Letter of Nov. 24, 2014

Dear *****:

I am sure that our paths have crossed over the past 40 years that I have lived in the Peoria Area.
Thanks you for your support of Bradley Athletics and the time you took to write an insightful letter!
As I thought about your comments I broke them into two parts:  Bradley Athletics in general and our men's basketball program, which is often viewed as being synonymous with the state of the University's intercollegiate athletics programs.

At our most recent board meeting, on November 6th and 7th, the athletic programs were a major discussion at the committee level.  At future board meetings they will be part of an in depth discussion at the full board level.  You might have also read that we are taking further action the reduce the loss realized in intercollegiate athletics.  This is appropriate in light of the enrollment challenge facing higher education.

As far as Bradley's overall athletics program is concerned: I think we have made positive strides.
Last year was a record setting one for Bradley Athletics with the department achieving its best over-all athletic performance in at least the last 30 years.  Further, this occurred with an all-time record performance in the classroom with a 3.31 grade point average for all student athletes.  And already this fall women's cross country won the MVC title and the men's team had their best finish since 1987.  Once again soccer contended for an MVC crown.

Having recognized our accomplishments, the men's basketball program is another story.  I attend the games just like you and last year's season did not meet expectations.  Thus far this year, we have not shown any meaningful progress.  It is still early and injuries have impacted the ability to get a new team on the same page. The program is top of mind.  It is on our radar and we will assess its progress at the end of the season.

We are full committed to NCAA Division I competition as doing so is very much part of the Bradley brand that many of us have enjoyed.  As fellow alums, we both realize that as the intercollegiate landscape changes, our alumni involvement and support are critical ingredients to our program's future successes.

Thank you again for your loyalty, support and also for constructively sharing your obervations.

Regards

*********

D*** S******
Chairman of the Board of Trustees
B****** University


now - for a couple qualifying facts in rebuttal....

-"best over-all athletic performance in at least the last 30 years"???  Just how does anyone come up with this when our baseball, volleyball, women's basketball, men's basketball - and yes, even soccer, are all doing about as historically worst they've ever done.
Soccer did not contend for an MVC crown - they were 1-5 in the league and as far from contending as any team in the MVC.

-much of the academic success was due to the high grade point averages of our senior athletes who were recruited by those coaches that are no longer here - this will not likely be repeated this season.

-we have debunked this "enrollment challenges" argument already - the big time financial losses were 100% due to overspending - even irresponsible spending in the Athletic Department.
The Athletic Dept. has lost $6 million each year for the past 3 years....and prior to 2011 no prior year had ever had a loss of more than about $3.

http://bradley.edu/dotAsset/9c19ad59-b660-4d92-83f4-b29f1d8b84a6.pdf
http://bubravesblogger.blogspot.com/2014/06/text-of-e-mail-release-regarding-bu.html
http://www.bradleyscout.com/news/show-us-the-money-bradley-salaries-in-2011/
http://www.pjstar.com/article/20141121/NEWS/141129754?template=printart
..also reference the April 17, 2014 Report to Senate by the Bradley University Resources Committee ...(copy available upon request) -
http://bradleyfans.com/vb/showthread.php?t=24001&highlight=financial+report

Or try this link directly
http://www.bradley.edu/academic/cio/senate/documents/2013-2014/Bradley+University+Senate+Agenda+May+2014+website.pdf

Also if you scroll to pages 36 through 56 - especially page 47 showing Athletic Department LOSSES
-of $5.915 million in 2011-2012
-of $5.940 million in 2012-2013
-of $5.800 million in 2013-2014
...but going all the way back to 2005 - never a loss of even 1/3 or about 1/2 of those figures under different Athletic Director & different basketball coach.