Leaderboard

Ka-Kaw

I really don't want to re-litigate the incident. Of course I'd want to know what the report recommended and want those involved held accountable in a way that is fair for all. But without knowing exactly what happened or what's in the report - and none of us know - I just can't say for sure what accountability looks like. It sucked and it seemed like overkill based on the rumors we heard, but we don't know and I would personally never use such harsh language without being sure. In terms of the AD budget, they're basically making it rain compared to my years there (2001-2005). You haven't seen penny pinching until you've seen a department run by Doug Woolard and Lori Flanagan with little to no involvement whatsoever from Biondi (they preserved his bottom line, I guess). I could tell stories for hours about what it was like to work in that environment. What we see today vs. what it was like 15-20 years ago is a bigger transformation that most schools undergo when they move from D-II to D-I. There are still a lot of things to improve but I actually get the feeling now that there are people within the Department who care about improving facilities, personnel, equipment, marketing, game experience, etc. I don't know a lot about how Pestello and the Board interact with the AD and I have no idea to what extent their annual budget has grown. I just know that based on four years of direct experience under the previous school president, we appear to have an actual athletic program now compared to an embarrassing dog and pony show.

One thing in our favor is that I don't think the "big boy programs" will come around for quite a while. He is regarded as a "re-tread" at this point because he ultimately failed in the Big 12, and that works in our favor. IMO, Ford will have to have a LOT of success here before he gets another shot at the "big time" and that would be fine too, because it would mean we're doing very well. A lot of the BCS programs will go for who they perceive to be the young up and coming coach or some young mid-major guy who made a run in the Tourney - example, the Illini's horrible hire of Groce. Ford does not fit that profile at this point. He's nearly 50. And as long as Ford has the resources, a strong recruiting strategy, good facilities... he'll figure he can have a long run here of kicking butt in the A10 and getting to the Dance.

I've always gotten the sense that Stallings thought he was too good for the SLU job. Going to Pitt seemed like an odd fit and proved to be a disaster. Bruce Weber is the guy who would have made sense as our Mark Few. Following the 2015-16 season he was on the hot seat at K-State. He has since turned it around, but if he had gotten let go, he would have been a perfect fit here. All that being said, I'm happy with Ford and think he is a good fit for this job. He can have a long and successful run here.

I don't get how you think S2 plays out better if the president of the University puts his thumb on the scale. Are you not aware of what happened at Baylor, Penn State, and Michigan State? We lost a few players suddenly and had another suspended for 7 games. That was rough, given what we think is in the report. But if it came out that the SLU president interfered with a sexual assault investigation, the damage done to our program - and even more seriously, the school's reputation - could've taken years or even decades to repair. And unlike the three schools above, which have taken massive hits to their reputations, SLU isn't nearly as large or powerful, especially as it relates to the NCAA. I've made this point here like 10 times and I don't get why I have to keep making it. This seems so obvious.

SLU also has the advantage of not being in Carbondale

Came across this earlier. Hopefully this puts an end to the kangaroo courts we have seen at SLU. https://www.thecollegefix.com/trumps-new-executive-orders-ban-guidance-practice-that-enabled-obamas-title-ix-kangaroo-courts/

marketing has a LOT to be desired. i missed that we fly all charters at the school's expense to all away games. nice new shirts for the band each year (not). oh i guess the band in it's entirety and the complete dance and cheer teams chose not to go to new york city last spring for the A-10 championships? i could go on. yes it is better, but to say the program lacks nothing is far from true. if fred was a fan he would never have allowed that cheerleader to lie her way into framing our players and basically ruining the potential of two seasons. fred belongs at some charter grade school.

Billiken men improve to 4-0 in A10 play. Still have not been scored on. We have the best goalie in D1 soccer and he is a freshman. I wonder how long he'll stay in college, the kid could play in the MLS tomorrow. I LOVE the direction this team is trending. That game against UVA is going to be a war. Win that and we likely get an at large bid.

This is what I wish for w/ Ford.

it sure appears bess is wasting his time at the pelicans camp. time to move along if not going to get a chance. go make some money.

Remind me again. The B in NBA stands for Beijing? Another reason to prefer the college game.

I had the same expression on my face as his mom when he did that. Seeing that happen makes me paranoid of any SLU recruits with hats in front of them when making their announcement, I cannot watch anymore, I will read about it on this site.

I've said this before, but I love thinking about it. Three years before Hughes committed, Jahidi White (6'9") out of Cardinal Ritter sat at a table with a SLU hat and a Georgetown hat in front of him. The scheduled time for his announcement came and went. After about twenty minutes, he reached down and grabbed the Georgetown hat. His mother, sitting next to him, looked shocked and disappointed. If he grabs the SLU hat, then I think Chris Carrawell (6'6") goes to SLU two years later instead of going to Duke, and Loren Woods (7'1") goes to SLU instead of going to Wake Forest and later Arizona. Both were teammates of White at Cardinal Ritter. That would have meant that when Hughes played his one year at SLU, he would have had Woods at center, White as power forward, Carrawell at small forward, and Jamal Walker as a point guard. That's at least a final four team if not a national champion. Outside of Walker, all four other guys each played several seasons in the NBA.

Sounds like you have a podcast guest

Don't bite

So? Equal treatment for all Women's teams. Women's tennis and Women's cross country are in full season now. Where is your report on them?

It's a pro sports town and the Bills are at the bottom of the totem pole.