Messages

Agreed, but, right or wrong, the world does hold religiously-associated people to a higher standard, gives them less leeway, and takes perverse enjoyment in situations where there is failure or the possibility of failure.  The headlines and smirking surrounding fallen evangelists and catholic priests involved in scandals underscore this fact of life.  People are just waiting for Tim Tebow to do just one off-color or risqué thing.  The same thing is kinda in effect for Scott. I'm sure he is aware of the burden.

Oh, oh...............  The one thing a person of faith cannot be is hypocritical and your summary, unfortunately, sends me in that direction.

............ And Baylor got their doors blown off by Calipari's NBA all-stars.    Jeez, did I just say that?  Well, I guess John is not hypocritical about "One and Done" -- he embraces it.  But doesn't that kill the graduation rate (a la UConn)?

WH - Replying to your second post and second link.

Brockton, MA (#4) is two towns away from me out here in the northeast.  It is colossal in size -- the FB stadium almost rivals some some small towns in Texas [  ;-) to Valpotx  ].  Incredibly, they still lose a game or two every year in a variety of sports. 

BTW - Interesting observation:  Carmel only has 4% of it's students on the lunch-aid program.  Don't know what Brockton's current %age is, but I'll' bet 20%.  But that's the Mid-West for you -- not a bad area of the country to call home.

I don't think any bonds were issued, but it's possible a loan was taken.  i.e. that the money wasn't raised in advance, but that it has a mortgage that'll be paid from future fundraising, the general fund, etc.

If that's the case, man, I sure wish they'd do the same for Brown Field, the track, the stands, and press box, landscaping, etc.  My thought is that "if you build it (and tell the alumni that a debt has been incurred) they will donate."  I know I would if the program was restricted and focused.

Exactly that.  Not many teams would wear their witness on their shirts in the Big Dance like that.

I think you are right about that. But how many of the big time schools even have a witness? To me, it goes to show the impact of Scott Drew on that team.

Knowing Scott's DNA and seeing the tee shirt thing, I can't quite figure out why he is getting slammed in the BIG XII for the way he recruits.  I guess I'm just naive.   

Exactly that.  Not many teams would wear their witness on their shirts in the Big Dance like that.

This was recently posted by columnist Mike Lopresti in USAToday on Janet Drew and the Drew clan.


http://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/lopresti/story/2012-03-24/03-24-12-Lopo-Janet-Drew/53750250/1

Darn.  Don'tcha think that with all these millions, they could find a few bucks to finish the dang track and spruce up the Brown Field stands and press box. 

Just great that they got there and that Baylor won.

The Baylor tee Shirts that the team wore during warm-ups were very "focused" wouldn't ya say?

New England perspective:  Another religion-afilliated university had a similar experience a few (well, now a lot) years back -- Boston College.  When Flutie won the Heismann the world of BC exploded:  1) campus expanded enormously, and 2) the applications absolutely skyrocketed.  It's now one of the toughest schools to get into in NE (not an easy thing), but the athletic program is still able to compete in the ACC. 

Baylor and BC both validate the investment in good athletics for expansion, selectivity, endowment and facilities growth. BTW I'm watching the Baylor/X NCCA game and apparently a BC guy Xferred to Baylor -- wow! Irony.

Love it so far.  I made my only pilgrimage to the campus in XX (many) years, but didn't get a change to really see this.

Great thing to show prospective athletes.  Hope that's part of the visitation tour.

USAToday has a nice article about Scott's folks going to see his Baylor team in Atlanta.  Valpo gets a lot of mention.


http://content.usatoday.com/communities/campusrivalry/post/2012/03/even-sweeter-parents-will-see-baylor-coach-in-action/1#.T2ylAVFQRUQ

 :two cents:

TX and others, there is common ground here on this string. I enjoyed the exchanges and think they have been thoughtful.  I detect donkeys and elephants participating and that's good.  I also see rounds of beers shared in fellowship. Thanks.   But..........

.... let me add a slightly different, but pretty relevant (I think, at least) perspective to the discussion -- the "then and now" worlds we, unfortunately, have to deal with today in the universe of instant....
(a) gratification,
(b) information
(c) sound bytes
(d) communication, etc.

It use to be (then) that ideas took a while to evolve, be crafted, refined and then civilly (mostly) debated with (my idealism showing through here) the greater good as the target. In this dialogue, history shows us that, despite differing political philosophies, compromise and doing what's right generally (emphasis on the generally) overrode personal agendas.  Things got done in the past in government -- at lead more things.

Today not so much.  (now) unbreachable walls have been erected. The overwhelming need to win, even on the smallest issue, and the ability to marshal instant electronic support has essentially gutted the "then" process and left us with no ability to compromise and no ability to make decisions for the common good, because it "might" cause a shift in electronic allegiance that would cause a defeat in some polls, which in turn will cause  more innuendo and disparaging remarks to be released by an anonymous source or through a blog to cover one's behind.

Our presidents are as much victims of this new ethos as they are participants.  The same may be true for a head BB coach whose assistant texts some kid one day before he was, by NCAA rule, allowed to, or a male elementary school teacher who gives a female student a hug for doing something special.

My sadness is in the fact that reasonableness has "left the building." 

Thanks vuweather -- it's like he never existed.  You guys out there are more familiar with this kid I'd guess as he's out of Chicago, right?.

I went to the Bulls athletic site, but got confused.  Can someone explain why his name does not appear on any USF BB roster:  2009-10, 2010-11 or 2011-12?  I don't know how these things work, but has he been vaporized because he decide to Xfer?

The issue with the PFL is that being a non-scholarship league (Scholarship-- give me a break.  I hate that term - it should be a grant-in aid) they can't list the kids who commit until their deposits are in.  It'll probably be May when we have solid info.  (BTW - saw  the same concept on the Stetson website).  Yes, NLIs but no names.  Emailing with Dale Carlson, I sense that they are getting a good class.  How good remains to be seen. The feeling I get is that the recruiting process has significantly improved and is definitely more organized  than in past programs. Carlson needs time but he will get the right kids and VU will be competitive.  I just wish he could get more admin support and that Brown field would be a true FCS venue.

....or Dancing with the Stars

There's something to be said, mystique or no mystique, about an opponent pounding away against ACC teams on a game by game basis. The ACC is a lot of bigs banging a lot of the time. So, ya got to have more than just KVW to match playing styles.  But having said that, you can already sense that Miami is dismissing Valpar-eye-zo as  road kill on the way to the next game.  Not wise.

FLASH



[Seen while in a bar having lunch on the water overlooking Cape Cod Bay in Brant Rock MA] 

ESPN crawler indicates Butler has expressed interest in moving to the A-10 in all sports except for football (A-10 does not have FB-- most A-10 teams play in the Colonial Athletic except for Temple who is a FB member of the MAC [I think]). Butler will probably stay in the Pioneer Football Conference.

Thanks valpopal.  Fro the article, it appears to be isolated, fairly limited and probably the work of a couple miscreants.  Glad it wasn't worse.  But there is no place for that kind of junk -- nor the UD-M chant.

....... or about the criminal actions of vandalism and property damage in Valparaiso. At the least, Detroit University or the Horizon League should issue a statement of concern declaring that they are looking into the matters.

....Can someone quickly summarize the acts of vandalism and property damage?  On campus, in town, what? 

I too was wondering what the negatives were, especially when I read that Loyola's newly rennovated Gentile Center held around 5000 (a little less than the ARC).  I've only been in the ARC a couple of times over the years (being from New England and not getting out there much), but I was pretty impressed considering I was used to the old Brown Gym that fit 4000 or so back in the late 60s.  But I also kept reading here about how the facility was not up to par, so I just went along with what I thought was the prevailing sentiment (see my post under the Coach Powell string). 5600 screaming fans right on top of the court IS a tremendous advantage. I also thought the BB office area was pretty decent as well.  Being a former FB and Track guy with a very fervent interest in soccer, I naturally focus on those facilities which ARE inadequate for a D-1 and FCS university.  But I also see a relationship among all sports and their respective facilities as making Valpo more (or less) attractive to athletes because of the overall sense of the university's commitment to the whole program that is reflected. Kids can pretty much figure that out. 

Let's try this and see if it works...here's a link to my Google+ album with pix from Wake Forest.  I'm new to this so we'll see if it actually functions.  Please comment here if you're able to view the album.  Some interesting points:  note Wake's field is all turf--the only dirt is at the pitcher's mound.  Also, the there is a picture of some of the guys wearing "Wild 36" warmup shirts.  The entire team wears these occasionally in memory of Shaun Wild, brother of pitcher Kevin Wild, who died this past February in Chicago.  Hope this gives you a feel for two of the games on this trip.  GO VALPO!

https://plus.google.com/photos/107694216823525506352/albums/5717656483217234785

................. and all that with 4400 undergrads.

I think someone else brought up the possibility of Bryce leaving, not me.

The Drews are very well-connected in college athletics. Scott has already blazed a trail for Bryce to follow. And you never know what a school is going to be looking for. I would imagine Bryce is an excellent interview with an the type of profile that makes college administrators all hot and sweaty.

I didn't say necessarily it had to be a Big 6 conference, but you never know how dominos fall in the offseason. My only point is this: there is going to come a time when the university has to make additional investments in Bryce and in the program that will be mandated by a couple factors: the success Bryce has had early on, and other suitors willing to give it to him. Matt Painter was almost forced to leave Purdue last year for the same reason.
And please, I am not comparing Bryce to Painter. I am comparing scenarios.

The Homer interview documents a stated commitment to facilities -- sometime.  Since early this summer I have been posting about the dismal FB/Track/Soccer venue.  I am now joining BB posters in an effort to pressure rapid enhancement of ALL the key facilities.  Other schools seem to be able to bite the bullet and commit to solid funding programs that attract student athletes, retain them, and equally, or maybe more importantly, hold onto coaching talent.  It's the way the world is today. Valpo has to act and act very soon.  The Porter Hospital land will take years to convert between demolition and construction (and raising the funds).  I hope VU seizes the day and leverages our recent gifts - the MBB program won the HL, MSO won the HL, Baseball is facing off and is competitive against some really high powered programs (BTW did any of you check out the D-I Wofford facilities on their web site? -- 8500 seat FB stadium, marvelous BB stadium -- enrollment 1525 students) and WSB it kicking butt as well.  Build the darn track, add 2k Seats to the Brown Field stadium and renovate the press box, add chair-back seating and additional seats to the ARC (or whatever it needs) and get started ASAP. 

Bryce can then say to potential recruits (and so can WBB) -- see the university's commitment to athletics all around that enhances your overall college experience (and BTW, also check out the new BB venue -- cool, huh?);  Dale Carlson can point to a true D-1 FCS facility and Avery and Marovich as well.  And the kids who run track can FINALLY tell potential recruits -- we have a flipping track to practice on and we can even hold some home meets.

Agree FWalum.  Has to be a work in progress cuz it has to highlight the regular season BB championship, the HL Tourney crown (I hope, I hope, I hope).  And any great stuff about either the NCAA or the NIT. Figure it won't be final till all those are completed.