http://www.bgdailynews.com/articles/2007...ports3.txt

Unselfish seniors step up
Eight Hilltoppers decide to redshirt upcoming season

By NORM HANEY, The Daily News, nhaney@bgdailynews.com

There are many attributes that accompany being a leader, but none are as admirable as the ability to be unselfish.

During Thanksgiving break last year, Western Kentucky coach David Elson put eight of his seniors to the ultimate test. With the Hilltoppers transitioning from I-AA football to I-A over the next two seasons, Elson presented the players with the opportunity to finish their careers this fall or redshirt and come back for the 2008 season.

Curtis Hamilton, Greg Ryan, Marion Rumph, Dusty Bear, Bo Smith, Brandon Mason, Tanner Siewert and Zach Thuney had to decide on how they wanted to end their collegiate careers, and all returned ready to sacrifice an entire year - not only to improving themselves, but helping their teammates get ready for the upcoming season.

Wow. I like this strategy. Its going to suck this fall... but with more Sunbelt teams coming to BG in 2008, THE GLORY WILL BE OURS.

I kinda like this strategy by Elson and I LOVE the leadership the SENIORS have shown for our team. If our schedule is going to suck anyway, why not allow a few of of better players/leaders skip this season and come back when we have a very difficult mostly FBS schedule. Now I know they will be around and in practices and the like which should help the younger ones develop a bit quicker and allow us to have better depth next season at some crucial positions. It could only be of benefit for the 208 damn-near 1-A schedule. Comments?

I kinda like this strategy by Elson and I LOVE the leadership the SENIORS have shown for our team. If our schedule is going to suck anyway, why not allow a few of of better players/leaders skip this season and come back when we have a very difficult mostly FBS schedule.

Exactly.

Now I know they will be around and in practices and the like which should help the younger ones develop a bit quicker and allow us to have better depth next season at some crucial positions. It could only be of benefit for the 208 damn-near 1-A schedule. Comments?

Absolutely. Drawbacks... I think this year is going to be very, very long. And we are in serious danger of losing at home to EKU.

Hilltopper2K Wrote:Absolutely. Drawbacks... I think this year is going to be very, very long. And we are in serious danger of losing at home to EKU.

I hope that Elson has learned his lesson enough to where he KNOWS that this game is the most crucial one on our schedule! If not he will not (and SHOULD) not be the Hilltopper coach after that point.

If EKU doesn't beat us this year... they never will again.

Every WKU football coach from now on should have it written in thier contract that losing to EKU is grounds for termination.

Hilltopper2K Wrote:Every WKU football coach from now on should have it written in thier contract that losing to EKU is grounds for termination.

I agree 100%. I also think it should be in every WKU basketball coach's contract if they don't win the SunBelt tourney and make it to the NCAA's at minimum every other year in one of the worst hoops conferences in the nation that it should be grounds for termination. ;-)

I agree 100%. I also think it should be in every WKU basketball coach's contract if they don't win the SunBelt tourney and make it to the NCAA's at minimum every other year in one of the worst hoops conferences in the nation that it should be grounds for termination.

Money, I know you're just teasing but just hang on man! Look at the three star recruits that are coming here because of Horn! He will not lose forever if he keeps recruiting like this!

Our basketball team reminds of La Layfayette of the late 90's and early 00's. They had good competitive teams for years (always duking it out with New Mexico St out in the west) but they never could seem to climb the hump. Then one year they finally break through and win three in a row. Of course Hilltopper fans would have fired Evans way before he ever won his first Sunbelt title. ;-) Just something to think about.