Catamount Club Board Meeting
September 16, 2006
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Minutes
Western Carolina University
Catamount Club Board of Directors Meeting
September 16, 2006
Ramsey Center, Cullowhee, NC
The Board of Directors of the Western Carolina University Catamount Club met Saturday, September 16, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. in the Hospitality Room of the Ramsey Center in Cullowhee, NC.
The following board members were present: Tobe Childers, President; Brett Miller, Vice President; Mickey Pettus, Nora Jones, Paul Jones , Rich Price, Richard McClellan, , Kirk Roach, Jonathan Jorstad, Tom Hunnicutt, Norman West, James Brown, Betty Allen, Jay Spiro, Jason Young, Sam Freeman, Howard Buchanan, Woody Padgett, Bill Richter, and Chip Smith. Also present were: Chancellor John Bardo, Clifton Metcalf, Kellie Harper, Ken Teasley, Melissa Wilson, Meredith LeCroy, Cody Grasty, and Ted Yoder.
Absent members were: Judy Stroud and Frank Leonard.
Mr. Childers welcomed everyone; Mr. Richter introduced new Catamount Club staff, Melissa Wilson and Ken Teasley.
Mr. Richter referred the Board to the minutes for the board meeting on April 1, 2006. Paul Jones moved to accept the minutes; the motion was seconded by Mickey Pettus and unanimously approved.
Chancellor Bardo welcomed everyone back to campus and mentioned that student enrollment for this year so far is slightly shy of 8900 students. The university hopes to see student enrollment at 9100-9200 next year. Western plans for a new eating hall, two new residence halls, a new College of Health. It may be 3-3.5 years before construction begins because utilities and roads have to be put in place. This development will possibly include faculty condos and also retirement condos around the health building. Western is also seeking a Wellness Center and Urgent Care Center. There is going to be a McAllister’s, a full size Starbucks and a 7 station cafeteria. Brown will become a student recreation center with pool tables and a bowling alley.
Rich Price asked about the process to make the Hospitality Management Building a reality. The chancellor indicated that it has to be elevated on our priority list, which so far includes a Health Building, an Education Building, a Science Building, and a Business School.
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September 16, 2006
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Mickey Pettus asked about parking pressures; Chancellor Bardo indicated that there will be 3 new parking decks on campus. This will likely increase the parking cost to somewhere between $50-$250 per year.
Chip Smith gave an athletic update, commenting on the contract extension for Kent Briggs that will provide stability for our football program. Chip also indicated that we need to give assistant coaches extended contracts and raise their salaries, which shows we have a commitment to them.
Chancellor Bardo suggested ways to build the football program: double the size of the student body, significantly increase donations, and keep key coaches. He pointed out that to be athletically competitive, salaries need to be increased by $50,000, as we rank next to last in salaries for our head coaches, and state law prohibits state funds from being utilized for athletics. We also need to take coaches out of teaching and let them coach full time.
Rich Price asked what we are being told as to why we’re not getting money. One comment has been the perception that “the university is not putting enough money into athletics and I am not going to either.” This type of mind set has tended to keep donations from athletic boosters flat.
Jay Spiro commented that it might be helpful to have talking points to counteract negative image.
Mr. Childers introduced Meredith Lecroy, who comes to us from the private sector at an agency in Greenville, SC and has a background in marketing. Also recognized was our student government president, Cody Grasty, who will be helping us bridge the gap with the students.
Bill Richter announced that 3 time all America Kirk Roach will have his jersey retired.
Kellie Harper was introduced by Bill Richter. Kellie commented that our young ladies are very excited and enthusiastic. They work out 8 hours per week; two hours of which are spent on the court. They have had a tough schedule in the pre-season.
Chip Smith continued with the athletic update, indicating that Volleyball is off to a slow start. Soccer lost four key players last year and it’s going to be hard to replace them. Cross Country has done well.
Nora Jones asked if the leaving of the softball coach was a matter of salaries. Mr. Smith replied no. There were bonuses, a 6% salary increase, and the budget was increased to buy startup equipment.
Brett Miller commented on the basketball rouser. The prices for tickets will be 3 tickets for $20 or 1 for $10. The rouser will be on October 11; there will be a mega raffle at the Broadmoor from 5:30-8:30. We will have discount vouchers to Biltmore and a $200 gift basket from Biltmore. This is the 1st kickoff for a basketball fundraiser and has raised somewhere between $6,000-$8,000 so far. Brett also brought a posting from the website to the Board and commented
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September 16, 2006
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that we need people who part of the solution and not part of the problem. We want everyone to support the decisions and activities of the board.
Mr. Richter called on Mr. West for an update on the Golf Outing on September 27 at High Vista. Everything is in place. It has sold out quickly with 128 players and more than 45 hole sponsorships. We are somewhere in the $20,000 range in revenues, and still have 10-15 people considering hole sponsorships. Gus lined up interviews with the entire Waters family on the 1st tee. There will be great prizes, a drawing and a raffle. We still have 2 weeks to print signs for anyone who wants to buy a hole. Mr. Richter announced that proceeds go to football scholarships. Also this event is a bridge back to the Bob Waters era.
Mr. Jorstad reported on the Auction Committee, which is ahead of schedule. We are looking to get a long term contract. Mr. Childers said that this is an event everyone needs to support. Betty Allen asked what day it would be on and said it would be great if we could get a set date every year. Bill responded that it will be the 1st Saturday of every June for the next 3 years. There was approximately $15,000 in net proceeds from last year’s event. Mr. Richter announced that we will have more discussion about this with Jonathan, himself, and the board members.
Mr. Childers said that we have got to grow in order to help do what the Chancellor has discussed and that he has been working with banks. Tobe thanked Clifton and Chip for calling on Suntrust with him in Atlanta - they want to support Catamount athletics, the exact amount is being worked out. There was a luncheon also with the Bank of America; Associate football coach Don Powers has asked that they provide computers. We are also planning a meeting with BB&T. Meredith Lecroy is helping us to come up with a marketing plan.
Mr. Richter announced that there are two board vacanies due to the resignation of J.B. Trotter and Rick Fulton. It was suggested that we make a motion for Tom Hunnicutt to take J. B. Trotter’s position. Mr. Childers seconded. This was unanimously approved. Mr. Childers asked about the alternates. Jo Andrews cannot serve. Mr. Childers made a motion that we table this until next executive committee meeting. Mr. Watson seconded it and it was unanimously approved,
Ken Teasley provided us with some away tailgate information. Ken and Melissa will be working to get this information up on the website.
One area we are seeking to improve in is our phonathan by partnering with Dr. Jim Deconnick and Western’s professional sales calling program. We intend to utilize these students to make the calls and provide them with internship credit for doing it.
Mr. Richter presented financial info on Catamount Club Membership Revenues going back to 1985. Also presented was a new Catamount Club Revenue Statement. This information will be much easier to tally as we have made the switch from a calendar year to a fiscal year. Chip Smith will have access to this data and provide it to the coaches. Melissa will add the Marty
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Ramsey Summer School information to this spreadsheet. Bill indicated that there would also be an intense effort to grow our endowments.
Mickey Pettus asked about our effort to keep the interest up for recent graduates and suggested that for the 1st 5 years we bring them in at the purple cat level. Mr. Pettus said he is very passionate about putting together committees to get student involvement in athletics and making connections with students.
Mr. Childers thanked everyone for coming and asked that any agenda items be sent to Bill. Tobe reminded the Board that Dr. Bardo gave us a quota, so we need to raise our expectations and come together as a team.
Meeting adjourned at 12:30 p.m.