew.
Tom Horne is the second fastest football coach to 100 losses.
Bryce was an anomaly for the University in modern sports. First coach to take a successful program over and use it to further career.
Historically outside of the Drew's, VU has struggled since the 50s
Ok I get it. We're D1, let's act like it. fork out the cash and move on. Ok, more debt, but so is the rest of the US.
Quote from: valpofb16 on March 04, 2023, 08:57:58 PMBryce was an anomaly for the University in modern sports. First coach to take a successful program over and use it to further career.
Have you forgotten about Scott?
An argument could be made (and has been on this forum) that Valpo's success under the Drews was due to his ability to recruit -- a skill that he took with him to Baylor.
Quote from: usc4valpo on March 04, 2023, 09:02:46 PM
Ok I get it. We're D1, let's act like it. fork out the cash and move on. Ok, more debt, but so is the rest of the US.
I would doubt that debt is needed...again, remember that the athletic department gained an approximately $300K windfall from the New Mexico State buy football game.
Quote from: wh on March 04, 2023, 04:09:25 PM
Quote from: usc4valpo on March 04, 2023, 09:55:00 AM
Lottich needs to learn from this and move, for his sake and for Valpo's sake. Another year of the same is in the wrong direction and the wrong decision.
Matt Lottich doesn't owe it to Valparaiso University, legally, morally, or otherwise, to walk away from a signed contract or "negotiate" a buyout. It's not his fault that the university is running on fumes. He negotiated a short term contract in good faith that unlike the vast majority of American workers offers ZERO long term job security. Valpo isn't the Little Sisters of the Poor (or at least it shouldn't be). It was once a viable business with a clear vision, mission, and values that lost its way through poor leadership and myriad errors in judgement. There are no victims here.
There clearly have been some poor decisions and there are steps that need to be taken to right the ship with the university, but the "running on fumes" quote is too extreme. A private university with a $275M endowment is not running on fumes.
I do, however, agree that Matt Lottich does not owe the university anything and thus should not seriously concede on terms for a buyout.
Quote from: vu84v2 on March 05, 2023, 08:11:11 AM
Quote from: wh on March 04, 2023, 04:09:25 PM
Quote from: usc4valpo on March 04, 2023, 09:55:00 AM
Lottich needs to learn from this and move, for his sake and for Valpo's sake. Another year of the same is in the wrong direction and the wrong decision.
Matt Lottich doesn't owe it to Valparaiso University, legally, morally, or otherwise, to walk away from a signed contract or "negotiate" a buyout. It's not his fault that the university is running on fumes. He negotiated a short term contract in good faith that unlike the vast majority of American workers offers ZERO long term job security. Valpo isn't the Little Sisters of the Poor (or at least it shouldn't be). It was once a viable business with a clear vision, mission, and values that lost its way through poor leadership and myriad errors in judgement. There are no victims here.
There clearly have been some poor decisions and there are steps that need to be taken to right the ship with the university, but the "running on fumes" quote is too extreme. A private university with a $275M endowment is not running on fumes.
I do, however, agree that Matt Lottich does not owe the university anything and thus should not seriously concede on terms for a buyout.
Forbes 2020 - Why Not Use Those Large Endowments To Save Colleges?The refrain is all too common. As projected losses for the coming year due to Covid-19 continue to grow, and as the full impact of lost revenue and new expenses become known, some people point to colleges' large endowments (which are, in some cases, very large) and ask what seems like a reasonable question. "Why not dip into (or even spend down) your endowment?"
The question comes equally from those within the university (faculty and students) and those outside the university. It reflects a lack of understanding of how such endowments work (why they are created, and how they are managed and accessed) and a lack of appreciation for the purpose/strategy of creating such permanent funds for colleges and universities.https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidrosowsky/2020/06/01/why-not-use-those-large-endowments-to-save-colleges/?sh=6d2e0a423f0a
At a minimum, Valparaiso University by its own admission is in critical need of modernizing student housing and expanding/modernizing its nursing facilities to compete for students in a hyper competitive market. It is mired in a death spiral of deficit spending due to declining enrollment and fixed costs it can't shed. Its credit rating was just lowered for the third (or is it fourth) time in the past 10 years. And, it just raised a ton of donor-controlled, locked down endowment money that it can't touch. It is so desperate, it it resorting to auctioning off valuable paintings that have been entrusted to it's care for generations to raise some quick cash, a meager $10M at that.
I would say that "running on fumes" is the perfect descriptor. What is it you don't understand about the seriousness of this situation?
10M has never been a "meager" amount for Valpo.
It's also a function of choosing to prioritize their fundraising towards the bigger projects that will come with naming rights and other perks while realigned assets to make a quick fix while they can. Enrollment is a short term focus while fundraising is a long term goal. The endowment drive was created while enrollment was growing with the hopes to work to continue to take more and more "operation" costs off the book in the future through scholarships and endowed faculty chairs.
Obviously selling the paintings is not a good choice but imagine how people would react if programs kept getting cut more and more and it turned out the university was sitting on Millions of dollars in assets outside of the endowment. If I was students and faculty I would be mad they didn't sell them to try to right the enrollment ship
wh - I think that we are disagreeing on semantics. I agree that the situation is serious. Indeed, priority 1 needs to be student recruitment, priority 1a needs to be student retention, priority 2 needs to be student recruitment, etc. In other posts, I was very critical of the university's strategic plan because it had way too many "priorities", when the priority needs to be attracting students and getting them to stay because of the value that they see. Immediately addressing facilities is only part of that...they also need all faculty and many of the staff making this a priority and they need a system from the administration that fosters this (in discussing this with current faculty, Valpo falls far short of this versus universities that are very effective at this). I also think the marketing of the university has been way too centralized, limiting colleges like nursing, engineering and business from presenting their own unique value.
When I think of "running on fumes", I think of something that will imminently need to cease operations. For Valpo to be at this point, they would need to be declaring exigency in which tenure terms are no longer valid and there would be a concerted effort to repurpose the endowment. Further, the endowment serves two important purposes: 1. it reduces annual operating costs, 2. serves as an insurance policy if things get really bad.
And again, selling the art is fiscally responsible (see priorities above). Very few (single digits) students will select Valpo or decide to stay at Valpo because of the art.
Quote from: vu84v2 on March 05, 2023, 01:49:55 PM
wh - I think that we are disagreeing on semantics. I agree that the situation is serious. Indeed, priority 1 needs to be student recruitment, priority 1a needs to be student retention, priority 2 needs to be student recruitment, etc. In other posts, I was very critical of the university's strategic plan because it had way too many "priorities", when the priority needs to be attracting students and getting them to stay because of the value that they see. Immediately addressing facilities is only part of that...they also need all faculty and many of the staff making this a priority and they need a system from the administration that fosters this (in discussing this with current faculty, Valpo falls far short of this versus universities that are very effective at this). I also think the marketing of the university has been way too centralized, limiting colleges like nursing, engineering and business from presenting their own unique value.
When I think of "running on fumes", I think of something that will imminently need to cease operations. For Valpo to be at this point, they would need to be declaring exigency in which tenure terms are no longer valid and there would be a concerted effort to repurpose the endowment. Further, the endowment serves two important purposes: 1. it reduces annual operating costs, 2. serves as an insurance policy if things get really bad.
And again, selling the art is fiscally responsible (see priorities above). Very few (single digits) students will select Valpo or decide to stay at Valpo because of the art.
I forgot how logical and articulate you can be. Well said.
"Padilla emphasized that he's not closing down the museum and that these are three paintings of over 5,000 in the collection.
We recognize there are some on this campus and in the community who disagree with this," he said. 'We know it's very heartfelt. We recognize that these pieces have been part of the collection for years, and we respect their opinion, but we respectfully disagree because we believe this will ultimately meet our mission of providing a first-rate student and academic experience.'" NWITimes
Quote from: Just Sayin on March 05, 2023, 02:19:05 PM
"Padilla emphasized that he's not closing down the museum and that these are three paintings of over 5,000 in the collection.
When Padilla reduces his understanding of the artworks to mere numbers, and tries to pass them off in the media as if all are equivalent, it comes off as ignorance or deception. Jose is not an ignorant man, and I hate to see him stoop to such spin. One of those paintings is a significant piece by an artist who is considered by many as the most important woman American artist of all time and called "the Mother of American modernism." It is not just another painting in the collection. Indeed, it is recognized as the collection's centerpiece.
Valpopal - I did not get that impression from the president. I know you're upset about it, but how does Valpo scrap out the cash to do the things we need to do? find a way to tap out the endowment?
Quote from: Just Sayin on March 05, 2023, 02:19:05 PM
"Padilla emphasized that he's not closing down the museum and that these are three paintings of over 5,000 in the collection.
We recognize there are some on this campus and in the community who disagree with this," he said. 'We know it's very heartfelt. We recognize that these pieces have been part of the collection for years, and we respect their opinion, but we respectfully disagree because we believe this will ultimately meet our mission of providing a first-rate student and academic experience.'" NWITimes
I know it may be unpopular to say but I fully support President Padilla's decision and agree with his statement.
Tough times call for tough measures.
Quote from: valpofb16 on March 04, 2023, 08:57:58 PMHistorically outside of the Drew's, VU has struggled since the 50s
I think you are forgetting about Gene Bartow, Valpo coach in the 60's who went to the Final 4 with UCLA & Memphis State in the 70's.