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Some ancient history to set the record straight regarding Coach Stowell and BUs funding in the past---
First, Joe Stowell was a superb floor coach, a great motivator, and a wonderful developer of young men. He was/is a man of great character. JS coached at a time when BU had very little funding in athletics and our facilities were terrible. JS's only problem was in recruiting and as a result, the BU program went into a period of mediocrity and the non-conf. schedule was very weak.
The Chiefs Club(now the Braves Club) was formed to address this funding problem and to help in recruiting which was allowed by the NCAA at that time.
The departure of JS was one of the most controversial things that ever happened at BU. There was a great split of opinion regarding his retention with many people wanting to retain him. A great deal of rancor and outright bitterness surrounded this issue. The Chiefs board took the position of favoring a coaching change. Versace was then hired by Fergie and the program rapidly improved.
Regarding funding, the BU administration in the 1970s and early 1980s wanted to reduce the athletic funding provided by the university and replace these with funds raised by the Chiefs Club. The pressure to do this came from the Development VP at that time and he was apparently supported by the President. Of course, to do this simply would negate the funds raised by the Chiefs and the result would be no increase in athletic funding.
After a series of very tough and difficult meetings between the Development office and Chiefs Officers, the Chiefs club position prevailed( probably influenced by the likelyhood of negative BU publicity on the matter)
and all Chiefs funds went to the Athletic dept with no reduction in BU funding.
Fergie and DV made very good use of the funds with increased recruiting activity and the move to Carver was also a major help.
Remember that the present "maintenance" program did not exist prior to the Carver move so all Chiefs contributions were made witout the proverbial "gun to the head". If we didn't have the Maintenance program and priority seating, our athletic funding picture today would be totally different and probably not very good.
Hope this helps to clarify things.
First, Joe Stowell was a superb floor coach, a great motivator, and a wonderful developer of young men. He was/is a man of great character. JS coached at a time when BU had very little funding in athletics and our facilities were terrible. JS's only problem was in recruiting and as a result, the BU program went into a period of mediocrity and the non-conf. schedule was very weak.
The Chiefs Club(now the Braves Club) was formed to address this funding problem and to help in recruiting which was allowed by the NCAA at that time.
The departure of JS was one of the most controversial things that ever happened at BU. There was a great split of opinion regarding his retention with many people wanting to retain him. A great deal of rancor and outright bitterness surrounded this issue. The Chiefs board took the position of favoring a coaching change. Versace was then hired by Fergie and the program rapidly improved.
Regarding funding, the BU administration in the 1970s and early 1980s wanted to reduce the athletic funding provided by the university and replace these with funds raised by the Chiefs Club. The pressure to do this came from the Development VP at that time and he was apparently supported by the President. Of course, to do this simply would negate the funds raised by the Chiefs and the result would be no increase in athletic funding.
After a series of very tough and difficult meetings between the Development office and Chiefs Officers, the Chiefs club position prevailed( probably influenced by the likelyhood of negative BU publicity on the matter)
and all Chiefs funds went to the Athletic dept with no reduction in BU funding.
Fergie and DV made very good use of the funds with increased recruiting activity and the move to Carver was also a major help.
Remember that the present "maintenance" program did not exist prior to the Carver move so all Chiefs contributions were made witout the proverbial "gun to the head". If we didn't have the Maintenance program and priority seating, our athletic funding picture today would be totally different and probably not very good.
Hope this helps to clarify things.
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