(12-23-2009 01:55 PM)outsideualr Wrote:  

(12-23-2009 01:06 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(12-23-2009 10:40 AM)arkstfan Wrote:  Some years ago Temple was in danger of missing the I-A attendance requirement. They went all over the Philadelphia area promising any group that if they would promise to have 30 or 35 people show up at a designated point they would send a bus to pick them up and take them to the game for free and the tix would be free.

No reason to go quite that far but why not work a deal with LR Tours or another bus company to make a deal with Maumelle Lions Club, Sherwood Rotary, NLR Chamber of Commerce or whomever that for $10 a head that a bus will meet them if they promise the magic number and take them to Jack? Why not partner with the Argenta area group to run a bus from that area that will drop you off in Argenta for post-game celebration? Why not do it with the Rivermarket as well?

People want EVENTS. Basketball doesn't lend itself well to tailgating in this climate, so a bus to post-game would be a great subsitute. Get those people to wearing UALR apparell and having them flood the bars and restaurants of an area post-game would be huge for UALR awareness.

Like always, you have great ideas ArkStfan. Unfortunately, many of us have had "ideas" for years but no seems interested in listening.

While I support my team regardless of their record, most folks around here only seem to have interest in a team if they are winning big. Probably hard to get people to see UALR as an "event" when we are losing big. That's the double-edged sword with a tough schedule. If we played a bunch of patsies, and were 9-4, it would be a lot easier to promote the team in this town where most folks wouldn't know a Wright State from a Widener U. (a Div. III school in Pa.). Like Michaelspappy said yesterday, a win at Wright State wouldn't have meant a thing to 99% of the folks in Central Arkansas but it actually would have been a heck of a win on the road.

I don't know how good Widener is, but I would only schedule them in an exhibition game. You're right that most people have no idea who Wright State is. Many, including my own son, and lives in Missouri, wasn't even aware that Missouri State was a D1 school. Most probably only know of the Razorbacks, North Carolina, Kentucky and Kansas. After that, they probably have no idea as to affiliations.

They've probably heard of Duke.

(12-23-2009 01:06 PM)mjs Wrote:  ... in this town where most folks wouldn't know a Wright State from a Widener U...

They will sure as hell recognize their FIGHT SONG

Let's see how we got here:
Kestenbaum got us off to a good start. Why did he leave?
Newell ran his mouth and pissed a bunch of folks off but kicked butt in the process and galvanized a small core of die hard supporters...the Father of Trojan basketball for better or worse.

Platt took us to new lows with malaise and mutiny...but he was a good guy and he recruited our #1 alum.

Wimp's negative attitude casts a long, long shadow over the program that still exists today.

Moncrief...that's French for "good grief".

Porter Moser: A breath of fresh air with a whiff of trouble--remember "gutterhelmet" on the old board? I still think PM WAS Gutterhelmet. Is it just me or did he begin whining more down the stretch?

And Steve Shields trying to be diplomatic and inoffensive in hogland. Maybe that explains the lack of an offense.

(12-23-2009 03:41 PM)Scotto Wrote:  Hit that line, hit that line, keep on going...

That one..?

same music, but their lyrics are:

We are tough,
We are great,
We are Wright State.
We will defeat every foe,
They will know, We are here,
When we all stand up and cheer...Victory
With our green and our gold,
Raiders onward,
We will fight right and be true,
So let's go, fight, win.
Let the action begin,
We're from W-S-U!

(12-23-2009 03:58 PM)Scotto Wrote:  

(12-23-2009 03:53 PM)Robert C Wrote:  Porter Moser: A breath of fresh air with a whiff of trouble--remember "gutterhelmet" on the old board? I still think PM WAS Gutterhelmet.

And I wonder who the "Evil Genius" was. Hmmmn.

GH explicitly stated numerous times that Steve Shields was the evil genius.

(12-23-2009 03:53 PM)Robert C Wrote:  Let's see how we got here:
Kestenbaum got us off to a good start. Why did he leave?
Newell ran his mouth and pissed a bunch of folks off but kicked butt in the process and galvanized a small core of die hard supporters...the Father of Trojan basketball for better or worse.

Platt took us to new lows with malaise and mutiny...but he was a good guy and he recruited our #1 alum.

Wimp's negative attitude casts a long, long shadow over the program that still exists today.

Moncrief...that's French for "good grief".

Porter Moser: A breath of fresh air with a whiff of trouble--remember "gutterhelmet" on the old board? I still think PM WAS Gutterhelmet. Is it just me or did he begin whining more down the stretch?

And Steve Shields trying to be diplomatic and inoffensive in hogland. Maybe that explains the lack of an offense.

I can't remember the whining. I do remember a number of fans using the phrase "It's all about Porter". Not sure if I agree on that or not, although he didn't let the door hit him on the way out when another job offer came along. But, I don't quite understand why most fans were/are enamored with him- he never won more then 18 games (with 2-3 nonDI's on the schedule) and never won a Division title. Meanwhile, Steve has four Division titles and 2 straight 20 wins seasons but some folks are ready to get rid of him 2 games into the conference season and before we've played a home conference game.

I'm certainly not including LRTrojan here. He's been consistent and forthright in wanting a change for awhile. He's a great fan and has every right to express his opinion. Actually, knowing Bob, he would express his opinion whether I gave him permission or not.

(12-23-2009 04:17 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(12-23-2009 03:53 PM)Robert C Wrote:  Let's see how we got here:
Kestenbaum got us off to a good start. Why did he leave?
Newell ran his mouth and pissed a bunch of folks off but kicked butt in the process and galvanized a small core of die hard supporters...the Father of Trojan basketball for better or worse.

Platt took us to new lows with malaise and mutiny...but he was a good guy and he recruited our #1 alum.

Wimp's negative attitude casts a long, long shadow over the program that still exists today.

Moncrief...that's French for "good grief".

Porter Moser: A breath of fresh air with a whiff of trouble--remember "gutterhelmet" on the old board? I still think PM WAS Gutterhelmet. Is it just me or did he begin whining more down the stretch?

And Steve Shields trying to be diplomatic and inoffensive in hogland. Maybe that explains the lack of an offense.

I can't remember the whining. I do remember a number of fans using the phrase "It's all about Porter". Not sure if I agree on that or not, although he didn't let the door hit him on the way out when another job offer came along. But, I don't quite understand why most fans were/are enamored with him- he never won more then 18 games (with 2-3 nonDI's on the schedule) and never won a Division title. Meanwhile, Steve has four Division titles and 2 straight 20 wins seasons but some folks are ready to get rid of him 2 games into the conference season and before we've played a home conference game.

I'm certainly not including LRTrojan here. He's been consistent and forthright in wanting a change for awhile. He's a great fan and has every right to express his opinion. Actually, knowing Bob, he would express his opinion whether I gave him permission or not.

I've never said that Steve has done a bad job here. He hasn't, he's a very good defensive coach, and you know I think he's a fine man. As far as him accomplishing more than Porter did, well, Porter didn't exactly leave the cupboard bare. He left Steve a pretty good grubstake. I just believe he's taken this program as far as he can take it.

Here are my three main reasons for wanting change. (1) I really don't believe he's good offensive basketball coach , and his teams play boring basketball. (2) We've got the best facilities we've ever had, as good or better than any team in the Sun Belt, and he hasn't been able to recruit the caliber of players that it takes to win the Sun Belt. (3) Our attendance is dismal, and seems to be getting worse every year. I believe if anything brings about a change, it will be because of declining attendance.

(12-23-2009 09:01 PM)LRTrojan Wrote:  

(12-23-2009 04:17 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(12-23-2009 03:53 PM)Robert C Wrote:  Let's see how we got here:
Kestenbaum got us off to a good start. Why did he leave?
Newell ran his mouth and pissed a bunch of folks off but kicked butt in the process and galvanized a small core of die hard supporters...the Father of Trojan basketball for better or worse.

Platt took us to new lows with malaise and mutiny...but he was a good guy and he recruited our #1 alum.

Wimp's negative attitude casts a long, long shadow over the program that still exists today.

Moncrief...that's French for "good grief".

Porter Moser: A breath of fresh air with a whiff of trouble--remember "gutterhelmet" on the old board? I still think PM WAS Gutterhelmet. Is it just me or did he begin whining more down the stretch?

And Steve Shields trying to be diplomatic and inoffensive in hogland. Maybe that explains the lack of an offense.

I can't remember the whining. I do remember a number of fans using the phrase "It's all about Porter". Not sure if I agree on that or not, although he didn't let the door hit him on the way out when another job offer came along. But, I don't quite understand why most fans were/are enamored with him- he never won more then 18 games (with 2-3 nonDI's on the schedule) and never won a Division title. Meanwhile, Steve has four Division titles and 2 straight 20 wins seasons but some folks are ready to get rid of him 2 games into the conference season and before we've played a home conference game.

I'm certainly not including LRTrojan here. He's been consistent and forthright in wanting a change for awhile. He's a great fan and has every right to express his opinion. Actually, knowing Bob, he would express his opinion whether I gave him permission or not.

I've never said that Steve has done a bad job here. He hasn't, he's a very good defensive coach, and you know I think he's a fine man. As far as him accomplishing more than Porter did, well, Porter didn't exactly leave the cupboard bare. He left Steve a pretty good grubstake. I just believe he's taken this program as far as he can take it.

Here are my three main reasons for wanting change. (1) I really don't believe he's good offensive basketball coach , and his teams play boring basketball. (2) We've got the best facilities we've ever had, as good or better than any team in the Sun Belt, and he hasn't been able to recruit the caliber of players that it takes to win the Sun Belt. (3) Our attendance is dismal, and seems to be getting worse every year. I believe if anything brings about a change, it will be because of declining attendance.

LRTrojan, one thing hasn't changed after all these years. UALR is a commuter school. Sure they have a couple of dorms now, but 95% of the students still commute- they come to classes and leave afterwards. As far as I can tell (and I'm on campus 2 days a week) there are no real activites, social events, etc. (other than maybe at the Frat houses) at night or on weekends. The average senior in high school, who happens to play basketball, is for the most part like any other student. They are looking for a college life where they can have fun, attend parties, social events, etc. Our basketball players live in an apartment complex about 2 miles from campus. They don't live the life of a typical college student at most campuses. I actually think the apartments are a plus in recruiting older junior college kids. However, I think they are a big minus in recruiting high school kids. The majority of high school kids will look at our campus and compare it to WKU, MTSU, Denver, etc and there is just no comparison. Even ASU has a large on campus population and the activities that go with it. When Trey Finn said he was going to ASU because they had "football", what he was really saying is that they are a traditional college campus that UALR is not.

I agree, we now have an outstanding arena. But really that just put us on par with other schools like ASU, Denver, ULL, etc. We can argue whether Stephens may be the nicest of all, but it is not a "game changer" when compared to most of the other conference schools' facilities. All I'm saying that recruiting to a commuter school is not that easy. I believe we are the only commuter school in the conference. I guarantee every opposing coach uses it against us. If I was 18 and had a choice I would pick the traditional campus. Maybe you're right that a young dynamic coach might make the difference for us. Of course, that young dynamic coach would probably go to WKU, MTSU, etc. before he came here, if he had the choice.

(12-23-2009 09:42 PM)mjs Wrote:  Maybe you're right that a young dynamic coach might make the difference for us. Of course, that young dynamic coach would probably go to WKU, MTSU, etc. before he came here, if he had the choice.

Sure he'd go to WKU or MTSU if they were open, and he good sense. But, there are more good young assistants floating around every year than there are mid-major jobs. There is another Mike Newell out there somewhere. I'm sure Mike Newell would have taken the WKU or MT job over ours if he'd had the choice, but he came here. The rest is history.

(12-24-2009 10:19 AM)LRTrojan Wrote:  

(12-23-2009 09:42 PM)mjs Wrote:  Maybe you're right that a young dynamic coach might make the difference for us. Of course, that young dynamic coach would probably go to WKU, MTSU, etc. before he came here, if he had the choice.

Sure he'd go to WKU or MTSU if they were open, and he good sense. But, there are more good young assistants floating around every year than there are mid-major jobs. There is another Mike Newell out there somewhere. I'm sure Mike Newell would have taken the WKU or MT job over ours if he'd had the choice, but he came here. The rest is history.

There is also some d2 coaches that would love to make the jump. There have been d2 coaches that have been successful when they moved up.

(12-24-2009 10:22 AM)LR Alum Wrote:  

(12-24-2009 10:19 AM)LRTrojan Wrote:  

(12-23-2009 09:42 PM)mjs Wrote:  Maybe you're right that a young dynamic coach might make the difference for us. Of course, that young dynamic coach would probably go to WKU, MTSU, etc. before he came here, if he had the choice.

Sure he'd go to WKU or MTSU if they were open, and he good sense. But, there are more good young assistants floating around every year than there are mid-major jobs. There is another Mike Newell out there somewhere. I'm sure Mike Newell would have taken the WKU or MT job over ours if he'd had the choice, but he came here. The rest is history.

There is also some d2 coaches that would love to make the jump. There have been d2 coaches that have been successful when they moved up.

Absolutely. In fact Joe Foley hasn't done a bad job here, and while he hasn't yet quite taken us from the outhouse all the way to the penthouse, he does have us "moving on up to the west side, to a deluxe arena in the sky."

(12-24-2009 10:30 AM)LRTrojan Wrote:  

(12-24-2009 10:22 AM)LR Alum Wrote:  

(12-24-2009 10:19 AM)LRTrojan Wrote:  

(12-23-2009 09:42 PM)mjs Wrote:  Maybe you're right that a young dynamic coach might make the difference for us. Of course, that young dynamic coach would probably go to WKU, MTSU, etc. before he came here, if he had the choice.

Sure he'd go to WKU or MTSU if they were open, and he good sense. But, there are more good young assistants floating around every year than there are mid-major jobs. There is another Mike Newell out there somewhere. I'm sure Mike Newell would have taken the WKU or MT job over ours if he'd had the choice, but he came here. The rest is history.

There is also some d2 coaches that would love to make the jump. There have been d2 coaches that have been successful when they moved up.

Absolutely. In fact Joe Foley hasn't done a bad job here, and while he hasn't yet quite taken us from the outhouse all the way to the penthouse, he does have us "moving on up to the west side, to a deluxe arena in the sky."

Joe has done great with where he started here. But I think recruiting is totally different in women's basketball than in men's.
I would think the advantage in having a men's coach who was an assistant at a major university would be that he's already recruiting a higher caliber athlete, and has contacts to those kids.
Newell was the top assistant at Oklahoma under Billy Tubbs, and was their interim head coach when Tubbs had that serious bicycle injury. Plus I think the guys that get the top assistant jobs at those major universities are probably a little smoother and maybe better at public relations that coaches who end up at small schools. Obviously not in every case, but I would think it would hold true in a lot of cases.

(12-24-2009 10:39 AM)outsideualr Wrote:  

(12-24-2009 10:30 AM)LRTrojan Wrote:  

(12-24-2009 10:22 AM)LR Alum Wrote:  

(12-24-2009 10:19 AM)LRTrojan Wrote:  

(12-23-2009 09:42 PM)mjs Wrote:  Maybe you're right that a young dynamic coach might make the difference for us. Of course, that young dynamic coach would probably go to WKU, MTSU, etc. before he came here, if he had the choice.

Sure he'd go to WKU or MTSU if they were open, and he good sense. But, there are more good young assistants floating around every year than there are mid-major jobs. There is another Mike Newell out there somewhere. I'm sure Mike Newell would have taken the WKU or MT job over ours if he'd had the choice, but he came here. The rest is history.

There is also some d2 coaches that would love to make the jump. There have been d2 coaches that have been successful when they moved up.

Absolutely. In fact Joe Foley hasn't done a bad job here, and while he hasn't yet quite taken us from the outhouse all the way to the penthouse, he does have us "moving on up to the west side, to a deluxe arena in the sky."

Joe has done great with where he started here. But I think recruiting is totally different in women's basketball than in men's.
I would think the advantage in having a men's coach who was an assistant at a major university would be that he's already recruiting a higher caliber athlete, and has contacts to those kids.
Newell was the top assistant at Oklahoma under Billy Tubbs, and was their interim head coach when Tubbs had that serious bicycle injury. Plus I think the guys that get the top assistant jobs at those major universities are probably a little smoother and maybe better at public relations that coaches who end up at small schools. Obviously not in every case, but I would think it would hold true in a lot of cases.

That is the drawback. You just don't know if they can recruit on the d1 level. But that's where interviewing the coach and contacting ADs and coaches come in to play. The thing you get with a d2 coach is that you can see how they run a program on their own. An assistant coach you are taking a gamble and hoping they learned how to run a program under the tutelage of a good head coach.