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Topic:  This Program is at a Crossroads Right Now

Topic:  This Program is at a Crossroads Right Now
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JSF
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  Message Not Read  This Program is at a Crossroads Right Now
   Posted: 3/22/2012 5:09:31 PM 
We are not the first MAC team to survive the first weekend. We won't be the last. But nobody else in this conference has been able to sustain success and take advantage of what they did.

As I mentioned earlier this week, our budget lags far behind even schools like South Florida. We rank 112th in D-I for basketball spending. And here is where I talk about Butler.

Butler sustained the success of their 33-win season by championship game run the next season and then doing it again. We're in a similar situation. And what did Barry Collier (Butler's AD) do? He harnessed the potential. Just a couple years ago, Ohio and Butler's budgets were virtually identical. But they built on what they did. Two seasons ago, they spent $2,822,892. Last season, $3,541,122. And I bet it went up again this season. They are positioning themselves to return to prominence. VCU beat Duke in 2007. They used that attention to build their program. Two years ago, they spent $2,324,111. Last season, they shot up to $3,221,519 and made it to the Final Four.

Last season, we spent $2,162,046. Butler and VCU got to the mountaintop spending about a million more dollars. At a minimum, this is where we need to be. And it's not just about retaining the coaches. It's about facilities, it's about recruiting, it's about marketing, it's about game-day experience... all of it. It all matters.

Schaus knows this. McDavis knows this. And now you do too. Go tell someone else.

"Loyalty to a hometown or city is fleeting and interchangeable, but college is a stamp of identity."- Kyle Whelliston, One Beautiful Season.

My blog about depression and mental illness: https://bit.ly/3buGXH8

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Ozcat
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  Message Not Read  RE: This Program is at a Crossroads Right Now
   Posted: 3/22/2012 5:13:24 PM 

Good stuff as always.  I just joined the Bobcat Club on Monday, and I'm trying to get every other OU friend I see to do the same.
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DelBobcat
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Location: Cincinnati, OH
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  Message Not Read  RE: This Program is at a Crossroads Right Now
   Posted: 3/22/2012 6:20:01 PM 
Agreed. Let's just hope the Classics Department doesn't come out with their guns blazing.

I mentioned on here before that I had a job interview last week. It went well (I'll hear from them in the next few weeks) and hopefully there will be more in the near future. One thing I do know is that when I get my first big boy job an Ohio Bobcat Club membership will be one of my first investments.

Last Edited: 3/22/2012 6:51:02 PM by DelBobcat

BA OHIO 2010, BS OHIO 2010, MA Delaware 2012
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Wilson Hall Record Holder
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  Message Not Read  RE: This Program is at a Crossroads Right Now
   Posted: 3/22/2012 6:20:45 PM 
I agree with your position that led to your post but with anything that is competitive in nature, elite success isn't in the what, it's in the how.
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OhioStunter
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  Message Not Read  RE: This Program is at a Crossroads Right Now
   Posted: 3/22/2012 6:28:52 PM 
JSF, this is one of your finer posts.
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PTgrad
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  Message Not Read  RE: This Program is at a Crossroads Right Now
   Posted: 3/22/2012 6:50:18 PM 
Do you have this summarized in a power point presentation???? 

This makes me think of the commercial where the kid uses PPT to get his parents to get him a dog....

Seriously though, great post and great points made.  I agree on all counts, and like the commercial lets hope our BBall program doesnt get shot down like the husband in that commercial.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g30omUwhHTs

Last Edited: 3/22/2012 6:52:05 PM by PTgrad
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cc-cat
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  Message Not Read  RE: This Program is at a Crossroads Right Now
   Posted: 3/22/2012 6:54:55 PM 
it also continues by bringing our "A" game tomorrow night.
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Chuck_IV
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Location: Connecticut
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  Message Not Read  RE: This Program is at a Crossroads Right Now
   Posted: 3/22/2012 7:01:25 PM 
JSF wrote:
We are not the first MAC team to survive the first weekend. We won't be the last. But nobody else in this conference has been able to sustain success and take advantage of what they did.

As I mentioned earlier this week, our budget lags far behind even schools like South Florida. We rank 112th in D-I for basketball spending. And here is where I talk about Butler.

Butler sustained the success of their 33-win season by championship game run the next season and then doing it again. We're in a similar situation. And what did Barry Collier (Butler's AD) do? He harnessed the potential. Just a couple years ago, Ohio and Butler's budgets were virtually identical. But they built on what they did. Two seasons ago, they spent $2,822,892. Last season, $3,541,122. And I bet it went up again this season. They are positioning themselves to return to prominence. VCU beat Duke in 2007. They used that attention to build their program. Two years ago, they spent $2,324,111. Last season, they shot up to $3,221,519 and made it to the Final Four.

Last season, we spent $2,162,046. Butler and VCU got to the mountaintop spending about a million more dollars. At a minimum, this is where we need to be. And it's not just about retaining the coaches. It's about facilities, it's about recruiting, it's about marketing, it's about game-day experience... all of it. It all matters.

Schaus knows this. McDavis knows this. And now you do too. Go tell someone else.


There is a BIG difference between Butler/VCU and Ohio

Football. Butler and VCU do not have a D1 Football programs and thus have more money to toss at basketball. While I agree Ohio needs to put more money into basketball, sustaining a solid D1 football program also costs money. It also takes Alumni support. Does Ohio have a solid financial backing from the Alumni(I don't know)?

We have to HAVE the money to throw at the program before we can actually throw it.

Class of 88

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Wilson Hall Record Holder
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  Message Not Read  RE: This Program is at a Crossroads Right Now
   Posted: 3/22/2012 8:25:04 PM 
Chuck_IV wrote:
JSF wrote:
We are not the first MAC team to survive the first weekend. We won't be the last. But nobody else in this conference has been able to sustain success and take advantage of what they did.

As I mentioned earlier this week, our budget lags far behind even schools like South Florida. We rank 112th in D-I for basketball spending. And here is where I talk about Butler.

Butler sustained the success of their 33-win season by championship game run the next season and then doing it again. We're in a similar situation. And what did Barry Collier (Butler's AD) do? He harnessed the potential. Just a couple years ago, Ohio and Butler's budgets were virtually identical. But they built on what they did. Two seasons ago, they spent $2,822,892. Last season, $3,541,122. And I bet it went up again this season. They are positioning themselves to return to prominence. VCU beat Duke in 2007. They used that attention to build their program. Two years ago, they spent $2,324,111. Last season, they shot up to $3,221,519 and made it to the Final Four.

Last season, we spent $2,162,046. Butler and VCU got to the mountaintop spending about a million more dollars. At a minimum, this is where we need to be. And it's not just about retaining the coaches. It's about facilities, it's about recruiting, it's about marketing, it's about game-day experience... all of it. It all matters.

Schaus knows this. McDavis knows this. And now you do too. Go tell someone else.


There is a BIG difference between Butler/VCU and Ohio

Football. Butler and VCU do not have a D1 Football programs and thus have more money to toss at basketball. While I agree Ohio needs to put more money into basketball, sustaining a solid D1 football program also costs money. It also takes Alumni support. Does Ohio have a solid financial backing from the Alumni(I don't know)?

We have to HAVE the money to throw at the program before we can actually throw it.



I both disagree and agree


I disagree in the light of JSF's statement that we are even behind South Florida where basketball is an afterthought in that entire state outside of Gainesville and they have a top 20ish football program in D-1.


I agree (qualified agreement)  in that you use words to make the same statement I made.


As nicely expressed JSF's statement was, it was in a forum where no one really has any say so in the day to to day operation.  So while it seems like groundbreaking info here,  there are people whose job it is to know what JSF has said so this is not news to anyone in position to accomplish what JSF speaks of.


Again this is not about WHAT needs to be done, it's about HOW is it going to be done.


If JSF has those answers then please don't waste time on this website, take it to the people who are the ones who get it done (or fail to get it done) so we can all reap the benefits.


If the Athletic Department is reading JSF's words and saying "wow I didn't realize that"  then we are done for and quite frankly we wouldn't really be in the position we're in right now.
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HeHateMiami
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Location: Mason, OH
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  Message Not Read  RE: This Program is at a Crossroads Right Now
   Posted: 3/22/2012 10:28:32 PM 
Wilson Hall Record Holder wrote:



Again this is not about WHAT needs to be done, it's about HOW is it going to be done.



We're already missing opportunities. I have many thoughts but I'll give one example for now in the interest of time. 

If you went to the Bobcat Bash in Nashville you probably noticed that the Athletic Department was charging $15 at the door. I think that's a dumb decision. $15 is small potatoes. 

What they should have been doing was having people sign in, so the department would know who they are. If they had their digital files they could instantaneously know if someone was an OBC member, when the last time was that they donated, how much they donated, etc. 

With the right information the options would have been endless. Ask people who haven't donated in a set time to fill out a donation promise. Get people not in the club into it. Ask current donors who are feeling great about the team's success if they'd like to donate on the spot.

Certainly you don't want events like this to feel uber-salesy but there's a professional way to do it without it devolving into that. Have Schaus include something in his remarks about donations like the ones they're receiving today making athletic success like this possible (especially given the economic climate). Give people opportunities and nudge them to donate without pushing it.

I know there are a few people on this board who were in the 110. Those people will remember the Macy's parade trip in 2000. Each 110 member had to pay their own way (maybe like $300 a piece? nothing major but enough that a college student certainly felt it.) Well about halfway through the season the 110 played at a tailgate for President Glidden and some of his well funded friends. At the end of the tailgate Dr. Suk mentioned that the 110 was headed to the Macy's parade, had some trouble funding the trip, and one of Glidden's guests wrote the 110 a check (well into the 5 digits if I'm not mistaken). The 110 members didn't need to make their last trip payment and some of the money was used on entertainment (like a cruise on the Hudson and tickets to a musical) while they were in NYC. 

That's what the Athletic Department should be doing. Forget the $15 a head. It's time to go big game hunting.
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OU_Country
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Location: On the road between Athens and Madison County
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  Message Not Read  RE: This Program is at a Crossroads Right Now
   Posted: 3/22/2012 10:39:13 PM 
Chuck_IV wrote:
JSF wrote:
We are not the first MAC team to survive the first weekend. We won't be the last. But nobody else in this conference has been able to sustain success and take advantage of what they did.

As I mentioned earlier this week, our budget lags far behind even schools like South Florida. We rank 112th in D-I for basketball spending. And here is where I talk about Butler.

Butler sustained the success of their 33-win season by championship game run the next season and then doing it again. We're in a similar situation. And what did Barry Collier (Butler's AD) do? He harnessed the potential. Just a couple years ago, Ohio and Butler's budgets were virtually identical. But they built on what they did. Two seasons ago, they spent $2,822,892. Last season, $3,541,122. And I bet it went up again this season. They are positioning themselves to return to prominence. VCU beat Duke in 2007. They used that attention to build their program. Two years ago, they spent $2,324,111. Last season, they shot up to $3,221,519 and made it to the Final Four.

Last season, we spent $2,162,046. Butler and VCU got to the mountaintop spending about a million more dollars. At a minimum, this is where we need to be. And it's not just about retaining the coaches. It's about facilities, it's about recruiting, it's about marketing, it's about game-day experience... all of it. It all matters.

Schaus knows this. McDavis knows this. And now you do too. Go tell someone else.


There is a BIG difference between Butler/VCU and Ohio

Football. Butler and VCU do not have a D1 Football programs and thus have more money to toss at basketball. While I agree Ohio needs to put more money into basketball, sustaining a solid D1 football program also costs money. It also takes Alumni support. Does Ohio have a solid financial backing from the Alumni(I don't know)?

We have to HAVE the money to throw at the program before we can actually throw it.

It's been unpopular every time I say it, but I stand by the fact that OUr school has more to gain with basketball than it ever will in football.  We should invest money accordingly.
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OU_Country
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  Message Not Read  RE: This Program is at a Crossroads Right Now
   Posted: 3/22/2012 10:41:11 PM 
HeHateMiami wrote:
Wilson Hall Record Holder wrote:



Again this is not about WHAT needs to be done, it's about HOW is it going to be done.



We're already missing opportunities. I have many thoughts but I'll give one example for now in the interest of time. 

If you went to the Bobcat Bash in Nashville you probably noticed that the Athletic Department was charging $15 at the door. I think that's a dumb decision. $15 is small potatoes. 

What they should have been doing was having people sign in, so the department would know who they are. If they had their digital files they could instantaneously know if someone was an OBC member, when the last time was that they donated, how much they donated, etc. 

With the right information the options would have been endless. Ask people who haven't donated in a set time to fill out a donation promise. Get people not in the club into it. Ask current donors who are feeling great about the team's success if they'd like to donate on the spot.

Certainly you don't want events like this to feel uber-salesy but there's a professional way to do it without it devolving into that. Have Schaus include something in his remarks about donations like the ones they're receiving today making athletic success like this possible (especially given the economic climate). Give people opportunities and nudge them to donate without pushing it.

I know there are a few people on this board who were in the 110. Those people will remember the Macy's parade trip in 2000. Each 110 member had to pay their own way (maybe like $300 a piece? nothing major but enough that a college student certainly felt it.) Well about halfway through the season the 110 played at a tailgate for President Glidden and some of his well funded friends. At the end of the tailgate Dr. Suk mentioned that the 110 was headed to the Macy's parade, had some trouble funding the trip, and one of Glidden's guests wrote the 110 a check (well into the 5 digits if I'm not mistaken). The 110 members didn't need to make their last trip payment and some of the money was used on entertainment (like a cruise on the Hudson and tickets to a musical) while they were in NYC. 

That's what the Athletic Department should be doing. Forget the $15 a head. It's time to go big game hunting.

Excellent points.
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Gallia Cat
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  Message Not Read  RE: This Program is at a Crossroads Right Now
   Posted: 3/22/2012 11:02:11 PM 
The Bobcat Club is key to increasing Ohio financial support needed if Ohio's programs are to grow. A model for Ohio to use as an example would be Virginia Tech's Hokie Club. Big school in a very small town with an alumni base very spread out. The Hokie Club stepped upped up support each time VT had the opportunity to step up. I have been in the Bobcat Club for a couple years now. I am going to take another step up this year and I challenge others on this board to do the same. No matter how small, every penny counts when trying to sustain this success!
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JSF
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  Message Not Read  RE: This Program is at a Crossroads Right Now
   Posted: 3/22/2012 11:09:58 PM 
Like I said, these are things Schaus and McDavis know all too well. I talked to Schaus in Nashville and he made an analogy about building a house, then putting the house on stilts. I think the house is built. It's time for the stilts. And this is something he's done before at Wichita. Though he left a few years ago, he was a big part of what's going on there now.

And yes, what I'm saying probably doesn't make much difference. But I think these are important things for people to know. And if it compels a few to contribute, then all the better.

"Loyalty to a hometown or city is fleeting and interchangeable, but college is a stamp of identity."- Kyle Whelliston, One Beautiful Season.

My blog about depression and mental illness: https://bit.ly/3buGXH8

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BobcatJH
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  Message Not Read  RE: This Program is at a Crossroads Right Now
   Posted: 3/22/2012 11:13:45 PM 
Someone from the fundraising arm should have an iPad armed with a Square reader at every on-location event. You guys ever seen one of those? They're big in the artist/gigposter/craft show world that I frequent and are gaining steam in small businesses. It's basically a portable credit card scanner that can make on-the-spot transactions with a swipe over wi-fi or mobile plans. I know you won't get MASSIVE donation amounts this way, but I think it'd be the perfect thing to have for a large amount of small-dollar donations at concentrated events. Like Bobcat Bashes.
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bobcat695
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  Message Not Read  RE: This Program is at a Crossroads Right Now
   Posted: 3/22/2012 11:45:27 PM 
The Bobcat Bashes are hosted by the Alumni Association. They track everything. Those of us that preregister for the event have to enter all of our information online in order to sign up. I am proud of my donations to the Ohio Bobcat Club. I enjoy supporting the programs (Athletics, College of Business, Sales Centre, etc) that are winners on campus. I started giving back shortly after graduation because I believed Ohio University had a profound impact on my life. This board is full of the most supportive Bobcats. We spread the word and open our wallets. We just need 5000 more folks to feel the same way we do. Ohio is a special place that deserves to be in an upper class.

"You can't un-fist a fist pump." - Saul Phillips 1/24/15

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Monroe Slavin
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  Message Not Read  RE: This Program is at a Crossroads Right Now
   Posted: 3/23/2012 1:03:53 AM 
One immediate advantage we have is a terrific Convo (big!) facility.

The publicity is priceless.  We can do football and hoop.

Do I have to keep repeating that support for the University must, to some extent, be expressed in the dollars.

My understanding is that the OHIO turnout/contingent at the NCAA games is pretty impressive (espec in comparison to 'more established' schools).  It is on.

It is on.

It is on because you open up a small corner of your wallet.

Where's the band?!
WHERE"S THE BAND?!


DesignspiritUSA.com
The Pets On The Go Collection of pet gear travel bags
The Holiday Tote Bigg Bagg Collection--over-sized, reversible, extra pockets; now love carrying packages as much as you love shopping!

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Mark Lembright '85
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  Message Not Read  RE: This Program is at a Crossroads Right Now
   Posted: 3/23/2012 9:26:11 AM 
I think President McDavis is all over this. As I recall, I think I read in one of the articles in the media this week that he was taking the trip to St. Louis with several donors/potential donors.
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Andrew Ruck
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  Message Not Read  RE: This Program is at a Crossroads Right Now
   Posted: 3/23/2012 9:51:27 AM 
I would guess a big piece to the puzzle for Butler & VCU was their success leading to increased revenues making it possible for the increased spending they had been desiring for years anyway.  Hopefully that will be a big part of the puzzle for us as well.

Andrew Ruck
B.B.A. 2003

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Kinggeorge4
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  Message Not Read  RE: This Program is at a Crossroads Right Now
   Posted: 3/23/2012 10:08:53 AM 
We do need the support of our alumni.  Keep sending $ and wearing yOUr OHIO pride!  This University is on the way up!

GO BOBCATS
GEORGE

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Tim Burke
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  Message Not Read  RE: This Program is at a Crossroads Right Now
   Posted: 3/23/2012 10:15:20 AM 
Chuck_IV wrote:
Football. Butler and VCU do not have a D1 Football programs 


Butler plays FCS football, but does not offer football scholarships. 

Ohio '99 EMU '00 USF '08(?)

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crackerbaby00
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  Message Not Read  RE: This Program is at a Crossroads Right Now
   Posted: 3/23/2012 10:17:45 AM 
This past summer I increased by donation by $40 to get into the next level.  I wanted to (and have been wanting to) increase it more but have only been able to afford to pay the amount necessary to maintain my seats in the Phillips Club.  This year has been much better than last (starting your own business takes time) so I am hoping to increase my donation to the level above my new level.  I wish I could just make my monthly student loan payment my donation to Ohio.  I wouldnt mind writing that check!
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Ohio69
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  Message Not Read  RE: This Program is at a Crossroads Right Now
   Posted: 3/23/2012 11:05:24 AM 

Boy, I'm surprised the university doesn't already have a fundraising department.  

Maybe we can have a bake sale or set up a lemonade stand or something as a start.


(sarcasm)



Last Edited: 3/23/2012 11:06:25 AM by Ohio69

Can somebody hit a pull up jumper for me?.....

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JSF
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  Message Not Read  RE: This Program is at a Crossroads Right Now
   Posted: 3/23/2012 11:55:46 AM 
I thought the idea that revenue must go up in order to enable spending to go up was self-evident.

"Loyalty to a hometown or city is fleeting and interchangeable, but college is a stamp of identity."- Kyle Whelliston, One Beautiful Season.

My blog about depression and mental illness: https://bit.ly/3buGXH8

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ClevelandCat '11
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  Message Not Read  RE: This Program is at a Crossroads Right Now
   Posted: 3/23/2012 11:58:25 AM 
crackerbaby00 wrote:
This past summer I increased by donation by $40 to get into the next level.  I wanted to (and have been wanting to) increase it more but have only been able to afford to pay the amount necessary to maintain my seats in the Phillips Club.  This year has been much better than last (starting your own business takes time) so I am hoping to increase my donation to the level above my new level.  I wish I could just make my monthly student loan payment my donation to Ohio.  I wouldnt mind writing that check!


this
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