Foundation Calls

[HawkFT]

Each week, I seem to get at least 2-3 calls from the foundation. I normally do not answer, but today I took the call. Typical call from a student with a script so I said I was interested in donating to the HWC, knowing full well their answer..."this is for academics and graduate programs". Oh no problem, can you get me in contact with the person responsible for athletics? " Let me get my supervisor."

He recommended the "Wrestling Fund", but they could NOT take money for that. So I said well who could. He did not know and looked it up on the "website" (Kevin Collins). I know the "Wrestling Fund" is different than the HWC. The HWC is the one who REALLY needs our donations, but I am compelled to ask, prod and persist to the foundation that they need to start listening and NOT just asking!

My points are this:
1. For every person that calls for academics they need to have ten calling for athletics and/or the HWC! Today! The iron is hot and people are ready even if it is a grass roots effort. If they can have people calling me for academics, why can't they give the HWC or at least wrestling access to their list!?
2. They need to understand they have fallen behind and need to do something about it. Today!

For some reason there continues to be a disconnect and that has to end. Rant over but for every time they call, I will be calling Kevin Collins and continue to do all I can to support HWC in a "grass roots effort" as they see fit, until they can land a few whales through the foundation! Go Hawks!

 

[WWDMHawkeye]

Not sure exactly how you got his name, but Kevin Collins is a rising star in the Athletic Department. He has a strong background in development, previously in healthcare at the U of I. Absolutely phenomenal guy, loved and respected by all at the U of I and elsewhere. He's a total rock star, and he's also a strong advocate for Iowa wrestling. He's the consummate professional, as well. As ethical and honest as the day is long. The kind of guy who makes you darn proud to be a Hawkeye and an Iowan. Frankly, I think he'd make a phenomenal AD. . . .

 

[Multi-Hawk]

Not sure exactly how you got his name, but Kevin Collins is a rising star in the Athletic Department. He has a strong history in development, previously in the healthcare at the U of I. Absolutely phenomenal guy, loved and respected by all a the U of I and elsewhere. He's a total rock star, and he's also a strong advocate for Iowa wrestling. He's the consummate professional, as well. As ethical and honest as the day is long. The kind of guy who makes you darn proud to be a Hawkeye and an Iowan. Frankly, I think he'd make a phenomenal AD. . . .

Good! I'm meeting him Friday.

 

[ih8iast8]

Frankly, I think he'd make a phenomenal AD. . . .

Sign him up

 

[SPOONER]

The U of I Foundation called you and you said you wanted to donate to the HWC? Why?

 

[HawkFT]

The U of I Foundation called you and you said you wanted to donate to the HWC? Why?

Just letting the foundation know my intent on donating to wrestling/HWC over the general fund. It would be great at some point if they connected the dots to Athletics/Wrestling and I received weekly calls from the foundation on behalf of the wrestling program/HWC vs the general fund. Wouldn't that have been genius on a day like today!

 

[bnicolls]

Just letting the foundation know my intent on donating to wrestling/HWC over the general fund. It would be great at some point if they connected the dots to Athletics/Wrestling and I received weekly calls from the foundation on behalf of the wrestling program/HWC vs the general fund. Wouldn't that have been genius on a day like today!

The Times, they are a changing

 

[HawkFT]

As a follow up in the last 24 hours from my phone call with student and supervisor, I received a "canned" follow up email solicitation from the foundation with a direct contact to Susan Hagan, Executive Director of Planned Giving. Throughout the nice message it talked about if WE ARE PASSIONATE about something to let them know. So I did! I sent her a NICE/PERSONAL follow up message and she responded IMMEDIATELY! Take note, I am a guppie in their sea of whales. She copied Darryl Borcherding who is responsible for the wrestling side of this for tele-fund campaigns, allocation of funds for the "wrestling fund". Again, I understand this is NOT the HWC, but they need to get there at some point and I want to understand how they can best get funds to wherever HWC/Iowa Wrestling needs it most.

susan-hagan@uiowa.edu (Susan Hagan- ED Planned Giving
darryl-borch@uiowa.edu (Darryl Borcherding- Wrestling Fund)

I found their response to be uniquely prompt to this point. I am NOT going at this alone, rather ONE voice to the foundation and to the athletics admin (email sent to Gary and Kevin Collins as well). I would like to think when HWC/TnT go to them, they will have some support. The more voices that can be heard, the better in my opinion to help HWC/Hawkeye Wrestling.

I have not been on the lounge in some time, but would be glad to jump over there and chime in on this topic. The more the better at this point!

 

[WWDMHawkeye]

As a follow up in the last 24 hours from my phone call with student and supervisor, I received a "canned" follow up email solicitation from the foundation with a direct contact to Susan Hagan, Executive Director of Planned Giving. Throughout the nice message it talked about if WE ARE PASSIONATE about something to let them know. So I did! I sent her a NICE/PERSONAL follow up message and she responded IMMEDIATELY! Take note, I am a guppie in their sea of whales. She copied Darryl Borcherding who is responsible for the wrestling side of this for tele-fund campaigns, allocation of funds for the "wrestling fund". Again, I understand this is NOT the HWC, but they need to get there at some point and I want to understand how they can best get funds to wherever HWC/Iowa Wrestling needs it most.

susan-hagan@uiowa.edu (Susan Hagan- ED Planned Giving
darryl-borch@uiowa.edu (Darryl Borcherding- Wrestling Fund)

I found their response to be uniquely prompt to this point. I am NOT going at this alone, rather ONE voice to the foundation and to the athletics admin (email sent to Gary and Kevin Collins as well). I would like to think when HWC/TnT go to them, they will have some support. The more voices that can be heard, the better in my opinion to help HWC/Hawkeye Wrestling.

I have not been on the lounge in some time, but would be glad to jump over there and chime in on this topic. The more the better at this point!

Great story, FT. My only concern would be about the "Wresting Fund". I'm not positive, but people have expressed concern that donations directed to the "Wrestling Fund" may not ever actually reach the wrestling program. Some clarification on this would help, but I'm sure we all want to make sure our funds go directly to help Iowa wrestling and no other programs.

 

[4409]

From everything I've heard, there is no avenue to give to the HWC through formal UI donation channels, and you will be cautiously advised against giving directly to the HWC at every turn, by members of the foundations or other athletic fundraising person at the UI, as no part of HWC donations will count toward UI status, for tickets & recognition, etc.

 

[Multi-Hawk]

Great story, FT. My only concern would be about the "Wresting Fund". I'm not positive, but people have expressed concern that donations directed to the "Wrestling Fund" may not ever actually reach the wrestling program. Some clarification on this would help, but I'm sure we all want to make sure our funds go directly to help Iowa wrestling and no other programs.

I was told you can specifically itemize $ within the wrestling program itself. i.e. - "$x" can be allocated just to recruiting, "$x" can be allocated to strength and conditioning. This person recently left the Foundation and I'm now starting over.

 

[WWDMHawkeye]

Great story, FT. My only concern would be about the "Wresting Fund". I'm not positive, but people have expressed concern that donations directed to the "Wrestling Fund" may not ever actually reach the wrestling program. Some clarification on this would help, but I'm sure we all want to make sure our funds go directly to help Iowa wrestling and no other programs.

I was told you can specifically itemize $ within the wrestling program itself. i.e. - "$x" can be allocated just to recruiting, "$x" can be allocated to strength and conditioning. This person recently left the Foundation and I'm now starting over.

Thanks for the input. I'd say we should confirm, with absolute certainty, where any donations to the U of I -- earmarked for the wrestling program -- actually go. The last thing we want is a whole bunch of fans thinking they're giving to wrestling, while their donations are getting spread out among rowing, swimming, softball, etc.

 

[Multi-Hawk]

Thanks for the input. I'd say we should confirm, with absolute certainty, where any donations to the U of I -- earmarked for the wrestling program -- actually go. The last thing we want is a whole bunch of fans thinking they're giving to wrestling, while their donations are getting spread out among rowing, swimming, softball, etc.

Discretion of $ may depend on the level of giving. I will find out.

 

[WWDMHawkeye]

Discretion of $ may depend on the level of giving. I will find out.

Thanks!

 

[SPOONER]

From everything I've heard, there is no avenue to give to the HWC through formal UI donation channels, and you will be cautiously advised against giving directly to the HWC at every turn, by members of the foundations or other athletic fundraising person at the UI, as no part of HWC donations will count toward UI status, for tickets & recognition, etc.

Not totally true but it does sound like they have put up roadblocks (aka been dicks about it). In their defense, it is their job to maximize giving for the university itself not the HWC.

That said, the answer here is simple: Just don't tell them. It isn't their business.

 

[HawkFT]

Great story, FT. My only concern would be about the "Wresting Fund". I'm not positive, but people have expressed concern that donations directed to the "Wrestling Fund" may not ever actually reach the wrestling program. Some clarification on this would help, but I'm sure we all want to make sure our funds go directly to help Iowa wrestling and no other programs.

Agree on ALL this WWDM!! I think the questions need to start being asked. First of all I want to mention Kevin reached out to me today and commented that he received a number of phone calls and emails and mentioned the banter even from HR! This is good. He will be in DSM this Friday with the #Swarm DSM and was interested in meeting. Administration sounds very responsive, receptive and supportive. Hopefully he will be able to shed some light on what they are doing, where funds are allocated and plans for the near future. Keep up the momentum! Move forward!

 

[oldschoolhawk69]

If not able to do through the foundation which is totally understandable, maybe the department would be open to things mentioned on here like going through the tailgating, having booths set up, maybe manning concessions at sporting events? But throwing all ideas at them to see what they would be willing to do must be done. They can't do any less than what they are doing now. Barta probably doesn't realize the importance of the HWC to the wrestling team's success. I too have messaged Kevin Collins about some of the concerns being mentioned on this board

 

[WWDMHawkeye]

Agree on ALL this WWDM!! I think the questions need to start being asked. First of all I want to mention Kevin reached out to me today and commented that he received a number of phone calls and emails and mentioned the banter even from HR! This is good. He will be in DSM this Friday with the #Swarm DSM and was interested in meeting. Administration sounds very responsive, receptive and supportive. Hopefully he will be able to shed some light on what they are doing, where funds are allocated and plans for the near future. Keep up the momentum! Move forward!

Darn right, FT! To you and oldschool, I have no doubt you'll be completely satisfied with your interactions with Kevin. The guy is first rate. Very responsive, highly conscientious, and a guy who gets results. Iowa wrestling is fortunate to have him on its side, to say the very least.

 

[wasdt21]

Agree on ALL this WWDM!! I think the questions need to start being asked. First of all I want to mention Kevin reached out to me today and commented that he received a number of phone calls and emails and mentioned the banter even from HR! This is good. He will be in DSM this Friday with the #Swarm DSM and was interested in meeting. Administration sounds very responsive, receptive and supportive. Hopefully he will be able to shed some light on what they are doing, where funds are allocated and plans for the near future. Keep up the momentum! Move forward!

dude

 

[Jts1990]

Darn right, FT! To you and oldschool, I have no doubt you'll be completely satisfied with your interactions with Kevin. The guy is first rate. Very responsive, highly conscientious, and a guy who gets results. Iowa wrestling is fortunate to have him on its side, to say the very least.

Interesting. Sounds like someone Cael needs to know about. Might be a guy worth dipping into the coffers for...

 

[hawkster03]

As a follow up in the last 24 hours from my phone call with student and supervisor, I received a "canned" follow up email solicitation from the foundation with a direct contact to Susan Hagan, Executive Director of Planned Giving. Throughout the nice message it talked about if WE ARE PASSIONATE about something to let them know. So I did! I sent her a NICE/PERSONAL follow up message and she responded IMMEDIATELY! Take note, I am a guppie in their sea of whales. She copied Darryl Borcherding who is responsible for the wrestling side of this for tele-fund campaigns, allocation of funds for the "wrestling fund". Again, I understand this is NOT the HWC, but they need to get there at some point and I want to understand how they can best get funds to wherever HWC/Iowa Wrestling needs it most.

susan-hagan@uiowa.edu (Susan Hagan- ED Planned Giving
darryl-borch@uiowa.edu (Darryl Borcherding- Wrestling Fund)

I found their response to be uniquely prompt to this point. I am NOT going at this alone, rather ONE voice to the foundation and to the athletics admin (email sent to Gary and Kevin Collins as well). I would like to think when HWC/TnT go to them, they will have some support. The more voices that can be heard, the better in my opinion to help HWC/Hawkeye Wrestling.

I have not been on the lounge in some time, but would be glad to jump over there and chime in on this topic. The more the better at this point!

Sometimes (often rarely) do I see a post where I wished I could like it more than once. Here's a guy that rather than just bitch and complain goes out and GETS CHIT DONE.

Well done sir.

 

[Cruo]

Darn right, FT! To you and oldschool, I have no doubt you'll be completely satisfied with your interactions with Kevin. The guy is first rate. Very responsive, highly conscientious, and a guy who gets results. Iowa wrestling is fortunate to have him on its side, to say the very least.

Daaa-aad! You're embarrassing mee!

- Kevin

 

[WWDMHawkeye]

Daaa-aad! You're embarrassing mee!

- Kevin

Well, he's actually more like a brother, but I stand 100% behind everything I said. Any objective observer would have the same assessment.