Football or Basketball

[sammamisheag]

Should EWU funnel most of it's available $$ to the football or basketball programs?

Can a school of EWUs size consistently make the FCS playoffs and NCAA tournament?

Only two schools in the past two years have won FCS and NCAA Tourney games, Villanova & NDSU.

I'm a big believer if WSU had thrown every available $$ at the bball program when Bennett was there instead of focusing on football he might have stayed 3-4 more year at least.

Thoughts?

 

[clawman1]

I find it interesting to see the smaller schools represent themselves well in the NCAA's every year. A few that come to mind are of course Gonzaga, Butler, Dayton, VCU, and others. I am not endorsing dropping football for basketball but appreciate the possibility of Eastern being more of a force in college basketball than making the dance once per decade. Since the Big Sky is not a highly regarded conference in basketball should being a contender for the conference tourney championship be an expectation of fans?

 

[marceagfan5]

Tough decision, but Football is where the money is at right now, although I prefer BBALL.

Small, mid major, schools that do well in the NCAA Tourney tend to not even have football programs. I think its easier for us to do better at both, because we are in the FCS in Football. I also think that notoriety for the football program brings in more fans and $$ that helps out the other programs such as basketball.

Our BBALL fan base has a tough battle with Gonzaga right down the road...

 

[LDopaPDX]

Just to say it, but football revenue dwarfs basketball money. However, the cost of a football program is exponential compared to basketball.

That said, successful football and basketball programs are not mutually exclusive.. And in fact are more complementary to one another. A successful athletics program seldom has one successful sport above all others. Most have success shared through many sports. Once the prestige gets divvied back up from one program, another finds a way to take off.

I bitch about Chaves all the time because his schedules suck donkey balls. However,he has been widely successful at hiring quality coaches. There isn't a program at Eastern that doesn't have a head coach that isn't among the best two or three in the conference. This is especially true with Wade Benson back in v-ball and our new soccer coach taking us up a level. Obviously, Hayford is showing his worth and Schuler and Baldwin have proven it over and over.

 

[JasonEWU]

My only complaint with Chaves is his handling of the proposed Gateway project. He needs to learn when to cut bait and move on. It angers me that we will be entering another Football season with that sad visitors side still looking like a middle school field. He has to understand that seeing that 6 row metal bleacher setup on NATIONAL TV is a BAD look for the University. If he would have just acted once the season ended, we could have had a fix in place in time for the Season. So now we have at least 1 more embarrassing season of looking at that on TV, and hearing about it from visiting teams and fans. Sorry, rant over. :x :x :x :x :x

 

[clawman1]

My only complaint with Chaves is his handling of the proposed Gateway project. He needs to learn when to cut bait and move on. It angers me that we will be entering another Football season with that sad visitors side still looking like a middle school field. He has to understand that seeing that 6 row metal bleacher setup on NATIONAL TV is a BAD look for the University. If he would have just acted once the season ended, we could have had a fix in place in time for the Season. So now we have at least 1 more embarrassing season of looking at that on TV, and hearing about it from visiting teams and fans. Sorry, rant over. :x :x :x :x :x

Jason;
There is a lot more to the situation than just Chaves having to make a decision whether to move forward or not. Since he is the most visible person he gets a lot of the blame but there are a lot more pieces than what we are seeing.

 

[LDopaPDX]

From what I understand, the President has been very much at the forefront of driving athletics. I think her interest was a bit of a question mark when she was hired, but I'm told everyone in the AD has been pleased by her level of support. She sat right behind me at the game last Thursday and was all decked out in red and black.

 

[JasonEWU]

My only complaint with Chaves is his handling of the proposed Gateway project. He needs to learn when to cut bait and move on. It angers me that we will be entering another Football season with that sad visitors side still looking like a middle school field. He has to understand that seeing that 6 row metal bleacher setup on NATIONAL TV is a BAD look for the University. If he would have just acted once the season ended, we could have had a fix in place in time for the Season. So now we have at least 1 more embarrassing season of looking at that on TV, and hearing about it from visiting teams and fans. Sorry, rant over. :x :x :x :x :x

Jason;
There is a lot more to the situation than just Chaves having to make a decision whether to move forward or not. Since he is the most visible person he gets a lot of the blame but there are a lot more pieces than what we are seeing.

I understand there is more to it, but he is the top. Therefore he takes the finger pointing and blame. Ultimately he could make some decisions and get a fix in place. I just think he is holding out hope for the mythical Gateway Project.

 

[mt jack]

I realize that colleges have to chose where they will direct their limited athletic funds to be spent. Unless you are a power conference school (a la Alabama football or Kentucky basketball) or a private university flush with cash and big name boosters (Grand Canyon University here in Arizona) , the reality is there isn't enough money to go around.

What I don't seem to understand is there are so many schools out there where the fans pick and choose teams that they support from their alma mater. I don't know how it is in Cheney but when I lived in Montana and Flagstaff, the comment I heard most often re: Big Sky conference sports was, "I love football but I don't support any other school sports."

Is it a one or the other attitude with fans in Cheney?

MTJack

 

[LDopaPDX]

I realize that colleges have to chose where they will direct their limited athletic funds to be spent. Unless you are a power conference school (a la Alabama football or Kentucky basketball) or a private university flush with cash and big name boosters (Grand Canyon University here in Arizona) , the reality is there isn't enough money to go around.

What I don't seem to understand is there are so many schools out there where the fans pick and choose teams that they support from their alma mater. I don't know how it is in Cheney but when I lived in Montana and Flagstaff, the comment I heard most often re: Big Sky conference sports was, "I love football but I don't support any other school sports."

Is it a one or the other attitude with fans in Cheney?

MTJack

Football is definitely more ingrained now with the recent run of success. Basketball has been on the periphery for the last decade until the last three months or so. Frankly, people want a winner. Give them a successful football or basketball program and they'll support it. That's something WSU and Idaho have never understood.

Montana, obviously, gets it. As does Gonzaga. Win and they'll come.

 

[Vic E. Wallace]

LDopaPDX,
I can honestly tell you our President is really into the Sports. Ever since she got here, she have been at all the games myself and Daughter attended. We haven't missed any this year. She even stops and talk to us and others when she sees us. Her husband is very outgoing, he always come and talks to us at the games. I was kind of worried how she would be towards Athletics once she arrived. I heard her Athletic Football Program did get a face lift since she arrived here, something she steered prior to coming to EWU. She have been continuing what President "A" have been doing during the MBB Program, having lunches with the Fans in Gymnastics Gym, and very big crowds have been attending. Glad to see all she have done so far. Vic Wallace

 

[Vic E. Wallace]

To All,
My son text a picture of Himself, his Wife and Victor Gamboa, our DB. My son is now on the West Side in Bonnie Lake, He is a Pastor in Auburn. Don't know if Vic Gamboa was at Church or not , but I noticed he had his left arm in a sling. Can't wait to see Vic to get the scoop. We have had so many shoulder injuries. Samson Ebucam DL is also getting over his shoulder injury. He stated he will be back once the season kick off in September 5th, 15. Can't wait for April 2nd to see who are all coming off injuries. As of this morning the Spring Roster is not posted. I know for a fact, Dave Cook is working on the Roster. Go Eagles!!!!! Vic Wallace

 

[Vic E. Wallace]

GROUND&POUND,
Any information on our discussion earlier? My friend stated the FB Coach was dismissed/fired from NC. I hope you was able to contact my son and get some good information. Some of the Recruits we are getting from California could be stating for us this year as long as they stay healthy. All our Recruits from WA/CA, are going to be great additions. Have a great Sunday. I am in the process of getting my Garden ready. Must get those Collard Greens going, along with other Vegies. :thumb: :thumb: :thumb: Vic Wallace