Eastern Michigan Fan Reaction

[PittSquared]

There doesn't seem to be a large Eastern Michigan online presence, but I found a thread that is generally complimentary of our new AD. The consensus seems to be that she inherited a bleak situation, made a lot of progress in a short time, and is leaving EMU in a better place:

http://csnbbs.com/thread-811188.html

Some posters' reactions to this hire have been borderline delusional. Pitt has major challenges -- among the worst giving of Power 5 schools, sub-optimal facilities (off-campus stadium, no track and field facility, no room for construction/expansion), a men's basketball program just starting a major rebuild, a women's basketball program struggling to get traction, history of instability in the AD/football coaching positions, lukewarm attendance/fan support, and near the bottom of the ACC in Sears Cup standings. What high profile AD is going to want these issues for the type of salary that Pitt would pay? It sounds like we got someone with a positive attitude who is not afraid to tackle tough jobs. If so, kudos to the committee that found her.

 

[4Mark_Marty]

There doesn't seem to be a large Eastern Michigan online presence, but I found a thread that is generally complimentary of our new AD. The consensus seems to be that she inherited a bleak situation, made a lot of progress in a short time, and is leaving EMU in a better place:

http://csnbbs.com/thread-811188.html

Some posters' reactions to this hire have been borderline delusional. Pitt has major challenges -- among the worst giving of Power 5 schools, sub-optimal facilities (off-campus stadium, no track and field facility, no room for construction/expansion), a men's basketball program just starting a major rebuild, a women's basketball program struggling to get traction, history of instability in the AD/football coaching positions, lukewarm attendance/fan support, and near the bottom of the ACC in Sears Cup standings. What high profile AD is going to want these issues for the type of salary that Pitt would pay? It sounds like we got someone with a positive attitude who is not afraid to tackle tough jobs. If so, kudos to the committee that found her.

I see someone that's not going to take no for an answer and has no fear. She needs to align the major factions of the Pitt athletic support group, Athl. Dept., current students, university administrators, Alumni and fans. Funnel all the resources in one direction. I didn't think Barnes or Pedey boy were up to it. They hit road blocks and were too good to roll up their sleeves and get to work.

 

[revampedpanthers]

There doesn't seem to be a large Eastern Michigan online presence, but I found a thread that is generally complimentary of our new AD. The consensus seems to be that she inherited a bleak situation, made a lot of progress in a short time, and is leaving EMU in a better place:

http://csnbbs.com/thread-811188.html

Some posters' reactions to this hire have been borderline delusional. Pitt has major challenges -- among the worst giving of Power 5 schools, sub-optimal facilities (off-campus stadium, no track and field facility, no room for construction/expansion), a men's basketball program just starting a major rebuild, a women's basketball program struggling to get traction, history of instability in the AD/football coaching positions, lukewarm attendance/fan support, and near the bottom of the ACC in Sears Cup standings. What high profile AD is going to want these issues for the type of salary that Pitt would pay? It sounds like we got someone with a positive attitude who is not afraid to tackle tough jobs. If so, kudos to the committee that found her.

No one, or at least almost no one gives a shit how Pitt does in women's basketball or how the swim team does(I don't know if we have swim team or not) Its about FB FB FB and then mens BB. That's it if those two programs are successful and the others stink people will still be happy. The FB program seems to be on solid ground(fingers crossed).

 

[PittSquared]

No one, or at least almost no one gives a shit how Pitt does in women's basketball or how the swim team does(I don't know if we have swim team or not) Its about FB FB FB and then mens BB. That's it if those two programs are successful and the others stink people will still be happy. The FB program seems to be on solid ground(fingers crossed).

From a revenue and fan interest standpoint, you're absolutely right. However, an athletic director is responsible for all sports, not just those that make money. No AD with any professional pride wants to preside over a portfolio of perennially losing programs in crappy facilities.

 

[MarySki]

No one, or at least almost no one gives a shit how Pitt does in women's basketball or how the swim team does(I don't know if we have swim team or not) Its about FB FB FB and then mens BB. That's it if those two programs are successful and the others stink people will still be happy. The FB program seems to be on solid ground(fingers crossed).

I give a shit about women's sports and all Pitt sports in general and I support them. Hell, I even gave women's hockey a nice donation, you didn't even know that had hockey did ya.

 

[BuffetParrothead]

I see someone that's not going to take no for an answer and has no fear. She needs to align the major factions of the Pitt athletic support group, Athl. Dept., current students, university administrators, Alumni and fans. Funnel all the resources in one direction. I didn't think Barnes or Pedey boy were up to it. They hit road blocks and were too good to roll up their sleeves and get to work.

How did you figure this out in one day??
Your really good!
I guess your conversation with Lyke was a good one!
Maybe you can help me rebalance my massive stock portfolio? My financial advisor could use a guy like you!

 

[eastcoasthoops]

Pitt has major challenges -- among the worst giving of Power 5 schools, sub-optimal facilities (off-campus stadium, no track and field facility, no room for construction/expansion), a men's basketball program just starting a major rebuild, a women's basketball program struggling to get traction, history of instability in the AD/football coaching positions, lukewarm attendance/fan support, and near the bottom of the ACC in Sears Cup standings.

Other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?

 

[wbrpanther]

There doesn't seem to be a large Eastern Michigan online presence, but I found a thread that is generally complimentary of our new AD. The consensus seems to be that she inherited a bleak situation, made a lot of progress in a short time, and is leaving EMU in a better place:

http://csnbbs.com/thread-811188.html

Some posters' reactions to this hire have been borderline delusional. Pitt has major challenges -- among the worst giving of Power 5 schools, sub-optimal facilities (off-campus stadium, no track and field facility, no room for construction/expansion), a men's basketball program just starting a major rebuild, a women's basketball program struggling to get traction, history of instability in the AD/football coaching positions, lukewarm attendance/fan support, and near the bottom of the ACC in Sears Cup standings. What high profile AD is going to want these issues for the type of salary that Pitt would pay? It sounds like we got someone with a positive attitude who is not afraid to tackle tough jobs. If so, kudos to the committee that found her.

That's a pretty fair rundown of Pitt's situation. Pretty tough to have any kind of opinion on Heather Lyke at this point other than trying to be hopeful and optimistic. As to anyone who doesn't like the hire I would imagine in some cases their position would be more favorable had Pitt hired Harry Lyke instead of Heather Lyke.

 

[KiwiJeff]

I see someone that's not going to take no for an answer and has no fear. She needs to align the major factions of the Pitt athletic support group, Athl. Dept., current students, university administrators, Alumni and fans. Funnel all the resources in one direction. I didn't think Barnes or Pedey boy were up to it. They hit road blocks and were too good to roll up their sleeves and get to work.

she'll probably feel like she has something to prove and work twice as hard as anyone else we would have hired.

 

[KiwiJeff]

That's a pretty fair rundown of Pitt's situation. Pretty tough to have any kind of opinion on Heather Lyke at this point other than trying to be hopeful and optimistic. As to anyone who doesn't like the hire I would imagine in some cases their position would be more favorable had Pitt hired Harry Lyke instead of Heather Lyke.

what school is Harry Lyke at?

 

[4Mark_Marty]

How did you figure this out in one day??
Your really good!
I guess your conversation with Lyke was a good one!
Maybe you can help me rebalance my massive stock portfolio? My financial advisor could use a guy like you!

Feel better about yourself after having written that?

 

[BuffetParrothead]

Feel better about yourself after having written that?

How did you feel when you wrote what you wrote? Good?
What I wrote had nothing to do with feeling good!
After one day I was just wondering how you came to your conclusion? You posted it I didn't!

"I see someone that's not going to take no for an answer and has no fear."

She didn't mention this in her intro at PITT.

 

[BuffetParrothead]

she'll probably feel like she has something to prove and work twice as hard as anyone else we would have hired.

In a position of this level hard work is noteworthy but it takes a lot more than hardwork to be successful!
It will take a smart, competent, innovative,and skillful hardworking AD to pull things together at PITT.
Let's hope she has all of these qualities!

 

[KiwiJeff]

In a position of this level hard work is noteworthy but it takes a lot more than hardwork to be successful!
It will take a smart, competent, innovative,and skillful hardworking AD to pull things together at PITT.
Let's hope she has all of these qualities!

what indicates to you she doesn't.

 

[djbpitt]

There doesn't seem to be a large Eastern Michigan online presence, but I found a thread that is generally complimentary of our new AD. The consensus seems to be that she inherited a bleak situation, made a lot of progress in a short time, and is leaving EMU in a better place:

http://csnbbs.com/thread-811188.html

Some posters' reactions to this hire have been borderline delusional. Pitt has major challenges -- among the worst giving of Power 5 schools, sub-optimal facilities (off-campus stadium, no track and field facility, no room for construction/expansion), a men's basketball program just starting a major rebuild, a women's basketball program struggling to get traction, history of instability in the AD/football coaching positions, lukewarm attendance/fan support, and near the bottom of the ACC in Sears Cup standings. What high profile AD is going to want these issues for the type of salary that Pitt would pay? It sounds like we got someone with a positive attitude who is not afraid to tackle tough jobs. If so, kudos to the committee that found her.

I'll never fault anyone for thinking big, as long as they have some sense of pragmatism. (But not in a Rocket Man way, though.) Would you rather have someone with a middling mindset who aims for mediocrity?

 

[fanwannabe]

I see someone that's not going to take no for an answer and has no fear. She needs to align the major factions of the Pitt athletic support group, Athl. Dept., current students, university administrators, Alumni and fans. Funnel all the resources in one direction. I didn't think Barnes or Pedey boy were up to it. They hit road blocks and were too good to roll up their sleeves and get to work.

If she fails, we're stuck with her. If she succeeds, she'll be gone in 2-3 years. That's Pitt.

 

[revampedpanthers]

From a revenue and fan interest standpoint, you're absolutely right. However, an athletic director is responsible for all sports, not just those that make money. No AD with any professional pride wants to preside over a portfolio of perennially losing programs in crappy facilities.

And if the FB team is going 11-1 and playing in front of 60k and the basketball team is making the sweet 16 that AD will be viewed as a massive success if the womens BB team or the mens wrestling team doesn't win a game or match.

 

[revampedpanthers]

I give a shit about women's sports and all Pitt sports in general and I support them. Hell, I even gave women's hockey a nice donation, you didn't even know that had hockey did ya.

Your the reason I said "most" fans. I personally would love to see the wrestling team take off, it would probably be one of the easiest programs for Pitt to be really good at as the coaches don't make huge money and PA highschool wrestling is the best in the country, but again if the Pitt FB and BB teams are good the AD will be viewed as a success no matter how bad the rest of the programs are doing. And if the FB and mens BB team suck the AD will be viewed as a failure even if the mens wrestling and womens hockey win a national championship.

 

[FireballZ]

If she fails, we're stuck with her. If she succeeds, she'll be gone in 2-3 years. That's Pitt.

Thanks for your interest in Pitt athletics! How are the trials going?

 

[Jpripper88]

If she fails, we're stuck with her. If she succeeds, she'll be gone in 2-3 years. That's Pitt.

I'm not so sure about that. She can't claim "going home" save Michigan or Ohio State and she isn't going to get those jobs anytime (likely ever) soon, no matter how well she does at Pitt. I think it is ridiculous, but there will be a stigma in hiring a woman for some places that just won't fly at programs with some big boosters who call the shots.

I think Lyke's best quality is we are very unlikely to lose her to a bigger fish.

 

[4Mark_Marty]

How did you feel when you wrote what you wrote? Good?
What I wrote had nothing to do with feeling good!
After one day I was just wondering how you came to your conclusion? You posted it I didn't!

"I see someone that's not going to take no for an answer and has no fear."

She didn't mention this in her intro at PITT.

I read Charlie Batch's article, saw her speak, heard her on the radio. She's authentic unlike the former two. There's more steak and less sizzle. I'd get into a foxhole with her in battle. It's a feeling I have. You and I disagree I guess. So what.

 

[SoufOaklin4Life]

How did you figure this out in one day??
Your really good!
I guess your conversation with Lyke was a good one!
Maybe you can help me rebalance my massive stock portfolio? My financial advisor could use a guy like you!

If you're paying for a financial advisor, we've identified part of the problem.

I'll do it for free with 3 questions.
How old are you?
How aggressive are you?
When do you want to retire.

From there it's just a mix based on your risk tolerance - and the % of bonds based on your target retirement age.

Lowest fee Index funds- because nobody beats the market over time.

You're welcome.
Enjoy close to double digit net returns annually.

 

[BuffetParrothead]

If you're paying for a financial advisor, we've identified part of the problem.

I'll do it for free with 3 questions.
How old are you?
How aggressive are you?
When do you want to retire.

From there it's just a mix based on your risk tolerance - and the % of bonds based on your target retirement age.

Lowest fee Index funds- because nobody beats the market over time.

You're welcome.
Enjoy close to double digit net returns annually.

For a change that was good!

 

[Parkview57]

I think Lyke's best quality is we are very unlikely to lose her to a bigger fish.

I will add that I get the impression that she will work extremely hard and that, with her mind set, she will eventually figure out how to accomplish the goals she has set. For reasons I have posted elsewhere I am very optimistic.

 

[Parkview57]

Much like Todd Graham....

You are discounting the one thing I am counting on, Virtue.

 

[BuffetParrothead]

Much like Todd Graham....she has no idea what she is getting herself into here.

and much like Todd Graham....she will want to bolt at the first legit opportunity

yea....its that bad at pitt

One of Lyke's positives could be that she won't "bolt" soon regardless of her performance or how difficult she finds things. I believe this is a huge step up for her ( good for her) and she'll make the most of it one way or another. After five years of good performance all bets are off unless her family settles in and likes the area!
I also believe men are more opportunistic and greedy than women when it comes to their careers! I was!

 

[Piranha]

Much like Todd Graham....she has no idea what she is getting herself into here.

and much like Todd Graham....she will want to bolt at the first legit opportunity

yea....its that bad at pitt

I am hoping she performs more like Narduzzi rather than Graham.

 

[Saboteur]

If she fails, we're stuck with her. If she succeeds, she'll be gone in 2-3 years. That's Pitt.

No, but it is precisely how a loser thinks.

 

[Saboteur]

The fact of the matter is that EMU has more varsity sports, coaches and athletes than does Pitt.
I don't know if people should be classified as being delusional or not, but I am of the opinion that there is a reason why those who degrade this hire should stay as far away from any decions of consequence as is possible.
Not only is Pitt not going to lure Gene Smith from.Ohio State (for example), no one is. Lyke follows the pattern of successful professionals. West Point to Duke. Northern Arizona to Pitt. Cincinnati to Michigan State, West Point to IU.
HELLS fire ladies, the MAC is still known as the cradle of coaches.
The trick is to get people on their way up...