Rutgers is Rye Playland and OSU is Disneyworld

[rutgersal]

That is probably the best analogy to describe the competitive recruiting position of Rutgers vs. OSU.
Rye Playland is closeby, spartan but fun, and a place most know of, but never go. In fact, I've only been to Rye Playland once in my life, thanks to summer camp, despite it being a mere hour from my house. Rye Playland is a destination you take for granted, much like elite recruits and students liken Rutgers.

I've been to Disney World at least 15-20 times, aided by having lived in Fl for 6 years. What does Disney World have that rye Playland doesn't?? Pizazzz!! What does OSU have that Rutgers doesn't? Pizazz! The BEST facilities money can buy. Two years ago when I went to OSU, saw their facilities, and reported back on this board that we were going to have BIG problems recruiting against them, I was attacked on this board, by people saying that our football facilities were good enough. Hobbs announcement that the football facilities are going to be improved in addition to other facilities provides me with a strong measure of vindication, and I feel gratified that he recognizes the issue.

To compete with OSU, Rutgers needs Disney World like facilities of its own. Today, If I put myself in elite recruits shoes, choosing OSU and Michigan is a no brainer because those schools have demonstrated the commitment to be the best. We MUST do our part to help Rutgers do the same. If everything is equal, there's no reason for elite recruits to go to Columbus, Ohio or Ann Arbor. Things are not equal, which is why Jersey's best leave.

The $100M is the most important initiative in our lifetime to finally get Rutgers competitive with B1G Ten caliber schools. We must make sure it succeeds, otherwise our programs will be forever relegated to the bottom of the B1G Ten. I will do my part and hope you will as well.

 

[jay_hq]

 

[Caliknight]

Two very disturbing things in this post:

1) you said we would have recruiting problems against a platinum program in college football, yet you also had Flood winning the National Championship. Those two things don't add up.

2) and even most disturbing- you've been to Disney 15-20 times?!

 

[RUtix4me]

Filet mignon and Pork Roll

 

[Knight Shift]

Filet mignon and Pork Roll

They go great together on a hard roll, with canned vegetables on the side. Killer.

 

[rutgersal]

Two very disturbing things in this post:

1) you said we would have recruiting problems against a platinum program in college football, yet you also had Flood winning the National Championship. Those two things don't add up.

In 2012 we had talent capable of winning the National Championship and came within a blown call of playing in a bcs bowl. didn't have flood winning the national championship any other year, especially not this year with Laviano as QB.

2) and even most disturbing- you've been to Disney 15-20 times?!

the first thing visitors to Florida want to do is go to Disney World, so I obliged. Why do you find this disturbing?

 

[RU85inFla]

Like how Al says it or not. $125 million in facilities will place us $150 million behind OSU. Reality sucks. Just as an example, here is a pic of the boathouse for their woman's crew team.

 

[rutgersal]

If its so obvious, why haven't you talked about this before, and more importantly, what are YOU doing to fix the issue?

 

[RickB113]

First we are not trying to compete with OSU right now. Second as soon as we raise the 100 million and build the facility OSU will build something even better. We just need to become Wisconsin. Win with a system that everyone buys into and does not require elite recruits. That is the next step for this program. When we get there we can talk about trying to get to the next level.

 

[rutgersal]

Like how Al says it or not. $125 million in facilities will place us $150 million behind OSU. Reality sucks. Just as an example, here is a pic of the boathouse for their woman's crew team.

Well said. I was going post that we need a lot MORE than $100 M, but for now. getting $100M would be a HUGE accomplishment for us.

 

[Knight Shift]

the first thing visitors to Florida want to do is go to Disney World, so I obliged. Why do you find this disturbing?

How come you did not answer Cali's first point? I am curious how Flood was going to win the National Championship, but now it is gloom and doom? It's not always the dog in the fight, it is the fight in the dog. Ask Mark D'Antonio, Barry Alvarez and Pat Fitzgerald. Very surprised at your defeatist attitude lately.

 

[knightfan7]

Rutgers never was, isn't now , and very likely will never be an OSU or Bama type program .

That doesn't mean RU can't be a good program with a pretty great year every once in a while.

It's going to take a commitment from everyone well above what RU has ever had before. The B1G money will help but there's still a long way to go even after that to reach their goal.

5 Northwestern boosters pledged a total of $75 million to jumpstart their $300? million athletic complex. That's the reality RU is facing.

 

[Caliknight]

the first thing visitors to Florida want to do is go to Disney World, so I obliged. Why do you find this disturbing?

I have been to Florida more times than I can count. I have been to Disney twice, once against my will. Why is it disturbing? I don't know, it just is, unless you were a child or have a child, which it would still be odd to go that many times. From what I believe to be true, you are neither with child or wife.

 

[knightfan7]

How come you did not answer Cali's first point? I am curious how Flood was going to win the National Championship, but now it is gloom and doom? It's not always the dog in the fight, it is the fight in the dog. Ask Mark D'Antonio, Barry Alvarez and Pat Fitzgerald. Very surprised at your defeatist attitude lately.

Might have something to do with his bud, Cristobal, not getting the HC position. Or just maybe this is the real, pragmatic Al as opposed to the crazy Al he likes to portray for laughs.

 

[rutgersal]

How come you did not answer Cali's first point? I am curious how Flood was going to win the National Championship, but now it is gloom and doom? It's not always the dog in the fight, it is the fight in the dog. Ask Mark D'Antonio, Barry Alvarez and Pat Fitzgerald. Very surprised at your defeatist attitude lately.

I answered Cali's first point. With a top notch defense in 2012, Nova having the potential to pass for 3K and Jamison having the potential to run for 1600 yards, Rutgers had a chance to be the best. We just didn't get it done, just like the majority of teams.

 

[Caliknight]

Al is more cray than he ever has been, imo.

Let's have the best facilities in the NE. That is realistic, as we are really only behind PSU right now. Then build from there.

 

[Knight Shift]

I answered Cali's first point. With a top notch defense in 2012, Nova having the potential to pass for 3K and Jamison having the potential to run for 1600 yards, Rutgers had a chance to be the best. We just didn't get it done, just like the majority of teams.

Sorry about that, I see it now. But weren't you saying the same thing (or similar things) prior to the 2014 and 2015 seasons? I just don't understand the negative predisposition, when you used to be one of more enthusiastic cheerleaders on the forums. I am more optimistic than ever. We may hit a rough patch for a couple of years, but I like where we are headed.

 

[rutgersal]

First we are not trying to compete with OSU right now. Second as soon as we raise the 100 million and build the facility OSU will build something even better. We just need to become Wisconsin. Win with a system that everyone buys into and does not require elite recruits. That is the next step for this program. When we get there we can talk about trying to get to the next level.

wisconsin doesn't have our fertile recruiting grounds. If OSU builds something better, than we have to do the same. Its called COMPETING.

Our alumni are capable of donating as well as anyone elses. they just have to be convinced in the value of doing so.

 

[Caliknight]

Al, you had us winning the NC in 15, and every year before. I love our enthusiasm and have always backed you when people were disparaging your overly optimistic posts.

But this new you is a really bad look. If it is because Cristobal didn't get hired, get over it. The guy was a failed HC.

We have the top assistant from arguably the best program or one of in CFB. Ash knows what needs to be done. Give him half the love you gave to the guy who thought wearing a costume to meet with a professor was a good idea. Ash deserves that much given he hasn't coached his first practice yet.

 

[rubaseball78]

Does that make Syracuse Bowcraft in Union?

 

[rutgersal]

Sorry about that, I see it now. But weren't you saying the same thing (or similar things) prior to the 2014 and 2015 seasons? I just don't understand the negative predisposition, when you used to be one of more enthusiastic cheerleaders on the forums. I am more optimistic than ever. We may hit a rough patch for a couple of years, but I like where we are headed.

The 2014 team should have done more, but once Paul James was lost for the season, the wind from our sails was knocked out.

 

[RU2055]

Al, I think it's time for you to relinquish being a Rutgers fan.

We don't need fans like you.

 

[Knight Shift]

wisconsin doesn't have our fertile recruiting grounds. If OSU builds something better, than we have to do the same. Its called COMPETING.

Our alumni are capable of donating as well as anyone elses. they just have to be convinced in the value of doing so.

I think you have to accept that a very large percentage of our alumni do not care one bit about Rutgers sports, and that will not change even if we were to win a national championship. It is just something they don't care about. As others have noted, the culture around Ohio State sports is completely different. What is more frustrating is that we have quite a few very wealthy alums that don't seem to give back.

 

[jay_hq]

If its so obvious, why haven't you talked about this before, and more importantly, what are YOU doing to fix the issue?

Because im not a millionaire.

 

[rutgersal]

Because im not a millionaire.

you don't need to be a millionaire to care. $2 a day would go a long way.

 

[rufamily]

Cal

I have been to Florida more times than I can count. I have been to Disney twice, once against my will. Why is it disturbing? I don't know, it just is, unless you were a child or have a child, which it would still be odd to go that many times. From what I believe to be true, you are neither with child or wife.

Cali, I seem to have pretty vivid memories of going to Disney World with you. You didn't have fun on that trip?[banana]

 

[JPhoboken]

From Al's point of view we went from having the same talent as OSU, Bama, etc, and were going to win the National Championship to...................

We have no facilities, need hundreds of millions of dollars, and are chop suey compared to the rest of the BIG. (Most of us already aware.)

Al has quickly gone to the darkside of Rutgers Football fandom.

Al, why do you think its necessary to come on this board and lecture us on doing our part. Everyone here, for the most part, supports the program, donates already and we do our part. Go find us a Sugar Daddy donor, that would really help. But lecturing us is really silly.

 

[rutgersal]

I have been to Florida more times than I can count. I have been to Disney twice, once against my will. Why is it disturbing? I don't know, it just is, unless you were a child or have a child, which it would still be odd to go that many times. From what I believe to be true, you are neither with child or wife.

Millions of people without children, including many spring breakers, visit Disney World each year. I don't know why this is news to you.

 

[RU Husky]

Rutgers Al: Sports Wisdom :: Tiny Tim: Entertainment

 

[RUfromSoCal?]

It's like Maine lobster Vs filet-o-fish, but with extra tartar sauce.

 

[rutgersal]

I think you have to accept that a very large percentage of our alumni do not care one bit about Rutgers sports, and that will not change even if we were to win a national championship. It is just something they don't care about. As others have noted, the culture around Ohio State sports is completely different. What is more frustrating is that we have quite a few very wealthy alums that don't seem to give back.

we don't need all our alumni to care. if we just focussed on the 31K season ticket holders, and asked them to do a little bit more, that is the most natural place to start.

 

[rutgersal]

Al, why do you think its necessary to come on this board and lecture us on doing our part. Everyone here, for the most part, supports the program, donates already and we do our part. Go find us a Sugar Daddy donor, that would really help. But lecturing us is really silly.

because we're not doing enough to be competitive in the B1G. Not meant to be a lecture. and there are no sugar daddys walking through the door. Its all on us to make it happen.

 

[rufamily]

I would just say a couple of things, first I have been to Disney 20 times and my family and I have a great time every time we go. We have bought into DVC and that and driving down makes for a fairly inexpensive vacation.
I do like Al's Disney analogy but remember that Disney was simple the Magic Kingdom for a long time and then they added Epcot, MGM and Animal Kingdom later. So while they are ahead of us we can not worry about competing with them right now we have to build so that we can compete with the middle of the B1G first and then we can worry about OSU.
Btw, I was at OSU last year as well and got a little tour of the facilities, it will take more than 100 million for us to catch up, although I was not that impressed either with the Shoe or the Football building.

 

[knightfan7]

we don't need all our alumni to care. if we just focussed on the 31K season ticket holders, and asked them to do a little bit more, that is the most natural place to start.

Judging from your previous posts on this topic, your definition of a little bit more is pie-in-the-sky. Wasn't it your idea that every ticketholder be required to pay a $1,000 seat license? Any reasonable person knows that'd never work.

If you look at every school in the B1G, most facilities are built on the backs of maybe a dozen plus or so big time donors. Look at PSU's arena. Maryland's association with Under Armour, the NW example I posted earlier. Asking people with such wide ranging ability to donate more to build what RU needs is not a realistic way to get it done. If all donations went up 20% you're only talking about a $1.2 - $1.5 million bump. That'll get you nowhere.

 

[RUforlife]

Rye Playland is a heck of a lot of fun. I love the smaller size and laid back atmosphere, it is a nice change of pace from Great Adventure. I would recommend everyone visit Playland with their families once a year.

 

[RU Husky]

Our WHS Senior Trip was to Rye Playland back in 1961. It was outdated then. (I think our "ferry" departed from Elizabethport).

 

[JERSEYROOTS]

Terrific thread title during the most important two weeks of our recruitment period. Awesome stuff, Al!

:rolleyes:

 

[Scarlet_Scourge]

Al is troll, whatever he thinks will get the most replies is what he will post.

So before it was posting that Flood was better than Saban and they would win the national championship every year.

Now is that Ash is no good and Rutgers sucks.

 

[SAE96]

Based on the picture of the boathouse, I figure we're more like Bowcraft. However, I'm not sure why that would prevent Coach Ash from being successful here.

 

[rutgersal]

Judging from your previous posts on this topic, your definition of a little bit more is pie-in-the-sky. Wasn't it your idea that every ticketholder be required to pay a $1,000 seat license? Any reasonable person knows that'd never work.

If you look at every school in the B1G, most facilities are built on the backs of maybe a dozen plus or so big time donors. Look at PSU's arena. Maryland's association with Under Armour, the NW example I posted earlier. Asking people with such wide ranging ability to donate more to build what RU needs is not a realistic way to get it done. If all donations went up 20% you're only talking about a $1.2 - $1.5 million bump. That'll get you nowhere.

the rutgers fatcats are just not interested in donating the way other schools are. it isn't going to get done if we don't all collectively pitch in.

If not now, then when?
If not you, then who?

now that i look more at the details, it isn't a little bit more. Its a LOT more. In any given year, donations are about $8 Million. We need $100 Million. Which means all of us have to increase our donations by a factor of 12.5 to make the $100 million a reality.

Now you can divide that amount, by say a number of years. Ideally 2-3. but the sooner the better.