Wednesday May 09, 2007

AD for a Day

AD for a Day
The rumors of Arkansas’ interest in Clemson athletic director is a subject that we could debate for hours. I have recently had the privilege of having some great dialogue with Dr. Phillips and hope to have an even better relationship with him in the future. I do not know if Arkansas will offer Phillips or if he would entertain any offer from his alma mater.

If Clemson had to hire a new AD I would suggest we all volunteer to be “AD for a day” in the interim. I am looking forward to read what you would do with your day but here are a few of my items:

1. Schedule a “home and home” with Army and Navy in football. I am compiling a list of places I want to go before I check out of here and West Point and Annapolis are near the top of the list. I understand West Point and Michie Stadium are incredible. I would love to see Cadets and Midshipmen in the visiting section of Death Valley but more importantly I need to see Clemson play in Michie Stadium. To visit the campus on the Hudson River and the stadium would be awesome.

2. Get with Georgia and work it out. Clemson and Georgia need to play each other in football every year. I understand conference expansion hurt the rivalry. I also understand you have to have home games for revenue. However, I also understand that I am 39-years old and I need to see more Clemson-Georgia games.

3. On the subject of football schedules I understand it is difficult but a little Tennessee, Notre Dame, Alabama, Auburn or LSU would be incredible. The Texas A&M deal was well worth it in my opinion. Imagine a trip over the mountain to Knoxville, to the Plains or to the Capstone. How about a ‘Battle of Death Valleys?”

4. I would look into a yearly neutral site game. Again, revenue is a priority but I love Red River Rivalry in Dallas every year. I think the World’s Largest Cocktail Party in Jacksonville every year is special. Army-Navy and their neutral site games seem to work. NC State in Charlotte maybe?

5. The basketball schedule has one major issue in my mind and that is the South Carolina rivalry. Clemson and USC used to play each other twice a year and that tradition needs to come back. The Gamecocks and Tigers could use the home gate for those contests.

6. I like the Georgia series in basketball but it off for now. I think it needs to happen every year.

7. Like the football schedule, I would like to see an occasional regional rivalry like Tennessee, Auburn or Alabama on the hardwood.

8. I would inquire about games with Winthrop and the College of Charleston. Clemson baseball draws well in Charleston and I think the Lowcountry Tigers would love to see Clemson basketball in Charleston.

9. Neutral site basketball games also make sense. A Bi-Lo Center game against a national opponent might be worth another try.

10. On the baseball front, the first thing I would do is speed up the expansion of Doug Kingsmore Stadium. I think more people would show up if they knew they could get in. I would look at more permanent seats down both lines and some outfield bleachers. How about a rooftop section on top of the batting cages? You would have to flatten the roof but it could happen. Again, I understand the limitations and building codes have to be dealt with but Doug Kingsmore Stadium needs expansion soon.

11. I would look into a Palmetto State baseball tournament. Clemson, USC, Charleston, Coastal, Winthrop, Furman, Wofford and The Citadel would be a draw. The event could rotate each year between Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Rock Hill, Greenville, Spartanburg and Clemson. With a corporate sponsor this could be a revenue producer. Let’s face it we are a baseball state.

12. Speaking of corporate sponsors, I would look into naming rights for the Clemson-USC game.

13. Last night’s game in Greenville was another success so more baseball games in Greenville is too easy. Make it a priority.

14. On the subject of a Palmetto State baseball tournament, I would also look at a Clemson-USC Fall Sports Weekend and a Clemson-USC Spring Sports Weekend. In the fall Clemson and USC could play each other in golf, soccer, women’s soccer and volleyball. A spring event could be the rivals getting together for men’s and women’s outdoor track, baseball, tennis and golf. Golf is difficult because of the limited about of tournaments.

15. Clemson’s women’s rowing team could play South Carolina’s equestrian team in tiddly winks.

16. I would inquire about a home and home three game weekend series between USC and Clemson in baseball. Six games are more fan friendly than four.

17. I would rename the Tennis facility at Clemson in honor of Chuck Kriese.

18. I would name the soccer press box in honor of Sam Blackman.

19. I would hire a PR firm to handle the publicity in the re-seating saga that will take place in 2008.

20. I would obviously make personnel changes on the AARC.

21. I would help pack up and help move out about two or three employees in the athletic department.

22. And finally, I would have less PR spin and more truth. I would be honest with the Clemson people. I would disband all committees and have individual employees be responsible for their actions.

Those are only suggestions and I realize most can’t happen because of a wide variety of factors but I would at least inquire about many on the list. The way I see it 22 things in one day is enough but there is plenty more ideas in this skewed mind of mine. But I will yield to your “day as the AD.” So what would you do with your time in office?

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