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RE: Year in review (03/26/08)

Leatherface — Mon, 12 May 2008 16:39:02 GMT

My mistake-both, sportsgal and western swimmer. Both of our boys were swimmers from age five through h.s. No intention of slighting either sport.

Thanks for pointing thes out.

RE: Year in review (03/26/08)

SportsGal — Mon, 12 May 2008 16:27:57 GMT

[quote]Leatherface (3/26/2008)

A look at athletic records for the year-to this point. If a sales manager/Director in the corporation I work for had these types of overall achievements by his "teams", he/she would be on the chopping block.

Team conf. overall

Men's BB 7-11 12-18

Women's BB 12-6 14-16

Baseball 0-0 1-14

softball 2-0 3-16

Tennis 0-0 4-5

Football 4-4 6-5

M. Soccer 6-10-3 ties

W. Soccer 16-3-1

Not exactly a strong showing-EXCEPT for WOMEN'S SOCCER!!!!!!!!

Some will think I'm out for the AD'S head- not true. However, surely most people aren't satisfied with these overall records.

I just believe WESTERN needs to raise the expectations for each coach. More accountability- including for the AD.

I must live in a different world, but, our employees are accountable for their productivity- including myself- each and every day. If we don't produce, they will find someone who can.

WESTERN wants to be D1-fine. But, make the commitment to excell. That's all.

Go ahead and blast me- I really don't care anymore. You're either improving or stagnant, and I'm afraid WESTERN is stagnant.

I truly hope the new BB coach can succeed- I hope all of the teams can succeed. It's going to take more of a commitment from WESTERN'S administration-IMHO

[/quote]

What....no volleyball? How could you forget volleyball?

RE: Year in review (03/26/08)

Western Swimmer — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:20:55 GMT

You also missed out on the swim teams. They did pretty good this year. Two divers making it to the NCAA national Championships meet. One winning Diver of the Year award in the Conference. As for the Conference record in swimming. The women finished Second and the Men finished third. Under a fairly new staff at Western they are doing well. Last year the coach was named Coach of the year. I swam for Western from 1995-1999. We won 5 Conference Champs. Two my senior year. It does seem that the program had dropped a little but is picking up some good recruits now. I agree the school has to have something that makes people want to go to Western. What is it that they are missing. When Western was a Football power we were also a Swimming Power. Maybe we just need a few other programs to win and maybe the rest will follow.

That's my two cents worth.

RE: Year in review (03/26/08)

NIU_Huskies — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 21:53:37 GMT

meganeck (3/31/2008)

I don't know much about baseball recruiting, but hasn't the baseball team snagged some better recruits. I think what is hurting the baseball team is that they are playing a too ambitious schedule, they just swept Chicago St,which I know isn't saying much, but i'm sure they be fine come Sumitt league play.

Here are the 2008 baseball recruiting rankings for in-state D1 schools. I don't see WIU or Chicago State on the list.

College Recruiting Rankings for 2008 High School Classes
http://www.pgcrosschecker.com/collegebaseball/2008/rankings/college_recruit_rankings_32108.aspx

March 21, 2008

[quote]Rank --- College --- Recruits --- Total Points --- Top Ranked Recruit --- Ranked Top 200 --- Conference

63 Northern Illinois 6 4880 Kyle Stroup 1 MAC
84 Illinois 5 3205 Corey Kimes 0 Big 10
159 Illinois State 3 897 Jake Thornton 0 MVC
160 Southern Illinois 3 893 Cyle Rasmus 0 MVC
188 Illinois Chicago 2 302 Nathan Orf 0 Horizon
192 Northwestern 3 205 Zachary Morton 0 Big 10
219 Bradley 1 1 0 MVC
223 Eastern Illinois 1 1 0 OVC[/quote]

RE: Year in review (03/26/08)

WIU712 — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 07:24:31 GMT

Leathernecks record second top-10 victory with 5-3 win over No. 4 Missouri !!

The Western Illinois baseball team got on the board early and had to fight off a late rally to earn its second top-10 victory of the season, as they defeated No. 4 Missouri, 5-3 Tuesday night.

The win marked the second over a team ranked in the top-ten this season for Western, and the highest ranked opponent defeated in school history.

This was the second time that the Leathernecks have set that mark this season. The other came on March 11, in a 3-0 victory over then No. 7 Long Beach State.

RE: Year in review (03/26/08)

western-101 — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 22:05:08 GMT

[quote]western-101 (3/27/2008)

Leatherneck Baseball is an embarassment period. I am begining to become somewhat ashamed of all that is Leatherneck athletics.

It has been a very long time since Leatherneck athletics has given Western alum, students, fans, people in Macomb and surronding area anything to be proud of.

I guess Leatherface and I are the only ones who feel this way.[/quote]

Since I made this statment our guys have won four in a row, including knocking off #4 Missouri. I hope they continue with this success and I will be forced to continue to eat my words.

RE: Year in review (03/26/08)

meganeck — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 18:49:20 GMT

RE: Year in review (03/26/08)

LeatherCy — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 17:35:43 GMT

Forgot to include Volleyball which did reasonably well and made the conference tournament.

RE: Year in review (03/26/08)

western-101 — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 10:36:37 GMT

Western used to be known as a football power. I guess we can all agree that the train went off the tracks starting in 2004. Why was that exactly? Since we were a football power, should we not have had an advantage in recruiting?

My guess is that unless you are a real national football Power like UNI, most programs are going to have up and down cycles with regards to success on the field. The only problem for Western is that Identiy-wise if we don't have football what do we have?

Back in the late '90s and early '00s if it came up somehow that I was a Western alum more often than not people would coment "Oh you guys are real good in football" or "How are you guys in football this year" or anything along that vein. Silly as it may seem, I actually derived some sort of pride and identity living vicariously through our football success.

If for whatever reason my association with Western comes up now the most I can hope for is a blank stare or an "Oh that's nice" or more likely some less than favorable comment about Macomb or trying to get there from anywere.

Leatherneck nailed it on the head, I think if you are associated with Western you want to have a feeling of recognition that preceeds the insitution. The best thing we had going for us in the mid to late '90s and early '00s was Football. I sure hope we can return to our past glory this year. My self esteem is depending on it

RE: Year in review (03/26/08)

Leatherface — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 05:55:25 GMT

I agree,DOG. WESTERN needs an IDENTITY. Whether it be academics, a professional program, or kick-butt athletics. WESTERN should be "known" as something a little different than other schools.

RE: Year in review (03/26/08)

DOG — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 12:28:42 GMT

it starts with recruiting me amigos.
but to recruit stud players you have to have programs that have a winning record or a great reason to go to that school.
now help me a little here with the reasons why a top recruit would consider wiu?
i know, i'm having the same problem...brain freeze.
i'm not knocking wiu, i'm just saying, to get top recruits in to turn programs around you need something sexy to draw them in!

RE: Year in review (03/26/08)

WIU02 — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 22:33:31 GMT

No, you are definitely not the only two who feel that way. Gimme a break, playing teams like UI-Springfield, and Truman St. or whoever it was that was named as a dropdown...flat out embarrassing. That's not the answer. It's ridiculous watching garbage teams finish sub .500 year after year. We have a a shining moment here and there. Someone mentioned bowling...we also had a very good men's golf team the last two-three years. Almost all of those guys graduated. As I've stated before, we are a football school first, and we better see something in '08 that makes us proud of our program.

RE: Year in review (03/26/08)

Leatherface — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 15:06:09 GMT

I believe that is correct,Pit.

RE: Year in review (03/26/08)

The "PIT" Prognosticator — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 09:02:08 GMT

Wasn't WIU national champs in bowling a few years ago.

RE: Year in review (03/26/08)

WIU712 — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 08:39:53 GMT

So is the answer dropping down to Division 2 ????

We would have natural rivalries with Truman State in Kirksville and UIS in Springfield (who is trasitioning from NAIA to Division 2).

RE: Year in review (03/26/08)

western-101 — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 23:16:04 GMT

Year in review (03/26/08)

Leatherface — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 17:31:53 GMT

A look at athletic records for the year-to this point. If a sales manager/Director in the corporation I work for had these types of overall achievements by his "teams", he/she would be on the chopping block.

Team conf. overall
Men's BB 7-11 12-18
Women's BB 12-6 14-16
Baseball 0-0 1-14
softball 2-0 3-16
Tennis 0-0 4-5
Football 4-4 6-5
M. Soccer 6-10-3 ties
W. Soccer 16-3-1

Not exactly a strong showing-EXCEPT for WOMEN'S SOCCER!!!!!!!!

Some will think I'm out for the AD'S head- not true. However, surely most people aren't satisfied with these overall records.

I just believe WESTERN needs to raise the expectations for each coach. More accountability- including for the AD.

I must live in a different world, but, our employees are accountable for their productivity- including myself- each and every day. If we don't produce, they will find someone who can.

WESTERN wants to be D1-fine. But, make the commitment to excell. That's all.

Go ahead and blast me- I really don't care anymore. You're either improving or stagnant, and I'm afraid WESTERN is stagnant.

I truly hope the new BB coach can succeed- I hope all of the teams can succeed. It's going to take more of a commitment from WESTERN'S administration-IMHO