Editorial seems to be misplaced.
Brings up the "good ole days" when Lamar basketball was a much different program (as was the Southland it was in at the time). Harps on the rough year that Lamar programs had going to the WAC (yes, MBB + FB had rough times) while making the step up.
He also takes a shot at the WAC which outside of McNeese, did the Lamar fans really care more about Southeastern or Northwestern than they do UTRGV or Tarleton, where they may actually know some students?
"Gone are old Southland Conference foes McNeese State, Southeastern Louisiana and Northwestern State. Sure, SFA and Sam Houston joined the WAC but who would want to buy a ticket to watch the Cardinals take on the likes of California Baptist, Grand Canyon, Dixie State, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and Tarleton State."
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What is going on with my alma mater and its athletic program?
Being a proud 1990 Lamar University alumn, I sit around at times wondering what in the world is happening to a once-proud overall program.
I was fortunate growing up with the powerful Lamar basketball program, led by the late, great Billy Tubbs and Pat Foster.
PA News
Works both ways. Who from Cal Baptist and Grand Canyon wants to buy a ticket to the see the crappy Lamar basketball team?
These things take time. When the Big Ten added Rutgers, did Northwestern and Iowa fans get excited about seeing Rutgers on their schedules?
As a Tarleton Alum and Lamar Alum I would say that fanbase is the main difference I see. Although Tarleton support seems small to likes of NMSU and etc., it is growing and excited about the future. Lamar seems to have zero fans attend or even care about the sports they provide. That in turn leads to lack of $$ from ticket sales and eventual Alumni donations. It really sucks too because there was initial excitement bringing football back with a new field house (which is really nice). It seems even the last two years in the SLC fan support just died.
(03-21-2022 11:43 AM)TexasTerror Wrote: [ -> ]Editorial seems to be misplaced.
Brings up the "good ole days" when Lamar basketball was a much different program (as was the Southland it was in at the time). Harps on the rough year that Lamar programs had going to the WAC (yes, MBB + FB had rough times) while making the step up.
He also takes a shot at the WAC which outside of McNeese, did the Lamar fans really care more about Southeastern or Northwestern than they do UTRGV or Tarleton, where they may actually know some students?
"Gone are old Southland Conference foes McNeese State, Southeastern Louisiana and Northwestern State. Sure, SFA and Sam Houston joined the WAC but who would want to buy a ticket to watch the Cardinals take on the likes of California Baptist, Grand Canyon, Dixie State, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and Tarleton State."
===
What is going on with my alma mater and its athletic program?
Being a proud 1990 Lamar University alumn, I sit around at times wondering what in the world is happening to a once-proud overall program.
I was fortunate growing up with the powerful Lamar basketball program, led by the late, great Billy Tubbs and Pat Foster.
PA News
Considering how much Lamar fans complain about the WAC move, I’d guess they would rather play the Louisiana schools. I’ve heard fans complain about it more than once. Got to keep in mind how close they are in both proximity and culture to the Louisiana schools. If I was an LU fan, I’d probably rather them play McNeese, Southeastern and Northwestern State too. Quite honestly I’d rather have that for Sam too, but the competitive upgrade obviously outweighs the benefits of the SLC.
Things were WAC-ky for Lamar Athletics long before making the move to the WAC. The increased level of competition just makes it seem worse. If you look at the three major men's sports, Lamar hasn't hired a coach that was successful and left for what that coach perceived as a better job since Pat Foster in the early eighties. Football is on its third coach since restarting the program with both of the first two fired. Baseball had success in Gilligan's first stint but when he left to try his hand in professional ball his replacement was terrible. Gilligan was rehired a few years later but never had the same kind of success that he had the first time and since baseball isn't even considered that important Gilligan got to stay until he chose to retire. The current baseball coach appears to be improving but definitely isn't someone a bigger program is coming to steal any time soon. Basketball has had six or seven coaches since Foster left and none of them including Tubbs' second stint were better than mediocre. Again except for Tubbs retiring none left on their own accord. I don't know if the problem starts with the Athletic Director or if there is some group in the academic side of the University or in the big donor level that have created roadblocks to Lamar getting a good hire,
(03-21-2022 01:32 PM)DoubleRSU Wrote: [ -> ]Works both ways. Who from Cal Baptist and Grand Canyon wants to buy a ticket to the see the crappy Lamar basketball team?
These things take time. When the Big Ten added Rutgers, did Northwestern and Iowa fans get excited about seeing Rutgers on their schedules?
No, but they didn't mind all the extra cash Rutgers brought with them.
Especially with Sam leaving, and no chance for FBS WAC Football, the WAC makes zero sense for Lamar (and honestly SFA, but at least SFA gets the benefit of a better basketball league, for now)
(03-21-2022 03:43 PM)dbackjon Wrote: [ -> ] (03-21-2022 01:32 PM)DoubleRSU Wrote: [ -> ]Works both ways. Who from Cal Baptist and Grand Canyon wants to buy a ticket to the see the crappy Lamar basketball team?
These things take time. When the Big Ten added Rutgers, did Northwestern and Iowa fans get excited about seeing Rutgers on their schedules?
No, but they didn't mind all the extra cash Rutgers brought with them.
I guess. Fans do not receive any portion of money that a school gets from TV. Fans are charged more money for tickets when a school is successful. Not sure how more money benefits fans.
(03-21-2022 03:45 PM)dbackjon Wrote: [ -> ]Especially with Sam leaving, and no chance for FBS WAC Football, the WAC makes zero sense for Lamar (and honestly SFA, but at least SFA gets the benefit of a better basketball league, for now)
Better league. New Southland is absolutely horrible. Lamar and some other WAC schools were dreaming when they bring up FBS football.
Sounds as though it makes no sense at all. I wonder if anyone said that when they were in the process of joining. I should scan thru some old posts and see if anyone said that at that time.
Competitively, Lamar probably could have won a game or two in Southland basketball this year.
(03-21-2022 09:38 PM)Todor Wrote: [ -> ]Sounds as though it makes no sense at all. I wonder if anyone said that when they were in the process of joining. I should scan thru some old posts and see if anyone said that at that time.
Competitively, Lamar probably could have won a game or two in Southland basketball this year.
Although Lamar has problems, they should have won some games this year, even with all the illness and injuries they had. Mostly from Lamar fans you hear a lot of complaining, that will go away when they start winning again. I don't believe Lamar had enough players who were more interested in the team winning than they were in their individual stats, plus none of the young big men were talented enough to come in and really compete. I for one am happy with Lamar getting out of the Southland.
(03-21-2022 03:45 PM)dbackjon Wrote: [ -> ]Especially with Sam leaving, and no chance for FBS WAC Football, the WAC makes zero sense for Lamar (and honestly SFA, but at least SFA gets the benefit of a better basketball league, for now)
SFA and UTA used to be pretty bitter basketball rivals in the early 2000’s. The SLC minus McNeese is a terrible conference right now. Even without Sam, it makes perfect sense for the ‘jacks and Cardinals right now.
(03-22-2022 05:41 PM)FoUTASportscaster Wrote: [ -> ] (03-21-2022 03:45 PM)dbackjon Wrote: [ -> ]Especially with Sam leaving, and no chance for FBS WAC Football, the WAC makes zero sense for Lamar (and honestly SFA, but at least SFA gets the benefit of a better basketball league, for now)
SFA and UTA used to be pretty bitter basketball rivals in the early 2000’s. The SLC minus McNeese is a terrible conference right now. Even without Sam, it makes perfect sense for the ‘jacks and Cardinals right now.
McNeese finished 7th in the 8 team league this year. They’re terrible too.
(03-22-2022 06:21 PM)DoubleRSU Wrote: [ -> ] (03-22-2022 05:41 PM)FoUTASportscaster Wrote: [ -> ] (03-21-2022 03:45 PM)dbackjon Wrote: [ -> ]Especially with Sam leaving, and no chance for FBS WAC Football, the WAC makes zero sense for Lamar (and honestly SFA, but at least SFA gets the benefit of a better basketball league, for now)
SFA and UTA used to be pretty bitter basketball rivals in the early 2000’s. The SLC minus McNeese is a terrible conference right now. Even without Sam, it makes perfect sense for the ‘jacks and Cardinals right now.
McNeese finished 7th in the 8 team league this year. They’re terrible too.
Perhaps he meant in football, more generally?
I don’t see the WAC having any appeal for Lamar right now. I don’t know what a good course of action might be because their leaving the Southland played a part of making it the weaker and less appealing conference it has become. Ironic.
It would be kind of funny is SH, SFA and Lamar all ended up in different conferences and all traveling a lot more.
(03-22-2022 07:36 PM)Todor Wrote: [ -> ] (03-22-2022 06:21 PM)DoubleRSU Wrote: [ -> ] (03-22-2022 05:41 PM)FoUTASportscaster Wrote: [ -> ] (03-21-2022 03:45 PM)dbackjon Wrote: [ -> ]Especially with Sam leaving, and no chance for FBS WAC Football, the WAC makes zero sense for Lamar (and honestly SFA, but at least SFA gets the benefit of a better basketball league, for now)
SFA and UTA used to be pretty bitter basketball rivals in the early 2000’s. The SLC minus McNeese is a terrible conference right now. Even without Sam, it makes perfect sense for the ‘jacks and Cardinals right now.
McNeese finished 7th in the 8 team league this year. They’re terrible too.
Perhaps he meant in football, more generally?
I don’t see the WAC having any appeal for Lamar right now. I don’t know what a good course of action might be because their leaving the Southland played a part of making it the weaker and less appealing conference it has become. Ironic.
It would be kind of funny is SH, SFA and Lamar all ended up in different conferences and all traveling a lot more.
McNeese football hasn’t been good since 2017..
(03-22-2022 06:21 PM)DoubleRSU Wrote: [ -> ] (03-22-2022 05:41 PM)FoUTASportscaster Wrote: [ -> ] (03-21-2022 03:45 PM)dbackjon Wrote: [ -> ]Especially with Sam leaving, and no chance for FBS WAC Football, the WAC makes zero sense for Lamar (and honestly SFA, but at least SFA gets the benefit of a better basketball league, for now)
SFA and UTA used to be pretty bitter basketball rivals in the early 2000’s. The SLC minus McNeese is a terrible conference right now. Even without Sam, it makes perfect sense for the ‘jacks and Cardinals right now.
McNeese finished 7th in the 8 team league this year. They’re terrible too.
Cool, one season. Great analysis.
As for the rest of us, they have a history, budget and facilities no one else in the SLC does.
(03-22-2022 11:21 PM)FoUTASportscaster Wrote: [ -> ] (03-22-2022 06:21 PM)DoubleRSU Wrote: [ -> ] (03-22-2022 05:41 PM)FoUTASportscaster Wrote: [ -> ] (03-21-2022 03:45 PM)dbackjon Wrote: [ -> ]Especially with Sam leaving, and no chance for FBS WAC Football, the WAC makes zero sense for Lamar (and honestly SFA, but at least SFA gets the benefit of a better basketball league, for now)
SFA and UTA used to be pretty bitter basketball rivals in the early 2000’s. The SLC minus McNeese is a terrible conference right now. Even without Sam, it makes perfect sense for the ‘jacks and Cardinals right now.
McNeese finished 7th in the 8 team league this year. They’re terrible too.
Cool, one season. Great analysis.
As for the rest of us, they have a history, budget and facilities no one else in the SLC does.
McNeese hasn’t had a winning season since 2011-12, when they were a whole 1 game above .500. Going 10 years without a winning season, what do you call that?
Pretty good analysis on my part.
Again, that’s with Sam, SFA, Lamar, ACU, etc. Their budget dwarfs other SLC left behinds. On MBB, they have four regular season championships and eight runner-ups. They appeared in the NCAA twice and NIT three times. In FB, they have 14 regular season championships and appeared the 17 NCAA tourneys.In WBB, they have 2 championships, two runner ups and been to the NCAA’s twice. In BB, they have four regular season championships, runner up three times and made four NCAA’s. In SB they have six regular season titles, five runner ups and been to the NCAA’s 7 times. Lastly, in women’s soccer, they have one regular season crown, two second place finishes and 1 NCAA.
I picked the seven team sports the Cowboys offer. Now some of this numbers aren’t huge, but they are larger than virtually every other team in the SLC, with an exception here and there. They are a football first school, but have history that other schools don’t. Couple that with the higher budget than most other SLC schools and you’ll see that McNeese is the best school in the Southland.
I didn’t say McNeese was a powerhouse, that the WAC should get them nor the Cowboys were household names.
Now go back to your Starbucks and CHAZ and leave SLC talk to the locals.
(03-23-2022 01:47 PM)FoUTASportscaster Wrote: [ -> ]Again, that’s with Sam, SFA, Lamar, ACU, etc. Their budget dwarfs other SLC left behinds. On MBB, they have four regular season championships and eight runner-ups. They appeared in the NCAA twice and NIT three times. In FB, they have 14 regular season championships and appeared the 17 NCAA tourneys.In WBB, they have 2 championships, two runner ups and been to the NCAA’s twice. In BB, they have four regular season championships, runner up three times and made four NCAA’s. In SB they have six regular season titles, five runner ups and been to the NCAA’s 7 times. Lastly, in women’s soccer, they have one regular season crown, two second place finishes and 1 NCAA.
I picked the seven team sports the Cowboys offer. Now some of this numbers aren’t huge, but they are larger than virtually every other team in the SLC, with an exception here and there. They are a football first school, but have history that other schools don’t. Couple that with the higher budget than most other SLC schools and you’ll see that McNeese is the best school in the Southland.
I didn’t say McNeese was a powerhouse, that the WAC should get them nor the Cowboys were household names.
Now go back to your Starbucks and CHAZ and leave SLC talk to the locals.
McNeese > Seattle
(03-23-2022 01:50 PM)Itinerant Texan Wrote: [ -> ] (03-23-2022 01:47 PM)FoUTASportscaster Wrote: [ -> ]Again, that’s with Sam, SFA, Lamar, ACU, etc. Their budget dwarfs other SLC left behinds. On MBB, they have four regular season championships and eight runner-ups. They appeared in the NCAA twice and NIT three times. In FB, they have 14 regular season championships and appeared the 17 NCAA tourneys.In WBB, they have 2 championships, two runner ups and been to the NCAA’s twice. In BB, they have four regular season championships, runner up three times and made four NCAA’s. In SB they have six regular season titles, five runner ups and been to the NCAA’s 7 times. Lastly, in women’s soccer, they have one regular season crown, two second place finishes and 1 NCAA.
I picked the seven team sports the Cowboys offer. Now some of this numbers aren’t huge, but they are larger than virtually every other team in the SLC, with an exception here and there. They are a football first school, but have history that other schools don’t. Couple that with the higher budget than most other SLC schools and you’ll see that McNeese is the best school in the Southland.
I didn’t say McNeese was a powerhouse, that the WAC should get them nor the Cowboys were household names.
Now go back to your Starbucks and CHAZ and leave SLC talk to the locals.
McNeese > Seattle
Metro State > Tarleton State
Academy of Art > Tarleton State