Q&A: Wickstrom discusses the state of ULM athletics
Brian Wickstrom approaches his third year as ULM athletic director excited about what's ahead.
That could change in the next 12 months, but there's plenty of things to feel good about around the offices inside Malone Stadium.
Over the past two years, Wickstrom has secured the largest private donations in the history of ULM athletics. That money turned into brand new field turf put down at JPS Field in 2014 and the much anticipated end zone football facility that's scheduled to open its doors in January of 2016.
Wickstrom also has plans to capitalize on the momentum created by ULM mens basketball's 24-win, CBI runner-up finish as revenue and contributions to the athletic department continue to rise.
The News-Star spent some time with Wickstrom last week and touched on topics ranging from fundraising, ticket sales, improvements to Fant-Ewing Coliseum and a surprise he has in store for ULM fans at the home football opener.
Adam Hunsucker: As you gear up for your third year as AD, what were you able to get down over the past 12 months that you're most proud of?
Brian Wickstrom: Getting the football facility started and having that underway and being able to be part of our mens basketball season. Our season tickets for basketball for next year are already at a point where they're 75 percent of where they were all of last year and we aren't even through the summer yet. We're at 40 percent of our goal for annual donations and we have until December 31 to surpass that.
As you saw during basketball season we really have the community engaged. Football season ticket sales are going well. I think there's a new energy that brought to our fan base and that's going to help us continue to do what we're doing.
AH: What were some things you weren't able to get to that need improvement?
BW: The no. 1 thing I'd like to get accomplished is to get up to speed on funding for a new track and maybe some additional for new hurdles and pole vault pits. We're a little short right now but that's the one thing I hoped to have done but we're not quite there yet.
AH: At a school like ULM that receives so little financial support from the university, how important are private dollars and how has the fundraising climate changed during your tenure?
BW: The biggest thing is there are more people involved but it was an education process. People didn't understand our needs. They didn't know where the money came from or what our budget was. A good example is when we put our kids through summer school and the additional money they need for meals or when the basketball team is on winter break. We're in a position to incur those costs now.
With [ULM president Nick] Bruno having to balance his budget we have to keep trying to become more self-sustained for the things we aren't able to get money for from the state budget.
AH: Speaking of basketball, what kind of feedback have you gotten from fans and alums that were part of the CBI experience last year?
BW: There are people that came to those CBI games that haven't been back since the 90s. When I first got here we didn't have floor seats so the first thing I did was put those in so people could sit closer to the court. The first year about half the seats were full and the second season a lot of them were bought. Now all our floor seats are sold out for next year.
It was such a cool environment for people to watch basketball. They were on the court and the crowd was loud behind them. We got so many compliments from people who saw the "white-outs" on TV. That's what brought people back. To me, that's what this is about is building a great environment and game day experience. That's what this place was missing.
AH: How do you carry that momentum over to next year and transition some of it to football?
BW: Our thing is we have to come up with some cool promotions that keep people engaged. As long as they're having a good time they'll want to come back. Of course winning solves a lot of problems but with the recruits that coach Richard has coming in I think it's going to be a lot of fun and everyone will want to be a part of it.
With football, we're right on track or maybe just a little ahead of where our season tickets were last year. If you remember last year we opened up with Wake Forest and this year it's Nicholls State so it's not quite the sense of urgency to get your tickets. We do have something pretty special planned like the "camo-out" that myself and only one person knows about it. Coach Berry doesn't even know about it but the fans are going to love it.
AH: Scheduling-wise, how do "money games" and limited home games hamper those promotional opportunities?
BW: It's a challenge but we have a great staff that works hard to come up with the way to implement it. We've gotten a lot of feedback from fans and we want to know what they want to see at a football game. I think trying to compliment that with what coach Berry's doing people are going to be blown away with what we've got planned.
AH: What's next for athletics this year?
BW: We want to try and do something for Fant-Ewing. Now a new arena is a big picture item but we're going to try and do something for the concourse area and some new concession stands. That enhances the game-day experience and cuts down on the number of lines. People can get in and out and we can dress up Fant-Ewing a little bit cosmetically.
AH: You really aren't going to tell me what you've got planned for the home football opener?
BW: No I can't do that. It's a secret but it's something that our fans and our players are really going to enjoy.
Follow Adam on Twitter @adam_hunsucker