prebilliken

Hate quoting myself, but this brings up a really bitter SLU sports memories. I was a freshman in 2006 when SLU hosted the College Cup at Hermann. We entered the tournament ranked 11th nationally and it looked liked we really had a shot of making it home for the final four after an A10 regular season championship and wins that season over #2 UConn and #9 Indiana. Alas, our first game of the tourney, we lost to unranked Northwestern. I truly don't think Bills soccer has ever been the same since then. 2003 was the last year we held the average attendance record in the NCAA but I felt like attendance was still really strong when I got to campus. I know must of us would cut an arm or a leg off to see a basketball National Championship for the Bills... But I would definitely give a few fingers and toes for a soccer one as well.

I long used to think that an MLS team in the Lou would be damaging to Bills soccer on the constant attempt at a return to glory. I can't really put a finger on why I felt that way these days but I now believe that logic was flawed. SLU needs to become a perennial Top 25 team competing for National Championships again, that's on us and no one else. With that being said, the NCAA seems to be trending towards holding the College Cup in MLS specific stadiums more often. Which is a good thing. Much overlooked concerning the expansion and improvement of MLS is that is in a verifiable golden age for stadium building in American Sports history. People have ditched the mantra that bigger is always better and are producing stunning stadiums that foster a true home environment for a league that is still growing. I hope to never see another damn College Cup at Legion Field in Hoover, ****ing Alabama ever again. I'd love to see the College Cup back in The Lou, with the Bills back in it. I think its just one of the many opportunities the presence of an MLS team has to help Bills soccer. @billikenfan05 I think that having the Bronze Boot Game in the new MLS stadium would be brilliant, let's make it a thing. And as you well know, I believe that improvements to Herman are long past due. What about pre-season Friendly matches against an MLS team? That should be a constant. Good for soccer in the city and a great experience for the student athletes at SLU to get on an MLS pitch and knock the ball around with pro-talent. That should happen day 1.

Look up the Walton family.

While I agree that Arkansas is not the job is was in the 90's, I think people often forget how much money that school has. Numerous ex-Walmart execs act as that schools backup wallet, the rumor about Beard is that Arkansas is willing to pay his $15M buyout if he wanted the job.

I respect Dayton as a program, even for as annoying as their fans are, don't get me wrong, they support their hoops and run an admirable program. But Dayton brings nothing, NOTHING, to the table for the Big East: No new market, no flashy institution (SLU is a better, wealthier academic institution in every regard), good, not great basketball history. Furthermore, there is zero way that x ever let's them get in. Also, the "fan support" argument loses all water because the Big East would be in area's that are SLU alumni strongholds. Are two largest alumni organizations are based in Chicago and New York... You don't think they're going to show up for games?

There is zero % chance that Pestello, May, and the BoT don't "get it" this time around. ZERO. This is SLU's opportunity to join a major conference. What I'm scared they don't get, is the level of enthusiasm and consistent selling that this pitch takes. May should be taking Ackerman and her staff out to dinner every night. A- Always B- Be C- Closing Publicity that the Big East brings us = dollars and cents. Even if we had to forfeit our NCAA credits for the first four years, it makes sense in the long run. Can you imagine how much better attendance would be on a game to game basis to see a Big East schedule rather than an A10 one?

This tweet has me higher than the night I spent out in Joshua Tree during my undergrad days. CHRIS MAY. MAKE IT HAPPEN.

Listen, I love SLU basketball more than most things in this world, but if you think the program that put back-to-back National Runners-Up together is the program that "stole" our spot in the Big East than you need to lay off the sauce. From a performance standpoint, Butler is the sort of program we yearn to be, you're not hating on the Bills by stating that.

Howdy Y'all, I wanted to reach out to all the Lone Star Bills out there to let you know that SLU is planning on having a pre-game reception for the Houston game, similar to what they did for the Butler game if you attended that. I had the pleasure of attending the event at Butler and thought it was really well done. $35 bucks will get you registration to the event, two drink tickets, and tickets to the game. There is also a $25 dollar event only registration available. Here is the link to register for the Houston event: Houston Event Signup. I also wanted to know that the a few pioneering DFW alums have "re-booted" the Dallas-Fort Worth alumni club. This club was really active about 3 years ago and fell off a bit when leadership was handed off to a new group. We've started a new facebook group (link here) and we are looking for folks to join and take up the mantle for leadership positions. Myself and a few other folks, have been working very closely with the SLU Alumni relations department on getting the DFW club up and running on some solid footing. The Dallas-Fort Worth market is a major focus for SLU, and I believe the greater Alumni organization is very willing to help us out. DFW is home to a surprising amount of SLU Alumni of all ages, and this market deserves an alumni club worthy of the folks that live down in the Big D. Feel free to message me directly if you have any trouble getting to the facebook group. I can't wait to spoil the party at the brand new Fertitta Center. I'd love to see a lot of blue in Houston. Let's Go Bills!

Fair enough. I still think that the "vibe" from the players on social media still reads like I'd like it to. Frustration can be a good motivator, a little frustration is good, perhaps even necessary when expectations are not being me. Its when frustration exceeds motivation that it becomes problematic.

This is my honest to God take: I'm happy this is a terrible team, I want see this team do a number of things tonight in order to ramp up to the showdown against the hall: 1) Don't take a bad team for granted/match the intensity of play to the level of pre-season hype: The Bills have come out sleepily in both games against inferior opponents, I want to see them assert their will and play with mean-spirited dominance, physically dominate an inferior team, don't let them breathe for a minute. The mentality to win and the mentality to dominate are both learned behaviors, I want a good class session tonight. 2) Focus on ball movement: Use this as an opportunity for a final tune-up before a big early season test. Trust in the offense, remember the sets, play with pace, but don't hurry. 3) Convert on fast breaks: We're better than this team, and we can run the floor on them, but it doesn't matter if the final shot on the break doesn't go down. I want this team to start knowing where each other are on the floor without even having to physically see each other. 4) Make your damn free throws gents: They are going to hack away at us to even have a chance defensively, its a good chance to see the ball go through the net from the charity stripes. This is essentially a practice game against a D1 opponent, good, the team needs it, the schedule ramps up quickly here. I've actually loved the mentality of this team regardless of the less than stellar performances, people seem motivated but not frustrated, disappointed, but not dysfunctional. I want us going into the game at the Hall with high levels of confidence and a solid sense of improvement. I'm looking forward to tonight. LETS. GO. BILLS.

I have been waiting four years for this game. I could not be more excited. LETS. GO. BILLS.

Can you include a link to the poll?

Do they keep shots on goal as a stat? I almost completely ignore "shots" as a stat if shots on goal are available. Either way, from every game recap I have read, I see the word "frustrating" a lot. Take it how you will, but I see this as a positive thing that is indicative of Kalish being successful in making cultural changes. We are playing attacking soccer, we are asserting our game plan, not sitting back and countering. I could be wrong as I haven't seen any games, but I am optimistic that this is the case.

Having a conference match up with the AAC would be awesome. There are 4 institutions that would make easy drives for Bills fans (Memphis, Tulsa, Wichita State, and Cincy) plus two others that are easy flights and would have a lot of support (SMU and Houston.) The matchup would fit the "F*** the P5" dialogue that everyone is trying to drive. I love it all. (Even though I will always want the Bills in the Big East)

Honest inquiry: Do you think the AD has any extra of those jerseys? I don't want one, I need one. I'd be happy to shell out a little donation for it. As I mentioned in the thread above, I actually have an authentic old Bills baseball jersey that looks similar to what they gave out the other night, it needs a younger brother. Also, if anyone has an extra one they would be willing to part with, I would happily take it off your hands for a little cash.

SLU to Construct New Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Building: Link to Article. This is cool news. I don't LOVE the look of the new building, but I don't HATE it either. Its very nice, I just wish it would look more like the B School and DuBourg than the buildings on the med school campus. I guess that is the science side of campus so it does sort of work.

I have no concrete news. Just seems good to even have news again as the new coach has been bringing in some recruits. Does anyone have a subscription to Topdrawersoccer.com? They posted an article on first year head coaches to watch this year and I was curious is SLU made the list. Whoever is running the Bills social media is doing a good job, retweeting recruits, posting video interviews from the coaches. Also, SLU's soccer kits are cleeean this year. Back to the classic white tops and royal blue shorts. The tops have a collar and they look great. I know its beating a dead horse to bemoan not being able to by one, but its still worth saying.

HE HAD 30?????

I don't want to see that because I want to see us in the Beast. Simple as that.

I work about a half mile from there, I'll #goseethekidplay.

LET THE HYPE FLOW THROUGH YOUR VEINS

If you didn't listen to today's Jon Rothstain Podcast which featured Coach Ford, do yourself a favor and do so. Good info from Coach and on the rest of the A10. I feel like I just injected BILLS HYPE right into my veins and I can't actually see straight right now.

We all have to graduate sadly. "Congrats" on entering the real world. I do think this would be a dope tradition though.

Keep fighting the good fight @Billikid. Any movement on 05's suggestion of singing the newly unearthed "Varsity Song" with the team after games?