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Holy smokes!!!

I’m sure most kids are waiting for the market to play out and want the highest offer. Will most of the kids take the money and call it a day or will they put the work in and earn their money? Can they handle the pressure of the big contract and how do they collect? Are all of these contracts iron clad with the boosters because the school has nothing to do with it? Lol
Those are some good questions. I had asked similar questions about resident athletes: What are they required to do for the money? I got one answer: "To wrestle." Brilliant. There is an effect of being paid a large amount of money that could demotivate some individuals when they see themselves set financially. Any attempt to connect the money to performance/effort won't work unless all the programs do it. The kids need to remain motivated with their wrestling goals without allowing the financial aspect to impact that part of their lives.

This is a Multiple Year Rebuild

Should Pike go back to school and take marketing classes? Look up on ChatGPT and ask how to get whales for NIL purposes? Take time off researching and meeting potential portal targets?

Add in the fact we don't have an AD or President.
Here you go, last sentence is particularly telling.

Attracting large donors, or "whales," to a college basketball program requires a strategic, relationship-driven approach that blends personal engagement, clear value propositions, and an understanding of donor motivations. Here’s how a coach can effectively pursue this:

First, identify potential whales—wealthy alumni, local business leaders, or passionate boosters with a track record of giving. Research their interests, past donations, and connection to the program. A coach can lean on athletic department resources, like development officers, or even dig into public records and social networks to pinpoint these high-capacity prospects.

Next, build a personal connection. Donors at this level aren’t just writing checks; they’re investing in a vision they feel part of. Invite them to practices, offer behind-the-scenes access, or host one-on-one meetings to share your goals for the program—think championships, player development, or community impact. Make it about more than money; tie their support to tangible outcomes, like a new facility or scholarship fund, and show how their name could live on through it.

Tailor the pitch to their motivations. Some whales crave prestige—name a court or endowment after them. Others want influence—hint at advisory roles (without crossing ethical lines). Many love the emotional payoff of wins and player success, so highlight how their funds fuel recruiting top talent or upgrading resources in today’s NIL-driven world.

Leverage success and momentum. Whales are drawn to winners, so a strong season or a breakout player can be your hook. Share data: "Last year’s budget limited us to X; with Y more, we could compete with [rival program]." Be transparent about the competitive gap and how their donation closes it.

Finally, persistence pays off. Cultivate these relationships over time—don’t just ask once. Follow up with updates on the program’s progress, invite them to games, and keep them in the loop. If they don’t bite, ask them to connect you with others who might.
Adapt to the new reality: NIL and donor collectives have shifted the game. If you can’t secure whales yourself, align with boosters already funneling money through these channels, and position yourself as the leader they’ll rally behind. Coaches who can’t evolve to this fundraising landscape risk falling behind—adapt or move on.

Game Thread: Men’s Lacrosse BEATS No. 2 Maryland Saturday

We played an NCAA tourney game against Harvard a few years ago on the same day as the Spring game. Football was at noon and lacrosse was in Yurcak at 5 or 6. I bet they would do something like that.
We still have a chance to finish 2nd in the B1G and get a bye in the opening round, thereby avoiding the conflict with the spring football game.

If we win both of our remaining games, we are a lock for 2nd, as we would have the tiebreaker against both Maryland and Michigan. Assuming OSU will finish first even if they lose a game, since they have the tiebreaker over us.

We would also still have a chance to finish second if we beat Michigan and lose to PSU because of the tiebreakers.

This is a Multiple Year Rebuild

This is the new wild west. Everything has changed. He needs to adapt, and he needs to figure out how. If he can't do that, he needs to get out of the business. Change is a constant in everything. I've gone through many changes in my career. I had to figure it out.
Great.....but how? Certain things you can't just will it to happen.
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This is a Multiple Year Rebuild

Steve Pikiell is a basketball coach. How do you propose he gets whales?

Cold call Fortune 500 companies?

Seriously if you are Steve Pikiell how do you go about doing it?
This is the new wild west. Everything has changed. He needs to adapt, and he needs to figure out how. If he can't do that, he needs to get out of the business. Change is a constant in everything. I've gone through many changes in my career. I had to figure it out.

Recruiting

College wrestling as a whole is becoming a considerably worse product and it’s currently a runaway train with no sign of stopping. Unless you are PSU, Oklahoma State, or Iowa there is really no point of spending a ton of money because there is no chance to actually compete/challenge those programs.

It’s a sad/unfortunate reality.
The worst part is the one benefit of this consolidation of talent to 3 teams is their head to head duals will be much watch, but there’s absolutely no chance Penn St schedules OK St so it’s all for nothing.
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OT: Carl Warwick Dead at 88

The part time outfielder for a few NL teams in the 60's got three big pinch hit singles in the 1964 World Series against the Yankees for the Cardinals,leading to the game winning rallies in all 3 games,getting the hits off of Ford,Stottlemyre, and Downing.
He was a rarity,being a right handed hitter and a lefthanded thrower,as were Rickey Henderson and Cleon Jones,the latter happily still being on the right side of the baseball grass.

We feel you, Duke fans..

Good lord was anyone else getting serious flashbacks last night to 2021? That game felt like a mirror to ours down the stretch). Could not get a rebound. Could not get a clean look from the field. Houston just playing so damn hard it doesn't even matter if you are as well (which Duke and RU both were).

That program would be so fun to root for. Sampson can sure coach his a$$ off.

I'm certainly not betting against them on Monday.
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