ADVERTISEMENT

Basketball boosters

Cobb4uk

Junior
May 18, 2019
3,424
6,926
113
78
Benton, ky
Know a couple of big boosters who are in a holding pattern watching the Z situation. They're VERY upset how this is going to affect the program, recruiting wise, monetary contributions and public opinions nationally. Upset this puts undue pressure on President Capaluto, which they're very supportive.
 
That's fine. But if their status as "Big Boosters" can't bring pressure to bear to make this happen, what good are they?

They are just like the rest of us -- amazed and frustrated that some clerks are being allowed to mess with what amounts to the University's biggest status symbol and most reliable source of revenue generated from donors.

To issue a statement like UK did by its chief spokesman last week -- "We are all working diligently to make this happen" then to apparently fail for no good reason (like for example it turned out Z was really 35 and had warrants out for his arrest) just makes the whole place look like a clown shop. I don't get why anyone would be supportive of the president under those circumstances. He looks like an impotent fool.
 
Last edited:
That's fine. But if their status as "Big Boosters" can't bring pressure to bear to make this happen, what good are they?

They are just like the rest of us -- amazed and frustrated that some clerks are being allowed to mess with what amounts to the University's biggest status symbol and most reliable revenue generator.

To issue a statement like UK did by its chief spokesman last week -- "We are all working diligently to make this happen" then to apparently fail for no good reason (like for example it turned out Z was really 35 and had warrants out for his arrest) just makes the whole place look like a clown shop. I don't get why anyone would be supportive of the president under those circumstances. He looks like an impotent fool.

Jack Pilgrim is on KSR this morning talking about how comical it is. According to him, this test was for the actual student/athlete to determine if they felt competent and/or comfortable enough with reading English in order to complete their college courses.

Admissions is looking at this purely black and white. They don't care if this kid plays basketball, or is a regular student from Waddy, KY. That's how clueless they are. Football and basketball fund that admissions office. We are a basketball school. It's not the ****in same.
 
Know a couple of big boosters who are in a holding pattern watching the Z situation. They're VERY upset how this is going to affect the program, recruiting wise, monetary contributions and public opinions nationally. Upset this puts undue pressure on President Capaluto, which they're very supportive.
Undue pressure? Capilouto could fix this with a literal pen stroke. Sign the wavier. Be done. Man makes a million dollars a year to make UK look good. He's also the highest paid chancellor in the SEC and one of the highest in the country.
 
Last edited:
Jack Pilgrim is on KSR this morning talking about how comical it is. According to him, this test was for the actual student/athlete to determine if they felt competent and/or comfortable enough with reading English in order to complete their college courses.

Admissions is looking at this purely black and white. They don't care if this kid plays basketball, or is a regular student from Waddy, KY. That's how clueless they are. Football and basketball fund that admissions office. We are a basketball school. It's not the ****in same.
What's infuriating is some of us know first hand people who have gotten into UK with LESS.
 
That's fine. But if their status as "Big Boosters" can't bring pressure to bear to make this happen, what good are they?

They are just like the rest of us -- amazed and frustrated that some clerks are being allowed to mess with what amounts to the University's biggest status symbol and most reliable revenue generator.

To issue a statement like UK did by its chief spokesman last week -- "We are all working diligently to make this happen" then to apparently fail for no good reason (like for example it turned out Z was really 35 and had warrants out for his arrest) just makes the whole place look like a clown shop. I don't get why anyone would be supportive of the president under those circumstances. He looks like an impotent fool.
UK athletics represented about 2% of the school’s revenues last year.

Perhaps Capiluoto is giving this situation the amount of attention that is appropriate given the size of the athletics department relative to other parts of the university.
 
That's fine. But if their status as "Big Boosters" can't bring pressure to bear to make this happen, what good are they?

They are just like the rest of us -- amazed and frustrated that some clerks are being allowed to mess with what amounts to the University's biggest status symbol and most reliable revenue generator.

To issue a statement like UK did by its chief spokesman last week -- "We are all working diligently to make this happen" then to apparently fail for no good reason (like for example it turned out Z was really 35 and had warrants out for his arrest) just makes the whole place look like a clown shop. I don't get why anyone would be supportive of the president under those circumstances. He looks like an impotent fool.
Love basketball but it is not the most reliable money generator. That is and forever will be football.
 
UK athletics represented about 2% of the school’s revenues last year.

Perhaps Capiluoto is giving this situation the amount of attention that is appropriate given the size of the athletics department relative to other parts of the university.
LOL. I've lived outside Kentucky since I was 21, most of the time in Washington DC, a city where everyone is from somewhere else. I have developed friendships with people from Georgetown, Penn, Columbia, UCLA, Michigan, Syracuse, Duke, Maryland, UNC, etc. etc. Most are sports fans but they also hold professional jobs.

If you think Kentucky Basketball represents only a tiny fraction of the University's prestige and identity for people all over America you are misinformed. If you think the massive amount of money that comes from donors would still happen without the basketball program's legacy, you are naive. THAT'S the measure of revenue generating. Not ticket receipts.

There is almost nothing an aggressive, publicity oriented university president at Kentucky could spend his time on that would be more productive than burnishing the basketball team.
 
Last edited:
LOL. I've lived outside Kentucky since I was 21, most of the time in Washington DC, a city where everyone is from somewhere else. I have developed friendships with people from Georgetown, Penn, Columbia, UCLA, Michigan, Syracuse, DUke, Maryland, UNC, etc. etc. Most are sports fans but they also hold professional jobs.

If you think Kentucky Basketball represents only a tiny fraction of the University's prestige and identity for people all over America you are misinformed. There is almost nothing an aggressive, publicity oriented university president at Kentucky could spend his time on that would be more productive than burnishing the basketball team.
This. You can't really put a dollar amount on brand.
 
UK athletics represented about 2% of the school’s revenues last year.

Perhaps Capiluoto is giving this situation the amount of attention that is appropriate given the size of the athletics department relative to other parts of the university.
Nope. The statement was the issue was being worked. Not, 'it's not priority, and we'll deal with it whenever". Only a fool believes this process couldn't have been completely in a matter of days. This is being intentionally orchestrated. The only real question is, the who and the why.
 
LOL. I've lived outside Kentucky since I was 21, most of the time in Washington DC, a city where everyone is from somewhere else. I have developed friendships with people from Georgetown, Penn, Columbia, UCLA, Michigan, Syracuse, Duke, Maryland, UNC, etc. etc. Most are sports fans but they also hold professional jobs.

If you think Kentucky Basketball represents only a tiny fraction of the University's prestige and identity for people all over America you are misinformed. If you think the massive amount of money that comes from donors would still happen without the basketball program's legacy, you are naive. THAT'S the measure of revenue generating. Not ticket receipts.

There is almost nothing an aggressive, publicity oriented university president at Kentucky could spend his time on that would be more productive than burnishing the basketball team.
The amount of money generated by UK athletics pales in comparison to the amount of money generated by UK Healthcare. Nationwide awareness of our basketball team among casual fans is certainly a nice thing to have, but it’s ultimately worthless if that’s not translated into revenue.

UK Healthcare is the single most important entity for the University by a long shot.
 
UK athletics represented about 2% of the school’s revenues last year.

Perhaps Capiluoto is giving this situation the amount of attention that is appropriate given the size of the athletics department relative to other parts of the university.
This is an uninformed post. Basketball program success directly impacts applications to the university and enrollment.

UK basketball absolutely moves the needle for university enrollment more than anything else. Many students are there just because of the prestige of the basketball program. THERE IS ACTUAL DATA TO BACK THIS UP.

The graph below shows the spike in applications that occurred after the 2012 national title and up until the 2014 Title game appearance.



Not only was there an increase in applications there was also a double digit % increase in freshman class size after those two seasons.
 
UK athletics represented about 2% of the school’s revenues last year.

Perhaps Capiluoto is giving this situation the amount of attention that is appropriate given the size of the athletics department relative to other parts of the university.

You're an idiot if you think this is the case- I mean truly, you're a moron if you think it's that black and white.

UCONN applications skyrocketed after they won the title again this year. LSU had a record freshman class after the Joe Burrow year- and a record yer for fundraising across all of campus.

Attendance and applications can be directly related to athletic success.

Boosters donate more money to the university as a whole when athletics are good (which does not get contributed to the athletic departments bottom line).

More apparel and branded merchandise is sold when athletics are good. (Which also mostly does not get contributed to the athletic departments bottom line).

The public and national perspective of an entire university and in our case, an entire STATE, change for the BETTER when athletics are good.

The local economy is impacted when athletics are good (bars, restaurants, shops, people driving in from all over the state to attend games and stay in hotel rooms, etc.)

Athletics is the "Front Porch" of every university in America almost.

Do you think Alabama is a national brand because of their academics?

Did Gonzaga become a household name because they have great science teachers?

You think alumni and boosters/donors are lining up to donate a bunch of money to the school because we signed a new Economics professor or win a math competition?

2% my ass- Athletics has about as big of an impact on a university's bottom line as anything else I can think of besides healthcare potentially (because that's the biggest scam in America)- because it impacts SO MANY OTHER THINGS (fundraising, applications, attendance, local economy, etc.) and sports can single-handedly change the reputation of an entire school and an entire STATE.

Healthcare ain't doing that.
 
You're an idiot if you think this is the case- I mean truly, you're a moron if you think it's that black and white.

UCONN applications skyrocketed after they won the title again this year. LSU had a record freshman class after the Joe Burrow year- and a record yer for fundraising across all of campus.

Attendance and applications can be directly related to athletic success.

Boosters donate more money to the university as a whole when athletics are good (which mostly does not get contributed to the athletic departments bottom line).

More apparel and branded merchandise is sold when athletics are good.

The public and national perspective of an entire university and in our case, an entire STATE, change for the BETTER when athletics are good.

The local economy is impacted when athletics are good (bars, restaurants, shops, people driving in from all over the state to attend games and stay in hotel rooms, etc.)

Athletics is the "Front Porch" of every university in America almost.

Do you think Alabama is a national brand because of their academics?

Did Gonzaga become a household name because they have great science teachers?

You think alumni and boosters/donors are lining up to donate a bunch of money to the school because we signed a new Economics professor or win a math competition?

2% my ass- Athletics has about as big of an impact on a university's bottom line as anything else I can think of besides healthcare potentially (because that's the biggest scam in America)- because it impacts SO MANY OTHER THINGS (fundraising, applications, attendance, local economy, etc.) and sports can single-handedly change the reputation of an entire school and an entire STATE. Healthcare ain't doing that.
@Tampa_cat54 funny that our posts were a minute apart and pointing out the same thing.
 
This is an uninformed post. Basketball program success directly impacts applications to the university and enrollment.

UK basketball absolutely moves the needle for university enrollment more than anything else. Many students are there just because of the prestige of the basketball program. THERE IS ACTUAL DATA TO BACK THIS UP.

The graph below shows the spike in applications that occurred after the 2012 national title and up until the 2014 Title game appearance.



Not only was there an increase in applications there was also a double digit % increase in freshman class size after those two seasons.
Do the math. Even if you assume all of those extra enrollments were purely driven by sports success, the revenue still doesn’t come close to what UK Health is generating.

UK Health pulled in $2.8 billion last year, and the Board announced this past spring that they were planning a $2.4 billion dollar expansion.

Healthcare, like many other large universities with hospitals, is where UK makes most of their money. Focusing on healthcare is where Capiluoto and the Board spend the majority of their time. If you don’t believe me, then ask them.

 
  • Like
Reactions: CaptainBoogerBuns
You're an idiot if you think this is the case- I mean truly, you're a moron if you think it's that black and white.

UCONN applications skyrocketed after they won the title again this year. LSU had a record freshman class after the Joe Burrow year- and a record yer for fundraising across all of campus.

Attendance and applications can be directly related to athletic success.

Boosters donate more money to the university as a whole when athletics are good (which does not get contributed to the athletic departments bottom line).

More apparel and branded merchandise is sold when athletics are good. (Which also mostly does not get contributed to the athletic departments bottom line).

The public and national perspective of an entire university and in our case, an entire STATE, change for the BETTER when athletics are good.

The local economy is impacted when athletics are good (bars, restaurants, shops, people driving in from all over the state to attend games and stay in hotel rooms, etc.)

Athletics is the "Front Porch" of every university in America almost.

Do you think Alabama is a national brand because of their academics?

Did Gonzaga become a household name because they have great science teachers?

You think alumni and boosters/donors are lining up to donate a bunch of money to the school because we signed a new Economics professor or win a math competition?

2% my ass- Athletics has about as big of an impact on a university's bottom line as anything else I can think of besides healthcare potentially (because that's the biggest scam in America)- because it impacts SO MANY OTHER THINGS (fundraising, applications, attendance, local economy, etc.) and sports can single-handedly change the reputation of an entire school and an entire STATE.

Healthcare ain't doing that.
I agree. Plus, gross revenue isn’t as important as Net Profit/Cash Flow.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fox2monk
I know many of the boosters that matter.

And none of them are concerned about this issue.

They find it comical that idiots like pilgrim have an audience
 
Do the math. Even if you assume all of those extra enrollments were purely driven by sports success, the revenue still doesn’t come close to what UK Health is generating.

UK Health pulled in $2.8 billion last year, and the Board announced this past spring that they were planning a $2.4 billion dollar expansion.

Healthcare, like many other large universities with hospitals, is where UK makes most of their money. Focusing on healthcare is where Capiluoto and the Board spend the majority of their time. If you don’t believe me, then ask them.

You're implying that Capilouto has spent days managing this. Which maybe he has, but I doubt it. It would take literally 10-30 minutes for someone to present the case and him go yea or nay. The ROI on that alone from saying yea would far outweigh any loss of time.

UK Healthcare is absolutely important. But so are athletics. In fact they support each other. UK Healthcare gives an opportunity for sports programs here to have care. And the athletics gives UK healthcare oppurtunites for training orthopedic positions, doctors, etc. Just because UK Healthcare is important doesn't mean UK athletics aren't.

I'm sure he can multitask.
 
Do the math. Even if you assume all of those extra enrollments were purely driven by sports success, the revenue still doesn’t come close to what UK Health is generating.

UK Health pulled in $2.8 billion last year, and the Board announced this past spring that they were planning a $2.4 billion dollar expansion.

Healthcare, like many other large universities with hospitals, is where UK makes most of their money. Focusing on healthcare is where Capiluoto and the Board spend the majority of their time. If you don’t believe me, then ask them.

you are moving the goalposts. Of course, healthcare runs the finances, just like at any other university.

Your original posts claimed athletics only accounts for 2% of revenue. That number does not include enrollment increase due to sports success and prestige and reputation boosts from sport.

While healthcare may be the financial driver of the university, sports are always the front porch by which those outside the university form an opinion of the university.

Just ask someone not affiliated with the university to tell you about it and I bet basketball gets brought up long before UK Health.
 
This is an uninformed post. Basketball program success directly impacts applications to the university and enrollment.

UK basketball absolutely moves the needle for university enrollment more than anything else. Many students are there just because of the prestige of the basketball program. THERE IS ACTUAL DATA TO BACK THIS UP.

The graph below shows the spike in applications that occurred after the 2012 national title and up until the 2014 Title game appearance.



Not only was there an increase in applications there was also a double digit % increase in freshman class size after those two seasons.
Love a man who uses some graphs to argue a point. This man gets an A plus from me. Lll
 
you are moving the goalposts. Of course, healthcare runs the finances, just like at any other university.

Your original posts claimed athletics only accounts for 2% of revenue. That number does not include enrollment increase due to sports success and prestige and reputation boosts from sport.

While healthcare may be the financial driver of the university, sports are always the front porch by which those outside the university form an opinion of the university.

Just ask someone not affiliated with the university to tell you about it and I bet basketball gets brought up long before UK Health.
Definitely moving goal posts.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fox2monk
you are moving the goalposts. Of course, healthcare runs the finances, just like at any other university.

Your original posts claimed athletics only accounts for 2% of revenue. That number does not include enrollment increase due to sports success and prestige and reputation boosts from sport.

While healthcare may be the financial driver of the university, sports are always the front porch by which those outside the university form an opinion of the university.

Just ask someone not affiliated with the university to tell you about it and I bet basketball gets brought up long before UK Health.
This. It may not be right or even fair, but athletics in this day and age are the face of many a university.

For example, if you mention the University of Alabama, are people going to go, "Oh yeah, they have a great law school!" (which they do...renowned actually). No! They're going to go, "Oh yeah, they always have a great football team!"

Same goes for Auburn. Known for two things: Football and Vet School.
Duke? Basketball and Law.

There are UK fans al over the place including in Japan, China, and Scotland. And I guarantee you it isn't because UK Healthcare is so great (which it is).
 
I know, I know,I know,Iknow, I know,I know, I know,I know,Iknow, I know, I know, I know,I know,Iknow, I know
 
Jack Pilgrim is on KSR this morning talking about how comical it is. According to him, this test was for the actual student/athlete to determine if they felt competent and/or comfortable enough with reading English in order to complete their college courses.

Admissions is looking at this purely black and white. They don't care if this kid plays basketball, or is a regular student from Waddy, KY. That's how clueless they are. Football and basketball fund that admissions office. We are a basketball school. It's not the ****in same.
Ridiculous, if the kid can comprehend and speak the language, having difficulty reading it shouldn't be a barrier. That's what translation programs are for. I'm sure the University has accommodated many foreign students who struggled with the language before.
 
Boogie Cousins said it best:

THIS AIN'T NO SPELLING BEE.

Sign the f*cking waiver.


giphy.gif
 
This is an uninformed post. Basketball program success directly impacts applications to the university and enrollment.

UK basketball absolutely moves the needle for university enrollment more than anything else. Many students are there just because of the prestige of the basketball program. THERE IS ACTUAL DATA TO BACK THIS UP.

The graph below shows the spike in applications that occurred after the 2012 national title and up until the 2014 Title game appearance.



Not only was there an increase in applications there was also a double digit % increase in freshman class size after those two seasons.
Dam, My man brought receipts! Well done.
 
This. It may not be right or even fair, but athletics in this day and age are the face of many a university.

For example, if you mention the University of Alabama, are people going to go, "Oh yeah, they have a great law school!" (which they do...renowned actually). No! They're going to go, "Oh yeah, they always have a great football team!"

Same goes for Auburn. Known for two things: Football and Vet School.
Duke? Basketball and Law.

There are UK fans al over the place including in Japan, China, and Scotland. And I guarantee you it isn't because UK Healthcare is so great (which it is).
I've worked in Higher Ed for 25 years. We often say that athletics is the front porch of the university...not the most important part of the house, but often the most visible.
 
This is an uninformed post. Basketball program success directly impacts applications to the university and enrollment.

UK basketball absolutely moves the needle for university enrollment more than anything else. Many students are there just because of the prestige of the basketball program. THERE IS ACTUAL DATA TO BACK THIS UP.

The graph below shows the spike in applications that occurred after the 2012 national title and up until the 2014 Title game appearance.



Not only was there an increase in applications there was also a double digit % increase in freshman class size after those two seasons.

@thedahc be like:
drop-the-mic-obama-mic-drop.gif
 
  • Like
Reactions: TM2013
Thi
This is an uninformed post. Basketball program success directly impacts applications to the university and enrollment.

UK basketball absolutely moves the needle for university enrollment more than anything else. Many students are there just because of the prestige of the basketball program. THERE IS ACTUAL DATA TO BACK THIS UP.

The graph below shows the spike in applications that occurred after the 2012 national title and up until the 2014 Title game appearance.



Not only was there an increase in applications there was also a double digit % increase in freshman class size after those two seasons.
Love the charts! The hype around basketball was the main reason I choose UK.

Not the smartest decision, but I wasn’t very smart at 18.
 
  • Like
Reactions: thedahc
Know a couple of big boosters who are in a holding pattern watching the Z situation. They're VERY upset how this is going to affect the program, recruiting wise, monetary contributions and public opinions nationally. Upset this puts undue pressure on President Capaluto, which they're very supportive.

If we don't get him, of course there's going to be some that act like it's the end of the world as that who they are -catastrophists. The rest of us will enjoy this loaded team and hope they jell.
 
I think folks are missing the point. In spite of the rape of college basketball by NIL and the transfer portal, this is about the University, their standard and THEIR basketball program. The university’s top priority is to maintain that integrity. Without it, money, students, boosters, fans, tradition are all pointless.
 
I think folks are missing the point. In spite of the rape of college basketball by NIL and the transfer portal, this is about the University, their standard and THEIR basketball program. The university’s top priority is to maintain that integrity. Without it, money, students, boosters, fans, tradition are all pointless.
I think what everybody is saying is that this is a illogical issue that quite frankly should have resolved itself days ago. The issue is simple, admissions is taking a hard stance that they won't make exceptions to this rule, which is not a national rule, but a UK rule. On top of it being a stupid rule to start with, they claim they don't make exceptions, yet already have exceptions in the rule. There is a whole list of countries in which English is not their primary language that UK excuses from having to take the test. If the point of the test is to make sure students are comfortable in English speaking classes and have an ability to learn, then all countries in which English is not the primary language should have to take it. Especially countries who are currently on the exempt list which have less than 25% English speaking people in it. If they want to be correct about it, then they should come out and say the policy is modified to include all foreign countries, or none. Otherwise, you are already making exceptions.
 
The university’s top priority is to maintain that integrity. Without it, money, students, boosters, fans, tradition are all pointless.

All due respect, bullshit. UNC has zero integrity remaining and yet keeps right on trucking. Still being held up as some bastion of academic excellence. Still haven’t had to vacate any titles or even any wins. Hell, they just stole our NIL guy.
 
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT