Okay this is my first year following Bengal Football and the first thing I want to say is that I have never seen so much quit and so much drama in this post. Give me a break. The Bengals last Big Sky Championship was in 2002. That was 7 years ago. Am I wrong? All programs have had their ups and downs and that has been discussed in other threads. As a student at BSU in the 80s, I had to listen to the “drama queens” then, but look where the team is now. I’m sure if BSU begins losing any games this year, the “chicken little, the sky is falling band wagon” will be posting the same thing….off with the coaches head or the “see, I told you so” gang will rear their ugly heads….oh and there will be the “go back to Big Sky” group. Yes, they are all out there. Honestly, if I were a player, I would never get on this site because it breeds despair, lack of support, lack of confidence by SOME, not all. You know who you are.
Granted, after seeing my first game last week I TOO had my doubts, but, to dispose of the football department is the dumbest thing I ever heard of. Why don’t you convince teams like Nebraska who were a power house at one time to follow suit. Changing coaches with every losing season is not the answer, just look at their history. Regardless who is coaching, rebuilding takes time. Unfortunately everyone wants a quick band aid fix. Advice to the naysayers…..quit being part of the problem and start being a part of the solution. Work on fixing the things that you can. What really needs to happen is mending the relationship with the administration, fans and community. I am not completely familiar with the past politics of ISU, however, I do know, is that you have to move on. Harping on hiring practices and good ole boy practices will do nothing to help the program move towards a positive direction.
This last game was my first ISU football game. What I enjoyed the most was the home town quaintness and the minimal commercial appearance that you get with teams such as BSU. Oh, about the parking fee….where else can you purchase 4 parking spaces for $60 for the season? If I added gas cost round trip from Boise to Pocatello, added 1nights stay in Pocatello and dinner for all of the ISU home games, it still wouldn’t cost as much as a seasons parking pass at BSU. $5 parking fee for each game is hardly gouging anyone. Go and park along the road if you want free, the walk will do you good.
Sure there were many painful errors made during the game. Sure you can blame the coaches for not preparing the players; however, the players have to take some responsibility as well. They need to work on discipline and staying focused. I do agree that scholarships should be yanked for continuous poor performance. It’s no different than a job and it might be the best thing to do to get their attention. Mediocre players might think twice before accepting a scholarship.
Enough already! These are just a few of the issues that were on my mind. I’m off to the positive threads. All of you negative ninnies please stay off of those threads. Thanks!
Maybe its time to say goodbye to athletics at ISU. I agree with the prof. in the spring who said that it may be time. Its not really a part the of the southeast idaho community culture. Only a small # of students even support the programs, and if it wasn't for the other athletes there would not be many who even go to games. The drain on the budget is huge, which would be much better served in the academic areas of the University. Majority of all students are non-traditional and really don't care what the volleyball, soccer, softball, track, tennis basketball or football teams do.
