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RE: Big man - Big Wallet - Less will mean more

western-101 — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:37:30 GMT

Man NFS71 you got the best stories.....Are you sure yer not that feller from the Dos XX commercials?

RE: Big man - Big Wallet - Less will mean more

Neckfansince71 — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 18:15:17 GMT

101,

Larry Bird from my seat was about 3 inches tall! He made a couple of nifty behind the back passes which were pretty nifty. I was in the North endzone, maybe, in one of the top rows. Also caught a super sectional there. Seems like Bradley B played Lincoln that night! I was going home from WIU for Springbreak and a friend of mine had tickets!

RE: Big man - Big Wallet - Less will mean more

western-101 — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 21:58:02 GMT

I would love it if coach Mo could get IWU to come to WIU. Now we have a game! Eureka and Greenville are DIII but would lose by 30 to IWU...... I think IWU stays where they are because in Illinois DII is no mans land.

RE: Big man - Big Wallet - Less will mean more

western-101 — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 21:50:57 GMT

Oh by the way when Mo played at IWU it was probably one of the best programs in the state. IWU biggest rival up to the '70s was ISU. In fact IWU owns a 69-42 advantage over the Redbirds of Illinois State.

My dad was hired on to ISU in '66, his fondest memories are the battles between ISU and IWU (two miles apart) contests were in Horton Field-house and Fred Young Field house, both of which were constructed in the mid 60's. I believe Fred-Young seated 4-5K in its day...Horton sat between 5-7K depending upon configuration...(North bleachers behind the basket were like 30 rows)

Anyway, My point would be, MO would have played D-1 in this era....the 1970's were transitional...Used to be College Division and University Division, Went to I II and III in 1973. Anyway, ISU got fed up with losing to IWU and stopped scheduling them after 1970. IWU has a beautiful newer venue now in the Shirk Center (3,000) they continue to kick ***.

RE: Big man - Big Wallet - Less will mean more

sealhall74 — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:04:43 GMT

[quote]Neckfansince71 (1/16/2012)

As far as an arena is concerned, I think it can wait. I am probably one of the only people on this board that likes Western Hall. Right now, I think it is not too bad at all.

[/quote]

You ain't alone NFS71. But we do need some enhancements to improve the atmosphere. BTW, I just became a member of the Leatherneck Club a couple weeks back for the first time. I did the online donation thing. A few days later, I got a form letter in the mail thanking me for my donation to the Geology Department. Talked to some folks in the WIU Foundation, and apparently all is well, just some sort of IT glitch.

RE: Big man - Big Wallet - Less will mean more

western-101 — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:50:20 GMT

I'm jealous. I wish I could have seen Bird in his college days. Makes me wonder, over the years who were some of the great talents to have played at Western Hall? Surely there has to be at least a few.

RE: Big man - Big Wallet - Less will mean more

Neckfansince71 — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:43:23 GMT

No! Been to Horton though! Larry Bird was in the house!!!

RE: Big man - Big Wallet - Less will mean more

western-101 — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:29:36 GMT

Hey NFS71 you ever take in a game at the old Fred Young Field House in Bloomington? That place had a good vibe (Coach Mo's alma mater).

RE: Big man - Big Wallet - Less will mean more

Neckfansince71 — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:21:47 GMT

Okay, I have re-worked my equation!

Simply put: For Western Illinois University –
Academic Reputation/Programs + Athletics = Name recognition = Stature = Students!

So we need a big man! Or do we? I think what we need is what Tyrell Parks has, a very tall and athletic body! I like how David G is developing, and wish KP would have stayed for the fun we are now experiencing, but a couple of years ago, I watched the Necks vs. Oral Roberts and was impressed with both the Golden Eagles size and athleticism. They were not necessarily tall, but very big, meaning very solid and 6’6” or 6’7”. Getting someone that is huge and talented to come to Macomb is just not in the cards as of yet. But the kid from Barrington is a strong 6’7” which will only get stronger between year 1 and 2 in Macomb. Mo said it during his radio interview last week, we just need another good recruiting class. The last one has turned out to be pretty good in most respects. A couple of them just need more seasoning, and Obi, he just looks like he has already hit the age of 30! We are a good recruiting class away from really making a statement.

As far as facilities are concerned, the new practice floor in Brophy is a nice step in the right direction. The floor is suppose to be really classy and plans to dress up the space with wall hangings of former Necks is in the works. Hopefully they will include some pics from day’s gone by, when the Leathernecks were a true powerhouse on the national scene of NAIA Basketball.

As far as an arena is concerned, I think it can wait. I am probably one of the only people on this board that likes Western Hall. Right now, I think it is not too bad at all. And the more people you pack into it, the better the environment will get. I also like Robertson Memorial Fieldhouse, Huff’s Gym, and Butler’s barn! They use to pack them into Morgan Gym!!!!! I think it held 2500+ but don’t quote me on that! They built NIU’s arena, UIC’s arena, and Chicago State’s arena, and most of the time, people have yet to really fill these spaces so “build it and they will come” just does not hold up in these cases.

So basically, in my opinion, big is not necessarily better! 6’7” and filled out or 5139 and filled up will suit me fine! Once again, your comments are welcomed!

RE: Big man - Big Wallet - Less will mean more

western-101 — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:15:40 GMT

[quote]Hail Leathernecks (1/16/2012)

A) I was rude in my arguments, my bad.

B) I have no faith in those reviews having degrees from other institutions just leads me to always compare my experiences which Western doesnt always compare well. This is usually dept to dept. I'll say that admin at Western is in need or serious review, the hiring process is unprofessional in many opinions. I found Western to offer the best value but not the best education. Research is how I feel education is truely translated. We lack funds for said research so I completely discredit any profit lit.

C) The growth of the QC campus is good but does nothing to help athletics or seperate us from competitors who have also grown. Growth is expected but until we make a break through in research or recieve serious grants for advancement of our abilities on a greater scale than one program every ten years I stand firm on my previous comments.[/quote]

You sound like you know a lot Hail Leathernecks with your superior degrees from other institutions.

RE: Big man - Big Wallet - Less will mean more

Neckfansince71 — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:50:45 GMT

I know that name recognition in regards to awards can get students and their parents to intially look at a university and consider it to be a viable option. Bill boards around Chicago have listed both the Princeton Reivew and Pulitzer Prize winner from the Sun Times in purple and gold. The effect has been an increase in interest in WIU at the high school level. I know I am the "Polly Anna" of the board, but I just like the direction the university is moving in.

My initial point was that athletics is truly important to a university and can go along way in not only selling it to future students but also inspiring former students to open their wallets. So if athletics is here to stay, what really has to be done in the long term to make it FCS Championship worthy or Mid Major ranked worthy? I will proceed! Of course its all up for debate which is the whole purpose of posting this anyway.

RE: Big man - Big Wallet - Less will mean more

Hail Leathernecks — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:13:45 GMT

RE: Big man - Big Wallet - Less will mean more

WIU712 — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:45:06 GMT

Cancelling the "Summer Music Theatre" was a big mistake for Western when you consider that it offers a BFA in Musical Theatre.

What on earth were people thinking ?????

RE: Big man - Big Wallet - Less will mean more

TBird4Fun — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:23:03 GMT

The problem with the Princeton Review type of thing is that while we can claim it, it really doesn't mean anything to prospective students or their parents. Now, a school with the biggest and best LEJA program, a top Music/Theatre program, that is the kind of thing folks care about. Then what do we do, we cancel the Summer Music Theatre program. But gee, we add a worthless general engineering program at the QC. We simply can't compete in the big fishbowl, even in Illinois. But find what we are good at and do it better than anyone else.

RE: Big man - Big Wallet - Less will mean more

Neckfansince71 — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 11:56:07 GMT

Oh, I am sorry! Seems to me that WIU has recieved some national recognition from a couple of nationally known "measuring sticks!" Maybe Newsweek, or maybe the Princeton Review? I could be mistaken though. I really was going to kind of weave my suggestions together and planned on addressing the money issue also. I have taken a look at some of the D2 facilities and you are right on about that as far as football is concerned. Just wanted to have a conversation.............

RE: Big man - Big Wallet - Less will mean more

Hail Leathernecks — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 11:37:12 GMT

Please tell me how Westerns academic reputation has improved over the last ten years. I'd love to hear this. We been doing some break through research I'm unaware of or?

LEJ is considered good and? Western is plain ol average and I dont mind it cuz not everyone can go to U of I but really? Little hot air in these claims I keep reading. What Western does offer is 'value.' Monmouth and Knox do the same thing for way more so find clever ways to say that like using them term 'value' not making claims we all know to be exaderated. Thanx, getting tired of this convo and none of you being able to stick with due to repeating ideas from '96 and embellishing our status and capabilities.

RE: Big man - Big Wallet - Less will mean more

Hail Leathernecks — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 11:28:16 GMT

Western would be blown up at the D2 level... what are you talking about 712?

There are 25ish D2 schools with better budgets and locations. Do some hmwk and leave that idea in the trash. We dont get to keep our current teams and just play a D2 schedule. If you think we'd just automatically do better then I cant help you.

Facilities and gear keep us from getting ballers. We live in a superficial world folks, grow up and adapt. We dont win because we dont offer a better degree or situation than the top half of our low major conference. So try and wrap that idea into Mid and High majors. We dont get transfers and we dont pay coaches well so we wont win consistantly in football ever again. Hoops, this season is a success IMO and I dont ever see us/it getting better without a facility that attracts people and players.

Also, why by focusing on athletics more do they rule the roast? Some obnoxious future cops who drink 24-7 should have everything tailored to them and a poor theatre department? Hell we hire Admin in house so sure if athletics ever gets atrention Western will go down the tubes... ya right I forgot.

RE: Big man - Big Wallet - Less will mean more

Neckfansince71 — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 08:13:13 GMT

TBird, I am not in favor of athletics ruling the roost either! But at WIU, at times, the opposite seems to be the case. Western academic reputation has grown by leaps and bounds in the past 10 years. I see no reason why athletics can't share in that success also. Seems like Harvards basketball team is having a pretty good year. And as far as I can see, no one has ever questioned Notre Dame's academic standing nor the Irish's love for college athletics. More to come!

RE: Big man - Big Wallet - Less will mean more

TBird4Fun — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 21:42:29 GMT

Maybe Athletics is the key to name recognition if you don't have anything else to brag about. Survey Harvard has a football, and other sports teams, but I highly doubt that athletics is was generates name recognition. As a school, Western needs to define what it wants to excel at. And with the type of recognition that has been coming from big name athletics programs, I'm not sure that's the way to go. Even at Stanford who has championship football and women's basketball, isn't known for it's athletics, but it's academics. Rather, it is at schools where athletics is king that athletics causes negative results.

Yes, I want to see Western have competitive athletic teams, but I don't want athletics to rule the roost.

RE: Big man - Big Wallet - Less will mean more

WIU712 — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 19:32:41 GMT

Great topic, NFS71!

I went to Western in the early 1970's. That is when we set all kinds of record attendance records at Hanson Field for football.

I don't remember what the NCAA divisions were back in those days. I just remember that we were in the "Small College" division.

That did not matter one bit to the students or alumni as they packed Hanson Field in record numbers.

Perhaps we need to take a look at our positioning and determine if NCAA Division 1 works for us or if we should look at going to NCAA Division 2.

It would not matter to me one bit. I will still go to the games.

Big man - Big Wallet - Less will mean more

Neckfansince71 — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 17:14:58 GMT

Thought I would try something new. I have a good idea where I am going with this line of thinking and as you know, I have plenty of time on my hands once in awhile. So, I am going to present this for your reaction and reflection in "Thoughts!" So below is my first installment!

My Introductory Thought!

So what is it going to take? How is Western Illinois going to win an FCS Championship like North Dakota State and have a basketball team that’s ranked as a top mid-major every year and gets the type of attention Butler use to get? And why in the world would we want that to happen? I mean, we could do away with all of this like Northeastern Illinois University did so many years ago, or Centenary who is now a Division 3 participant. I almost forgot that NEIU existed until a couple of weeks ago when I drove past on my way to a meeting. The fact that they once played in the Mid Continent is all but a faint memory from the past. I have not heard anything about NEIU in the news for years. No advertisements at the movies, or on bill boards around the Chicago area. Simply put, Athletics = Name recognition = Stature = Students! Athletics is something to rally around and to wear school colors to! Athletics allows you to gather at Homecoming as alumni, or at other cities and venues throughout the season. Happy alumni almost always means more funds and you know that we need the money!