GoSlu

Ward was a special player and will be missed greatly. Will John on the other hand...I've never been a fan of his. He has tremendous skill but he rarely runs hard to a ball, he constantly loafs around the field and just will not contest for a 50/50 ball. Vedad did all that work for him and make him look like a great player the year before and then Will was exposed last year as to who he really was and it hurt the team. There's no excuse for not hustling and working hard no matter who you are. And has anyone heard anything on Johnny D. and Grazier? I cannot confirm what I heard from someone that they were leaving as well. I really hope it was just speculation. GS

Courtside I'll have to disagree as well. I like DD but Brad picked up a program at a very tough time and has done a very good job despite the slow start this year. Lots of promise shown in the Cinci game despite the result. He just must get everything from every kid every game and that's tough. I also think that DD will be gone when his contract expires. Unfortunately this town doesn't take well to "out of towners" and he will eventually get frustrated and take a job somewhere else. I don't want to see him go but you can't deny the reality of St. Louis. And it has to be frustrating to see the top kids leave but you must overcome those things. He many times can't find the right mix and makes some questionable moves. Next year should be interesting. And BB don't deny your reading of the soccer posts...we know you are a closet fubol junkie! GS

>From the www.stlsoccer.net site today : > >"Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2005 12:42 pm Post subject: Tim Ward >/ Will John Leaving SLU >----------------------------------------------------------------------I >flipped on KFNS at lunch today and heard Bob Ramsey, Jay >Randolph and a guest talking about John and Ward leaving >school to enter Project 40. I didn't catch who the guest was >who was telling them this but he said it was 100% that they >will no longer be with the team." > >Man..........someone shoot me. > > What a blow this is to the program. Tim Ward was one of my favorite players. Hard nosed, smart, athletic tough SOB. I've also heard a rumor(although I haven't been able to confirm this so take it for what it's worth) that Grazier and DiRamundo were leaving as well. If that's the case we are in serious trouble and there better be some young talent coming in more than the Mehlville sensation Dado. GS

>But soccer is not a fun game to watch. If you're playing it >it's a bit more fun I guess. The funniest thing I've seen >in a while was what had to be an over 40 soccer league >playing at a local park. The phrase "get a life" sprang to >mind every time I went by them on the track. They were so >serious...... > >Feel free to take "random snipes" at the game of basketball. > It'll be fun to see, though don't be offended when I just >laugh at you and don't respond..... And running around a track makes you better??? Sounds like to me that the posters here end of playing basketball because they can't play soccer anymore. I have no problem with that but it certainly sheds some light on which sport is more physically demanding. And I can guarantee most of those "over 40 get a life" guys could kick your sorry azz in a heartbeat. Now that would be the funniest thing I've seen. GS

>see here is where i have a problem with your attitude. you >EXPECT us soccer dislikers to read the soccer strings (trust >me there are a hell of a lot more of us than you think) and >then attack us and the basketball fans accordingly when we >dont read and discuss. this whole string is an attack on >nonsoccer lovers imo, not just rich. > >yet, we apparently are supposed to give you a free pass for >not reading the basketball strings (didnt know that aj wasnt >a diehard billiken fan). if you cant comprehend the lack of >respect that will earn you i am sorry. > >you mention you learned so much in the soccer stings and >then slammed rich for not wanting to know about soccer >recruiting. the fact is, that the majority of the posters >on this board probably dont know 3 players on the current >team and dont care. and that isnt just for soccer, the same >can be said about the women's basketball team, or the >baseball team, etc. this board is unofficially about the >men's basketball team. i dont agree when rich slams you >all, but in the same sense, you are walking into dynamite >returning it and expecting much in the way of support. > >now you take someone like courtside or skip, they just >pretty much leave rich alone and discuss both, and no one >thinks the lesser of them for their love of soccer. but you >can approach it however you want. just understand when rich >and the rest of us dont send you a valentine. Roy, I could care less whether anyone reads the soccer posts and have never said I expected anyone to read any of them. My point is (as was your point to me on the basketball posts) don't knock them if you are not reading them. And random snipes at the game of soccer will not be tolerated with silence. GS

>Pretty soon it'll be a soccer board! Then you can talk all >soccer all the time. You and Skip and courtside won't have >to scroll through all this roundball gibberish. You'll be >able to put some real wit and deep thinking into your posts. > All three of them a year........ If you had bothered to read the soccer postsat all...oops big assumption there...you would realize that we have had some great banter and I have learned a lot of information I did not know regarding recruits etc.. But that would take above a 1st grade level attention span and you just don't seem to possess that. GS

>goslu, you obviously dont visit often if you consider aj's >words the defining board member. Roy, I don't get to visit as often as I would like that is for sure and I made the assumption that someone who has posted over 1,300 times would have made the statement credible. If that is not the case then I apologize. GS

>what constitutes "bailing" in your infinite wisdom? Roy, this is specifically from the mouth of one of your own Charter Members: aj_arete Charter Member 1320 posts, 13 feedbacks, -12 points Dec-21-04, 10:37 PM (CST) "We've Reached The Apathetic Stage" I guess we'll see a decrease in traffic here. I hope everyone sticks with this team as Soderberg will get it turned around but ultimately it's up to the players to make plays. GS

Wow...another azz kicking. And basketball fans are already bailing on this board...what fans you are! GS

>GoSLU: > >Please remember that many of us on this board attend soccer >games and support the team. Billiken Rich was born without >the soccer gene which is no big deal. If you know him, you >know that he likes to be a little outspoken. Despite my >disagreements with him, I think he is probably a really big >Billiken fan - he just enjoys getting a reaction out of >people (trust me, I know). > >I really enjoy Billiken soccer games and wish we could get >more people to the games. If more people attended, I think >they would get hooked. > >Bottom-line: Don't mistake one person's rants about soccer >for the general feelings of the board. I realize BB is an idiot but a person can only take so much. And if it wasn't for time after time of unprovoked strikes at the soccer program it wouldn't be an issue. Yes, I agree on getting people out. But when you are closed minded that's not going to happen unfortunately. And I'm surprised by your last comment. I have seen many negative posts regarding soccer on this board, I guess the "silent majority" just choose to leave it be. I will take that into consideration. Thanks for your comments. GS

>well judging by your stupid statements, you apparently didnt >know. you need all the help you can get to understand the >real picture. as rich points out, the soccer team doesnt >get any scholarships without the benefit of the basketball >program. and wishing ill will on the basketball billiken is >like kissing away money for all the different sports. if >you had a brain in your head, you would do all you could to >elevate the public perception of the basketball team since >all significant revenue is generated via the men's >basketball team. you though in your wonderful spitefulness, >come here today with this vile string? go ask coach >donnigan how smart you are. i would doubt he would agree >with your revengful post. Yeah and SLU doesn't have any sports without students...so what's your point? Vile string? You must have lived a sheltered life. And revengeful is a strong word. GS

How observant of you.

>and probably your meds for the morning. My point is that >soccer is a silly game best left to adolescent Bolivians >with no hope for a nice round hoop in their village. Once again you show your IQ...well done BB. >My condolences were sincere. I do wish the Billiken Soccer >team well. I'm not so sure about that. >You on the other hand are cutting into the team that allows >the soccer Bills to actually stay in a hotel while on the >road. Bite the hand that feeds you at your peril. I've never denied how the cash flows so you can quit bringing that up. >I would never be classless enough to cut down a Billiken team, >unlike you..... See this is where you really miss the boat. Your continued strikes at the sport are in direct correlation to the team. Do you think the members of the team appreciate your comments? I would expect that many of them view you as classless....well let me take that back actually they probably wouldn't waste their time with such scum. And I'm not ripping the basketball team and I've not ripped them in the past. I simply pointed out their record and matched them to the comments you made. You were the one who said they were going to be the powerhouse of the A-10 not me. GS

A-Bomb you are right, I probably didn't use the best wording but when BB compares soccer to "Phillipino kickboxing" well then such a gutless statement deserves a little salt in the wound. GS

>SLU will always be a soccer school... > >...but B-Ball is where the money's coming from. CheesyCow, first thanks for an intelligent response and second I agree 100% and there are a lot of factors that go into that. But, that is no reason for someone to rip the program just because it's not the top money generator. GS

A reminder of a previous post from Billiken B*tch: From Tom Timmerman's story in the post: "As expected, the Billikens, who finished 9-8-1 after losing to Memphis in the semifinals of the Conference USA tournament Saturday, did not receive an NCAA bid, ending a seven-year streak. It's just the fourth time in the program's 46-year history that it did not qualify for the NCAA Tournament." It always sucks to be a soccer fan (unless you're living in "old Europe" or some third world hellhole) but this is particularly ugly. My sincerest condolences. Rich First off, there was nothing "sincere" about yet another random strike at the Billiken soccer program. Second, what is the Basketball Bills record????? What's their record right now? 2-7???????!!!!!!!! We are on the verge of being a MAJOR POWER now baby! Yeah there has been some close games and there have some games the Basketball Bills have been handed their azz(i.e. Gonzaga). But according to BB the basketball program is what we are known for...ouch to be known for 2-7??? You have some mightly low aspirations. Hell the Soccer Bills had one of their worst seasons in decades and they still finished above .500. I don't enjoy the fact the Basketball Bills are struggling but as I have said before I will not let someone who doesn't have a clue rip the school's soccer program. We WILL be known for soccer in the A-10 and as much as you all want to believe Soderberg will be taking us to the promised land(and don't get me wrong I really like Brad but I'm realistic) we'll see how many tournament appearances and final four's we will have in the respective sports. GS

>Don't be mean to Roy. No one has time to match him post for >post. Given your tone and temperment I peg your age at >about 15 or 16. I assume you have to go to school or >vo-tech or work release or something. As soon as you do Roy >will have you! Well shut your mouth regarding soccer and I'll leave Roy alone. And how wrong you are again Dick. Please don't compare the highly educated to yourself. Just because you went to some vo-tech or work release program doesn't mean everybody did. I know it's hard but just try Dick. GS

>i see you have your profile blocked. i dont blame you for >blocking your identity with the way you post. Oh let me bow to the righteous great one!

>As much as I appreciate your sticking up for SLU soccer, you >need to chill dude. SluBalls, with all due respect, I'll chill when Dick stops taking unprovoked and unnecessary shots at soccer. GS

>Have fun fellatiating yourself. Wow, did you come up with fellatiating all by yourself? As I said I'm done with you >for now. Funny haven't I heard that before? And I'll say when your done azzhole. GS

>This has degenerated to the point it is no longer fun. As >that is the case, I'm done with you for now. Should you >ever grow a pair and want to discuss the matter in person, >I'd be delighted. I'm sure we'd agree more than disagree >about everything other than soccer. Good day to you. Tell somebody who cares and I have bigger balls than you could ever dream of Dick. And sadly you are probably right on what we would agree on. Have a nice day. GS

>College Soccer News whose poll I found much more accurate >than Adidas Coaches poll has SLU 17th. > >Indiana who lost a tough game to UCSB(similar to SLU vs SMU, >where SLU dominated and lost), fell to number 7. > >Maryland is rolling big time, and getting a lot of publicity >too. They even had a nice little spread last week in USA >Today. They have moved to number one, because they can >finish. > >SLU has very tough game on road in conference at South >Florida. Maybe Schasz can attend? South Florida is >arguably second best team in conference behind SLU(maybe >UAB), and beat SMU recently 3-0. > > >http://www.collegesoccernews.com/index_files/page0057.htm Courtside, USF will be a tough squad to beat and we've got to see some progress on offense and with the young talent on this team. Time to start stepping up boys! GS

"It would be perfect for Rich, because topics are usually on a clock and 1 minute in length with a running clock." Courtside, that's hilarious! So fitting! Thanks for the laugh. GS

>Rich you would have enjoyed the premire of Listen Up last >night on CBS. It is a take off on a very funny sportswriter >for the Wash. Post, Tony Kornheiser who also hosts PTI every >day on ESPN at 4:30 with another W.P. writer. The Listen Up >episode included a segment where the two sportswriters >argued about soccer. The Kornheiser character said >something like he "watched a World Cup game until one team >took an insurmountable >lead------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > 1-0. > >If some on this board are not familiar with PTI, I highly >recommend it-also Listen Up (7:30 Monday night) looks like a >winner ,espedially if you like Kornheiser's humor. For the lower IQ I'm glad they have sports that have scores you can enjoy. Otherwise you would be resigned to sitting on your couch and drooling all over yourself. GS

>Wow! Another snappy comeback! Two in as many minutes! Is >it just me or is it revealing to have the person throwing >expletives around accusing me of illiteracy? It's just you, Dick. GS