To whom it may concern,
I am a lifelong University of Tennessee fan, an avid donor and an alum from the class of 2007. I grew up in East Tennessee and have been attending games at Neyland since I was able to walk. The past five years I have watched the Athletic Department and the University slowly deteriorate. I have still supported the program and done everything in my power to back the coaching staffs, players and admin. But now comes the time where changes need to be made for my support to continue. These changes need to be made for the betterment of the Athletic Department.
Friday you will be voting on the structure of the Athletic Department financially within the University. The specific amendment you will be voting on is below.
Amendment of the UT-UTFI affiliation and services agreement to change the reporting line for athletics departments personnel at UT Knoxville
As the head of the board I hope you realize that the Athletic Department should be a free standing entity within the University with the power to allocate the funds they bring in accordingly. The current structure has led to nothing but negative results for the AD and the University. This needs to be changed.
After this change is made I hope the powers that be of the University know that we need to bring in a major coaching improvement that can build back our football health. A healthy football program means a healthy University of Tennessee. If we invest in our program we will see that investment pay off. If we make a lackluster effort and investment into our football program we will get a lackluster program and lackluster results financially and on the field.
Go Vols,
Eric