Okay, let's break it down.
First, Lesniak is not supporting Rutgers, he is criticizing the school's efforts to raise money to fund a basketball facility.
Supporting Rutgers means doing something to help Rutgers reach that goal. Lesniak has simply criticized the current administration for not borrowing money to complete the project. Criticism, even if warranted is not support.
Second, Lesniak's criticism is that the school is not willing to commit to financing at least half of the project. (Correct me if I am wrong here, but I think he is suggesting that if the school put out plans and commits to financing the second half, that will encourage donors to fund the first half). If he isn't willing to persuade Trenton to increase our budget for the first time in over a decade, he should stay the hell out of it. Let the school make its own decisions on what capital projects make sense and how to spend the Big Ten money that isn't even going to be here for another 5 years. Typical State government, spending someone else's money before they even have it yet.
I understand this is an athletics forum, and people here desperately want to see an investment made in basketball. I share those goals, but I also want what is best for Rutgers. I don't want any legislators butting in to tell RU how to spend its money, especially where the advice is to take more debt on to a program running further in the red than any in the nation! Given the way the State legislature and the SL blasted us the last time we financed an athletics project, the fact that they are waging this battle is laughable. The last time around we were financing a stadium expansion to meet real ticket demand (revenue). They blasted us for the better part of six months, resulting in BOG/BOT hearings and the ouster of Bob Mulcahy. All this is is a way for the SL to lay further criticism on the current administration (from whatever angle they can find), and a way for the Dems in Trenton to push their dislike for Barchi who is seen as Christie's guy.
