LeatherneckNation / General Sports Discussion Forums / Smack Talk Lounge

Rocky Statue

WIU712 — Fri, 18 May 2012 21:11:45 GMT

I was on campus today (Friday, May 18).

The Rocky Statue was painted a dark purple with a gold face.

Rocky was wearing a graduation cap with a gold tassel.

It looks like Rocky has graduated as he was wearing the tassel on the left side of his cap!

Track & Field's "Twilight Open"

WIU712 — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 09:20:03 GMT

Track and Field's "Twilight Open" was moved from Saturday to Sunday with no reason given.

If they did it because of the weather forecast, they made a huge mistake. Saturday was a nice day in Macomb. But the forecast for Sunday is 70% chance of rain/storms.

I'm not sure why they are calling this meet the "Twilight Open" since the first event starts at 12 Noon and the last event is at 5PM.

Common sense says turn on the air

sealhall74 — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 16:11:16 GMT

I see the temp hit 85 in Macomb today. I also received my Western Courier email which says they have not turned on the air yet. Kind of makes me think the faculty and students are being held hostage to force the state to ante up that 32 million. How can our Leathernecks put in quality time in the classroom, weight room, and gym without some air conditioning?

Might be of interrest

western-101 — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 22:22:35 GMT

Maybe the Oregon State Beavers is not politically correct.

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Downtown Athletic Club lunch: Monday (2/27)

KippJones — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 13:39:10 GMT

Coach Mo gave a recap of the recent games... pleased with the effort of the past several games, and thought the team did some things well, even in the losses. He highlighted the 3's that SDSU were able to hit last Thursday. And as always, very thankful of the university and community support.

Dr. VanAlstine invited everyone to the Leatherneck men's basketball game this Wednesday, where it's Senior Night, and that Tommie Tyler would be recognized. I (and everyone else there) realized this would spark questions on what Ceola was going to do next year. But back to Coach Mo for a moment, he mentioned before anyone gets concerned with that, to just let Ceola and the all the Leathernecks enjoy the success of this year. Very well said.

Sean (McDonough) mentioned tickets would be half-price for the general public for the Leatherneck SR night/home final on Wednesday. WIU faculty/staff and their families will be admitted free. Sean also mentioned all Summit League tournament games would be televised and I'm sure an official release will be coming to goleathernecks.com soon. So, we can all crank up Beau on the radio and get the visual w/his commentary.

Lastly, the Leatherneck Club will be having a social at the Sports Corner @ 124 following Wednesday nights game. Free beverages and appetizers for current and future Leatherneck Club members. Hope to see you at the game and the SpoCo!

Comcast Sports Channel Plus

WIU712 — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 20:35:05 GMT

Does anyone on Macomb Comcast know the channel number for Comcast Sports Channel Plus ?????

This is the extra channel that they use (for example) when the Bulls and Blackhawks are playing at the same time.

Downtown Athletic Club - Monday (2/13)

KippJones — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:17:19 GMT

No big news at today's lunch. Off day for WIU, so most of the administrator's were not there.

Coach Mo did comment on the recent road trips, and did say the altitude did effect some of the players, but in no way used that as an excuse for the loss. Also, the loss at Oral Roberts was their homecoming w/around 8-9,000 people in attendance.

The remaining conference games are extremely important. The next road trip has us at the "Dakota's" and Coach Mo mentioned he'd like to be the 4th thru 6th seed. With SDSU hosting the tourney as likely a #2 seed, he'd like to stay away from the #7 seed with the JackRabbits essentially having a home game. Make the UMKC game Wednesday night that much more important. Wear your PURPLE and let's root the men on to a win. They got us in KC hitting quite a few 3's (13 if memory serves correct).

Mo, also made praise for JD and the women who played well most of the game. JD and the Leatherneck women are at S.Utah tonight and the game will be on 88.3 FM.

Coach Hendrickson couldn't make lunch today with Coach Ward (the new DC), and will likely show up next week... and hopefully have a new OC soon. I'll try to jot down some comments.

Jerry Cremer added that we should hear from Mike and the Western baseball team soon... and try to get Coach Young or someone from the Softball team up for a few comments. Holly (Coach VanVlyman) is set to deliver twins this Wednesday, congrats to her and Jim.

Today's (2/6/12) Downtown Athletic Club

KippJones — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:27:33 GMT

Just a few tidbits from lunch today.. Coach Mo and Coach Gravina were both very pleased with the crowds at Sat. double-header vs. Oakland. The players do a good job focusing on the game, and are just as good at blocking certain things out (ie: the two guys in wrestling singlets, haha) but the do notice and appreciate/thrive off the crowd noise.

Coach Mo was pleased w/the effort Sat. and keeping the game in the 50s-60s, highlighted the free-throws, keeping Terrell out of foul trouble and getting Tommie more consistent in his role. Tough road trip coming up.

JD, like the game release mentioned the 15 three's being the most every made in one game... they've now surpassed most team 3's in a season (w/seven games remaining), and was quick to point out they recently surpassed the most three's attempted in a single season. BIG game tonight vs. IPFW. The Mastadon's beat our women in Ft. Wayne by 20ish earlier this season, but Coach Gravina mentioned us being much better now. A crowd similar (or bigger) than last Sat. should help the gals out.

Dr. Tim (VanAlstine) did also mention that Coach Hendrickson will have the new DC up at the luncheon next week, and I'll try to jot down some of his remarks. I've also invited Coach-H up to the studio's this Wednesday morning (7am hour) to chat about the 2012 recruiting class. He'll speak with Rick on 104.7 FM around 7:35 or so, Kevin on Classic 103 around 7:45, and I'll have him on K100 around 7:50-:55ish.

Hope to see a great crowd at the women's game tonight!

88.3 THE DOG (iPhone app)

WIU02 — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 01:21:42 GMT

Does anyone have this app for the iPhone? I have tried listening to it about 15 times and it does work; for about a half second before the audio goes out. Just wondering if anyone has any experiences with this app, and if there are alternatives for streaming audio to sporting events.

Upcoming BB Promotions

WIU712 — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 21:41:53 GMT

Hey Leatherneck Fans!

Half-Price Tickets for adults and All Kids (13 & Younger) Get in Free!!

2 Nights - Games

December 27:
5:00 PM: Women vs William Woods
7:30 PM: Men vs Eurkea College
(One ticket receives admission to both games)

January 3:
7:00 PM: Men vs South Dakota

BB Marketing & Promotions

WIU712 — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 10:15:19 GMT

Western basketball has 2 games next week:

Women vs Nebraska-Omaha on Tuesday, December 20
Men vs North Dakota on Thursday, December 22

In total, there will be 5 men's games and 4 women's games played at Western Hall during the four-week semester break.

So far, I have not seen nor heard of any special marketing and promotions for next week's games.

What's with that ?????

Today's Peoria Journal-Star had an ad for this Saturday's Bradley women's basketball game with the Iowa Hawkeyes. Bradley is promoting this game with $1 admission for all seats!

I would like to see Western Athletics come up with some ideas for these semester-break games.

We just finished up a big promotion for the game with Eastern. Let's keep that going!

We can look back when Dr Helen Smiley was the A.D. She would bring in high school pep bands to play for the games during the break.

Some ideas to consider would be something like "Bushnell Night" where discount tickets would be sold in Bushnell and the Bushnell high school band would play at the game.

Let's just do something!

I can't believe what I'm not reading

sealhall74 — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 14:01:43 GMT

Just got my weekly online edition of the Western Courier. Could not find word one about the upcoming Eastern game or even past-Monday's women's loss to Eastern. I know, it's the week before finals and all, but seriously, we need some cultural changes before we will ever step up and make noise in Division I. Someone please tell me that the printed edition (I assume they print it) is much better.

Hanson Field's West Side

WIU712 — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 09:24:12 GMT

Kevin Capie's column in today's (October 27) Peoria Journal-Star comments on how the current condition of Hanson Field's west side impacts our recruiting efforts.

Kevin Capie: Western slips as renovations linger!

By KEVIN CAPIE (kcapie@pjstar.com)
Peoria Journal Star

PEORIA — For years Western Illinois might not have been the gold standard of the Missouri Valley Football Conference (nee Gateway), but at least it was a precious metal.

The program was always in contention for conference championships and a trip to the postseason was a nearly annual ritual.

But now, after losing to a previously winless team late in the season for the second time in three years, maybe the arms race of the MVFC has caused the Leathernecks to be passed by the other teams.

In years past, having a good program in contention every year was enough to bring in the recruits that could sustain the success.

But that was then. Now, recruits pay closer attention to the facilities, which is where Western has fallen behind.

Mind you, the gap is not much. During the past decade the university has made plenty of improvements to Hanson Field — witness the lights in 2002, the renovation to the east side of the stadium in 2007 and this year’s installation of Matrix Turf.

The last piece needed to finish the reworking of Hanson is the west side of the stadium. Those plans, which include new stands, suites, press box, offices and classroom facilities, have been in the planning stages for a decade.

That last piece, however, looms huge.

Around the Valley the other programs have either completed their renovations, like Southern Illinois’ new Saluki Stadium, or are ready to begin construction, like Illinois State’s renovations to Hancock Stadium.

Until the west side of Hanson Field is finished, recruiting in an already difficult conference is that much tougher. Just having the plans in place is not enough.

“When you get the players on campus, they want to see what being here would be like,” Southern coach Dale Lennon said. “It’s one thing showing them drawings, but another to have them see it. It makes our job easier in the recruiting process.”

Even with last Saturday’s home loss to Missouri State, Hanson Field is a homefield advantage for the Leathernecks. When the renovations are completed, it can be an advantage year-round.

Do the Leathernecks have any 'ginger'?

sealhall74 — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 15:44:01 GMT

Ray "Rock" Hanson allegedly described what it takes to be a football player:

A player should demonstrate leadership, fearlessness, self-confidence, enthusiasm, and 'ginger'.

What the heck is ginger? Internet searches lead to a certain red hair color, maybe a fiery personality. Does anyone have a better idea what Ray was referring to?

What is the population of Macomb?

western-101 — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 20:49:37 GMT

I was informed by a poster from this site on Salukitalk that The U.S.Census count for Macomb is incorrect.

So am I to understand that The U.S. Department of the Census Bureau tallies students as part of the local population at one Illinois public university, but, has different policies for tallying population at other public universities in the same State?

There is a poster on here that claims:

"Macomb claims it's students as part of the population" but apparently Carbondale does not? Are local municipalities able to select ala carte how they want their respective population base tallied?

I find it very hard to believe that any municipality if given the option would not claim every body they could (bodies equal dollars for the region)

Thing is about Carbondale, a lot of people live out side city limits, lots of commuters too, (within 30 to 40 miles) Carbondale is a small town, maybe smaller than Macomb. Thing too, gotta think average Carbondalining other that being of lesser education and worldly exposure also is hampered by the low wages the majority of them earn.

Illinois State getting new stadium

western-101 — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 16:16:23 GMT

It has just been announced today that ISU will receive a new East side Hancock Stadium. The new East side will accommodate 7,500 spectators and is scheduled for completion prior to the 2013 season.

[url]
http://wjbc.com/hancock-stadium-to-be-renovated/[/url]

I guess once this happens Hanson field will officially be the crappiest stadium in the MVFC. Sure the turf is nice and the East side is nice, but my God, the West Side was embarrassing 20 years ago.

Although, the West Side does elicit a lot of emotions from folks, Generally one of two things happen WIU fans look at it and weep, fans from other schools (and recruits) look at it and laugh.

North Endzone Bleachers

WIU712 — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 09:08:02 GMT

The 2011 Seating Diagram for Hanson Field shows only endzone seating on the north side this year (none on the south side).

I imagine that we will once again drag out those portable, run-down "JFL-style" temporary bleachers.

Our friends at Appalachian State have just put temporary bleachers in one of their endzones. It seats 1,500. Can you picture how nice this would look at Hanson Field:

http://www.goasu.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=21500&ATCLID=205268384

No 2011 online Media Guide/View Book?

western-101 — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 10:45:54 GMT

Well we are already one game into the football season and, still no online media guide.

One might think that would be something that would be made available before the season starts.

Hanson Field Turf

WIU712 — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 00:07:57 GMT

Is anyone else worried that the new turf won't be finished in time for the Sept 10th home opener ????

I had thought that work would start shortly after the annual April big track meet. But nothing has started yet.

Our friends at Appalachian State are replacing their turf. They started work in April, and it is still far from finished.

I see an upcoming nightmare where the field is not ready, and we end up playing our home opener at Macomb High School.

Maybe WIU should learn from ISU

western-101 — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 17:43:14 GMT

Western has ZERO commercial radio stations covering the Leatherneck Football games.

I repeat ZERO.

Illinois State University has TWO. The two consist of the venerable WJBC A.M. that has been around forever and has a respectable broadcast coverage.

The second, (and this is where Western F***up is 96.6 WZPN ESPNPeoria) yeah Peoria is loaded with WIU grads and with Bradley in town, there is not necessarily a ton of Peoria love for anything ISU (granted there are plenty of ISU alum in Peoria too) my point is WIU really missed and opportunity to have ESPN out of Peoria broadcasting the games. The tower is in Farmington and although would not reach Macomb, no matter the College transmitter would fill in that void or Hey here is a novel concept if you live in Macomb go to the game.

http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=WZPN&service=FM&status=L&hours=U

Sigh well at least we still have the Smoky and the Bandit CB radio transmitting games so that you can faintly hear it at West Pierce Liquors.

This is why I think the turf installation will be on time!

Neckfansince71 — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 19:50:47 GMT

So I continue to monitor the Hanson Field turf webcam and there has been a whole-lotta activity going on these past few days. A trench was dug all the way round the field just inside the concrete barrier. And yesterday and today, soil stabilization measures have been in full swing along with some more grading. Not sure what else has to happen before the liner and free drain stone is in place. Maybe flexible drainage pipe?

I took a look at the next 10 days of weather and it looks dry! Hellas knows how to install carpet! I think things are progressing pretty well with so far no obvious surprises.

Of course this again is my always positive "honest opinion!" Anyone have any other observations or thoughts in this regard???

Football Ranked #21

WIU712 — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 18:31:52 GMT

Despite being picked to finish 7th in the Missouri Valley Football Confernce, the team is ranked #21 in the 2011 College Sporting News Football Championship Subdivision Pre-season Top 25 poll.

http://www.collegesportingnews.com/content.php?511-CSN-Announces-2011-Preseason-Top-25-Ranking#.Tjg-F4MBR9s.twitter

Finding the APR

WIU712 — Tue, 24 May 2011 18:10:46 GMT

Academic Progress Rate (APR) data submitted by institutions may be accessed through the search function below. The teams are searchable by sport, conference, institution, state, year and penalty type.

http://web1.ncaa.org/maps/cVbnp9TaprRelease.jsp

Baseball & Softball Facilities

WIU712 — Sun, 15 May 2011 11:49:36 GMT

Western has 2 nice stadiums for its baseball and softball games.

But there is room for improvement to upgrade both facilities.

Both venues could use lights.

Bathrooms and concessions at both venues are extremely poor. Each facility uses two porta-pots for the bathroom. And the concession stand at each is a little shed that only sells soda and candy.

And the concession stand was not even open at the baseball games with Centenary.

Western just hosted the Summit League Softball Conference Tournament. I wonder if the fans from UMKC and North Dakota State were impressed with the two porta-pots ????? I am guessing "no".

So I am placing new bathrooms and concessions on my "Wish List" for Western Athletics.

I walked into one of the porta-pots at the softball game and damn near puked. It was disgusting!

Perhaps no new scoreboard

WIU712 — Thu, 05 May 2011 18:35:12 GMT

Athletic Director Tim Van Alstine stated today that he is not 100% confident that a new scoreboard for Hanson Field will be installed this year.

The Student Government Association allocated 1.3 million for the Hanson Field renovations. And the new turf will use up all of that.

He said that a new scoreboard is still in the works. It will probably be paid for with external funds.

Portions of ISU Stadium "Structurally Unsound"

WIU712 — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 21:17:09 GMT

Illinois State University officials say the seats in the south end zone of the school's football stadium are unsafe and will be torn down.

Engineers recently found that section of Hancock Stadium to be structurally unsound.

Temporary bleachers already owned by the university will be placed in the south end zone area for the school’s marching band. The Redbird student section will be moved to the south end of the east seating area.

Landscape enhancements will allow for lawn seating and standing room space surrounding the temporary bleachers.

Hancock Stadium now seats about 12,000 people. That will drop to 9,500.

School officials are considering possible renovations on the stadium.

Bathroom Facilities at Baseball & Softball

WIU712 — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 10:01:29 GMT

Both the baseball and softball teams are at home this weekend. And I was able to go to the Saturday games.

The bathroom facilities at both venues consist of 2 Porta-Pots. And the ones at the baseball game were downright disgusting.

I know that money is always the problem. But we do now have very nice bathroom and concession facilities at Hanson Field.

Both the baseball and softball teams have lots more home games than the usual 5-6 home football games.

I have not seen in the "Master Plan" if there will be some bathrooms added to those two fields. Something is definitely needed.

The Porta-Pots that are not adequate.

Butler vs Conneticut

WIU712 — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 21:31:34 GMT

I will be cheering for Butler in the Men's NCAA Championship game.

I hope they can do it this year!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPr1K274uWo

Dang, I'm tired of....

Leatherface — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 07:23:14 GMT

WESTERN being referred to as a "bottom feeder" program on other sports message boards.

WESTERN Spirit Must Get Young!

WIU712 — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 21:06:41 GMT

Peoria Journal-Star Sports writer Kirk Wessler wrote the following column in Sunday's (March 13th) paper. It deals with the lack of student support at Bradley basketball games.

But there are many similarities to WESTERN. For too long, WESTERN students have been treated as 2nd class citizens at the games by being assigned the sections behind the baskets while mid-court seating was essentially empty.

This year, WESTERN has tried to remedy some of the problems by opening up more mid-court seats to students. But this will have to be an every year effort for the next 4 years until this new tradition has been established.

WESTERN can learn from Bradley's example and take corrective action.

By KIRK WESSLER of the Peoira Journal-Star

The quest to restore Bradley men’s basketball prominence will require more than hiring a new head coach.

Nothing underscores that more than abysmal student attendance at home games in Carver Arena. Bradley claims an undergraduate enrollment of more than 5,000, but there were games this season when the entire student contingent — aside from the band, cheerleaders and managers — couldn’t fill five rows in one-third of the end zone reserved for them.

And to think Bradley once enjoyed fanatical student support of the type we now see celebrated on national television at places like Duke, Kansas and Michigan State.

What happened?

It’s too easy to blame one coach, or a decade’s worth of teams that have failed to contend for conference championships. It’s too convenient to blame students for not caring to support their school’s team. It’s intellectually lazy to believe the primary problem is an off-campus arena.

What we see today took 29 years to accomplish; more if you revisit the 1960s, when a culture of commitment nationally in college basketball began to evolve and Bradley remained fixated on the 1950s. We’ll defer those issues to another day and focus on the seminal moment per student involvement in the life of the basketball program.

Until 1982, Bradley basketball was a passion shared by the students and the Peoria community. No matter where you sat in Robertson Field House — on the hard red bleachers inhabited by students, faculty, staff and the commoners of the general public, or in the theater-style seats owned by Peoria’s landed gentry — the Braves were our team. This was true as dirt, certain as death, understood and accepted by all.

Then the games moved off campus, to the arena at the new Peoria Civic Center. The move was necessary, and it was good.

What happened to the students was neither.

Nearly 2,000 students purchased season tickets for the 1982-83 home schedule. Nobody thought the short trek down the bluff was too far to travel in support of their team. After all, it’s a longer jaunt from campus to their favored watering holes along Farmington Road.

But when the students arrived at the new arena, they discovered their seats were far from the action. They were assigned to one corner of an end zone in the lower bowl and a whole lot of seats in the upper bowl. The seats comparable to those the students had held forever in Robertson — behind and adjacent to the Bradley bench, from the center line to the baseline on the court — had been sold.

Outrage followed, but it was ignored. Coach **** Versace protested that the heart and soul of the home-court advantage had been compromised, but his superiors shrugged off his concern. After all, new money was flowing in the form of maintenance fees for those seats.

The message was clear. Money mattered. Students did not.

It was a shortsighted view. Student attendance began to drop. It was buoyed in the mid-1980s by the great teams led by Hersey Hawkins and Jim Les. But when the winning stopped, the students vanished.

When Jim Molinari became coach in 1991, he was appalled at how few students attended games and by their lack of proximity to the floor. His efforts led to the construction of the end-zone seating “pan,” which filled previously open floor space between the permanent structure of the lower bowl and the playing floor. He and his staff created the “Molinarmy,” an official student cheering section whose numbers swelled for four or five years.

But non-student ticket holders in sections near the Molinarmy complained that the kids were standing in their way. Administration, trying to be proactive in heading off boorish behavior, overreached and inadvertently squashed enthusiasm instead.

The net effect of all this has been to create a belief among students that the Bradley Braves — a team of their own classmates — do not belong to them. “Our” Bradley Braves don’t exist. The Braves are Peoria’s team; they just wear the name “Bradley” on their jerseys.

This has to get fixed.

Here’s why.

Bradley has a traditionally great and loyal fan base. It’s an important factor that helps make the open head coaching position one of the most attractive in the nation. But that core fan base is aging. And dying.

Meanwhile, the next generations have not been cultivated for 30 years. Students who were treated by the university as unnecessary or unimportant to the basketball program are now adults in their 40s and 30s and late 20s — and they’re not buying tickets.

It may be too late to win back most of them. But it’s not too late to start building the next generation.

Contending for, and winning, conference championships — and playing meaningful postseason games — are imperative to that effort. That’s on the new coach. But much more is needed.

It’s time — way past time — for the university to recognize where it went wrong with its own students and begin working to fix the problem. Stop the handwringing of the past 20 years — “Well, gee, there’s nothing we can do about it now” — and put all options on the table in an effort to find the right solution. Make basketball, and game days, visible on campus again.

Start treating the student body as a vital part of the next 10, 20, 50 years of Bradley basketball.

Because that’s what today’s students are.

FCS Final Four

WIU712 — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 18:53:49 GMT

Well, we are down to the last 4 teams in the FCS Playoffs:

Delaware
Georgia Southern
Villanova
Eastern Washington

On Friday night at 7PM, Villanova plays at Eastern Washington on the Red Turf.

Then on Saturday morning at 11AM, Georgia Southern plays at Delaware.

Villanova won the championship last year. And I think that both Delaware and Georgia Soutern have won the championship in the past.

So I will be rooting for Eastern Washington to win it all. They beat North Dakota State in overtime last weekend 38-31.

What team are you guys rooting for ?????

Conference Shifts

Hail Leathernecks — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 00:38:17 GMT

The Big Sky has taken SUU (that will fix a lot of the crazy travel with Centenary gone as well) a current Summit member for all sports. Also, The Big Sky has taken in UND for all sports. They were under consideration for the Summit but that is obviously over.

USD was happy to get an invite from the MVFC and is staying in the Summit.

Does anyone see more moves this year? The conference could add some stability if they would get another state school. That would make sports that aren't covered across the SL like baseball, softball, etc. much more stable (6 teams in the SL is hard for scheduling). The SL would be at nine teams if things stayed as are. It would nice to add one more team for an even ten.

UIPUI, IPFW, Oakland, WIU, USD, SDSU, NDSU, UMKC, and ORU.....

I know there are rumors that ORU may leave. The Southland likes them and I can understand why.

IMHO, I want to add Chicago State to the SL. I am not going to hold a current adminstration responsible for what everyone knows was a complete compliance joke. We need to be honest about what is best for the conference and what is good for Chicago State. They fit in very well regionally. Their sports offered include baseball and softball. They are not looking for a home in football.

Centenary and SUU leaving will help our confence ranking and I know Chicago State hasn't had wonderful stats but a huge part of that is not having a conference. They will compete in the new Chicago 5 which will create a large jump in their rankings. They are in a large market and would help us especially in recruiting. Western needs to add an in state conference rival baddly. Chicago State can't always be black listed. It isn't the same people and they have an amazing new facility that helps. They are ment for the SL with UIC and Loyola already in the Horizon. I really hope they will be considered regardless of the past.

I am not sure if any other team in this region is ready for the move that won't have football issues. I am not crazy about UMSL joining the conference and making the transition to D1. Nebraska-Omaha? Any other teams making the move to D1 in this region?

"What People Earn....."

WIU712 — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 10:33:29 GMT

Today's (10-31-10) Chicago Tribune magazine had an article entitled "From $20 Million to $400: What People Earn in Chicago Sports".

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi-chicago-sports-salary-gallery,0,7421048.photogallery

Of local interest:

Football Head Coach Mark Hendrickson = $140,000

Athletic Director Tim Van Alstine = $127,116

Men's Basketball Head Coach Jim Molinari = $122,000

Volleyball Head Coach Kim McCay = $54,504

Softball Head Coach Holly Van Vlymen = $47,232

Equipment Supervisor Diane Bruns = $36,620

Chicago Rush Quarterback Russ Michna = $1,000 per game

WESTERN says not to use "WIU"

WIU712 — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 21:57:26 GMT

I was looking thru the Missouri Valley Football Conference "Valley Football Information".

Something stood out on page 4:

W. Illinois -- The Western Illinois Department of Athletics prefers that Western Illinois be used in references to athletics programs. When an abbreviation is necessary, W. Illinois is preferred. WIU is not acceptable.

What ???????????????

WESTERN is telling the press and broadcast media not to use "WIU".

But don't we have "WIU" showing on the Hanson Field scoreboard ???

And up until this year, "WIU" was painted onto the endzones. That has been changed this year as only diagonal stripes are now in the endzones.

And the Univesity's TV station (Channel 3 on the Macomb Cable System) calls itself "WIU-TV".

It appears that the University is sending out mixed messages. On one hand it is telling the media to not refer to the University as "WIU" while it has no problems in using that term itself.

Rocky Vision

WIU712 — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 11:32:53 GMT

Was anyone able to watch the SDSU game on Rocky Vision ?????

I was at the Sports Corner in downtown Macomb Saturday night. They were trying to put the WESTERN game up on their big tv.

But they could not get a consistent picture on Rocky Vision. The picture would freeze-up, go to "buffering", etc. They finally gave up.

A top 10 list that I am glad we did not make!

Neckfansince71 — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 08:03:09 GMT

http://www.11alive.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=148699&provider=top

Here is the web address for an article on the "top 10 party schools" in the nation! Its a pretty eclectic group which includes Georgia #1, Iowa #9, and Depauw #10. That's right, Depauw. #2 happens to be Ohio University! Sure glad we missed this list!

For years after graduation I cringed everytime people would say, "WIU", that's a party school. My Mom even said that after sending both of my sisters to Iowa! She has dementia so I don't think I will mention this today when I call her, but my two sisters are going to hear about this, you can bet on that!

Hanson Field & the rest of the campus

WIU712 — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 12:58:22 GMT

I was back in Macomb this past weekend for Heritage Days.

While in town, I took a walk around campus. The south end of campus is a mess due to continuing re-modeling of Memorial Hall (the old library). That project has drug on for years. It looks like they have built a new elevator tower on the south end of Memorial Hall.

Now to compound that mess, Corbin and Olson will soon be undergoing re-modleling. So that will mean more temporary chain link fences will be going up.

The front entrance to the University Union is now closed down and the sidewalk in front of it is closed off by fencing. I am not quite sure what is going on there. But I do know that an elevator is to be added up to the Heritage Room (the Union's original ballroom). So perhaps that is the reason. Anyway, it is another eyesore.

Hanson Field looked nice--especially the east side.

The west side looks very old now. You don't realize how bad it looks until you view Hanson Field from the new eastside grandstand. The pressbox has to be the joke of the Missouri Valley Conference. It looks terrible.

That little ticket booth to the south of the west grandstand is calling out for some paint. The track-athlete sculpture, that had been at the south end of the west grandstand, has been moved down to field level at the north end of Hanson Field (where the inflatable Rocky is on game days).

One of the biggest eyesores is the chain link fence that runs north of Hanson Field and separates it from the Rec Center and Q-Lot. It is is poor condition: rusty, dented-in, tilting, etc. It does not look one bit attractive.

I noticed that the softball stadium still has the big sign saying "Home of the Westerwinds" and the scoreboard uses the term "Winds".

Supporter Questions WESTERN Athletics

WIU712 — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 08:57:39 GMT

From the editiorial page of the Macomb newspaper:

What is happening to the Division I athletic programs at WIU?

A popular coach is disgracefully fired. No radio coverage other than the campus station, which can only be heard within 15 miles of Macomb.

Our family are all WIU graduates and have received five degrees from the University. I have been a season ticket holder for several years and support WIU athletics through the Western Athletic Club.

I will not be attending WIU events this year. This is not how a Division I athletic program, that used to be respected all over the country, should be run.

Jan Logan, Burlington, Iowa

Copyright 2010 McDonough County The Voice.

THIS JUST IN.....

Leatherface — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 19:58:17 GMT

Illinois State sucks!

Scam...

Leatherface — Sat, 08 May 2010 13:28:43 GMT

#1
OSU Sig
Marshall

Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Northwest of Stillwater
Posts: 9,386 Scam directed at men

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Pay attention guys, this is serious...

Women often receive warnings about protecting themselves at the mall and in dark parking lots, etc.
This is the first warning I have seen for men. I wanted to pass it on in case you haven't heard about it...

A 'heads up' for those men who may be regular Lowe's or Home Depot customers.
This one caught me by surprise.

Over the last month I became a victim of a clever scam while out shopping.
Simply going out to get supplies has turned out to be quite traumatic.

Don't be naive enough to think it couldn't happen to you or your friends.

Here's how the scam works: Two seriously good-looking 20-something girls come over to your car as you are packing your shopping into the trunk.
They both start wiping your windshield with a rag and Windex, with their breasts almost falling out of their skimpy T-shirts.
It is impossible not to look. When you thank them and offer them a tip, they say 'No' and instead ask you for a ride to McDonalds.

You agree and they get into the back seat. On the way, they start undressing.
Then one of them climbs over into the front seat and starts crawling all over you, while the other one steals your wallet…I had my wallet stolen November 4th, 9th, 10th, twice on the 15th, 17th, 20th, 24th, & 29th. Also December 1st & 4th, twice on the 8th, 16th, 23rd, 26th & 28th, three times last Monday and very likely again this upcoming weekend.

So tell your friends to be careful. What a horrible way to take advantage of older men. Warn your friends to be vigilant.

Wal-Mart has wallets on sale for $2.99 each. I found cheaper ones for $1.99 at K- Mart and bought them out.. Also, you never will get to eat at McDonalds. I've already lost 11 pounds just running back and forth to Lowe's and Home Depot.