I feel that it is mostly symbolic, but with his expanded contacts it should help in the fund raising area as well as in recruiting. In fact, it has already helped in both of those areas. From what he had to say at the alumni event, I am glad to have him more formally involved with our community. It can only help.Honestly not entirely sure what GM role is for college hoops, but this should bolster recruiting.
This is just a 'for what it's worth' from me, but my observations from seeing just one practice and watching the team at the alumni event. This team seems more together and enthusiastic than the teams over the past 3 years. It remains to be seen, but I'm hopeful that enthusiasm carries over to more wins on the court. What I am seeing is that we will be smaller, but more athletic in the front court and also in the backcourt. We are a little bit deeper in the guard positions and seem to have a bevy of shooters. The hiring of a big man centric coach, in Vandiver, is a verry good addition to the staff. From what I have seen, he is a great coach and has already developed strong relationships with all of our players.It can help & hopefully shows positive results in competitive play. Just hope that it doesn't lock in a struggling HC, as Duft demonstrated last season, that lingers for years if it continues.
Camaraderie is always high in the summer. New team these games haven’t started hating each other yet and/or the coaching staff yet. There is always going to be a lack of trust when they make the same coaching mistakes every year.This is just a 'for what it's worth' from me, but my observations from seeing just one practice and watching the team at the alumni event. This team seems more together and enthusiastic than the teams over the past 3 years. It remains to be seen, but I'm hopeful that enthusiasm carries over to more wins on the court. What I am seeing is that we will be smaller, but more athletic in the front court and also in the backcourt. We are a little bit deeper in the guard positions and seem to have a bevy of shooters. The hiring of a big man centric coach, in Vandiver, is a verry good addition to the staff. From what I have seen, he is a great coach and has already developed strong relationships with all of our players.
Yes, last year was not good, maybe the worst in the last 20 years. I'm hoping that was just an aberation and that the rebounding we lost with Jones going to the NBA is made up for with this new group.
From the interactions I’ve had with players it doesn’t seem like the main rotation guys are happy by the end of the season either. Alumni games are a great time but this years was pretty scarce in terms of former players coming. Maybe part of it was because it was set up last minute but also a lot of unhappy former playersI feel that we are all hoping that every one of these guys are good enough to play for us and that the coaches make all the right choices, that everyone feels they are being treated fairly. I guess time will tell on all of that. The stark realities of athletics is that the end of the bench will never be as happy as the main rotation group. In this day and age, players often don't have the patience to wait on their own development and some times the coaches lose patience as well. I hope that none of that happens, but reality says otherwise.
Sounds like Mr Waldo has spoken to all of the boosters and has been given the go ahead to speak for all of them. Mr Waldo must be the head of the Wildcat Club or maybe he is the Prsident of the University. He certainly must be a very powerful, powerful man.