jpincince
September 16th, 2009, 11:54 AM
ProJo.com hosted a chat (http://newsblog.projo.com/2009/09/transcript-projocom-chat-with.html)with new University of Rhode Island President David Dooley today. Here are a few Q&A's about football:
joed: In recent years URI has gotten rid of the boy's tennis program, the boy's swimming program and there are others just can't remember them all, but at the end of the day it would be wiser to downgrade football to a club sport, what with insurance, uniforms, coaches salaries, scholarships, travel expenses, I'm sure there is alot I'm omitting. I know you instituted tailgate parties, but people don't care about URI football, we don't win, not many Rhode Island kids are on the team, in these tough economic times it would be more justifible to get rid of football. That would be a tough decision that a new President would have to make, I know your going to give me the song and dance routine about how it's good for the school, get our name out there, the alumni want it, Providence College did it and they're not hurting, somewhere down the line with tough economic times this decision will have to be made.
David M. Dooley: I don't agree. I think our football program can be competitive and successful. And, I do think it will provide benefits for the University as a whole. I don't sing or dance well, so this is a straight answer based on what I think. We will certainly be working hard with the staff, the AD, and others to improve the program and we will be continually evaluating our progress. Time will tell whether we can be successful, but I think we can.
. . .
1999 Engineering Alumni: With the recent changes to allow alcohol at football games, will there be any other changes to the alcohol policy at URI? Will alcohol be allowed to be served at basketball games? Will the greek system be allowed to have official on-campus events with alcohol?
David M. Dooley: We will be looking at many policies and practices at URI with the view to ensure that these policies and practices continue to be the best ones for the University. Our policies around the availability of alcoholic beverages are some of those that we are examining. The first step of reinstituting tailgating appears to be a great success. We will look at other practices and may make additional changes. However, we will continuously evaluate the outcomes of these changes and, if problems emerge, will not hesitate to make adjustments or to reverse course.
. . .
HOCKEYGUY: Any Chance that we could look at dropping 1AA football and move towards a D1 Hockey team for the men and the women?
David M. Dooley: Not in the immediate future. As I said earlier, I believe our football program can be competitive and successful even in a tough conference. And, I think it would be beneficial to the institution to have a successful football program in the FCS division. I'm a hocky fan and we have successful club teams for both men and women at URI. Budgets and circumstances permitting, I am certainly willing to look at expansion of our NCAA programs.
joed: In recent years URI has gotten rid of the boy's tennis program, the boy's swimming program and there are others just can't remember them all, but at the end of the day it would be wiser to downgrade football to a club sport, what with insurance, uniforms, coaches salaries, scholarships, travel expenses, I'm sure there is alot I'm omitting. I know you instituted tailgate parties, but people don't care about URI football, we don't win, not many Rhode Island kids are on the team, in these tough economic times it would be more justifible to get rid of football. That would be a tough decision that a new President would have to make, I know your going to give me the song and dance routine about how it's good for the school, get our name out there, the alumni want it, Providence College did it and they're not hurting, somewhere down the line with tough economic times this decision will have to be made.
David M. Dooley: I don't agree. I think our football program can be competitive and successful. And, I do think it will provide benefits for the University as a whole. I don't sing or dance well, so this is a straight answer based on what I think. We will certainly be working hard with the staff, the AD, and others to improve the program and we will be continually evaluating our progress. Time will tell whether we can be successful, but I think we can.
. . .
1999 Engineering Alumni: With the recent changes to allow alcohol at football games, will there be any other changes to the alcohol policy at URI? Will alcohol be allowed to be served at basketball games? Will the greek system be allowed to have official on-campus events with alcohol?
David M. Dooley: We will be looking at many policies and practices at URI with the view to ensure that these policies and practices continue to be the best ones for the University. Our policies around the availability of alcoholic beverages are some of those that we are examining. The first step of reinstituting tailgating appears to be a great success. We will look at other practices and may make additional changes. However, we will continuously evaluate the outcomes of these changes and, if problems emerge, will not hesitate to make adjustments or to reverse course.
. . .
HOCKEYGUY: Any Chance that we could look at dropping 1AA football and move towards a D1 Hockey team for the men and the women?
David M. Dooley: Not in the immediate future. As I said earlier, I believe our football program can be competitive and successful even in a tough conference. And, I think it would be beneficial to the institution to have a successful football program in the FCS division. I'm a hocky fan and we have successful club teams for both men and women at URI. Budgets and circumstances permitting, I am certainly willing to look at expansion of our NCAA programs.