DENNY O'BRIEN | Compher should consider radical measures [fb-bk-ba-oly-031113]

I recently had the privilege of attending an event at which Peyton Manning delivered the keynote address. As you might expect, the Pro Bowl quarterback made an indelible impression.

His words were funny, charming, inspirational. Much like his demeanor in the huddle, Manning was cool, unshakable, and had full command of his audience.

It would have been a timely talk for Jeff Compher, who inherits numerous challenges as East Carolina�s new athletics director. The overriding theme of Manning�s message was on successful decision making, and the critical takeaway was framed in a question:

�When under pressure, are you a worrier� or a warrior?�

East Carolina�s athletics success is contingent on Compher being the latter.

Uphill battles are nothing new for ECU athletics. They�ve always been a part of the equation. Always will be.

That was the case the day the Pirates first dove into collegiate athletics. Just as it been during Terry Holland's stint at the helm of the ship.

But Compher�s overall challenge will be different.

While ECU has made a modest upgrade with its conference affiliation, the task, financially, is even more significant. The television contracts and bowl revenue for the nation�s power conferences continue to explode, widening the divide between the in-crowd and outsiders.

This is an era in which change is the only constant and reshuffling occurs at a frenetic pace. Unlike the regional rivals against which East Carolina competes for both recruits and attention, Compher can�t rely on conference affiliation for revenue or media coverage.

He must depend on outside-the-box thinking to fill the gaps on both.

Compher must quickly identify the boulders in East Carolina�s path along with routes to maneuver the Pirates past them. Almost every roadblock he encounters will be directly related to money, and he must mastermind creative ways to move forward.

That�s why he should seriously consider radical modifications to the Pirates� athletics campus, the type that would likely draw criticism both locally and abroad.

He could start by reopening the naming rights to Bagwell Field at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium and Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum � but make any deal no longer than ten years. Naturally, Compher should offer those families the rights to keep their names prominent within those venues, provided they are willing to meet the necessary price.

If not, he can open the bidding for those and other athletics venues. While he�s at it, Compher should consider renting out the real estate inside each one.

As eye-catching as East Carolina�s midfield and midcourt logo is, it hardly pays the bills. A Pepsi or Hardee�s logo would be a start, especially on dates when the Pirates host nationally-televised broadcasts.

Think of the possibilities if Compher went the NASCAR route, rocking different midfield and midcourt sponsored logos each game.

The end zones and 25-yard markers? Rent this space.

The Dowdy-Ficklen scoreboard, complete with the mural on back? Nothing a little paint can�t fix.

The individual seats within ECU�s athletics arenas should also be fair game. ECU could increase revenue by jacking up the prices in its chairback and club sections, while lowering costs on nosebleed seats in an effort to reach new fans.

And if Compher is of the mindset that East Carolina must schedule one or two unwinnable games each season, he should place a handsome price tag on them. An annual guarantee game at Alabama or Texas could prove more financially beneficial than home-and-home dates with South Carolina.

He could settle for no less than 1.5 million for a visit.

Even if Compher did implement those ideas, it would be only a small step towards bridging the financial gap. Additional work would be required, with creativity and persistence a must to move forward.

ECU�s new league obviously isn�t going to deliver the caliber of television or postseason revenue the Pirates need to compete at a high level, so it must rely on its own merits to make the desired progress.

For the foreseeable, uncertain future, that responsibility relies squarely on Compher�s shoulders. He must be prepared to dismiss the status quo.

That would be a sure sign he�s approaching his new pressure-packed gig with a warrior mentality. And not a worrier one.