The Commerce Journal

Home

Related Photos

  • Ryan Ivey was officially named the new athletic director for Texas A&M University-Commerce on Monday.

    Ryan Ivey.jpg

Discussion

January 11, 2013

Tough road ahead for AD

Journal Editorial Staff The Commerce Journal

COMMERCE — We were impressed with Texas A&M University-Commerce’s new athletic director, Ryan Ivey, in his press conference Monday. He emphasized supporting the school’s athletic programs and student-athletes while embracing the community. Good words.

Now, it just remains to be seen if he will be able to turn those words into action. We hope he can.

A&M-Commerce has not been consistently competitive in any of their sports over the past five years.

 Sure, some programs have been more successful than others. But these programs are not competing for Lone Star Conference championships.

We think it would be unfair to place all of the blame on former athletic director Carlton Cooper, although he certainly shoulders a significant portion of it. Nor would it be fair to blame coaches or students.

But it is clear that something has not been working.

Funding is not to blame.

The students passed an athletic referendum recently, which gave a portion of the student services fee that students are charged each year to the athletic department. This is in addition to the money the athletic department is budgeted each year. Obviously, more money would not hurt. But, in tough economic times when the university’s funding from Austin is shrinking, allocating more money is not an option.

Now, it is up to Ivey to spend the money the department does have wisely.

Facilities are not to blame, either. Under Cooper, Memorial Stadium received a new scoreboard and bleachers. A new football lockeroom was built. The Field House was rennovated. Again, better facilities would help, but that area has not been ignored in recent years.

Students have often complained of a lack of school spirit on the campus and in the city.

But that is changing. More students are living on campus than ever before. With the student enrollment climbing every year, a potential fan base of students and alumni is growing as well.

Some programs, like the men’s basketball program, have a strong community following.

The community is hungry to support winning programs. So are the students.

In order for that to happen, Ivey will need to follow through on his promise to embrace the community.

The athletic department has also had more than their fair share of scandals, from student-athletes drinking underage to the infamous “team-building exercise.”

To win this community’s heart and support, Ivey’s department will not only need to be successful; it will need to be above reproach.

That’s a tall order. We believe Ivey can meet and exceed expecatations, if given support from the A&M-Commerce administration and the Commerce community.

Text Only
Local News
Sports
Obituaries
  • Kelly Jones

    Funeral services for Kelly Walker Jones of Sulphur Springs were conducted at 10 a.m., May 11, in the West Oaks Funeral Home chapel with Bro. Hoyt Scoggins officiating and Jay Porterfield assisting. Interment followed at Restlawn Memorial Park with Lance Looney, Grant Looney, Kyle Smith, Ryan Reed, Taylor Pace and Brad McFadden serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearer was Trey Elliott.

    May 15, 2013

  • Nancy Talley
  • Lee Leonard
  • Sarah Fletcher
  • Marjorie Hendrix
Opinion
Intern Blog
Featured Ads
Poll

Do you think the construction crews are doing a good job on the road construction in Commerce?

Yes, it is an inconvenience, but it looks like it will be finished in a timely manner.
No, there needs to be more signage showing when road closures will be.
     View Results
Facebook
AP Video
Raw: Massive Protests Fill Brazilian Streets Raw: German President Welcomes President Obama Fans Cheer Dramatic Heat Comeback Raw: Arizona Wildfire Scorches 8 Square Miles Hoffa Mystery Still Fascinates After 4 Decades Raw: 1 Dead in Shooting at Mo. Apartment Complex Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park Raw: Obama Arrives in Berlin 3 Charged in Ohio With Enslaving Mom, Daughter Obama Seeks G-8 Support on Syria Raw: Volcano Erupts Near Mexico City Kid Couture: Spending Big Bucks on Babies Suicide Bombs Target Baghdad Mosque, Killing 29 Military Plans to Put Women in Combat Jobs Solar Power Chargers in NYC Parks Civil Rights Groups Sue NYPD Over Muslim Spying Raw: First Lady, Daughters Enjoy Irish Sights RAW: NSA Director Says 50 Plots Foiled Boeing, Airbus Battle for Sales Supremacy
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
Hyperlocal Search
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide