(11-08-2016 12:28 PM)TalonTed Wrote:  I have always wondered why former players aren't more involved at USM. Some of them are to a certain extent but your rank and file players by and large don't come back and are not involved in USM athletics. I read the post below by former WR Gerald Baptiste and it has me concerned. Are we not embracing our former players? They can definitely affect whether a recruit considers us.

The post below was also followed by agreement from dozens of former players.



What do you guys think? Is this a contributing factor as to why we aren't more talented recruits?

(11-08-2016 03:04 PM)HarborPointe Wrote:  If it's just a matter of access/hospitality--letting guys on the sideline or, say, allowing them use of of the weight room when it's otherwise available--then that should be addressed. Those kinds of things cost nothing and can only help the program in the long run.

(11-08-2016 03:04 PM)HarborPointe Wrote:  If it's just a matter of access/hospitality--letting guys on the sideline or, say, allowing them use of of the weight room when it's otherwise available--then that should be addressed. Those kinds of things cost nothing and can only help the program in the long run.

(11-08-2016 01:08 PM)Nuggets Ghost Wrote:  ...I know a fund raiser who was always allowed on the sidelines during home games. they took his and many other donors and fund raisers credentials away...pissed them off too...Fedora told him to come over the NC and he would allow him on his sideline anytime...and you wonder why people are not giving anymore.

Just one look at our sideline of a Home game will tell you this....you see media and that's about it...you look at the sidelines of other school's like bama and LSU and you have donor, fund people, and past players lining all the way down to the endzone line and out the back of it......

Hell, it doesn't have to be a big school...look at the sidelines of just about any school and you will see people and past players down the sidelines...you ever see the TV commentators show a past athlete on TV for SM like you see all the time for other schools??....no, never...cause they ain't there.

these people we have here, I swear.

(11-08-2016 05:45 PM)Eagle9 Wrote:  I don't think they block access. I think the issue is that they don't really reach out and invite back players that were just average joes and have them hanging around all the time. IMO one problem is that we have had so much change in leadership the last several years that there just aren't those relationships in place. Bill Mcgillis doesn't know those guys from 2003 or 2011 unless they were standouts. To be honest nobody affiliated with the program would know them. I know Hopson has made a big effort to bring guys back.

And like another person said, when you see those guys on the Alabama or USC sideline, it's always somebody that's a big name. You don't see career special teams players.

(11-08-2016 06:29 PM)stinkfist Wrote:  The university should handle this.

Quote:Now why would I donate to a program that treats me like I never once was part of the largest revenue generator for the institution?
Why would I convince any kid from EDNA KARR, which happens to have a long line of talented players to play at USM, to attend school there?

Quote:Southern Miss as a whole is a terrible institution. Horrible people in administrational positions.

Quote:Why do you think I left? It was a terrible family behind the scenes.

(11-08-2016 09:14 PM)Nuggets Ghost Wrote:  I've been seein this crap for years and much more.

(11-08-2016 10:44 PM)Eagle9 Wrote:  The leadership at the school has changed several times since many of those people were around. I don't buy all of it. Some of them may have legitimate beefs. But I think many are whining because they don't get to feel special anymore.