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If Tonagel became the new Valparaiso University MBB Head Coach, I'd renew my season tickets immediately.

"Go with Donlon. Chicago suburb product from a great HS of current college coaches - Scheyer, "


I feel we've had our fair shake at a Chicago suburb product

Paul's article is solid. I will consider subscribing as Part 2 is years in the making. I appreciate his sentiments about the human side of things, and I respect his analogy to the GB Packers.

On the other hand, Matt does have a job to do. In part, that job is contingent on winning. From a business standpoint, Return on Investment (ROI) matters. As Paul points out, attendance and interest are (without a doubt) significantly down.

At what point does one opt to cut their losses? That's what we, as fans, are awaiting. As for salaries, it's all relative to an extent. Sure, we could compare Matt's reasonable salary to the John Calipari's of the world. But he's still likely in the top 10%. As of 2020, the average income for someone in the US within the Top 10% was $173,00. I have a feeling he makes substantially more than that. According to what I see other posters state on this messageboard and elsewhere, he may be in the Top 5% (~$342k) - or at least close to it. Either way, he's making more than 90-95% of adults in America. I'd assume the rest of us have expectations to keep our jobs, right? We're likely evaluated on an evaluative rubric that extends beyond being "nice" or "good" people. So, it's fair to raise the question when in the spotlight, especially when involved in a sports entertainment profession.

I'm still not understanding where the sources are that allegedly confirm this $345,000 buyout for ML's contract?...

I sincerely hope the tone of this statement is drenched in sarcasm.

Personally, the continual excuses and concessions offered for why this team is mediocre (at best) are a bit exhaustive. Anyone and everyone can offer reasons why x, y, and z. Every program deals with transfers, injuries, and "fit" problems. It is what it is. All programs deal with a changed landscape - NIL, transfer portal changes, etc.


It is what it is. I'm reminded of two potentially applicable quotes that embody my sentiments on the topic:


"We have forty million reasons for failure, but not a single excuse." ―Rudyard Kipling


"A man can fail many times, but he isn't a failure until he begins to blame somebody else." —John Burroughs

While watching the Belmont Bruins come to the ARC to take on the Beacons on this spring-like day in January of 2023, the score started getting out of hand. Belmont went on a run during the 1st half, and Todd Ickow verbally articulated the record-setting start to Valpo's season.

On the ESPN+ broadcast, an image was shared that showed some startling numbers encapsulating broken records.

A 0-6 start is the worst MVC start in team history.

The 1989-90 team started 0-10 in AMCU.

Last conference win: February 21, 2022, vs. Evansville (74-69).

Is this rock bottom? Will we finally see changes to the Valpo MBB program?

Honest question: How much does Lottich make?

Perhaps ... in some fashion, the situation could be chalked up to the ol' chicken or egg aversion. However, one thing we *do* know is that the new President & Director of Athletics are not (unlike their predecessors) responsible for the hiring of Matt. Nor are they responsible for the lack of commitment to the athletics programming. This is their time to act.


Consider Dr. Small's bio:


1. Small serves as the sport administrator for men's basketball and men's and women's track & field and cross country.
[/size]2. [/size]Through his total commitment to the student-athlete experience — an experience he enjoyed firsthand as a Division I men's basketball player at the University of Pittsburgh ...
[/size]3. Small served at power five institutions with proven marquee athletic programs in the Big 12 & SEC, respectively (Iowa State & Arkansas).
[/size]
[/size]There's NO way this guy does not see what we - as mere spectators - see ... I believe in him.

I am (and have been) 100% in favor of Tonagel coming back to Valpo *if* he'd entertain the offer after not being given a fair shake at the gig years back (from what I was told, at least). I don't question Matt as a father or husband - that's not my business. I don't know him from Adam. As a fan, I question him as the basketball coach at Valparaiso University. As a basketball coach, I do not see evidence of him moving this program in a better direction. It's just not qualitatively or quantitatively true. It's time to move on.


Waiting until the season comes to a close is fine by me - this season is a wash. But I hope to see change occur ASAP once the season comes close. And I sure hope it's not a matter of hiring from within again. Second, I certainly hope the new President & AD seize the moment and show their commitment to athletics. It does not have to be a matter of academics OR athletics. At one point, I was a big-time advocate for a new arena, etc. - I do not mention such things any longer. As-is, donors do not have a reason to support such a move. We need to change on the court first.

Thank you for bringing up the post game conference remarks. I was curious to know if others had the same expressed sentiments. Go back and watch the ISU press conference: "We knew coming in they were a really good team." Later on, "...obviously games like that can be a little embarrassing." Oh, and - as has been the case for years, the excuses continued: "...I thought we were exhausted ... we looked tired


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVQj7e6TxnA


UNI post-game remarks. "...We spotted them 12 points to start the game ... I don't know ... we've gotta come out better and not get down like that." Later on, "...I thought that there were some big improvements today obviously, we still didn't make shots, but I thought we got good shots." He later compared the fact that UNI had 3 days to prepare for Valpo, whereas Valpo only had 2 days to prepare for them ...


Last, he again pointed out that "...the valley schedule does make it difficult you just don't get a lot of practice time." I'm sorry, but enough of the constant excuses!!! It's been going on for years and years. It sure sounds like he's just out of his league - some pun intended. Is the objective seriously to get out of the MVC and go back into a lesser mid-major conference as a means of appeasing this woe-is-me sentiment? If so, count me out.

I attempted to watch the first half. I made it until the last tv timeout of the half. More of the same ...

At that point, I decided to watch a Cocoamelon episode with my child - one that I've seen 100x at this point. The difference? Watching my child's elation far surpasses my numbness to Valpo basketball at this point ...

Great points! Having earned my BA from Valpo and later receiving post-graduate degrees from public institutions after that, here's my experience:


When I talk with people around the state, midwest, and nationally - it's often a matter of formality to ask the "where did you go to school?" question. By far, the (2) things people recognize Valpo for are 1) Men's Basketball ... Bryce Drew ... "the shot" and; 2) The Law School (which is an entirely different conversation for another day).


Here we are, in 2023, with no law school & a shell of a basketball program compared to the past. Side Note: Does anyone else find it odd that we market (via a large banner) that the nursing program is in the top 17%? On the one hand, I assume the goal is to get to the top 15%, which is more recognizable as a goal. And, stating that they are in the top 20% may feel like they're cutting themselves short. Idk ... just bizarre.


As for basketball, Valpo currently sits at #312 in the NET ranking (out of 363). That puts Valpo at what ... the bottom ~15%? How's that sound?

So, going back to the Horizon would send what message? We aren't *that* serious about our athletics and would prefer being in a lesser-tier midmajor conference and, at best, picking up more conference wins? Is that honestly the best that could be hoped for at this point? If so, I don't see myself signing up for that plan.

I, too, was a regular listener when Paul was still doing the Union Street Hoops podcast. I wasn't aware of this new podcast. Now that I am aware, I'm subscribing. Personally, I am not interested in any Valpo sports apart from MBB.

After attending the ISU game on Sunday, I couldn't get myself to rationalize paying the $ for another game. I truly wish that weren't the case. Surprised they didn't run some type of deal knowing these MVC games were taking place while the students are still out of town.

As a VU graduate and former season ticket holder, I was all-in as a Valpo B-ball fan for around 15 years. I remember the Butler v. Valpo games ... the big shot vs. Green Bay ... the Alec Peters era ... etc.

When Bryce was at the helm, I couldn't be prouder to be a VU graduate and a fan of this program. Understandably, Bryce's tenure came to a close. I supported the team under Matt's leadership for a few years and kept my season tickets. I even bought extra seats and would make a point of being hospitable in bringing family & friends with us. Each year, we heard the same remarks about it being a process: guys being young, the injury bug hitting folks, shots not falling, legs being weak, and the infamous comment about players needing to do their laundry. It was as it was ... take it or leave it. I felt invested enough to keep the course & renew anyhow. It felt like the "right" thing to do as a means of supporting my alma mater & the Valpo community, which I love.

Once COVID hit, my season tickets weren't an option as fans were limited, etc. - it provided me an opportunity to reevaluate. ESPN+ made it convenient to watch the games. Last year, I didn't make it to any games, but I watched most streamed games. I finally made it back to the ARC for a game this week.

Idk what to say other than ... I no longer felt connected to the program. As an outsider, it felt stale. No identity. That could be due to the students being gone for the break and my poor attitude. However, I no longer cared about the loss or the officiating. I didn't see most season ticket holders I'd talk with regularly (again, perhaps that was a coincidence, and they're usually there).

In short, I wish nothing but the best to Matt. He is such a good person and may be a great coach. Regardless of who coaches this team moving forward, I'm hopeful that the culture surrounding this program will shift again. I hope the new AD can make substantive changes in how this marquee program can reclaim its charm and luster. I'm optimistic that I will *want* to be there and respond to the mailings differently with a resounding "Yes."

Go VU!