Southern Virginia U

[oldrunner]

I had to look this school up. I knew nothing about them.

They are an LDS school. They have won many small college National Championships in a variety of sports, including basketball. They are currently a NCAA DIII athletic program. They have kids on their team from all over the country, including Utah. They are not small like some DIII teams. They have 4 or 5 guys between 6'6'' and 6'8''.

These guys may be better than the other small programs we have coming in. They would probably beat Antelope Creak School of Cosmetology or Multotmawaw Welders Academy.

 

[sapokama]

I had to look this school up. I knew nothing about them.

They are an LDS school. They have won many small college National Championships in a variety of sports, including basketball. They are currently a NCAA DIII athletic program. They have kids on their team from all over the country, including Utah. They are not small like some DIII teams. They have 4 or 5 guys between 6'6'' and 6'8''.

These guys may be better than the other small programs we have coming in. They would probably beat Antelope Creak School of Cosmetology or Multotmawaw Welders Academy.

Not that it matters too much, but it is not an LDS school. This is a common misconception. It is a liberal arts school that promotes LDS values. They would love the LDS church to help finance it, but the LDS church has no interest. I have had several friends that have attended there (as well as have family that lives there), and it is in a beautiful, but rural part of the country. I also believe one of the Weber State walk-ons was out there for less than a week before he decided to return home and attend college at Weber.

 

[oldrunner]

I just read the LDS stuff in their description and assumed that they were. If they were they would probably be called BYU Virginia. Anyway, they look like a high quality DIII program. It might end up being a better game than people might think.

I watched BYUs game with Arizona Christian. They gave BYU fits for three quarters of that game. BYU had some of their top guys sitting out or injured, but still...

 

[n.ogdencat]

Weird that we are less than a week away from our exhibition game against Southern Virginia, and this board is almost dead quiet. If I was an AD, I'd be a bit concerned, but it is business as usual. Nothing on campus about the season starting. Nothing telling students about basketball or that the Aggies will be visiting the Dee next Friday. Nothing!! To me, this would be a serious concern. Your bread and butter is basketball and it is dead on the forum, where your biggest and most loyal fans associate. Weber State fans love to see all programs do well, but we are usually, first and foremost, basketball fans and there just isn't much enthusiasm for the program this year.

I'll take a stab at why.

1. We experienced a poor, in a lot of our minds, under-achieving year last season. We all had a lot of excitement and the Cats just didn't live up to the billing. Because of last season, this seasons, we are all a tab apprehensive about the quickly approaching campaign. I feel that this team has the talent, skill, depth, to be something special, but it is a wait and see feeling right now. Team chemistry is huge and after the lackluster P&W game it is a serious concern. Rahe has his work cut out for him for sure.

2. Conference destroys purpose of regular conference season by changing the post-season tournament format. Why compete when you know you already have a spot locked up in the post-season tournament? Worst of all, a conference championship means very little. All the top teams get byes being fourth is as good as 1st, you have to defend a title on an alien, foreign, floor, and you don't know if fans will show up to support you. You could, depending on how well a department markets the tournament -sets up trips for boosters/supports or students, and creates a feeling of "home court" by sending their band, spirit squad, and getting students out- the fourth place team could end up with a better home feel than the first place team. No matter, the conference doesn't draw well for basketball anyway throughout the season, why would it suddenly draw well for a tournament in RENO? This is a kick in the gut for fans. The late season battles and surges will no longer occur. Thanks conference for making the season worthless, all that matters is if you play well in Reno.

3. Marketing is atrocious. Athletics is their biggest enemy. They just don't do anything. Look at marketing for football. Case in point, the signs on campus for students. What do they even mean? Do I get a free football? When are the games? Where are the games? Time? No information what-so-ever. Just Free Football... As for the community. Can anyone on this forum say they have seen or experienced any sort of marketing from Weber State Athletics? Look at the P&W game? It was absolutely boring. Other schools make it into an event. Something you don't want to miss. An attraction that is the "must-go" for students and the community. Build off of that to really hammer home our game against USU on the 13th. But do they? NO. Are there coaches luncheons, radio broadcast, TV time for our coaches to try to reach the community? NO. I have a banner add for BYU on my screen right now. Are there any for Weber State? NO. Sponsorships will start to vanish if there aren't BUTTS in the seats or interest in the event. I'm getting the feeling that people in our community are starting to question allegiance and why they should be loyal. It is a question of, if athletics doesn't care enough to market, then why should I care about participating or spend money supporting Weber State? Weber's solution is to give out 100K free vouchers and hope people miraculously show up. Good thing, that most of the time, there are schedules on the vouchers telling fans vital information. Too bad they are usually given out at the last min. If you are going to give out vouchers, it might be a good idea to have them out now, but our marketing guru will give them out on Thursday after lunch for a Friday night game.

4. Athletics seems to be at war with its fans. It almost seems like it is better to insult your fans by calling them names, than creating an atmosphere of shared ideas and compromise. There are great ideas on this forum, but instead of recognizing them or following up, they call us names. Who are your most likely club members going to be? Hate to say this, but you aren't replacing the supporters who are dying off. Every other school is doing a far better job of creating an atmosphere of excitement than you. Even SUU and UVU. You are getting eclipsed by schools that have no business being mentioned in the same line as us. Yet, here we are.

 

[WSUProf]

I would guess that part of the silence on the website has to do with the fact that this Friday's game is an exhibition game against a DIII team. Not sure how much we will learn from it, other than who the starting 5 will be (but most of us are pretty sure about that) and who the primary subs will be (again, pretty sure who they will be). So, not much to talk about right now.
I am excited to have the season begin though.

 

[oldrunner]

I agree with what you are saying, Tal.

It is extremely important for this team to hit the ground running and start to build a little excitement. That game against USU is huge. It could set the tone for what will happen the rest of the season. It is this teams opportunity to show the community that they are worthy of a ticket purchase. Lay an egg in that game, and I believe that attendance will decline.

The regular season still does determine the league champion. However, that is not how the community sees it. In that light, I think that you must plan to win both, the regular season and the post season championship. anything less is perceived as a failure.

Marketing does exist, they are just a little feeble. There has been some attempts to invest in the studentbody, just not enough and not in the right ways. You can not expect the students to be invested in athletics if athletics is not invested in them. It's not all about money, but money is a big part of it.

If you want to be a big deal, you need to invest in being a big deal.

I think that this team has the potential to do great things. They need to go out there and do it.

 

[SWWeatherCat]

...
As for the community. Can anyone on this forum say they have seen or experienced any sort of marketing from Weber State Athletics? Look at the P&W game? It was absolutely boring. Other schools make it into an event. Something you don't want to miss. An attraction that is the "must-go" for students and the community. Build off of that to really hammer home our game against USU on the 13th. But do they? NO.
...
Every other school is doing a far better job of creating an atmosphere of excitement than you. Even SUU and UVU. You are getting eclipsed by schools that have no business being mentioned in the same line as us. Yet, here we are.

You're correct, I'm having a difficult time getting excited. Not renewing tix for the first time in decades doesn't help any keeping my thoughts and excitement on the program. For me, despite an unbelievably unattractive schedule, all you have to say is "Reno" to understand why I'm having a difficult time giving :shit: :shit: about this season. No, it didn't help having the disappointment of what felt like a group of underachievers last year but as you already stated, the regular season just isn't that important any more. Combine that with Rahe's seeming indifference to OOC and in-state play and what am I supposed to be shelling out money and jumping up-and-down for?

The only thing marketing-wise that has stayed fresh in my mind the past month or so is the UTA bus wraps I keep noticing around Weber county for SUU. Did you notice the sea of red in the SE stands at the vsSUU FB game? I've also noticed several SUU bumper stickers, license plate rings, and clothing around-- much more than I ever have before. Maybe WSU can continue to do as little as possible in this regard and they can become the 5th most popular school in Weber county. Better yet, maybe SUU can annex Weber-- SUU-Ogden.

Speaking of SUU, has their schedule been brought up in our conversations? Their home schedule isn't exactly eye-popping but they are playing Conference USA and the Big West. Notable conferences and teams they're playing on the road? PACx (#16 Pukes); MW (UNLV); Ohio Valley; West Coast (St. Mary's); Summit; Big East (#24 Butler). Maybe the difference isn't as big as it appears but SUU's schedule is much more interesting to me than MW (vsUSU); West Coast (BYU @SLC); Summit (SDSU H-n-H).

 

[wazzuwildcat03]

There are lots of things that frustrate me as well. First, the Purple and White game was pathetic. Why even have one if they don't do anything to make it fun for the fans? Lots of schools make it a fun event. Watching the women's team do fast break drills then watch our men have a dumb scrimmage where players go back and forth on each team is beyond lame. Second, our OOC home schedule is a joke. I just cant get excited about watching us play teams that my church team could probably beat. There are 351 D1 teams. Are you telling me we cant get a few of them to set up a Home and Home game. PATHETIC! Third. RENO!! How stupid is that. I loved looking forward to us hosting if we won the regular season. Or if we don't host go to Montana or EWU or wherever to see the games. Now we can play in Reno where there will be maybe 1000 fans if that for the championship game. I think 1000 would be a stretch. I agree with other posts, now that everyone goes to the tournament and the top 4 teams get a bye, there really is not much to play for in the regular season. Just get in the top 4 and your good to go. So freaking DUMB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Last, our marketing is an absolute joke. I would just be repeating all the posts above about our inept Marketing department. I bet they don't say a word about the Nov. 13th game against USU. Weber State could average 9k a year if they just put forth a small effort. I went on campus the last couple years and would see nothing advertising the games for students. We should have 3-4K of students at every game. They get in free for crying out loud :wall: Having said that, I'm still excited about they year. I think we could be very good this year, but I really don't feel as excited this year as I have before. Anyway. Go WEBER!

 

[baller]

SWWeatherCat, can you please explain to me your statement of Rahe's "indifference to OOC games and to in-state games"? Do you have any proof of this or are you just stating an opinion based on observation?

For sure Rahe makes his own schedule and it is because of him that the home pre-conference schedule is so weak. Maybe he is happy with trying to compete in the Big Sky but personally I wish that he would upgrade the schedule and build a stronger national rep and better RPI. But it does seem evident that he is not much interested in anything but trying to win the Sky and losing in the first round of the NCAA's.

 

[wsucatfan]

SWWeatherCat, can you please explain to me your statement of Rahe's "indifference to OOC games and to in-state games"? Do you have any proof of this or are you just stating an opinion based on observation?

For sure Rahe makes his own schedule and it is because of him that the home pre-conference schedule is so weak. Maybe he is happy with trying to compete in the Big Sky but personally I wish that he would upgrade the schedule and build a stronger national rep and better RPI. But it does seem evident that he is not much interested in anything but trying to win the Sky and losing in the first round of the NCAA's.

Baller, same could be asked to you on your statement on Rahe... just about everything you read on this fan forum is opinion based.

 

[SWeberCat02]

SWWeatherCat, can you please explain to me your statement of Rahe's "indifference to OOC games and to in-state games"? Do you have any proof of this or are you just stating an opinion based on observation?

After every non-conference game last season (almost all losses) Rahe would say that he didn't care what their record was, just that they were getting better. Fans don't want to hear that said by the head coach, especially after another in-state loss.

 

[Webergrad02]

SWWeatherCat, can you please explain to me your statement of Rahe's "indifference to OOC games and to in-state games"? Do you have any proof of this or are you just stating an opinion based on observation?

After every non-conference game last season (almost all losses) Rahe would say that he didn't care what their record was, just that they were getting better. Fans don't want to hear that said by the head coach, especially after another in-state loss. Makes it sound like he doesn't care about winning before conference.

I think how we have been talked to the past year is one of the biggest issues. Randy flat out said last year that non-conference games don't matter and he also dropped a line about in-state opponents not being that important. We also don't like to hear how young and inexperienced we are after every game. Having a no excuses policy would really help get the fans more on board. Bovee lied when he said that he would not vote for the tournament in Reno. Will comes on here and says that we are clueless.

I have been trying to find another D1 school that is playing 3 NAIA teams in the regular season. I haven't found one yet. We might have the worst home non-conference schedules in all of division 1. Southern Virginia is likely better than the other patsies that come to the DEE as part of our regular season.

Good seats and the associated Wildcat Club membership is expensive, especially when it appears that the coach and administration doesn't really care how we feel. Health insurance costs have increased dramatically this year (affordable insurance act my butt) and people are going to have less money to spend on things like basketball tickets. Good thing we give so many tickets out for free.

I was also told by a very reliable source to lay off Brandon "Flapjack" Garside, because he has been explicitly told keep all stories about Weber Athletics 100% positive. Some much for journalistic integrity.

 

[SWeberCat02]

Good seats and the associated Wildcat Club membership is expensive, especially when it appears that the coach and administration doesn't really care we feel. Health insurance costs have increased dramatically this year (affordable insurance act my butt) and people are going to have less money to spend on things like basketball tickets. Good thing we give so many tickets out for free.

You took the words right out of my mouth. I'm self-employed and health care costs are killing me. I not only didn't renew my season tickets, but the more I think about it, the more I'm leaning toward just staying home most games and watching them on KJZZ. I'm losing interest and no one at Weber seems to care. For several years I had Jazz season tickets and I would get calls all the time from them about renewing, special perks, etc. When I decided to not renew my tickets, they hounded me like crazy to try to change my mind. And I was only buying two of the cheapest packages. In contrast, I have never once received a single phone call or email from Weber, even after not renewing my season tickets, football and basketball.

 

[baller]

Guys, I agree with the statement that Randy doesn't seem to care about the schedule and record outside the conference. I was asking if there was any actual proof that this is his attitude. I wasn't challenging you at all when I asked the question. Just want more actual evidence that it is more than just our opinions.

I do know first hand that Randy makes his own schedule. I also know that Bovee isn't real happy with the schedule either. But he tries to hold the company line and focus on Randy's overall record to justify a less than stellar record against in-state rivals and last years dismal results. He points out that we are picked to finish first this year by almost everyone.

Again, there just doesn't seem to be any real interest at Weber in trying to make the basketball program a bigger deal on the national stage. I think they are more than happy to be a big fish in the little Big Sky pond. A strong RPI rating, a better home non-conference schedule and winning a game or two in the NCAA's doesn't seem to be within the realm of possibility to the people in the Athletic Department. Personally, I would rather step up and try to follow in the footsteps of Gonzaga and play the big boys in an effort to build a more nationally recognized program. Big fish in the little pond is better than being a small fish in a little pond, but neither can hold a candle to building a nationally recognized program. If teams like Gonzaga, Wichita State, Dayton and Butler can do it why can't Weber State? The answer is that they probably could if there was someone there with the proper attitude about it. But Bovee and Rahe are satisfied with where they are. They are satisfied with the attendance, therefore nothing will change.

I believe that Randy's attitude in this regard is inherited from Stu. He won a record number of games against lesser competition and was beloved by USU fans for it. I think that is what Randy is trying to do at Weber. I truly wish things were different, that Weber would try to step up and out, but realistically it ain't going to happen.

 

[WSUProf]

Some of you seem to be confusing Rahe's statements about not caring about the team's pre-conference record with an assertion that he doesn't care about the kind of OOC schedule that he puts together. He wants, and has said so many times, that he wants the toughest OOC schedule he can get, because this gets the team ready for the conference schedule.
Now you may (correctly) point out that this year's home schedule is not tough at all. But this is not because Rahe doesn't care about trying to bring quality teams into the Dee. I have heard coaches complain on more than one occasion that trying to put the OOC schedule together, particularly the home schedule is a nightmare.
As for the statement made earlier in this thread that fans don't want to hear Coach Rahe say he doesn't care about OOC wins and losses, he only cares about the team improving, I for one have no problem with that statement. What I want first and foremost from WSU basketball are conference championships.

 

[SWWeatherCat]

SWWeatherCat, can you please explain to me your statement of Rahe's "indifference to OOC games and to in-state games"? Do you have any proof of this or are you just stating an opinion based on observation?

For sure Rahe makes his own schedule and it is because of him that the home pre-conference schedule is so weak. Maybe he is happy with trying to compete in the Big Sky but personally I wish that he would upgrade the schedule and build a stronger national rep and better RPI. But it does seem evident that he is not much interested in anything but trying to win the Sky and losing in the first round of the NCAA's.

Just my opinion, based on my observations of Randy continually stating (paraphrasing) "These games help us prepare for BSC play" or "I don't care about the results of these games because they don't affect BSC play or our ability to make the tournament."

I grew up when the DEC was packed for in-state, important BSC games, and when a team such as Purdue came to town by some miracle. I never remember hearing or reading quotes from other coaches that made me have this same opinion of them. If a in-state game doesn't fire you up; if you don't care that much about the results of in state foes or not being competitive enough to hate loosing ANY game then I'm going to be disappointed in that attribute. It's also going to contribute to me (the fans) developing some apathy towards a program being lead by someone with a similar apathy. ALL GAMES MATTER! I'd argue that with the tournament in Reno that in-state wins matter more than BCS regular season wins.

 

[oldrunner]

SWWeatherCat, can you please explain to me your statement of Rahe's "indifference to OOC games and to in-state games"? Do you have any proof of this or are you just stating an opinion based on observation?

For sure Rahe makes his own schedule and it is because of him that the home pre-conference schedule is so weak. Maybe he is happy with trying to compete in the Big Sky but personally I wish that he would upgrade the schedule and build a stronger national rep and better RPI. But it does seem evident that he is not much interested in anything but trying to win the Sky and losing in the first round of the NCAA's.

Just my opinion, based on my observations of Randy continually stating (paraphrasing) "These games help us prepare for BSC play" or "I don't care about the results of these games because they don't affect BSC play or our ability to make the tournament."

I grew up when the DEC was packed for in-state, important BSC games, and when a team such as Purdue came to town by some miracle. I never remember hearing or reading quotes from other coaches that made me have this same opinion of them. If a in-state game doesn't fire you up; if you don't care that much about the results of in state foes or not being competitive enough to hate loosing ANY game then I'm going to be disappointed in that attribute. It's also going to contribute to me (the fans) developing some apathy towards a program being lead by someone with a similar apathy. ALL GAMES MATTER! I'd argue that with the tournament in Reno that in-state wins matter more than BCS regular season wins.

I can count, on one hand, the number of home games I have missed over the past 40 years. I too have not been pleased with everything I have heard come out of our coaches mouths. I too do not like our preseason schedule, and may sit out one or two of them. Over my 40+ years of contributing and buying tickets, I have seen the athletic department do some really stupid things that resulted in losing fans and the subsequent financial impact of that. I have seen the BSC do some really stupid things that have caused fans at all schools to drop off and the financial impact of that. Much of it continues today, with no apologies or corrections.

However, over that 40+ years, I have also witnessed some exciting basketball, some excellent players, and some excellent coaches. For all of the unfortunate things that have come out of our coaches mouths, they are still one of the better coaching staffs we have had at WSU. There is still a lot of exciting basketball to be seen. I am still looking forward to most of the games on our schedule. I still love the game of basketball. I still love Weber State. I can tolerate the BSC most of the time. I don't know how the Reno experiment will turn out. A lot of that is in Reno's and the BSC's hands. I can only hope that we learn something from it and make the right choices in the future. I do know that I will continue to support basketball and my school, WSU.

 

[n.ogdencat]

I know I'm going to get toasted for this comment, but lets face it, the overall OOC schedule is pretty good. During the preseason, Weber plays 10 DI teams. Only issue is that Weber only gets to face two of those 10 at the Dee Events Center. It is the home schedule that is absolutely atrocious. Only way to improve it is to throw money at the issue. Having TV for every game is a step in the right direction. Teams know they will be on TV, which is only a good thing. Expands your brand. Now, we need to buy some better guaranteed games. Not DII, III, or NAIA, but DI teams. We might only get 1 every now and again, but that is better than the sister's of the poor teams we have been playing lately. Other things that will helps the Cats: Full Stadiums = better atmosphere; especially if you have a ruckus student section (need to have the student section full, and loud), RPI is extremely important. Teams don't want to face a team with a lukewarm RPI. Losing at their place doesn't help you and a win doesn't really help you. Winning OOC games is extremely important to improving RPI, which helps get more traction for the program. Conference RPI...what the hell can the Cats do about that one? Conference challenges could help. More media always helps too.

We all know that Rahe likes to schedule a cream puff before conference to work out any issues and build confidence and we all know that he is going to schedule a cream puff around Thanksgiving or a major tournament for the same reasons. But what bugs me is the third cream puff this season. Why??

 

[oldrunner]

This game is just a few days away. What are everyone's expectations for this thing?

I expect everyone to play, except the red shirts. I expect that we will find out who the starters are, at least to start the season. I expect we will find out who the first three off the bench will be.

What do I hope to see?

I hope to see defensive intensity so high that SVU wonders if they can score 10 in either half. I hope to see us hold them to under 40 points. I hope to see our side force their will on them in the paint. I hope to see our side force the tempo. I hope to see our side hold our turnovers to under 10. I hope to see our side force SVU into at least 20 turnovers. I hope to see our side out rebound SVU by at least 15. I hope to see our side score over 80 points. I hope to see our side open up a can of Phi Slama Jama on SVU.

Is this too much to ask? I think not. :nod: :nod:

 

[Wildcat_Fan]

With now having the tourney in Reno our OOC schedule is that much more important. We need to have a higher RPI so that if we do falter in Reno we can get calls to play in other post season tourneys. Even if we lose every game in OOC against good solid DI schools we can have the opportunity to play post season basketball.

Look at the team with Scotty and Frank. We won some solid games and turn some heads doing it. But we lost in the sky tourney and we got the CIT. Not the most prestigious tourney but hell ya I had fun going to those games. But even with our resume, we still got the bottom of the barrel post season tourney.

Gotta have a solid OOC schedule to get looks for the post season cuz well, we play in the sky..