In case you didn't get this in an email.

Quote:
Happy Holidays & Thank You!

Dear Rocket Friends,

As we head into the holiday season, I would like to take a moment to share a few thoughts with you.

First, as always, I want to say thank you for supporting the Rockets. Whether you are an alumnus, a season ticket holder, support our programs financially, or just love the Midnight Blue & Gold, we appreciate you. We are proud of the student-athletes, coaches, administrators and supporters that help make The University of Toledo athletics program one of the best in the Mid-American Conference. We all share in the many successes of our teams and the pride we feel as Rockets.

Likewise, I think we all share in the disappointments of our teams. For example, it was a very difficult day for us on December 8th when we learned our football team would not be invited to a bowl game this year. Certainly many arguments could have been made in our favor over some other programs that were selected. But the selections are made by others and we have no control over that. All we can do is accept it and begin preparing for next season.

As for the 2020 season, I can assure you that Head Coach Jason Candle and our team will be highly motivated each and every day between now and our season opener at Tulsa on Sept. 5. Absolutely no one was more disappointed in the outcome of the season than Coach Candle, and no one will be more driven to work toward the success of next year’s squad. In the past four seasons as the leader of our football program, Coach Candle has led teams that have won 33 games, more than any other MAC school. We won a MAC Championship in 2017 and have been in the thick of the conference race every year under his leadership. Just as importantly, he has recruited high-quality young men and has been a positive factor in their lives, helping them to excel in the classroom and encouraging their volunteerism in our community. There is no doubt in my mind that under his leadership we will come back more focused than ever next fall.

In the meantime, there is much to look forward to this winter and spring. Head Coach Tod Kowalczyk’s men’s basketball team is off to a great start. The Rockets were once again picked to win the MAC West Division this year, and based on our play so far in non-conference play it’s easy to see why. We are loaded with the experience, talent and leadership that should make us a major factor in the MAC race this season. On the women’s side, Head Coach Tricia Cullop’s team is young but definitely has the potential to become one of the better teams in the MAC. Don’t be surprised if the Rockets are in the hunt come tournament time next March. We are also excited about all of our sports that will be competing for MAC titles in 2020, including our defending MAC champion softball team under Head Coach Joe Abraham. We also have two new head coaches – Rob Reinstetle in baseball and Andrea Grove-McDonough in women’s track & field – that are bringing great energy into their programs. We hope you will be able to join us and cheer on all of our Rocket teams throughout the entire school year!

Let me conclude by noting that the holidays are not only a good time to be with friends and family, they also provide an opportunity to reflect on the many blessings in our lives. On behalf of The University of Toledo Department of Athletics, I would like once again to share our many thanks for everything you do for us. We are truly blessed to have you as part of Rocket Nation!

Have a happy and safe holiday season!

MOB

Were they (he left out the coaches other than Candle) not motivated everyday between this time last year and the start of this season? Nothing explained.

I don't know. Letter kind of blah but I wouldn't have suggestions on what could have been written differently so, peanut gallery and all that.

(12-16-2019 05:43 PM)RangerRocket Wrote:  In case you didn't get this in an email.

Quote:
Happy Holidays & Thank You!

Dear Rocket Friends,

As we head into the holiday season, I would like to take a moment to share a few thoughts with you.

First, as always, I want to say thank you for supporting the Rockets. Whether you are an alumnus, a season ticket holder, support our programs financially, or just love the Midnight Blue & Gold, we appreciate you. We are proud of the student-athletes, coaches, administrators and supporters that help make The University of Toledo athletics program one of the best in the Mid-American Conference. We all share in the many successes of our teams and the pride we feel as Rockets.

Likewise, I think we all share in the disappointments of our teams. For example, it was a very difficult day for us on December 8th when we learned our football team would not be invited to a bowl game this year. Certainly many arguments could have been made in our favor over some other programs that were selected. But the selections are made by others and we have no control over that. All we can do is accept it and begin preparing for next season.

As for the 2020 season, I can assure you that Head Coach Jason Candle and our team will be highly motivated each and every day between now and our season opener at Tulsa on Sept. 5. Absolutely no one was more disappointed in the outcome of the season than Coach Candle, and no one will be more driven to work toward the success of next year’s squad. In the past four seasons as the leader of our football program, Coach Candle has led teams that have won 33 games, more than any other MAC school. We won a MAC Championship in 2017 and have been in the thick of the conference race every year under his leadership. Just as importantly, he has recruited high-quality young men and has been a positive factor in their lives, helping them to excel in the classroom and encouraging their volunteerism in our community. There is no doubt in my mind that under his leadership we will come back more focused than ever next fall.

In the meantime, there is much to look forward to this winter and spring. Head Coach Tod Kowalczyk’s men’s basketball team is off to a great start. The Rockets were once again picked to win the MAC West Division this year, and based on our play so far in non-conference play it’s easy to see why. We are loaded with the experience, talent and leadership that should make us a major factor in the MAC race this season. On the women’s side, Head Coach Tricia Cullop’s team is young but definitely has the potential to become one of the better teams in the MAC. Don’t be surprised if the Rockets are in the hunt come tournament time next March. We are also excited about all of our sports that will be competing for MAC titles in 2020, including our defending MAC champion softball team under Head Coach Joe Abraham. We also have two new head coaches – Rob Reinstetle in baseball and Andrea Grove-McDonough in women’s track & field – that are bringing great energy into their programs. We hope you will be able to join us and cheer on all of our Rocket teams throughout the entire school year!

Let me conclude by noting that the holidays are not only a good time to be with friends and family, they also provide an opportunity to reflect on the many blessings in our lives. On behalf of The University of Toledo Department of Athletics, I would like once again to share our many thanks for everything you do for us. We are truly blessed to have you as part of Rocket Nation!

Have a happy and safe holiday season!

MOB

My reply to MOB's email...

Merry Christmas Mike. You, coaches, staff and student athletes are doing an amazing job. Disappointments are part of life. The key is to learn and grow from them. I know that will happen. Keep the class and classroom front and center at UT! Go Rockets!!!!

(12-16-2019 06:44 PM)eastisbest Wrote:  Were they (he left out the coaches other than Candle) not motivated everyday between this time last year and the start of this season? Nothing explained.

I don't know. Letter kind of blah but I wouldn't have suggestions on what could have been written differently so, peanut gallery and all that.

A Howdy Doody/Buffalo Bob reference, nice!

I had emailed MOB before the bowl announcements and explained that 6-6 was not Toledo football and Candle should be looked at with a lot of eyes next year.

He responded that Candle is on top of this, whether I believe it or not.

He must have gotten a number of emails to have sent the main email.