BRAA Membership Drive

[blueraider315]

BRAA membership drive is underway. If you haven't renewed for next year, NOW is the time to do it. If you haven't given before, join for as little as $100. Benefits start July 1, 2024 for a full 12-months.

Help the student athletes out by becoming a member or renewing your membership.

 

[MT01]

No thanks. I’m not giving money to an administration that thinks removing an average coach they kept a decade too long and making an even dumber move by repeating that mistake with a coach that isn’t even close to average. I really wanted to believe they were going to start doing the right things for the fan base and alumni but incompetence always wins the day with incompetent people and I can’t in good conscious give money to that.

I will be making my first visit back to Floyd in six years; however. That I can do. Probably come for the kennesaw game and I know you all have anxiously been awaiting that decision. lol But I’m not financially supporting the slowest moving train wreck in history.

 

[ewglenn]

No thanks. I’m not giving money to an administration that thinks removing an average coach they kept a decade too long and making an even dumber move by repeating that mistake with a coach that isn’t even close to average. I really wanted to believe they were going to start doing the right things for the fan base and alumni but incompetence always wins the day with incompetent people and I can’t in good conscious give money to that.

I will be making my first visit back to Floyd in six years; however. That I can do. Probably come for the kennesaw game and I know you all have anxiously been awaiting that decision. lol But I’m not financially supporting the slowest moving train wreck in history.

That’s a fair statement. Glad you’ll be back in Floyd this fall! If they let Nick go after next season would you change your mind with the BRAA?

 

[MT01]

That’s a fair statement. Glad you’ll be back in Floyd this fall! If they let Nick go after next season would you change your mind with the BRAA?

I gave for nearly 20 years. Spent thousands and thousands on travel/airfare just to go to home games.

I made a sizeable five-year commitment to my other alma mater this spring after that decision for the first time since I graduated in '97, so I'm not going to be itching to give to MT. I need to see either sustainable change in culture or a change in people before I will give again. And what makes you think they will make a change next year if they wouldn't this year? What if he goes 18-13. They'll be like would you look at that marvelous turnaround. That's three + .500 seasons in the past four years.

The issue is not about that one decision. It's that they aren't actually making decisions consistent with what they claim. You can't say we're here to win championships when you hired Mason and then turn around a few months later and retain a coach no other school that's actually trying to win championships would keep. We have a culture at this university of good enough for govt work where the "leadership" attacks and admonishes the fans for demanding more than mediocre. How ungrateful we all are to not see how well they've done at being consistently average. Remember as Rick always said winning is hard. So, who is willing to do the hard work? Well, the tennis people are. WBB. I see flashes of it with the new FB regime, so I'm generally hopeful there.

While I respect the individual coaches and programs that are bucking the trend of this institution's culture, I believe for us to excel (at least the way I would like to see) is where that culture is established at the top and it filters down to each program and if your program fails in spite of that winning culture being instilled well then - that's on you as the head of that program - and we'll make a change and find someone who will fit that culture. At MT we retain average and bad coaches because THAT IS the actual culture that is instilled from the top.

If you want a perfect example of this look to the east over in Knoxville where in spite of multi-million dollar athletic budget they squandered a decade or more with piss poor leadership. Look at what happened there since they removed the dead weight at the top and instilled Randy Boyd as the President and Danny White as the AD. Tennessee is now consistently a top 10 team in football, basketball, and baseball. They had a 60%+ win pct womens BB coach but that didn't fit their culture so they made a change there. The baseball team is currently #1 in the nation. Softball #2 in the nation. Tennis too? Yeah, top 10 advanced to super regional. The point is not to suggest that MT is ever going to be top 10 across multiple sports but look how bad UT has been at most everything for the 10 to 15 years prior to these changes. Even with all that money they were nothing but a terribly run university and athletics dept. There's a lesson in that for me. Which is don't give more money to bad leadership. It never leads to better decisions or outcomes.

 

[FranklinRaider315]

I gave for nearly 20 years. Spent thousands and thousands on travel/airfare just to go to home games.

I made a sizeable five-year commitment to my other alma mater this spring after that decision for the first time since I graduated in '97, so I'm not going to be itching to give to MT. I need to see either sustainable change in culture or a change in people before I will give again. And what makes you think they will make a change next year if they wouldn't this year? What if he goes 18-13. They'll be like would you look at that marvelous turnaround. That's three + .500 seasons in the past four years.

The issue is not about that one decision. It's that they aren't actually making decisions consistent with what they claim. You can't say we're here to win championships when you hired Mason and then turn around a few months later and retain a coach no other school that's actually trying to win championships would keep. We have a culture at this university of good enough for govt work where the "leadership" attacks and admonishes the fans for demanding more than mediocre. How ungrateful we all are to not see how well they've done at being consistently average. Remember as Rick always said winning is hard. So, who is willing to do the hard work? Well, the tennis people are. WBB. I see flashes of it with the new FB regime, so I'm generally hopeful there.

While I respect the individual coaches and programs that are bucking the trend of this institution's culture, I believe for us to excel (at least the way I would like to see) is where that culture is established at the top and it filters down to each program and if your program fails in spite of that winning culture being instilled well then - that's on you as the head of that program - and we'll make a change and find someone who will fit that culture. At MT we retain average and bad coaches because THAT IS the actual culture that is instilled from the top.

If you want a perfect example of this look to the east over in Knoxville where in spite of multi-million dollar athletic budget they squandered a decade or more with piss poor leadership. Look at what happened there since they removed the dead weight at the top and instilled Randy Boyd as the President and Danny White as the AD. Tennessee is now consistently a top 10 team in football, basketball, and baseball. They had a 60%+ win pct womens BB coach but that didn't fit their culture so they made a change there. The baseball team is currently #1 in the nation. Softball #2 in the nation. Tennis too? Yeah, top 10 advanced to super regional. The point is not to suggest that MT is ever going to be top 10 across multiple sports but look how bad UT has been at most everything for the 10 to 15 years prior to these changes. Even with all that money they were nothing but a terribly run university and athletics dept. There's a lesson in that for me. Which is don't give more money to bad leadership. It never leads to better decisions or outcomes.

I wasn’t as involved with MTSU or donating as long as you but I did jump in with both feet after graduation in ‘05. I agree with your assessment of the current leadership and their commitment to mediocrity. It’s why I went back to Memphis on Saturdays like you and UTK. They cleaned house in 2012-13 from the President down and since then, FedEx has responded with huge commitments to winning, especially for Tiger Football.

 

[JohnDavidBlue]

If this were a true sports organization where leaders were held to standards and continually reviewed and compared to their peers for progress, I would have a lot more respect.

The truth is is that these are appointed positions within the organization and making bad decisions after bad decision on our revenue generating coaches.

I hope that they have a stellar year with BRAA memberships but quite frankly, I just don't care.

 

[BRaiderDave]

I gave for nearly 20 years. Spent thousands and thousands on travel/airfare just to go to home games.

I made a sizeable five-year commitment to my other alma mater this spring after that decision for the first time since I graduated in '97, so I'm not going to be itching to give to MT. I need to see either sustainable change in culture or a change in people before I will give again. And what makes you think they will make a change next year if they wouldn't this year? What if he goes 18-13. They'll be like would you look at that marvelous turnaround. That's three + .500 seasons in the past four years.

The issue is not about that one decision. It's that they aren't actually making decisions consistent with what they claim. You can't say we're here to win championships when you hired Mason and then turn around a few months later and retain a coach no other school that's actually trying to win championships would keep. We have a culture at this university of good enough for govt work where the "leadership" attacks and admonishes the fans for demanding more than mediocre. How ungrateful we all are to not see how well they've done at being consistently average. Remember as Rick always said winning is hard. So, who is willing to do the hard work? Well, the tennis people are. WBB. I see flashes of it with the new FB regime, so I'm generally hopeful there.

While I respect the individual coaches and programs that are bucking the trend of this institution's culture, I believe for us to excel (at least the way I would like to see) is where that culture is established at the top and it filters down to each program and if your program fails in spite of that winning culture being instilled well then - that's on you as the head of that program - and we'll make a change and find someone who will fit that culture. At MT we retain average and bad coaches because THAT IS the actual culture that is instilled from the top.

If you want a perfect example of this look to the east over in Knoxville where in spite of multi-million dollar athletic budget they squandered a decade or more with piss poor leadership. Look at what happened there since they removed the dead weight at the top and instilled Randy Boyd as the President and Danny White as the AD. Tennessee is now consistently a top 10 team in football, basketball, and baseball. They had a 60%+ win pct womens BB coach but that didn't fit their culture so they made a change there. The baseball team is currently #1 in the nation. Softball #2 in the nation. Tennis too? Yeah, top 10 advanced to super regional. The point is not to suggest that MT is ever going to be top 10 across multiple sports but look how bad UT has been at most everything for the 10 to 15 years prior to these changes. Even with all that money they were nothing but a terribly run university and athletics dept. There's a lesson in that for me. Which is don't give more money to bad leadership. It never leads to better decisions or outcomes.

I'll make an appearance or two at Floyd this fall just because Mason has given me a bit of hope in the football program, but that's all I'll do. No monies will be given to BRAA in the future until we get a change in Prez, AD and BOT head. You can't cure cancer unless the entire tumor is removed along with some surrounding tissue.

 

[blueraider315]

Blue Raider Athletic Association (BRAA)

Attention Blue Raider Nation! Big week ahead for the BRAA and we need YOUR support. This will be an exciting year to be a Blue Raider so don't miss out on exclusive benefits. Click Here to Give and...

www.facebook.com

 

[blueraiderJT]

I can't beilieve I'm defending this hire because at first I was really pissed off about it but...

Mason is an upgrade. He kicked Stock's a$$ 4 years in a row. Vandy is a graveyard and he actually did what only 1 other coach did in all of their modern history. He took them to 2 bowl games. Franklin was dirty as hell and Mason had to deal with the national media attention grabbing rape scandal that Franklin caused and left on his doorstep. That was super damaging and yet he still beat some teams like WKU at WKU while they at their best in 2016.

What he's done here so far is not average. Our recruiting is way better than it's been in a long time. Just look at the size of our line now. We are getting guys that are wanted by other real FBS teams. The nutrition station did it for me. He just went in and made that happen. Screw the red tape. Let's build that sh!t. That's not average. Omari Kelly is not average. We are moving forward.

 

[ewglenn]

I renewed my BRAA yesterday. I was really debating on doing because there really isn’t a benefit to me but I figured with Mason doing all he can to right the ship I can help out too.

 

[MidTennMtneer]

I renewed my BRAA yesterday. I was really debating on doing because there really isn’t a benefit to me but I figured with Mason doing all he can to right the ship I can help out too.

My thought too, although distance plays a roll in it doing nothing for me. I wanted to support the improvements that are happening regardless.

That is one thing I think they need to address. A different type of membership package for those that aren't nearby. The discounts do nothing for non-locals. I'd love to go to the donor dinner as well but it makes zero sense for me to drive almost 7hrs on Aug 8 for one day then do it again Aug 30 for opening weekend. I personally think it should be moved to that weekend so out of towners can make one trip.

 

[blueraider315]

My thought too, although distance plays a roll in it doing nothing for me. I wanted to support the improvements that are happening regardless.

That is one thing I think they need to address. A different type of membership package for those that aren't nearby. The discounts do nothing for non-locals. I'd love to go to the donor dinner as well but it makes zero sense for me to drive almost 7hrs on Aug 8 for one day then do it again Aug 30 for opening weekend. I personally think it should be moved to that weekend so out of towners can make one trip.

I can bring this up to Hans and see what ideas they have. if you have any, please send me a message.

They (Hans and Lee) have done a lot to continue to grow the BRAA. We are very behind our competition in terms of number of donors, and amount.

 

[ewglenn]

I can bring this up to Hans and see what ideas they have. if you have any, please send me a message.

They (Hans and Lee) have done a lot to continue to grow the BRAA. We are very behind our competition in terms of number of donors, and amount.

My point of not being a benefit for me is because I don’t really care about the parking passes, dinners and all of those things. I park in the Grove to tailgate and I’ve never had issues parking for basketball. It’s neat to get invited to events like the beam ceremony but it doesn’t really fire me up for donating.

Things like the football schedule posters, swag items, maybe a tailgate prior to the football games for donors are things that would really entice me to give. I know Liberty used to have a donor tailgate that was in the IPF that had food, bounce houses, music, and other activities. We should do something like that. If they do it already they need to do a better job of marketing because I honestly don’t know what all I have available to me as a donor.

Unfortunately there’s a lot of what’s in it for me that people ask when thinking about donating. Being a sales guy, I know to leverage what my customer wants and use that to drive sales. I think there are things they can do to sweeten the pot for people like MidTennMtneer and me to grow donations.

 

[Brew_Raider]

I can bring this up to Hans and see what ideas they have. if you have any, please send me a message.

They (Hans and Lee) have done a lot to continue to grow the BRAA. We are very behind our competition in terms of number of donors, and amount.

I’ve been very impressed by recent hires (Hans, Lee, Clair, and a few others).

I really do look forward to McPhee, Massaro and Smith retiring / disassociating from MT.

I won’t give money while they are involved, but at least there is hope for once they are gone.

 

[blueraider315]

My point of not being a benefit for me is because I don’t really care about the parking passes, dinners and all of those things. I park in the Grove to tailgate and I’ve never had issues parking for basketball. It’s neat to get invited to events like the beam ceremony but it doesn’t really fire me up for donating.

Things like the football schedule posters, swag items, maybe a tailgate prior to the football games for donors are things that would really entice me to give. I know Liberty used to have a donor tailgate that was in the IPF that had food, bounce houses, music, and other activities. We should do something like that. If they do it already they need to do a better job of marketing because I honestly don’t know what all I have available to me as a donor.

Unfortunately there’s a lot of what’s in it for me that people ask when thinking about donating. Being a sales guy, I know to leverage what my customer wants and use that to drive sales. I think there are things they can do to sweeten the pot for people like MidTennMtneer and me to grow donations.

They have donor gifts which they are working on, the schedule posters being sent out would be cool. I passed this all on to Hans and see. I think things like this are easy to do and make a big difference.

It's natural to think, what's in it for me.

 

[BRaiderDave]

I’ve been very impressed by recent hires (Hans, Lee, Clair, and a few others).

I really do look forward to McPhee, Massaro and Smith retiring / disassociating from MT.

I won’t give money while they are involved, but at least there is hope for once they are gone.

More and more people I talk to are in the same boat. All seem to understand that the real problem with the university and it's athletic department is the McPhee/Massaro one-two punch. I really believe that once that cancer is removed the patient will revive.

 

[MidTennMtneer]

I can bring this up to Hans and see what ideas they have. if you have any, please send me a message.

They (Hans and Lee) have done a lot to continue to grow the BRAA. We are very behind our competition in terms of number of donors, and amount.

I'll post here for open discussion as someone may have better ideas.

Simple things.
* Throw in a BRAA t-shirt. We have the shop now with Sideline and would be easy to do.

* The discount to Lightning's is nice, but the selection is lacking. A discount to Sideline would be better. Again, I'd gladly wear a Nike BRAA hat (trucker please 😆). I've already spent over $400 on that site.

* As ewglenn said, a tailgate before games. Doesn't have to be elaborate or full meal. Snacks are fine. Just something each game to say thanks and let people mingle. Use it as an opportunity for us to see the new SAPC or Murphy upgrades or any other new building on campus. Things that alumni otherwise wouldn't see.

* Merch giveaways. Enter by X date get entered to win a CDM signed football. By XX date an authentic jersey. A signed poster. A couple pre-game sideline passes. Pre-game booth passes to see the inner workings of that. Etc. Those things are small in cost to the school but mean the world to a fan. I mean I just paid $165 for an official game issued football. And not just merch. Even a lighted sign or wall clock, etc.

* Speaking of giveaways, they did that to an extent this year (I purposely renewed back in March because of it) but saw nothing on the winners. Posting that shows people you are real and will entice them. The whole "contest" on the Murphy court paint job still ticks me off.

* Sell old stuff being upgraded. Next time we redo the turf in Floyd, do giveaways/auctions etc for pieces of it framed. If we ever replace the chairbacks or bowl seats in Murphy, I'd love to have one of those in my man cave. Shoot, I'd have an auction for almost every sport at the end of each season. WVU WBB players gave their jerseys back to be auctioned for NIL. Nike replaces stuff every year. Now that players can, let them earn money for it and raise for BRAA/Raiders Rising. Let BRAA members get an extra few entries in a giveaway or something like that.

And all that is just off the top of my 5min head.

 

[MidTennMtneer]

Just got this email. I joined March 24th, so will my name be thrown in the pot?

-------
How would you feel about gaining a behind-the-scenes look at the Blue Raiders’ new 85,000 square foot, state-of-the-art training facility?



The BRAA needs your help to hit our fiscal year goal, so any gift (new, renewing, or supplemental) to the BRAA Champions Annual Fund (by June 30th) will automatically enter you into a drawing for a private Student-Athlete Performance Center Hard Hat Tour with a Blue Raider Prize Pack!

 

[FranklinRaider315]

More and more people I talk to are in the same boat. All seem to understand that the real problem with the university and it's athletic department is the McPhee/Massaro one-two punch. I really believe that once that cancer is removed the patient will revive.

I was called by the new Ticket Office Director today and told him pretty much the same thing. When I see change and actual winning results then I’ll consider coming back. Not before.

 

[blueraider315]

Just got this email. I joined March 24th, so will my name be thrown in the pot?

-------
How would you feel about gaining a behind-the-scenes look at the Blue Raiders’ new 85,000 square foot, state-of-the-art training facility?



The BRAA needs your help to hit our fiscal year goal, so any gift (new, renewing, or supplemental) to the BRAA Champions Annual Fund (by June 30th) will automatically enter you into a drawing for a private Student-Athlete Performance Center Hard Hat Tour with a Blue Raider Prize Pack!

This is for any gift made this week to the Champions Annual fund, not for sign ups before (i'm in the same boat). The BRAA is trying to hit their fiscal goal. A donation, of any amount, would get your name into the pot.

https://am.ticketmaster.com/mtsu/donate

 

[SigmaNuBlue]

Just got this email. I joined March 24th, so will my name be thrown in the pot?

-------
How would you feel about gaining a behind-the-scenes look at the Blue Raiders’ new 85,000 square foot, state-of-the-art training facility?



The BRAA needs your help to hit our fiscal year goal, so any gift (new, renewing, or supplemental) to the BRAA Champions Annual Fund (by June 30th) will automatically enter you into a drawing for a private Student-Athlete Performance Center Hard Hat Tour with a Blue Raider Prize Pack!

I am signing back up for the BRAA after being gone for several years. The way I view it is, they made a needed change, I can put my money where my mouth is and do my part. To be clear, I'm not joining at previous levels of giving. I need to see more change before that happens.

But here is my issue with the quoted email above. The new Performance Center is clearly a shiny new toy and very much needed. It is something tangible we can all see and touch, and more importantly point to as something we helped fund.

Like others have stated, the BRAA is still short on the membership drive, so why limit the tour to just one person? Why not make it an incentive to join? "If you join by this date, you get a guided tour." That's an easy incentive to join, and a free commercial for the Athletic Dept. Are they worried too many people will want a tour? What a terrible problem to have.

Just another example of the disconnect between the leadership and the fans. I have enough t-shirts, polos, koozies, posters, etc. Show me something real. Show me something that moves the needle. Show me something tangible that my money goes towards. Then, I feel like I have skin in the game, and maybe, just maybe, my new found excitement leads me to push my alumni friends to join and donate. But what do I know...sorry for the rant.

 

[MTTim]

I am signing back up for the BRAA after being gone for several years. The way I view it is, they made a needed change, I can put my money where my mouth is and do my part. To be clear, I'm not joining at previous levels of giving. I need to see more change before that happens.

But here is my issue with the quoted email above. The new Performance Center is clearly a shiny new toy and very much needed. It is something tangible we can all see and touch, and more importantly point to as something we helped fund.

Like others have stated, the BRAA is still short on the membership drive, so why limit the tour to just one person? Why not make it an incentive to join? "If you join by this date, you get a guided tour." That's an easy incentive to join, and a free commercial for the Athletic Dept. Are they worried too many people will want a tour? What a terrible problem to have.

Just another example of the disconnect between the leadership and the fans. I have enough t-shirts, polos, koozies, posters, etc. Show me something real. Show me something that moves the needle. Show me something tangible that my money goes towards. Then, I feel like I have skin in the game, and maybe, just maybe, my new found excitement leads me to push my alumni friends to join and donate. But what do I know...sorry for the rant.

Exactly my thought. I would take it a step further. For all new signups during the month of July, you get a tour of the new center. It's not like your costs go up tremendously. Whether it's one or 20 a tour would cost the same, other than a few extra refreshments.
More people to spread the word.