Date Posted:09:42:21 06/10/06 Sat Author: Neckfansince71 Subject: Re: Rival for Western? In reply to:
Leatherface
's message, "Re: Rival for Western?" on 08:57:36 06/10/06 Sat
"Stuck in the middle with you!" (Steelers Wheel)Sorry I have not posted in a while! I have read your thoughts and at times have shared your frustrations. One of the advantages I found about WIU in the early 70's was it was in the middle of no where! People stayed on campus during the weekend, especially all of the suburban kids that were attending at that time. That meant that football games and basketball games were pretty well attended. But we all know now that attendance not only has to do with the students but also and more importantly the attendance of fans in the surrounding area.
So what to do? Well, I don't really care about Chicago State leaving. Valpo, well, except for our association with them in the MidCon, we really don't have anything else with them in common. They happen to be a liberal arts school. WIU is not! You can find them both in the upper tier of the US News and World Report, not sure about the Princeton Review, WIU is listed as a top school for the money there. Law enforcement, well WIU is one of the very top in the nation and routinely turns away students with 25's on their ACT's who have applied. Besides the team that made it to the NCAA sweet sixteen, Valpo's teams up and down the line have been mediocre at best. Volleyball pretty good, women's tennis, qualifier, but what else????? Facility wise, with VanAlstine's vision, its WIU. It just so happens that Valpo can be found somewhere in the middle of Northwestern Indiana, and WIU can be found somewhere in the central western part of the state of Illinois, close to ??????
I guess I feel like the only way to move is up! DII, been there and have done that! Way to deep into facilities and recruiting to go back there. Will not happen! OUr only choice is to hold steady, and work to dominate in the MidCon. No one will want us until we are constant movers and shakers in the MidCon basketball tourney, or NCAA qualifiers. We have so much in common with SDSt, Southern Utah, and NDSt. What do we really have in common with IUPUI, UMKC, Centenary, or Oakland? The problem is, they are stuck way out there too.
Fact is, Goldfarb and VanAlstine are not looking back, but looking forward. There is no other way to go!!! Retreat is not an option!
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Re: Rival for Western? -- Leatherface, 10:33:12 06/10/06 Sat
Very good reply, and thoughtfull.I'm not one to back away from much of anything whether it be business or personal. The D2 was for discussion as much as anything. However, some decisions must be made in the future about long range goals for the athletic department, and, I'm confident these are being discussed.I'm just not much of a wait and see type.
Your comments about WIU programs at the university are correct. Sometimes I feel the publicity department needs to be more aggressive in promoting Western outside of western Illinois. I guess you've persuaded me to be more patient. It's just not in my training! If anything, I will restate that I believe the publicity- athletic and university, needs to be aggrassive.
I would totally agree with you! I always grimace when I hear ISU's advertisements during Bear broadcasts! Just because you live in a small town does not mean you have to have a small town attitude! My dream retirement job is going from high school to high school recruiting students for WIU. If you look at the strategic plan it talks about recruiting and increased visibility!!! Heck, my WIU flag flies everyday from my home in Wheaton! Went to the Sox game last night and wore my WIU hat and the radio guy from the SCORE, Chris R noticed it and we talked some Gateway football. He is a ISU grad!
The bottom line is, we need another great year in football, and a break out year in men's basketball. I would say that if Thomas does not get it done this year, he is going to be on a short rope! He has gone back to recruiting hungry players instead of well fed players with names!
I have enjoyed your posts and recognize your frustration. Have felt the same way many times. I thought the North Central Conference was a good fit back in 1974 basically because we were playing alot of those teams. Just so happens, SDst and NDst were members of that conference. Things are sure to get more interesting before they get boring. Also, the MidCon office has alot of repect for WIU. I get the feeling that they look at WIU as the capital of the MidCon! Stuck, right in the middle!!!!!!!
