#neil ring

[wutbju]

So SACSCOC is for BJU what NCAA can be for BJU. 

What did the faculty think about all this? 

[wutbju]

Wut?

NCAA has a greater brand recognition which gives us an opportunity to expand the platform for ministry.

Are you serious with this, BJU? Again?

Consistently, for the last century, Bob Jones Inc. has conflated branding with ministry. Bob Jones Sr.’s current (and still-looking-for-a-publisher) biographer, John Matzko brags about the Founder’s old-fashioned propaganda skills. But even Bob Jones III himself recently equated marketing with ministry in his BJU M&G fundraising. Remember? 

Branding is not ministry. Selling is not serving. Pastors are not salesmen. 

Do you remember, BJU, what Jesus did when He saw similar actions in His day?

[wutbju]

Neil Ring, BJU’s Athletic Director, was thrilled for the spiritual inspiration from New Spring’s Trevor Lawrence.

It is a privilege to welcome Trevor to campus.... His championship pedigree has made him a well-known figure in South Carolina and led to him being a starting quarterback in the NFL. Beyond the playing field, Trevor has gained a wealth of experience handling immense pressure and the expectations of others. I look forward to hearing how his faith allows him to balance his priorities and stay positive.

Randy likes him. Neil likes him. Brody likes him.

But where is the GALA now?

[wutbju]

And there’s the schedule. 

Application by 1/15/18--highly likely we will be accepted

Exploratory Year, 9/1/18--much like regional accreditation for the athletic department only

Provisional Years, 9/1/19–22--brand use of NCAA is permissible

Member NCAA DIII, 9/1/23--latest possible date-full membership

So Bob Jones University has already applied. Next up is the Exploratory Year in 2018-19. 

[wutbju]

Ring explained further:

Practically speaking, there is no post-season opportunity in NCAA DIII until you are a fully vested NCAA institution. It would be hard to recruit students to come if we were only NCAA—they wouldn’t have any post-season play until we become NCAA. We can potentially have an entire graduating class that never played in post-season.

That’s a direct quotation. I think there’s a mistake. 

[wutbju]

What does BJU mean by “ministry”? It uses the term synonymously with “branding.” But here’s another clearer definition from Ring:

Why stay in DII NCCAA? We can use sports for ministry; BJU has moved into several leadership opportunities and is impacting the organization, and they are happy to have us there. We want to continue having that positive voice in this Christian association.

It’s power. They are in “leadership positions” in the NCCAA. That’s not ministry. It’s power. 

[wutbju]

BJU does plan to stay in their current DII NCCAA. Why?

Ministry! If there’s ever an iffy reason for doing anything, BJU plasters the ambiguous “ministry” as the motivation. The Museum & Gallery is a ministry. The School of Health Professions is a ministry. Chuck Phelps teaches in the Ministry classes at BJU. Carl Herbster is an example of ministry. The BJU Bruins at NASCAR is a ministry too!

That’s how BJU sees DII NCCAA. 

[wutbju]

So BJU knows its enrollment is bad. They know their reputation is bad. What else is bad?

Alumni donations.

And they think NCAA membership will fix that because:

People understand a very simple message that we’re NCAA, and they give to that more.”

Honestly, Alumni, will NCAA change how much you give to BJU?