University of Albany Athletics Needs Donors To Step Up Now To Support Stadium Fund

Lee McElroy’s e-mail inbox and voicemail system are clogged every day with questions about the stadium complex he wants to build at the University of Albany.

“It’s complicated,” says McElroy, the school’s athletics director.

That’s an understatement in the ongoing recession. McElroy is rewriting his department’s business model as he contends with the state’s multi-billion-dollar deficits, which threaten to delay progress on the prized sports complex.

UAlbany has asked McElroy to cut spending in his $13 million budget by up to 10 percent. At the same time, as much as 10 percent of the school’s donors and sponsors—including auto dealers—have cut back or eliminated their contributions amid the sour economy.

It’s a situation filled with nuances that illustrate the challenges McElroy faces as he tries to build his fundraising department.

“We can cut and cut and cut, but we must generate more revenue and income. We really have to rethink how we go about that,” McElroy said.

‘Not there yet with donor base’

McElroy risks undercutting his own program, depending on how he responds to the fiscal pressures.

He joined the school in 2000, one year after UAlbany made the jump to Division I athletics, the highest level of competition in the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

Donations have soared in the past two years, spurred by back-to-back conference championships and NCAA Tournament appearances by the men’s basketball team.

McElroy credits that national exposure for exciting new and existing donors. Yet travel is the department’s third-largest expense, and McElroy intends to decrease the out-of-state trips that the school’s 19 teams take next school year to save money.

“Our coaches are focusing on regional competition now,” McElroy said. “But that could have an impact on recruiting and fundraising. In what other event can Albany compare to schools like Stanford?”

UAlbany athletics did not need many donors before it moved up to Division I competition because most funding came from the school or the state, said Don Ostrom, the school’s director of athletic development. He is half of the school’s two-person athletics fundraising operation.

Today, state funding and student fees supply almost half of the department’s budget, which supports 70 full-time employees. The majority of the budget—as much as 60 percent—comes from ticket and merchandise sales, sponsorships, advertising and donations.

Ostrom, who visits with 15 to 20 donors a month, wants to build an endowment so the department can decrease its reliance on fundraising. The economy has delayed those plans.

“The vast majority of donations that come in during a fiscal year are being spent in that same fiscal year. We need those dollars to operate today,” Ostrom said.

“When you’re only in your 10th year of competing at a Division I level, we’re just not there yet with our donor base,” he added. “And unfortunately, we need to get there sooner than later.”

Positive signs exist. UAlbany has sold all its sponsorships for a men’s basketball conference tournament it’s hosting in March—a “miraculous” feat, McElroy said.

Still, the economy has led some donors to spread out their contributions over the year, as opposed to writing one check. Others have skipped their annual donation.

‘still pushing’

This year, state legislators could decide that they, too, lack the funds to support McElroy’s proposed sports complex. If so, that would delay the project, McElroy said.

The centerpiece of the sports complex is a new stadium that would cost between $40 million and $50 million, holding as many as 15,000 fans. That would at least double both the athletic department’s budget and its seating capacity for football games.

McElroy’s sales pitch rests on economic development.

“This stadium is not just for UAlbany athletics. That’s part of it, but it’s more for the economic development and promotion of the Capital Region,” McElroy said. “It’s an investment in the future.”

Adds Daniel Nolan, a key donor: “This could have a positive economic impact for decades.”

McElroy will be asking for millions of dollars at a time when legislators must erase $15.4 billion of red ink over the next 15 months. Funding for the complex was dropped from last year’s state budget in last-minute negotiations.

UAlbany has paid $300,000 for a site study that should be finished by the end of next month. The study will recommend various designs and locations for the new complex.

McElroy said he needs at least $20 million from the state to make the complex feasible.

“The state’s investment will drive the design,” he said.

Private donations for the project, which McElroy has been securing for nearly two years, would have to supply most of the remaining funds.

“It would be pretty tough, unless Albany has some sugar daddies ready to step up. And even if they do, it’s a bigger step up for them now than it was six months ago, with the economy,” said Bruce Johnson, a sports economics professor and stadium expert at Centre College in Kentucky.

Nolan, a 1974 alumnus, said he’s not as concerned that the economy will dent so-called “major gifts” that are tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in size.

“We’re still early into this [economic] crisis. But, I’ve never seen an economy where it’s so bad that people just stop giving. The economy will scare people, but it won’t scare them down to zero,” said Nolan, managing director of Johnson Illington Advisors LLC, an Albany financial firm.

McElroy hopes that’s the case, even as he and his donors deal with fewer resources.

“We aren’t slacking,” he said. “It’s a perilous time, but we still have to act and lead. We’re still pushing.”

asichko@bizjournals.com | 518-640-6818

Dr. Lee McElroy and the University of Albany's Quest: The Multipurpose Stadium

Since Lee McElroy became director of athletics in 2000, the University of Albany hase won 30 conference championships and made 13 NCAA tournament appearances. How can one forget the men's basketball team's near-upset of the University of Connecticut in 2006, and UAlbany Men's Lacrosse overtime loss in the Elite Eight NCAA Championship game in 2007.

McElroy knows that top athletic programs act as economic development engines, but not without top-notch facilities. This is why he continues pushing a $60 million plan to build a multipurpose athletic stadium.

"Successful people want to be around successful teams and successful programs," McElroy said. This is why it is important for all local business to step up and help the University's cause. There are many ways to support UAlbany and its football program, and one way is to donate to the stadium fund. The local communities of the Gators and the National Champion Tigers both give unbelievable support to their State universities. Now is the time for New York to step up. Let's get support for the University of Albany, New York's State University.

The UAlbany football team has done extremely well in a very short period of time, including its third NEC Championship in 6 years, posting a 8-3 record last Fall, going undefeated in NEC play. Not bad for 9 years in FCS Football.

The victories and success have come despite a football stadium that seats only 5,000 people, one resembling a Division III football field. With the decades and decades of success by Bob Ford’s football program, including Football Championship Series success, it is finally time to upgrade and even reward the University and football team with the proper facilities. After all, the university needs facilities equal to that of its peers.

UAlbany football has risen to the point where they play UMass, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, etc.. all among the best in Football Championship Series.

"We already have a tremendous program, but for it to get better we must have better facilities," McElroy said.

He says a new UAlbany stadium would generate millions of dollars in spending for the community and the university each year. That would come not only from football games, but also from possibly being host for opening rounds of the NCAA lacrosse tournament and hosting high school playoff games, in addition to other events.

The money would come not only from increased ticket sales and ticket prices, but also lodging and retail sales.

"We currently have an economic impact, and we don't get cited enough for it," McElroy said. The University of Albany already has a multi –BILLION dollar impact on the capital district (Albany). Without the University, the Albany area would suffer greatly. It's time to reward the University that has given so much to the capital of New York State.

The university is seeking both state and private financing for the stadium. All UAlbany supporters, Alumni, capital district residents and businesses should consider donating to the University.

The athletic department stadium plan needs to be placed as the #1 on the University's priority list in the up and coming budget request. University administrators need to hear this from alumni and supporters alike.

NYS officials need to hear that you support the stadium effort, and why the University and athletic department deserves this stadium and how much positive impact it will have over some many things.

Contact the following government officials and voice your support for the Multi Purpose Stadium. Now is the time to begin letting these officials know that you want state funding included in this year's budget. Call, email, and go in person to the following officials now.

Please contact these officials with the utmost respect and with a high level of intellect... please put significant thought into your presentation before contacting them.

Governor Paterson:

Assemblyman Ron Canestrari:
canestr@assembly.state.ny.us

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver:
speaker@assembly.state.ny.us

Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco:
tediscj@ assembly.state.ny.us

Assemblyman John McEneny
mcenenj@assembly.state.ny.us

NYS Senator Hugh Farley
farley@senate.state.ny.us

NYS Senator Neil Breslin
breslin@senate.state.ny.us

NYS Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno:
bruno@senate.state.ny.us

NYS Senate Minority Leader Malcom Smith:
masmith@senate.state.ny.us

City of Albany: Mayor Jennings
mayor@ci.albany.ny.us

UAlbany Interim President George M. Philip
presmail@uamail.albany.edu

UAlbany Interim Provost Susan D. Phillips
sdphil@uamail.albany.edu









Heery International Inc. Selected to Study Proposed UAlbany Multi-Purpose Complex
Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information
Release: 04/04/2008

Courtesy: UAlbany Athletics

Albany, N.Y. -- University at Albany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy announced on Friday, April 4 that Heery International Inc. has been selected to study a proposed on-campus multi-purpose stadium complex.

Heery's study, which will take four to six months to complete, will include a site analysis, developing a stadium concept, establishing a project budget and formulating fund-raising materials.

"Heery International's work is the beginning of an exciting project that will benefit the entire Capital Region," McElroy said. "As our Division I athletic program continues to grow, so does the facility needs of our 19 sports. The vision for this athletic complex is something that not only services our athletic programs, but campus, high school and community events. The results of this study will allow us to determine, with respect to funding, what our options will be in the future."

Heery International, an Atlanta-based company founded in 1952, is a full-service design, engineering and construction management firm with 1,100 employees located in 30 offices throughout the United States and Europe.

Heery's list of more than 250 collegiate sports projects and 50-plus collegiate stadiums include a recent renovation and expansion of the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas; eight renovations and expansions of the University of Georgia's Sanford Stadium; and a design for the renovation of the University of Texas' Memorial Stadium.

Times Union Prints A Letter From UAlbany Stadium Supporter

Stony Brook grows; why not UAlbany?

Stony Brook University has just announced a $20 million renovation project for its indoor sports facility. I am waiting for the moral outrage from Times Union contributors and citizens of the Capital Region -- or is it just when UAlbany wants to expand?

Stony Brook just got a brand new football/lacrosse stadium and no one has a problem with this? UAlbany has brought much exposure to the university and the system by excelling on the field of play and in the classroom. Stony Brook has had only a modicum of success compared to Albany. It's time for the community and the legislators of this great state to get behind UAlbany in this project and make Stony Brook go through some red tape for once.

CRAIG MROCZKA

Rocky Hill, Conn.

UAlbany's athletic successes revive school spirit and spur donors

In 2000, UAlbany alumnus Bill Fuller Jr. wouldn't have considered writing a check to his alma mater's athletics department. He had no reason to.

"Not at all. I felt it was a large community college and it really didn't bring people back to it, didn't hold on to alumni," said Fuller, a 1984 graduate and president of R.C. Fuller Inc. in Locust Valley in Nassau County. "It didn't really offer anything."

That's coming from a man who said he's committed about $50,000 in donations to the athletics department over the past several years.

It's a story line that University at Albany athletics director Lee McElroy has seen a lot lately: Donors who once didn't want to help out are now happy to give, and many existing donors are compelled to give more to help boost the school's 19 athletic programs.

A string of nationally noticed athletic achievements--what Fuller called "tangible product"--has been a rising tide lifting the entire department. And the victories come at an opportune time: McElroy might need to raise as much as $10 million for a new stadium that's in the works.

The rekindled school spirit has translated into more donations and a larger budget. In the past five years, revenue from donations, ticket sales and corporate advertising combined have more than tripled to $2.15 million.

Athletics officials project that the budget will near $12 million for the 2009-10 school year, about $5 million more than where it stood when McElroy took over. He has said the new stadium could more than double the size of the current budget.

"They had a reason to say, 'Yes,' " McElroy said of new and existing donors. "The pride, the exposure--it's had a really, really profound impact on how they feel about the institution."

Many alumni openly gush about the Great Danes now, but McElroy didn't see such pride when he began his job in 2000. The year before, the school officially made the jump to Division I athletics, a demanding move to the highest level of competition in the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

"We were so under-resourced and under-funded as a Division II or Division III program, not to mention a Division I program," McElroy said. "Literally, I was going knocking on doors saying, 'Look, we need your help to keep the doors open so we can compete.'

"I had people say, 'I don't even know if I ever went to a game when I was in college there. Why should I be supporting it?' " he said.

McElroy patiently constructed the answer to that pointed question. The school joined a conference for the 2001-02 school year, helping the programs gain acclaim partly because its teams could win conference championships--which many teams did.

The building momentum exploded in the spring of 2006, when the men's basketball team won the conference championship and nearly upset No. 1 seeded Connecticut in the NCAA Tournament. The team followed up that year with another conference title and NCAA appearance this spring.

"The entire message changed," McElroy said. "It changed from trying to keep the doors open, to now, sustaining this level of excellence--which is an entirely different sell."

And McElroy is mainly focused on selling one big-ticket item: a new multi-use stadium, the centerpiece of a development plan he created soon after he came to Albany.

The school has submitted a $60 million proposal to the State University of New York system's board of trustees. It's just an initial offer that will likely change once the trustees and state officials start delving into the details.

Peter Bulger, an alumnus and donor, spoke enthusiastically about the new stadium but said many donors are taking a wait-and-see approach.

"I think the No. 1 resistance is the feeling that you're giving to the state of New York, as opposed to a specific university," said Bulger, chief operating officer for CL King and Associates in Albany.

"Right now, everyone wants to see the state of New York either step up or not step up. If they say they're going to basically build it ... people will be more apt to follow," he added. "It's very difficult for the private sector to lead on this."

This month, the school is expected to award a contract of at least $250,000 to recommend the best location for the stadium, said spokesman Brian DePasquale.

After that, engineers and architects will step in to design the stadium; school officials have said that settling on the stadium's general look and location will likely make it easier to sell the project.

Armed with just a conceptual drawing, McElroy is pitching the facility as a prudent investment that will help put the program on a par with its peers in the conference and the state, while attracting countless regional and statewide events.

He said he sees a stark improvement from when he went door to door in 2000.
"I've not had anyone say, 'No.' "

by Adam Sichko The Business Review

Update on UAlbany's Football Stadium

ALBANY, N.Y. -- It's three years in the works, but UAlbany's vision to have a state-of-the-art multi-sport complex is closer to reality than ever.

Athletic Director Lee McElroy said they have already submitted their plan to the State University of New York Board of Trustees.

"What we'd like to see are 10,000 to 15,000 people all dressed in purple sweaters and having a good time and tailgating and having wonderful experience for their families and friends, alumni and students. That's what we envision," said McElroy.

The University at Albany says it wants its sports facilities to match its talent. And that is why they are proposing an estimated $60 million stadium. Our Erin Billups has details about the plan.

But the final say is up to the state. The school is asking for approximately 60 million public dollars to build the stadium. It's a large chunk, but already there's support from local Senator Neil Breslin who said it's a work in progress, but not far-fetched.

"This has an important element that it increases the visibility of the State University, it increases the visibility of New York State nationally, and at the same time is long overdue," said Breslin.

Buffalo and Stony Brook are two of schools that have tapped into the SUNY construction fund to upgrade their sports facilities. McElroy says now it's UAlbany's turn.

"What I'm saying is the success that Albany has had and continues to have, we want to raise it to the level and raise the ante, and this is one way of doing this," said McElroy.

The field UAlbany uses now for its football games was built in the 1960s, and the worn wooden benches look just as old. They don't reflect the current level of sports at UAlbany. McElroy said in order for the school to attract the talent it needs, they'll have to take it up a notch.

"We're in the business of bringing in quality young people both athletically and academically, and in order to do that we need to have a facility that's comparable to our peers," said McElroy.

The school has already started raising the $10 million in private funding it needs.

There isn't a time line yet for building. The school is in the design phase and is waiting to begin the environmental impact study for possible sites on or near the uptown campus.

Story by: Erin Billups


Watch the video: UAlbany Football Stadium news coverage