Box and Won

Nobody's questioning your loyalty or allegiance, it's just that Mizzou recruiting news doesn't have much relevance here.

Steve, go ahead and change the name of this site to The TigerBoard.

I think of Kansas State when I hear KSU as well. Edwin's at Kent State now, right?

That article also mentions that SIU is recruiting Terry Evans.

Would you say that Polk is much less of a gamble? It sounds like Polk has made a much quicker recovery, even though he still might not be back to 100%.

Thanks for the link. I wonder what Terry's situation would be had he not suffered the injury. One of the articles mentioned that he has had to sit out all summer and had his knee scoped in June - it sounds like it might take him quite a bit of time to get back into playing shape. If he ends up at SLU, would it be considered a "steal", or do we have a shot at landing some better recruits?

I've heard from someone who is well connected in the world of high school soccer who also said that Vedad is the real deal. He should be fun to watch and could definitely be the sleeper star of this recruiting class.

I'm very excited to see how Floyd will play this season. If he is able to contribute anything at all, it will be a nice bonus. Does anyone know if Brad mentioned anything about Ian?

Let me just clarify my earlier post for DeSmet; I didn't mean that your idea was cheesy, I actually think it is a good idea. I meant that the design of the shirts they used to sell was cheesy. I think that with the right design, it could look pretty cool. Maybe we could create an evil Billiken alter ego logo, in line with TheBand's definition! I also think we should bring back the "Billiken Football: Undefeated Since 1949" t-shirts that people used to have.

Main Entry: pre·pon·der·ance Pronunciation: pri-'pän-d(&-)r&n(t)s Function: noun Date: 1681 1 : a superiority in weight, power, importance, or strength 2 a : a superiority or excess in number or quantity b : MAJORITY

They actually did sell "What's a Billiken?" shirts when I was at SLU during the mid- to late-90's! They were kind of cheesy looking though, and mostly girls wore them.

Seriously. That is something I've thought about doing for quite a while. All I need is a little funding from some generous "angel" investors, and you will all be wearing stylish Billiken blue gear in the near future.

So basically, we would have been better off with anyone BUT the guy we hired.

You're exactly right about our telecasts, they're not great. And the fact that we're on Charter doesn't help matters any. Last year, I went to Humphrey's to watch the DePaul game and have some lunch only to be told that they were unable to show the game since they only have a satellite. Humphrey's, of all places, can't show Billiken games on TV!! How wrong is that? By the way, it would be cool to get a huge group together to watch road games if there are any sports bars that carry them. If there are, I'm sure they would be happy to have dozens of SLU fans eating and drinking at their establishment. With regards to our merchandise and marketing, we could assign an MBA class to come up with a marketing plan that would trump any efforts that we currently have. Hell, give me a weekend and I'll write a plan up myself. While it may be possible to purchase merchandise at the bookstore or at the Savvis, most of it is not fashionable. I would guess that a lot of the merchandise at the bookstore can be found at Barnes and Noble bookstores on other college campuses, but with other college names on them; the merchandise selection does not appear to be personalized for us. How else would you explain the presence of red and orange Billiken gear? The merchandise available on slubillikens.com does appear to be pretty decent, so maybe things are changing. We definitely could use some more outlets though. Near my office in Creve Coeur, Mizzou has its own merchandise outlet in a strip mall which is a fantastic idea. It probably wouldn't work for us, but the marketing minds at Mizzou appear to be a hell of a lot more creative than ours (if we actually have any).

Could Evans be a big time player as well? It was interesting to see Price, Evans and Muse all in a row. I thought Liddell might be ranked higher. I haven't heard nearly as much about Muse as I have about the others. Are we recruiting him?

Seems kind of hard to believe that he would have SMS on his list over SLU with an offer on the table. If there is any truth to this, I can understand his interest in the other three programs, although playing time at Marquette might be hard to come by.

I would guess that a $1 million donation to the band would buy a lot of Jell-O shots, eh? That's right, I've heard the stories about what the band does while on road trips. Or better yet, maybe we could send you guys to band camp. After watching American Pie, it doesn't sound like such a bad idea. As long as no flutes get lodged in any sensitive orifices.

Would $1 million be enough to change the name of the dance team back to the Baby Blues?

nm

I finally bucked up today and purchased my season tickets for the 03-04 season. This will be my first season as an official season ticket holder although I was able to procure student tickets while I was a full-time student and a part-time grad student, and through my girlfriend since graduating in 97. Anyway, does anyone have any details on the points system used for sesason ticket holders? I was told that I will get 20 points as a SLU alumnus, but how many do you accrue each year as a season ticket holder? How many does it take to improve your seats? Also, has there been any word as to whether or not a person's point total will have any standing when we build the new arena?

From today's Post-Dispatch. Personally, I would hate to see the Drake Plaza torn down. It's a beautiful, historic building and Kohner Properties has dedicated a lot of time and money to finishing its renovation and making it an asset to Grand Center. If Grand Center is going to be a thriving neighborhood and entertainment district as Fr. Biondi wants it to, having a solid residential base is key. I hope that some sort of compromise can be worked out that will spare the Drake. Owner of apartment building balks at sale to SLU By CHARLENE PROST Post-Dispatch updated: 07/26/2003 05:56 PM University wants site for arena St. Louis University is close to the halfway mark in its quest to acquire a site in the Grand Center arts and entertainment district for a $70 million-plus arena. But there's at least one major obstacle remaining: the Drake Plaza Apartments. Jon Pyzyk, owner of the fully-leased Drake Plaza, doesn't want to sell. "I told the university that of all the buildings they could possible look at to tear down ... the Drake should be dead last," he said. The Drake is part of a mix of businesses, empty buildings and vacant land covering four blocks across Olive Street from a university-owned 2,100-car garage. Bounded by Olive, Washington Boulevard, Theresa Avenue and Leonard Avenue, the 10.9-acre site also is in Grand Center Inc.'s tax-increment financing district. The district would contribute about $15 million to buy property, raze buildings and relocate a dozen or so businesses. "We are going to give it our best effort to acquire there with the $15 million in TIF money," said Kathleen Brady, the university's vice president of facilities. But if costs go "significantly" beyond $15 million, she said, the university will move on to an on-campus site: a ball field area at Compton and Laclede avenues. The ball fields also are in Grand Center's tax district. But because site preparation would cost less, the district would provide only $5 million for the arena. The arena is for Billiken basketball and other university and nonuniversity events and activities. Brady said the university's choice location was recommended by its traffic consultants "for traffic reasons, and because of its proximity to existing parking and parking planned by Grand Center." That site also is closer to attractions in the growing Grand Center district, which the university has supported for years. "Our hope," Brady said, "is that the arena will be an anchor and help spur more development in Grand Center." Former Mayor Vincent C. Schoemehl Jr., Grand Center's president and chief executive, said either site would work. The university's choice site, he said "is preferable in terms of the impact on street life in Grand Center. But in terms of the cost to the TIF, if they go south, they get $5 million rather than $15 million ... and that would make doing other TIF projects in the district easier." Brady said the university had made offers to most property owners and would make others after appraisals are finished. The university has owned some property there for years. Since making its arena plans public, it's acquired more, including two buildings owned by Mega Sun Inc., a company at 3301 Locust Boulevard that makes sun-tanning equipment. It has 20 to 35 employees, depending on the season. Linda Laspe, one of the owners, said her company planned to stay in the city. And like other business owners interviewed, she thinks the arena will be good for the area. Roger Curdt, owner of Hart Printing Co., leases space nearby at 3441 Olive. "Do I want to move? No. But I don't have a problem relocating," he said. "The university has done an awful lot to improve the area, so I'd like to cooperate." Charlie Koyn, owner of Pavyer Printing Machine Works at 3306 Washington Avenue, has not received an offer for his building. But when it comes, he said, he'll want a "suitable" replacement building for his 22 employees and fair compensation. Pyzyk, by contrast, is digging in. He said the Drake's 87 apartments and commercial areas are filled. Plus, the complex - consisting of a stucco-covered pink building and an 88-year-old hotel designed by noted architect Preston Bradshaw - is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was renovated in the late 1980s at a cost of about $10 million. "These are beautiful, upscale apartments," he said. "I'm really proud of the way we've maintained and managed them. I can't understand why they can't build ... near, rather than on top of, the Drake." Brady said SLU needed the Drake if it's to build on its choice spot. The university could ask a city agency to intercede with power of eminent domain but, she said "the university prefers not to do that." SLU spokesman Robert Woodruff said the university had so far raised $8 million of the $45 million in private contributions it needs for the arena. It plans to borrow $25 million to be paid off with revenue generated by the 13,000-seat facility.

Exactly. I wouldn't be heartbroken if he left, but only AFTER this whole conference madness is cleared up.

I guess my line of thinking is that we've missed out on the Taj Gray's of the world too many times. I think that players like Shaw are just what we need to start to build this program into something special; talented hard-working kids who will leave it all out on the floor every night. Big time recruits aren't going to be attracted to our program because of an NIT bid and an on-campus arena that is years away from completion, it's still a tough sell for Brad. I'd like to play it safe initially and continually increase the talent level each year instead of swinging for the fences right away. That having been said, I do trust Brad's judgement a lot more than Romar's, and I'm glad it's not my job to recruit players!

I say offer Shaw and Gray, and take the first one to commit.

...but I am actually Roland Gray. I just want you all to know that my son, Roland Gray Jr., has no plans to attend SLU. Thank you. -Mr. Gray