Hmmmmmmmmm

[Phantom Warrior]

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/11408478/georgetown-gets-33m-contribution-patrick-ewing-david-falk

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/11427279/jeff-green-donates-1-million-georgetown-hoyas

Just found these articles kind of interesting for all sorts of reasons. Kind of obvious where GTown stands vis a vis responding to the P-5 developments. The Big East is all in for the long haul.

[MKE_GoldenEagleFan]

Helps to have former players who are in the NBA and have strong ties back to their alma mater... That's why it's important to keep getting these guys back on campus and keep them involved.

[MUBasketball]

Great to see construction is starting on this soon. G'Town badly needed a new practice facility.

[DCwarrior]

Great to see construction is starting on this soon. G'Town badly needed a new practice facility.

They could use some new fans too. It's embarrassing how little support they get in this area when you look at how many undergrad, grad, and law school alumni live in the DC area. Most of them have money as well.

[2013UnleashTheBeast]

They could use some new fans too. It's embarrassing how little support they get in this area when you look at how many undergrad, grad, and law school alumni live in the DC area. Most of them have money as well.

I bet they'll brag your ear off about the sailing team though

[PDX Warrior]

Any idea if the Marquette NBA players have done anything similar?

[IWB]

Donate? No.

[MayorBeluga]

Donate? No.

This is a job for Bo Ellis. No, seriously. The Irritated One hinted that the Athletic Department may be bringing Bo on board in some "ambassador" capacity. He also stated that Bo is the glue that holds former players together, as he is the most highly thought of and respected former player. Seems like he would be a perfect fit as the face of an Athletic Department fundraising campaign targeted towards former players. Set a goal and have Bo start the campaign to get former players to meet it.

Marquette clearly means a lot to most of these former players. Have Bo (who clearly loves Marquette) lead the charge to help them put their money where their collective mouths are.

[TheSultan]

This is a job for Bo Ellis. No, seriously. The Irritated One hinted that the Athletic Department may be bringing Bo on board in some "ambassador" capacity. He also stated that Bo is the glue that holds former players together, as he is the most highly thought of and respected former player. Seems like he would be a perfect fit as the face of an Athletic Department fundraising campaign targeted towards former players. Set a goal and have Bo start the campaign to get former players to meet it.

Marquette clearly means a lot to most of these former players. Have Bo (who clearly loves Marquette) lead the charge to help them put their money where their collective mouths are.


I agree with you completely here regarding Bo's role.

But remember that in the world of charitable giving, the people who are Jeff Green's age are the exceptions. Look at the wealthiest Marquette basketball alum. He has two kids, just got remarried, and is on the downside of his career. Most people his age aren't reflective enough to think back on what made a difference and to donate a significant amount.

And really how many Marquette alumni have gotten truly wealthy playing NBA basketball? Wade obviously with his $121M in career earnings. Wes Matthews at $25M. Steve Novak is at $12.4M. Anybody else earn 8 figures? Do you think either of the latter two are going to donate 5-10% of their career earnings at this point in their lives?

[MUMac]

I agree with you completely here regarding Bo's role.

But remember that in the world of charitable giving, the people who are Jeff Green's age are the exceptions. Look at the wealthiest Marquette basketball alum. He has two kids, just got remarried, and is on the downside of his career. Most people his age aren't reflective enough to think back on what made a difference and to donate a significant amount.

And really how many Marquette alumni have gotten truly wealthy playing NBA basketball? Wade obviously with his $121M in career earnings. Wes Matthews at $25M. Steve Novak is at $12.4M. Anybody else earn 8 figures? Do you think either of the latter two are going to donate 5-10% of their career earnings at this point in their lives?

Doc Rivers just signed a $50 million extension.

As for Wade. I read a few years back that he tithes. Does he still? Does any of that make its way into Marquette?

[TheSultan]

Doc Rivers just signed a $50 million extension.

As for Wade. I read a few years back that he tithes. Does he still? Does any of that make its way into Marquette?


Holy crap. I knew I was missing someone. And of course it was the guy who is currently on Marquette's Board of Trustees. :eek:

And there's a guy who should be giving back. He is about at the right age, and obviously is a Trustee. Of course he could be without being real public about it.

[TulsaWarrior]

Doc is up there in terms of career earning with his playing and coaching contracts. He has given back to the university in countless ways. The fact that Doc and DWade are forever linked to the school is invaluable. Doc's stature was elevated even more because of the way he handled the mess with the Clippers this past season. He went from an elite NBA coach to the leading spokesman for race relations in the league and country. DWade's legacy is still being written but with the hardware he already has his name recognition is lasting. Doc is a "sports statesman" and DWade still has several chapters to be written.

I could see Wes Matthews, Jimmy Butler, Steve Novak and several other Marquette/NBA types move into the Doc Rivers category.

There's a whole bunch of ways to help your former school besides direct dollars. It would be interesting to find out what kind of impact former players have had on recruiting over the years.

[MayorBeluga]

Without a doubt former players can help in a myriad of ways, just as former students can. Marquette regularly reminds alumni that financial giving is the most economical and efficient way to help those who followed us. The same holds true of former players. Most here would not expect them to be giving millions of dolalrs since most former players are not multimillionares. However, a concerted effort to concentrate their funds and benefit other students (or student-athletes) seems like a no-brainer idea, especially with someone as respected as Bo leading the charge. Heck, it might already be happening and we just don;t know about it, but if not, it should.

[MUAlphaBangura]

Donate? No.

Believe Wesley is on board with B&G fund. Not in Jeff Green #'s, but is donating.

[MulliganMusings]

BTW add Roy Hibbert to the list; he's contributing $1 million

[JohnnyRev]

I believe most trustees give large amounts of money to Marquette, so as a trustee I think Doc Rivers has contributed large amounts and will continue to do so, but he's not going to make that public. Isn't that the best kind of gift anyway?

[MulliganMusings]

I believe most trustees give large amounts of money to Marquette, so as a trustee I think Doc Rivers has contributed large amounts and will continue to do so, but he's not going to make that public. Isn't that the best kind of gift anyway?

Agree with you JohnnyRev. I'm pleased that the players have remained engaged with the program even during the turnover of regime from Crean to Buzz to Wojo. I'm sure most, if not all, give financially on some level. As Rutgers found out you need to tread carefully. Their AD (in one of her many faux pas) called out the Rutgers's alums, who had gone on to pro careers, for not giving more financial support. A number quickly pointed to not only their financial but active participatory support and were so offended they subsequently withdrew that support. Relationships matter and respect is the foundation of every strong relationship.

[MKE_GoldenEagleFan]

Also, I bet these guys don't regularly put up these kinds of donations to G'town, if MU were building a new AL per say, I bet some of the guys would step up.

[TheSultan]

Also, I bet these guys don't regularly put up these kinds of donations to G'town, if MU were building a new AL per say, I bet some of the guys would step up.


Also remember that these are orchestrated media releases meant to build momentum toward a larger fund-raising effort.

[mutpm]

Agree with you JohnnyRev. I'm pleased that the players have remained engaged with the program even during the turnover of regime from Crean to Buzz to Wojo. I'm sure most, if not all, give financially on some level. As Rutgers found out you need to tread carefully. Their AD (in one of her many faux pas) called out the Rutgers's alums, who had gone on to pro careers, for not giving more financial support. A number quickly pointed to not only their financial but active participatory support and were so offended they subsequently withdrew that support. Relationships matter and respect is the foundation of every strong relationship.

Unfortunately, I don't think this is true. Based on last year's honor roll, only Wesley made a gift over $2,500. It's certainly possible others made gifts, but did not want to be publicly acknowledged.

http://issuu.com/marquetteu/docs/2013_honor_roll?e=3052848/5433121