redbirddad10
Member
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2017
- Messages
- 145
I'm a dad of a player from the 2014 Team, I just watched the first installment of this seasons "The Next Step". During the episode Coach Spack says:"They picked you Fifth!?!?" in reference to MVC Coaches poll that picked the Birds 5th in the Conference. As Coach points out, the 2014 Team was picked fifth in the MVC Pre Season poll too. It made me reflect on the 2014 Team and what a Special Team looks like from the perspective of a former Athlete, Coach, Fan, Dad? What made the 2014 Team special from my perspective and why I see a lot of the same things in this Team.
As a former College Athlete, when all is said and done your left with the satisfaction of doing your best or the regret of not taking advantage of opportunities you've been given. Do your job to the best of your ability, whatever it is. Then you get to live with more satisfaction and less regret. Regardless of the outcome, I don't think too many people would say the 2014 Team left much on the field. They left it all on the field and can be proud of that Season and the first trip for ISU to the FCS Championship game.
As a Coach, I will tell you, this is the your Team. You get to play for maybe four college teams. Look at the guys in the Locker Room and realize those are the only Teammates you are ever going to have. I know you are all competitive young men, a room full of competitive young men usually has strife. That's OK, work it out. Remember all you have is each other. No one is coming to save your Team, make your teammates better, make you better! You will determine the 2017 Teams fate.
As a Fan, the one thing I noticed that impressed me was every time the 2014 team talked to the media they had each others back. At first it sounded like the players were just saying things Players are taught to say to the media. But I remember after a home game, a few games into the Season, listening to the post game Interviews and thinking; "These guys really mean it!" I heard the respect they had for their teammates as well as the recognition of "This is Our Team.These are my Teammates, I'VE GOT TO DO ALL I CAN TO MAKE THIS TEAM BETTER!"
I knew a lot of players on that 2014 team. Lots of guys sacrificed for the season to be successful. I knew players who didn't play as much as they thought they should. I knew players who changed position Senior Year to help the team. I know players who put Pro Careers on the line and played with major injuries to make the team successful. I knew some players knew they had to step up and play bigger roles then they ever had before. I'm sure guys weren't happy from time to time. I'm sure there were guys who didn't get it. There always are. But most did get it and it showed.
I have followed a lot of the Seniors and Upperclassmen on this Team. You have the same feel. All I can say is "Ride or Die, my friends", this team is all you've got and all your ever going to have.
Lastly, I want to say to each of you as a Dad, whether your Dad has been part of your life or hasn't, whether he tells you he's proud of you or just can't seem to say the right thing, I can tell you; he's proud of you. You should be proud of what you have accomplished. Your playing for a great program and been part of putting ISU Football on the map. You play in the toughest Conference in FCS. No one can take that from you.
So, 2017 Team, the question is what are you going to do? Are you walking away soaked in satisfaction or coated with regret? Best of luck, we are rooting for you. Go Birds!
As a former College Athlete, when all is said and done your left with the satisfaction of doing your best or the regret of not taking advantage of opportunities you've been given. Do your job to the best of your ability, whatever it is. Then you get to live with more satisfaction and less regret. Regardless of the outcome, I don't think too many people would say the 2014 Team left much on the field. They left it all on the field and can be proud of that Season and the first trip for ISU to the FCS Championship game.
As a Coach, I will tell you, this is the your Team. You get to play for maybe four college teams. Look at the guys in the Locker Room and realize those are the only Teammates you are ever going to have. I know you are all competitive young men, a room full of competitive young men usually has strife. That's OK, work it out. Remember all you have is each other. No one is coming to save your Team, make your teammates better, make you better! You will determine the 2017 Teams fate.
As a Fan, the one thing I noticed that impressed me was every time the 2014 team talked to the media they had each others back. At first it sounded like the players were just saying things Players are taught to say to the media. But I remember after a home game, a few games into the Season, listening to the post game Interviews and thinking; "These guys really mean it!" I heard the respect they had for their teammates as well as the recognition of "This is Our Team.These are my Teammates, I'VE GOT TO DO ALL I CAN TO MAKE THIS TEAM BETTER!"
I knew a lot of players on that 2014 team. Lots of guys sacrificed for the season to be successful. I knew players who didn't play as much as they thought they should. I knew players who changed position Senior Year to help the team. I know players who put Pro Careers on the line and played with major injuries to make the team successful. I knew some players knew they had to step up and play bigger roles then they ever had before. I'm sure guys weren't happy from time to time. I'm sure there were guys who didn't get it. There always are. But most did get it and it showed.
I have followed a lot of the Seniors and Upperclassmen on this Team. You have the same feel. All I can say is "Ride or Die, my friends", this team is all you've got and all your ever going to have.
Lastly, I want to say to each of you as a Dad, whether your Dad has been part of your life or hasn't, whether he tells you he's proud of you or just can't seem to say the right thing, I can tell you; he's proud of you. You should be proud of what you have accomplished. Your playing for a great program and been part of putting ISU Football on the map. You play in the toughest Conference in FCS. No one can take that from you.
So, 2017 Team, the question is what are you going to do? Are you walking away soaked in satisfaction or coated with regret? Best of luck, we are rooting for you. Go Birds!
