ETSU didn't turn down offer to play Olympic team

I'm not sure that article absolves ETSU of all blame. From my reading- Mullins cites a lack of communication in his own department. He also says he didn't want the infield torn up.

Which the Parks and Rec director- that Kelly was able to land but Brian T. Smith was not- states is no big deal (though I have my doubts).

Thing is- you get the feeling if the soccer field was built on time maybe the softball field could have been jumped up and this could have been the first event there. It took three months to build Forbes Field in 1909. I would think with modern equipment and a 500 seat venue- not brand new yard of innovation (Forbes Field- home of the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1909-70, was the first concrete and steel ballpark- most of the others were built of wood)- you could have a softball field built five months after a December groundbreaking (yes, even in the winter).

But the deal here is to save face- Mullins MUST move the games from Cardinal Park next year. If what he says is true- then he's essentially paying the city $30,000 for use of a field that is 100 years old, not flat, off campus, the walls fell down two years ago and they couldn't practice there, and now they tear up the field- to whatever extent- for Milligan softball.

Look- if you ask me- this is what happens when you destroy your old baseball field for a soccer field instead of building it up. If there was still a Mooney Field and ETSU played there- and they wanted to rip up Cardinal Park- then what does ETSU care?

So he's GOT to do something. Move the home field to Kingsport, Elizabethton, or Greeneville and speak of trying to promote a rather high profile sport throughout the metro area instead of just Johnson City. Rent the Science Hill baseball field with the assurance that the money will go to build locker rooms on the facility. Do an LA Coliseum and put the games inside Memorial Center (not my first choice- but would the dimensions be any less ridiculous than that hill in right field? And you wouldn't have any rainouts!).

Either that or he'll make Tony Skole a scapegoat for the lack of communication and fire him after the season.

I would be willing to bet that Mullins and Kelly cooked this article up while they were down in San Antonio at the final four. And you're right, this does not absolve Mullins of all blame because they would have to lie to do that. The evidence is pretty clear that Mullins was approached, didn't figure out a way to make things work, and Milligan snatched up the prize. It points towards the poor communication, haughty attitude, and lack of vision of this department. Things that get you fired for incompetence at other places (except here of course).

That story has about as much credibility as the National Enquirer. I can't believe you even brought that filth on here Fan1. Kelly Hodge is an embarrassment.

Hodge has become a mouthpiece for David Mullins to say "It's not my fault!"

Unfortunately, Brian T. Smith fills the same role for Paul Stanton.

Buccaneerlover Wrote:That story has about as much credibility as the National Enquirer. I can't believe you even brought that filth on here Fan1. Kelly Hodge is an embarrassment.

Ditto

Tritto

Quadritto

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