A crushing blow for Drexel Athletics? Perhaps only in the same sense that one crushes a car into a cube after it was ruined in an accident. This is an Athletics Department with a Communications Director that does not understand Twitter in the year 2015. It promoted an individual to Vice President of Development who went out of her way to insult a former donor shortly after taking the position (the department was notified and took no action). Supporters have watched ticket sales drop significantly* while the university community has grown dramatically in size. The individuals in charge of External Relations have received promotions throughout the decline.
To be fair, many of the people listed above are very good people who are Drexel Blue and Gold through and through, but unfortunately they have been working in an environment where status quo has been very much accepted and promoted.
Drexel is a technology driven campus, yet the Athletic Director has never shown a push for communications technology, he hasn't asked for accountability in ticket sales. The Athletics Department has not come remotely close to keeping pace with the technology focus of the rest of the University, and that is not on the department's employees, but rather on their leadership - it starts from the top. Even the flagship men's basketball program did not have funds available to purchase a login for advanced metrics software, leaving them well behind the "Moneyball" technology curve of their competition. Rather than pushing for a technology focus that embraces the Drexel philosophy, Dr. Zillmer has let the DAC offices embrace the status quo in the same way a tenured professor might as they wind down their career towards retirement. When he doesn't give the staff the tools and guidance that they need to succeed, it's not the staff's fault when they don't succeed.
This attitude is visible even deeper into the basketball operation. After going zero for eleven in his annual quest for a conference title, and within two years of having two of his players arrested for armed robbery, Men's Basketball Coach James "Bruiser" Flint was given a lengthy extension and a one hundred thousand dollar raise. Maybe Zillmer approves of Bruiser routinely putting some of the worst shooters in the country on the floor and encouraging them to shoot. How else could he justify convincing President Fry to sign off on making Coach Flint the third highest salaried Drexel employee at almost a half a million dollars per year. Donors and Administration alike have seen that investment turn talented players such as Chris Fouch, Frantz Massenat and Damion Lee into a mediocre (26-26) conference record in the three years since the new deal was signed. While investing in athletics has proven successful at many national colleges and universities (including conference peers) it is harder to get a return when the money is being used to try the same strategy a fourth time, continuously expecting different results.
Bruiser won't take you where you need to go. It took Damion Lee only four years to figure out what Dr. Eric Zillmer couldn't when he signed the latest deal with Coach Flint, eleven years into their Coach/AD relationship. Says Damion: "I've got to do this for myself." The supporters of this program - people who believe that investment in Drexel Basketball can yield a positive return for the university - have been overwhelmingly supportive of Damion's decision. They uniquely understand that Damion was not getting the return on investment that he was hoping for when he came to Drexel - and neither are they.
Was Damion's announcement a crushing blow for Drexel Athletics? Nope. It's just another kick to a shrinking donor base that is growing tired of the status quo.
I reached out to the Athletics Department for comment on this story and was told that Dr. Zillmer was unavailable for comment.
The Athletics Department has been maintaining a policy of not commenting on Fan Blogs. I reached out to them this past Thursday to discuss that policy, and as of this time I have not received a response to that request.
*In the Dragons worst season under Coach Flint they went 12-20 (5-13 in conference) in the 2007-2008 season. They averaged 1,695 fans per game that season. This season, with a better team than that one, DAC attendance averaged just 1,360, an almost 20% decline since the 07-08 season.
To be fair, many of the people listed above are very good people who are Drexel Blue and Gold through and through, but unfortunately they have been working in an environment where status quo has been very much accepted and promoted.
Drexel is a technology driven campus, yet the Athletic Director has never shown a push for communications technology, he hasn't asked for accountability in ticket sales. The Athletics Department has not come remotely close to keeping pace with the technology focus of the rest of the University, and that is not on the department's employees, but rather on their leadership - it starts from the top. Even the flagship men's basketball program did not have funds available to purchase a login for advanced metrics software, leaving them well behind the "Moneyball" technology curve of their competition. Rather than pushing for a technology focus that embraces the Drexel philosophy, Dr. Zillmer has let the DAC offices embrace the status quo in the same way a tenured professor might as they wind down their career towards retirement. When he doesn't give the staff the tools and guidance that they need to succeed, it's not the staff's fault when they don't succeed.
This attitude is visible even deeper into the basketball operation. After going zero for eleven in his annual quest for a conference title, and within two years of having two of his players arrested for armed robbery, Men's Basketball Coach James "Bruiser" Flint was given a lengthy extension and a one hundred thousand dollar raise. Maybe Zillmer approves of Bruiser routinely putting some of the worst shooters in the country on the floor and encouraging them to shoot. How else could he justify convincing President Fry to sign off on making Coach Flint the third highest salaried Drexel employee at almost a half a million dollars per year. Donors and Administration alike have seen that investment turn talented players such as Chris Fouch, Frantz Massenat and Damion Lee into a mediocre (26-26) conference record in the three years since the new deal was signed. While investing in athletics has proven successful at many national colleges and universities (including conference peers) it is harder to get a return when the money is being used to try the same strategy a fourth time, continuously expecting different results.
Bruiser won't take you where you need to go. It took Damion Lee only four years to figure out what Dr. Eric Zillmer couldn't when he signed the latest deal with Coach Flint, eleven years into their Coach/AD relationship. Says Damion: "I've got to do this for myself." The supporters of this program - people who believe that investment in Drexel Basketball can yield a positive return for the university - have been overwhelmingly supportive of Damion's decision. They uniquely understand that Damion was not getting the return on investment that he was hoping for when he came to Drexel - and neither are they.
Was Damion's announcement a crushing blow for Drexel Athletics? Nope. It's just another kick to a shrinking donor base that is growing tired of the status quo.
I reached out to the Athletics Department for comment on this story and was told that Dr. Zillmer was unavailable for comment.
The Athletics Department has been maintaining a policy of not commenting on Fan Blogs. I reached out to them this past Thursday to discuss that policy, and as of this time I have not received a response to that request.
*In the Dragons worst season under Coach Flint they went 12-20 (5-13 in conference) in the 2007-2008 season. They averaged 1,695 fans per game that season. This season, with a better team than that one, DAC attendance averaged just 1,360, an almost 20% decline since the 07-08 season.
Sigh. Best of luck @DL_XIV! Thanks for the great memories as a Drexel Dragon! http://t.co/P3X7iuQlzR
— Alex Nolen (@snacksnolen) March 30, 2015
@jmverlin don't blame him, he's too good to be on this average team
— Kevin Driadon (@KDriadon) March 30, 2015
@DragonsSpeak Totally understanding. And it goes to show that internal changes need to be made, starting with Bruiser and the AD.
— Tom (@tomek9222) March 31, 2015
Not a great sign when one of the 10 best players in program history decides to transfer just before his senior year. #DamionLee #drexelhoops
— Mike Wychulis (@siluhcy) March 30, 2015
Damion Lee deserves EVERY #Drexel fan's support. Zilmer deserves every booster's phone call. Its time for a change. #FireBruiser
— Scott (@MedicSBK) March 30, 2015
For those keeping score:
1 yr Givens/Massenat/Fouch/Lee
1 yr Massenat/Lee
1 yr Massenat/Fouch
1 yr Lee
0 titles
— RyChKo (@DrachenFire82) March 30, 2015
That said, can't wait to see Damion in a real offensive system. Wish all the best for him and hope he has a blast wherever he lands.
— RyChKo (@DrachenFire82) March 30, 2015
Everything seems spot on to me. I am very glad everyone is supporting Damion with his decision. He deserves every bit of praise and opportunity that awaits him. Obviously I've been very open about my disdain for Bru over the years including when i was a student, but honestly the past few years I've just accepted he isn't going anywhere and we really do have a much bigger issue with Zillmer (and until that is taken care of Bru ain't going anywhere)
ReplyDeleteWell said. I've been trying to keep my spirits up, but enduring one under-performing year after another has been wearing down this longtime season ticket holder and (small-time) donor. I support Drexel's student-athletes (including Damion and his decision) 100%. I also support the administration when it shows that it has a sense of direction and an interest in growing the program, but I don't see much evidence of those last two behaviors.
ReplyDeleteNot one word on the literally hundreds of games lost to injury?? Also, what investment in terms of dollars does the Drexel basketball fandom commit? Lee came in as an average player, the coaches developed him, Lee worked hard, he got better, and he will leave after he graduates. It happens, a lot actually, around the country, with 5th year guys. Lee even mentions he loved his time here, love the coaches. Wants to play in the ACC or Big 10 I guess for more exposure, as he said, a "business decision". Drexel has 2 transfers coming in, they had one on the team this year, my guess is they see something positive in the program. Transfers come, transfers go.
ReplyDeletePerhaps if there was some concrete plan that the department released, people would be more willing to donate. I'm paying off student loans, a mortgage and have a kid, money is tight. If they announced plans to start an endowed scholarship or *gasp* a plan for a new arena, I'd find a way to scrimp some money together and make a more meaningful donation.
DeleteAs far as transfers coming in? Not a very good track record of success occurring when they get here.
I almost didn't renew my season tickets for last year. I did because of Damion Lee and the hopes of seeing a return to strong post play from some promising bigs. Lee delivered, but the bigs were seemingly held back again until Lee was hurt and there was no choice. The prospect of Lee being able to go the grad transfer route entered my mind sometime in December. As another disappointing, injury plagued season progressed, and Lee continued his torrid play, the hope that the all-time Drexel scoring record being potentially within his reach might woo him back for one last run was there. In reality, that is the only thing I was looking forward to next year - the run for 2208. The broken hand seemed to squash that hope as he finished in a tie with Michael Anderson and would have needed to tie the single season scoring record just to reach 2208.
ReplyDeleteThere is absolutely no reason for anyone to be mad at Damion for his decision. He pledged to play basketball at Drexel in exchange for earning his degree. He fulfills that pledge come June. He is the best player I've seen wear the blue and gold in my 6 years as a season ticket holder and is a legit NBA prospect. Why stay at a school that has a black cloud over it injury wise in your final year to improve your draft stock? Why play for a school that hasn't danced since before its student body was even born? Odds are he will be playing in a modern arena (or a truly historic one) with all the bells and whistles and support facilities that Drexel lacks in the "boutique" DAC. He will be playing before large, sold out crowds instead of only 1300. He'd kick himself for not experiencing college basketball rockstardom when the opportunity knocks. Lee is a special talent that was wasted here (along with Givens, Massenat and Fouch) who deserves a shot at a remarkable experience in his final year that he was not going to get here. I wish him all the best.
For us who are left? Besides being an increasingly endangered species, Lee's departure seemingly extinguishes the last ember of the flame of excitement that was around the program four short years ago. I don't think Flint is going to be enough to reignite it.
Hi all, thanks for taking the time to comment. I'm both thrilled and disappointed that the post captured the opinions in the first two comments so well. I'd much prefer it not be true.
ReplyDeleteTo the third commenter, I especially appreciate your post. It's important that if there is disagreement, we have a dialogue, and I think that may be another issue within the DAC, as they seem to prefer to ignore critical commentary than to discuss it and try to solve the issues at hand. And that's what it's all about, right?
I don't want to go too far inside basketball on this post as I'd prefer that be its own discussion and we stay larger picture here but a couple quick notes: Sure there were injuries, but as RyChKo mentioned, they had plenty of healthy talent on those teams, especially given how poor the rest of the league was during this recent span. And beyond that, the track record of this staff goes well beyond these three, expensive mediocre seasons. Not a lot of coaches go 0/14 at winning titles because not a lot of coaches are allowed to still coach after the first 13 misses.
As far as investment dollars from fans go, I reference you to the rest of the piece. If you're a fan looking at the DAC now, ticket sales down, record dollars given to a non-progressive coach who doesn't fit the greater institutions model, an Athletic Director who is pushing an environment that the status quo is just fine... Well, would you tell fans to invest in that?
There are certainly good sides to this program, good people in this program, and good fans of this program, the DAC just seems like a place in need of a fresh gust of wind and a culture change like no other. No one here is completely right or wrong, inside or outside of the building, but it certainly helps to be willing to have this discussion, like you stepped up to do tonight. And if you would like to continue this, I'd urge you to write me an email and keep this going. Heck, I'll chip in for dinner for you and others who may have an interest discussing this in person, because just having the conversation at all is a great step.
Thank you for your post.
For the comment that Damion was an average player before he got here. He was CAA ROY in year one, so he had to be pretty good before stepping foot on campus. Much like he is doing now, he left HS for a year of prep school and it both improved his game and got him more exposure on a higher level team. Of course there has been development in players at Drexel throughout their careers, but it has almost always been small improvements. Most of our best players throughout Bruiser's career stepped in as pretty good freshmen. Frantz is the one guy that really made drastic improvements. If they can do the same with a guy like Major, then I'll be impressed. More often than not though, guys like him have just kind of been there year after year and been solid at best.
ReplyDeleteAs for Damions pro career (this is what he is referring to as a "business decision"), I see a long career in Europe. NBA possible, but he would need to get a lot stronger, quicker. People compare him to Danny Green. Sorry, Danny a much better player when he was in college. But Damion has a chance. Ironically, the green light wont be as bright at his next stop, as the offense wont be built around him. Say what you want about Brus offense, but 2 GDs tend to really like it.
ReplyDeleteI just had a sobering thought (as if this conversation wasn't sobering enough)...
ReplyDeleteWhen Damion plays ball after college, wherever that may be, what school will they list for him? Drexel or ?
Based on past folks he will be listed under whichever school he chooses to attend last. Such as for Russell Wilson in the NFL they only list Wisconsin even though he graduated from NC State and only played 1 graduate year at Wisconsin.
DeleteI'd assume the player gets to decide his listed school if they attended more than one.
ReplyDeleteTownson invested millions in their gym and saw their 5th year starting SG Four McGlynn take off for URI. #happens.
ReplyDeleteIt does happen. Four and his family is a bit of a different situation then what we have with Lee here, which i think is relevant. Towson is also on the bounceback from being one of the worst teams in the country. Their coach found their results this season unacceptable and held himself publicly accountable. Whereas Bru seems to have chosen to get angry at Damion of all people. Given what Damion just did to keep this team afloat, that seems in poor taste, and consistent with the Dept blaming others instead of looking inward and choosing accountability.
ReplyDeleteDevils advocate to write. It was not long ago the Drexel with aforementioned players dominated Arizona for a long time before finally losing but came back to win a multi overtime game against upper middle SEC Alabama. Injuries have destroyed Drexels chances the last few years. Anyone that thinks otherwise is either biased or ignorant. If Drexel were Ky, they could just go to the bench and find another pro. They are not. With no team left Drexel went to Wm+Mary and dominated the game from start to finish denying them the outright conference title. In between the big picture demise there are signs that good things are happening. I would like to give Bru a year where everyone stays healthy and see what transpires. Sure he does some of the all time dumb stuff, but he is absolutely not alone. Is he the best coach there is? Absolutely not. Does his being there leave Drexel in a positive light? I say yes. I understand the longing to rid Bru. I say, no one is perfect, things have certainly not gone his way and lets see what happens this year, if his roster stays healthy.
ReplyDelete