President's Staff Sack Lunch Live Stream: Happening Now

Christopher Walker · October 13, 2015

http://president.unt.edu/videos/sack-lunch

Live stream happening now. I have a couple of questions submitted...

greenit · October 13, 2015

Watching now. This is essentially a staff appreciation/awards lunch. So far, no sign of RV. Shocked, not shocked.

Edited October 13, 2015 by greenit

Mean_Green09 · October 13, 2015

Now they are on the question portion. Said unfiltered lets see

untbowler · October 13, 2015

can those who can listen, give updates on any important questions. Can't see video thru the company firewall

KingDL1 · October 13, 2015

Wow the golden question was asked

Edited October 13, 2015 by KingDL1

Mean_Green09 · October 13, 2015

He gave no support to RV. No endorsement.

Harry · October 13, 2015

Wow question was asked and he answered it "Athletics is the front porch of the university...I don't know a president who doesn't care at D-I...I consider myself a partner... I am to act as a conduit to make sure we are making sure we are doing our best in all programs...this involves our BOR, donors... we will all continue to work together to make sure we do the best we can..."

I thought I saw RV in the audience but am not sure.

Edited October 13, 2015 by Harry

Mean_Green09 · October 13, 2015

Wow question was asked and he answered it "Athletics is the front porch of the university...I don't know a president who doesn't care at D-I...I consider myself a partner... I am to act as a conduit to make sure we are making sure we are doing our best in all programs...this involves our BOR, donors... we will all continue to work together to make sure we do the best we can..."

And to add that it sounds like he wants to be hands on and work with athletics

Christopher Walker · October 13, 2015

Yep, and I wanted to phrase it tactfully, which I believe I did.

His answer is... interesting. I think it indicates that he does have a desire to play a much more active role in decisions going forward, but then he fully acknowledges the input of the Board of Regents and donors.

Notice however he did not mention RV or the AD position by name.

Edited October 13, 2015 by Christopher Walker

Greendylan · October 13, 2015

He gave a very generic, innocuous answer about viewing athletics as the "front porch" to the university and said all university presidents feel the same way. He also indicated that it is important for him to work with those outside of the walls of the athletic department (i.e. donors).

Christopher Walker · October 13, 2015

I'm here and do not see RV in the room.

Mean_Green09 · October 13, 2015

Also he eluded to the donors and board of regents have a hand on how things play out. So you can sense he realizes that he needs them on board with his decision.

I think the biggest take away are:

He cares

He will be hands on

He gave no endorsement to current AD. Didnt say he stands behind him or anything.

KingDL1 · October 13, 2015

He danced a bit and said it is clear he his hands on guy and how important Athletics are that he is conduit between Alumni, Donors, and BOR. Sounded and looked like he knows.

Mean_Green09 · October 13, 2015

Yep, and I wanted to phrase it tactfully, and I believe I did that.
His answer is... interesting. I think it indicates that he does have a desire to play a much more active role in decisions going forward, but then he fully acknowledges the input of the Board of Regents and donors.
Notice however he did not mention RV or the AD position by name.

I applaud you for that Sir. We all should. Its the first time in our crisis mode that someone has gotten a public answer from the President. Well done

I'm here and do not see RV in the room.

Busy with the coach search

Greendylan · October 13, 2015

Considering the audience and circumstance, I thought it was a very well-articulated question, by the way.

KingDL1 · October 13, 2015

I'm here and do not see RV in the room.

Chris thank you for asking. It got the attention of the crowd also, more so than anything else I saw.

Edited October 13, 2015 by KingDL1

Ben Gooding · October 13, 2015

He can bump gums all day about what should be happening, but if a change isn't made he indirectly endorses RV and inserts himself in the equation of being a part of the problem.

Good questuon though, CW. Very tactful. His response, very tactful.

Withers940 · October 13, 2015

I think Smatresk is gonna be a great President because he Cares about the Entirety of the University and not just Academics. He is a pom pom guy and I love that about him. Also very involved in the Community.

Green Mean · October 13, 2015

Part of his job duties are being a great at influencing and negotiating. If the BOR is wishy washy about athletics priority then he needs to somehow influence them as well as the key donors.

untbowler · October 13, 2015

Well sounds like everyone needs to be berating the BOR with letters as well, especially the non-UNT alumni.

Let them know 100K+ alums are greater than 17.

Green Mean · October 13, 2015

I think Smatresk is gonna be a great President because he Cares about the Entirety of the University and not just Academics. He is a pom pom guy and I love that about him. Also very involved in the Community.

I also gotta think he loves this gig a lot. It gave him a chance to come back home and be close to his kids and grandchildren which was a huge motivating factor. I think he probably wants to stick around for the long haul here until he's ready to retire so why not be happy and enthusiastic about everything. If a university thrives in academics and athletics it benefits everyone involved including his own personal resume.

Tyler Maryak · October 13, 2015

Wow question was asked and he answered it "Athletics is the front porch of the university...I don't know a president who doesn't care at D-I...I consider myself a partner... I am to act as a conduit to make sure we are making sure we are doing our best in all programs...this involves our BOR, donors... we will all continue to work together to make sure we do the best we can..."
I thought I saw RV in the audience but am not sure.

Thanks for posting his answer, Harry!

Harry · October 13, 2015

I saw nothing indicating any changes coming. He confirmed it was important and that his role would be acting as a conduit, not the primary player and it would be influenced by the BOR and major donors. He did say that he was "hands on" so I imagine he will be involved in the final selection of the coach.

Keep in mind, this is a primarily academic audience and as such he is not going to spend too much time on this subject which has to be a sore one for most of them when you take into account how much more funding athletics gets in comparison.

Christopher Walker · October 13, 2015

I saw nothing indicating any changes coming. He confirmed it was important and that his role would be acting as a conduit, not the primary player and it would be influenced by the BOR and major donors. He did say that he was "hands on" so I imagine he will be involved in the final selection of the coach.
Keep in mind, this is a primarily academic audience and as such he is not going to spend too much time on this subject which has to be a sore one for most of them when you take into account how much more funding athletics gets in comparison.

True, but most of them are smart enough to realize that the revenue streams are completely separate. I thought it was an appropriate answer. What I didn't want to do was corner him with the wording.