Open Dates Posted

[fourthandshort]

Being 1-AA, Illinois State is always going to have to fight to be taken seriously as an athletic dept. Scheduling H&H with teams fresh out of D2 only serves to remind people of just what little progress Illinois State has made with its football program since 1887. There are other schools in Utah that more closely resemble what football programs they should be aligning themselves with, Dixie State College of VCR Repair is not one of them. Frankly, it's embarrassing.

something negative .. and youre back ... coincidence ??

so how did you feel about playoff performance ? And where were you the last 3 weeks during our strong playoff run ?

 

[TheTruth]

something negative .. and youre back ... coincidence??

When you look at the Illinois State football program in the macro sense, as I tend to do, there's very little to take comfort in.

so how did you feel about playoff performance ?

I felt that the team and the coach's (with the exception of some of the offensive play calling) did an outstanding job. It is possible to take pride in the players and coaches while being justifiably embarrassed in how the program is being run by those above them.

And where were you the last 3 weeks during our strong playoff run ?

Right here, understanding that there is so much more potential in the Illinois State football program than travelling to Cape Girardeau, Conway, or even for that matter, Fargo.

 

[Jon99]

Well at least we will never be the most out of whack fan base in the state.... LOL

Saw this from my friends over on the NIU board..

RE: DeKalb One Person Dead Two Wounded
(Today 02:32 PM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:
NIU (+ EIU/WIU) was fundamentally flawed when it was placed in DeKalb. The best thing NIU could've done is pull a Wake Forest and relocate to Naperville. Ditto WIU/Quad Cities and EIU too.

If NIU was able to move to Naperville to a campus that could enroll 25k, had a 50k seat stadium in 2013 NIU is in the B12, AAC at worst.

 

[redbirdfan04]

Obviously if you call yourself the Truth everything you say is just that! Amazing how people complain that we should be so much more and people running the program suck blah blah blah. Truth must have a PhD. in running college athletics. I mean it is so easy to just move from FCS to FBS and then to a power 5 school. Hopefully he applies to be the next AD with his amazing credentials of knowing how to move us up.

I want to point out again our school was for years a teaching and nursing school. Yes we have added many majors but we are not filled with alumni throwing out million dollar donations at athletics. Moving to FBS isn't going to magically bring in more donations. The MVFC is great football. I have more than enjoyed going to just about every game since I graduated in 04. Truth do you attend the games? Do you donate? I find it ridiculous that on the ISU message board you end each post with fire Larry Lyons. Have you ever sat down with Larry about ISU? If you have so much hate go cheer on another school.

 

[TheTruth]

Obviously if you call yourself the Truth everything you say is just that! Amazing how people complain that we should be so much more and people running the program suck blah blah blah. Truth must have a PhD. in running college athletics. I mean it is so easy to just move from FCS to FBS and then to a power 5 school. Hopefully he applies to be the next AD with his amazing credentials of knowing how to move us up.

I want to point out again our school was for years a teaching and nursing school. Yes we have added many majors but we are not filled with alumni throwing out million dollar donations at athletics. Moving to FBS isn't going to magically bring in more donations. The MVFC is great football. I have more than enjoyed going to just about every game since I graduated in 04. Truth do you attend the games? Do you donate? I find it ridiculous that on the ISU message board you end each post with fire Larry Lyons. Have you ever sat down with Larry about ISU? If you have so much hate go cheer on another school.

Wow! You certainly told me. That was adorable! Thanks for checking in Matt Lyons, we'll put you in the status-quo camp with the others.

 

[redbirdfan04]

Obviously if you call yourself the Truth everything you say is just that! Amazing how people complain that we should be so much more and people running the program suck blah blah blah. Truth must have a PhD. in running college athletics. I mean it is so easy to just move from FCS to FBS and then to a power 5 school. Hopefully he applies to be the next AD with his amazing credentials of knowing how to move us up.

I want to point out again our school was for years a teaching and nursing school. Yes we have added many majors but we are not filled with alumni throwing out million dollar donations at athletics. Moving to FBS isn't going to magically bring in more donations. The MVFC is great football. I have more than enjoyed going to just about every game since I graduated in 04. Truth do you attend the games? Do you donate? I find it ridiculous that on the ISU message board you end each post with fire Larry Lyons. Have you ever sat down with Larry about ISU? If you have so much hate go cheer on another school.

Wow! You certainly told me. That was adorable! Thanks for checking in Matt Lyons, we'll put you in the status-quo camp with the others.

So you are not able to respond to my questions? Why? If we are both fans of the same team explain why you are so angry. Matt Lyons, good one. Where is this camp of stauts-quo you speak of? And who is in it? So as I asked before, have you had a sit down conversation with Larry Lyons to find out how you can help? Do you donate? Do you attend games? Are you even a football fan or just here to stir the pot?

 

[TheTruth]

If we are both fans of the same team explain why you are so angry.

Matt, it's because I understand the potential of this program/university.

Where is this camp of stauts-quo you speak of?

McLean County

And who is in it?

Matt, it's people like yourself, Santa Cason, DWRedbird, Total Red, bb fan... I'm sorry but I'm sure I'm leaving some out

have you had a sit down conversation with Larry Lyons to find out how you can help?

Yes

Do you donate?

Yes

Do you attend games?

Yes

Are you even a football fan

Yes

 

[redbirdfan04]

If we are both fans of the same team explain why you are so angry.

Matt, it's because I understand the potential of this program/university.

Where is this camp of stauts-quo you speak of?

McLean County

And who is in it?

Matt, it's people like yourself, Santa Cason, DWRedbird, Total Red, bb fan... I'm sorry but I'm sure I'm leaving some out

have you had a sit down conversation with Larry Lyons to find out how you can help?

Yes

Do you donate?

Yes

Do you attend games?

Yes

Are you even a football fan

Yes

Truth, thank you for answering in such detail. I get it now. You are not capable of having a discussion with fans about ISU athletics without just being ignorant. It's all good, unfortunately I have to disagree with you on so many levels. You actually have no idea what the potential of the athletic programs are. I do not live in McLean county nice try. I'm glad we both donate as a fan it is the best thing we can do to help the athletics of ISU. I would like to know how this so called meeting with Larry went. In fact what is the potential you speak of? A team that made it to the quarter finals to lose to the NDSU is not good? As for the potential of the University, it is the best school in the country for education in my humble opinion. I have been in the field for many years and ISU grads are the best in the field by far.

What are you looking for in terms of football? Move to FBS? Power 5 conference? Saying we are better than playing in Fargo is quite a statement. I know you will come back calling me Matt or say something to the fact I'm blind to facts. If you truly are an ISU football fan a conversation would be interesting as I do like to hear what people have to say. I'm not sure how long you have been watching ISU football but the last decade has been the best in program history.

 

[fourthandshort]

https://fbschedules.com/dixie-state-adds-future-football-series-with-northern-iowa-illinois-state/

Dixie State home and home :

This is HUUUUUGE! Who needs to play Utah? Who needs to play Utah State? We landed Dixie State! We need to get Augustana on the phone and sign that contract the day they go D1! Way to go Larry! Way to shoot for the moon!

We play Illinois, Oklahoma and NIU the years we play Dixie State.

I don’t think Lyons is doing a good job in many areas, but future football scheduling isn’t one.

Santa ... please, no more double negatives .. I had to re-read your post 3 times before I was sure of what you said !!!

:mrgreen:

 

[fourthandshort]

something negative .. and youre back ... coincidence??

When you look at the Illinois State football program in the macro sense, as I tend to do, there's very little to take comfort in.

so how did you feel about playoff performance ?

I felt that the team and the coach's (with the exception of some of the offensive play calling) did an outstanding job. It is possible to take pride in the players and coaches while being justifiably embarrassed in how the program is being run by those above them.

And where were you the last 3 weeks during our strong playoff run ?

Right here, understanding that there is so much more potential in the Illinois State football program than travelling to Cape Girardeau, Conway, or even for that matter, Fargo.

so in the last 10 years, we have:

- hired Spack
- made playoffs 5 times
- had just 1 losing season
- regularly competing and ranking at top 10 level, granted laying an egg or two most years and falling short
- established a strong reputation in the best conference in FCS; defensive, and run game ... just a QB/pass game away from being top 10 program most years
- completely rebuilt the east side
- installed a state of art jumbotron scoreboard
- replaced the field turf

Might be missing couple items.

So dial the clock back 10 years and think about where the program was before all of the above happened. Not FBS, but would you say that is impressive considerinng where we were after finished 3-8 in 2008 ? And having never had any level of sustained success before Spack ?

Is that progress that should be applauded .. or no ??

 

[TheTruth]

so in the last 10 years, we have:

- hired Spack
- made playoffs 5 times
- had just 1 losing season
- regularly competing and ranking at top 10 level, granted laying an egg or two most years and falling short
- established a strong reputation in the best conference in FCS; defensive, and run game ... just a QB/pass game away from being top 10 program most years

As I've already said, It's possible to take pride in what the players & coaches have accomplished while at the same time being justifiably embarrassed by how the program is being run by those above them.

- completely rebuilt the east side (On the backs of students)
- installed a state of art jumbotron scoreboard (TBH, what school hasn't)
- replaced the field turf (that's really more of a maintenance issue that a facility upgrade, those things wear out)

So dial the clock back 10 years and think about where the program was before all of the above happened. Not FBS, but would you say that is impressive considerinng where we were after finished 3-8 in 2008 ? And having never had any level of sustained success before Spack ?

I applaud Spack's efforts and the hiring of Coach Spack by Larry's predecessor

Is that progress that should be applauded .. or no ??

Meh, golf clap, maybe

 

[DaveBird10]

so in the last 10 years, we have:

- hired Spack
- made playoffs 5 times
- had just 1 losing season
- regularly competing and ranking at top 10 level, granted laying an egg or two most years and falling short
- established a strong reputation in the best conference in FCS; defensive, and run game ... just a QB/pass game away from being top 10 program most years

As I've already said, It's possible to take pride in what the players & coaches have accomplished while at the same time being justifiably embarrassed by how the program is being run by those above them.

- completely rebuilt the east side (On the backs of students)
- installed a state of art jumbotron scoreboard (TBH, what school hasn't)
- replaced the field turf (that's really more of a maintenance issue that a facility upgrade, those things wear out)

So dial the clock back 10 years and think about where the program was before all of the above happened. Not FBS, but would you say that is impressive considerinng where we were after finished 3-8 in 2008 ? And having never had any level of sustained success before Spack ?

I applaud Spack's efforts and the hiring of Coach Spack by Larry's predecessor

Is that progress that should be applauded .. or no ??

Meh, golf clap, maybe

My question is why take your anger or whatever out on the current administration? ISU dropped the ball on what football could have been 50-60 years ago. Football is the best it's ever been at isu, if you cant enjoy that then Idk what to tell you!! If that's the case nothing will please you until isu is in a power 5 conference, there will always be a problem with where football is.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[Total Red]

Matt, it's people like yourself, Santa Cason, DWRedbird, Total Red, bb fan... I'm sorry but I'm sure I'm leaving some out

The goal here is a National Championship in football which is something that has never happened so it clearly isn't status quo.

 

[MadBird]

Why is anyone wasting their "breath" on this troll?? Pay no attention.

 

[TheTruth]

Why is anyone wasting their "breath" on this troll?? Pay no attention.

Agreed, I shouldn’t have responded to him.

 

[Birdswin]

Oh Goodness - I am fortunate in my job to travel a lot, primarily in Illinois, but also in the Midwest. I run into many ISU alums - almost with NO exceptions - the questions I get are: Why has ISU not moved up in Football? Why is the basketball team getting so bad from what it used to be?

Answer - An ineffective Board of Trustees when it comes to Athletics and Leadership that does not have the guts to take a risk in moving forward. They let Fear of Failure override and keep the status quo - which makes you actually fall behind without knowing. Then when it is pointed out - you get people like 04 who is total denial.

Yes, I donate and have for almost 30 years, I have season tickets in the double digits, I went to two road games this year, I hosted friends to watch all three playoff games - but, does not excuse inept leadership from the Administration in the past and present.

 

[Manchester Matt]

Oh Goodness - I am fortunate in my job to travel a lot, primarily in Illinois, but also in the Midwest. I run into many ISU alums - almost with NO exceptions - the questions I get are: Why has ISU not moved up in Football? Why is the basketball team getting so bad from what it used to be?

Answer - An ineffective Board of Trustees when it comes to Athletics and Leadership that does not have the guts to take a risk in moving forward. They let Fear of Failure override and keep the status quo - which makes you actually fall behind without knowing. Then when it is pointed out - you get people like 04 who is total denial.

Yes, I donate and have for almost 30 years, I have season tickets in the double digits, I went to two road games this year, I hosted friends to watch all three playoff games - but, does not excuse inept leadership from the Administration in the past and present.

Well said. I’m sure everyone here shares at least some bit of frustration over the lack of success on the field/court (there are exceptions), but more-so the vision to be a player at a higher level.

There are obvious changes that need to be made in the administration if this athletic program is going to rise to the level it should be.

 

[Total Red]

Oh Goodness - I am fortunate in my job to travel a lot, primarily in Illinois, but also in the Midwest. I run into many ISU alums - almost with NO exceptions - the questions I get are: Why has ISU not moved up in Football?

I had a job where I traveled a lot too and it was also primarily in Illinois but sometimes in the Midwest and beyond. I also talked to some alums and most of them did not go to FB games or donate to FB. If they still followed Illinois State athletics it was most likely to be basketball.

If our alumni base wanted football to move up then the Hancock Renovation was the perfect time. Nothing happened, it fell back on student fees to get it built. So I have a question for you and Truth. Where is this "potential" I've heard about for 20 years on this board? I've never seen it. It's actually just as you describe. A few blowhard alums standing around talking about moving up but nobody is donating in the numbers to make it happen. You'll blame the admins even though we had a President and AD that sounded the call to arms that we could be Kansas St. and we could build a beautiful stadium. We actually did get a very nice FCS-style stadium renovation but it wasn't built by the all-talk and no action alumni.
The fact is we play FCS football and compete for a FCS National Championship because that's the level the Illinois State community (Redbird Nation) has been willing to support. That's the real truth, sorry if you can't handle it.

 

[fourthandshort]

Oh Goodness - I am fortunate in my job to travel a lot, primarily in Illinois, but also in the Midwest. I run into many ISU alums - almost with NO exceptions - the questions I get are: Why has ISU not moved up in Football? Why is the basketball team getting so bad from what it used to be?

Answer - An ineffective Board of Trustees when it comes to Athletics and Leadership that does not have the guts to take a risk in moving forward. They let Fear of Failure override and keep the status quo - which makes you actually fall behind without knowing. Then when it is pointed out - you get people like 04 who is total denial.

Yes, I donate and have for almost 30 years, I have season tickets in the double digits, I went to two road games this year, I hosted friends to watch all three playoff games - but, does not excuse inept leadership from the Administration in the past and present.

I'll just point out the obvious difference between Birdswin and Truth posting thoughts like this ... Birdswin is obviously a fan and posts here regularly, thru thick and thin. Truth does not do this ... He only shows up for the negative stuff.

 

[MadBird]

Oh Goodness - I am fortunate in my job to travel a lot, primarily in Illinois, but also in the Midwest. I run into many ISU alums - almost with NO exceptions - the questions I get are: Why has ISU not moved up in Football?

I had a job where I traveled a lot too and it was also primarily in Illinois but sometimes in the Midwest and beyond. I also talked to some alums and most of them did not go to FB games or donate to FB. If they still followed Illinois State athletics it was most likely to be basketball.

If our alumni base wanted football to move up then the Hancock Renovation was the perfect time. Nothing happened, it fell back on student fees to get it built. So I have a question for you and Truth. Where is this "potential" I've heard about for 20 years on this board? I've never seen it. It's actually just as you describe. A few blowhard alums standing around talking about moving up but nobody is donating in the numbers to make it happen. You'll blame the admins even though we had a President and AD that sounded the call to arms that we could be Kansas St. and we could build a beautiful stadium. We actually did get a very nice FCS-style stadium renovation but it wasn't built by the all-talk and no action alumni.
The fact is we play FCS football and compete for a FCS National Championship because that's the level the Illinois State community (Redbird Nation) has been willing to support. That's the real truth, sorry if you can't handle it.

Amen brother (Total Red).

Birdwsin offers some critical comments and point of view, but it's NOT the snarky pompous BS some others toss around here.

I have to say, among my friends and family who attended ISU, I don't remember ever once being asked "why haven't they moved up?" Maybe they'd care if we played Appalachian St. or Southern MIss or Troy or Coastal Carolina. But I'd bet not.