A few thoughts on President Curtis

[Bally #50]

I was fortunate to have 10 minutes or so with our new President, Dr. Curtis last night. First of all, she was as easy to talk with as anyone could hope for. She had been meeting people for more than hour when I got to talk to her and there was no sign she was tiring out. Judging the group in attendance, I doubt she had too many conversation about sports as we did. After we exchanged hellos and introduced ourselves, I commented I hope you like sports, particularly football! She immediately said that she and her husband love sports. Her husband Lynn in fact, coached basketball at Paris High School years ago. I've since read that she coached some herself when she taught at the secondary level. They had University of Illinois basketball season tickets for a long time as well. Her first comment was she didn't like the fact that the stadium was a few miles away from campus and she has been reminded of that by many since arriving. She mentioned all the land down by the track and field stadium and even commented that a football field would fit right in the middle of the track. I moaned as I always do when they mention a combined stadium, and quickly commented that personally I prefer a separate field because the seats have to be quite a bit farther from the football field. She just smiled and said we'll have to find a way to do something. She then talked about a bridge or tunnel that has to be built over or under Third Street first, which is exactly what Dr. Bradley had told me once. She sounded like someone who feels sports are important to the University. (Note: HUGE sigh of relief). I hope I stated everything she said correctly because I really am impressed by her and I feel like she is going to be very special. I got an immediate good vibe from her and she was so well-spoken yet so easy to chat with. I turned to my girlfriend and said WHOA, I like her!

I knew I was going to have a chance to meet her but I had no idea how nice she was going to be. I'd say we hired a great President and for you guys on Sycamore Pride, I hope this adds some insight into her opinion on sports. It was then on to Hulman Center for the worst basketball game I have seen them play in years. It went from great to crappy very fast. I guess i'll have to take the good with the bad.

 

[SycamoreStateofMind]

Hahaha the football field and the track conversion. Eat shit. Not you - just generally anyone reading this.

Look up the 20+ posts where I made that very same argument over the course of 5 years and was basically shot down by most here every time. Big fans of Memorial Stadium and the same ole shit I guess. Understand who/what you are and find a way.

Now I’m fully in support (again I should add) of dropping the program completely because of the lack of vision and commitment to the program.

 

[Bally #50]

Hahaha the football field and the track conversion. Eat shit. Not you - just generally anyone reading this.

Look up the 20+ posts where I made that very same argument over the course of 5 years and was basically shot down by most here every time. Big fans of Memorial Stadium and the same ole shit I guess. Understand who/what you are and find a way.

Now I’m fully in support (again I should add) of dropping the program completely because of the lack of vision and commitment to the program.

I have always argued about having a separate stadium for football, since day one. Dr. B. favored a FB stadium over by the river too. I guess that is proof that you quit reading my stuff long ago. I am not sure I like ANY response of my thoughts and opinions, that opens with EAT SHIT! SSOM, I used to admire most everything you wrote but after reading this response, it's so out there that I am not even sure what you are yapping about. If you don't want football, it is what it is, but I sure as hell do not agree with that! Believe me, football is going nowhere so if you really want it gone, I guess we are stuck listening to complaints from you forever. Lord help us all if you end up a poor, sad BS who NEVER has a positive thing to say. I will never see us having a "homecoming" at a basketball game. State is too traditional for that.

 

[BankShot]

...I guess we are stuck listening to complaints from you forever. Lord help us all if you end up a poor, sad BS who NEVER has a positive thing to say...

Is this a tape recording? Some things never change. Now I understand why you & GL see "eye to eye," as we rapidly approach the conclusion of his 4th straight losing season.

 

[SycamoreStateofMind]

I have always argued about having a separate stadium for football, since day one. Dr. B. favored a FB stadium over by the river too. I guess that is proof that you quit reading my stuff long ago. I am not sure I like ANY response of my thoughts and opinions, that opens with EAT SHIT! SSOM, I used to admire most everything you wrote but after reading this response, it's so out there that I am not even sure what you are yapping about. If you don't want football, it is what it is, but I sure as hell do not agree with that! Believe me, football is going nowhere so if you really want it gone, I guess we are stuck listening to complaints from you forever. Lord help us all if you end up a poor, sad BS who NEVER has a positive thing to say. I will never see us having a "homecoming" at a basketball game. State is too traditional for that.

You musta missed the part about that comment not being directed at you - just a general outburst of emotion. But take it personally if you wish...

 

[Bally #50]

Talk abut "sad and poor BS"...all you do Bally, is get on here and "cry." Get a life...and maybe a jar of "Chia 'Nads" to keep you busy.

Surely you jest. The only negative comments I have made in months, is about the atmosphere in Hulman Center. My guess there is NO controversy there since virtually ALL of us feel that way. Are you saying that I am going overboard there with a few negative comments about cheerleaders? Safe to say that you are losing your objectivity. How negative was this thread on our new president? Go take a nap, BS.

 

[SycamoreStateofMind]

You want to keep football but having a combined facility on campus is a terrible idea - it just doesn’t add up. You’re in denial about our financial situation and you’re putting your own wants above the logic thing for our University.

Sure - I’d love it for football to have a stand-alone facility too. That shit ain’t happening and the sooner ya’all come to terms with that the sooner we can actually talk about real solutions.

 

[Bally #50]

You want to keep football but having a combined facility on campus is a terrible idea - it just doesn’t add up. You’re in denial about our financial situation and you’re putting your own wants above the logic thing for our University.

Sure - I’d love it for football to have a stand-alone facility too. That shit ain’t happening and the sooner ya’all come to terms with that the sooner we can actually talk about real solutions.

I didn't miss the part about it not being directed at me, but sarcasm carries a lot of weight around here lately and besides, I do take things personally, especially from you.

As for the stadium, we still are talking a decade, maybe a little less, to build, so I am not talking NOW, by any means. We need to wait out for sure, any decision that comes about the non Power-5 schools, FCS and weak FBS from the NCAA before ANYTHING happens. Let's be real, if you build 12,000 seats at the soccer/track field, or 12,000 seats on the banks of the Wabash, they cost the same SSOM. The ground is already owned so that's a wash. Soccer and track doesn't need 12,000 (we both wish it did but....?) so why not build too. It will be decided by the money, where it comes from and the financial status of ISU finances. A large contributor, likely will want a football stadium separate but that is conjecture.

That's not dreams, SSOM. It makes sense, but lots can happen between now and then. I still have a lot of respect for you, I just don't know why you decide I am clueless in all of this, because I am not.

 

[SycamoreStateofMind]

I didn't miss the part about it not being directed at me, but sarcasm carries a lot of weight around here lately and besides, I do take things personally, especially from you.

As for the stadium, we still are talking a decade, maybe a little less, to build, so I am not talking NOW, by any means. We need to wait out for sure, any decision that comes about the non Power-5 schools, FCS and weak FBS from the NCAA before ANYTHING happens. Let's be real, if you build 12,000 seats at the soccer field, or 12,000 seats on the banks of the Wabash, they cost the same SSOM. The ground is already owned so that's a wash. Soccer doesn't need 12,000 (we both wish it did but....?) so why not build too. It will be decided by the money, where it comes from and the financial status of ISU finances. A large contributor, likely will want a football stadium separate but that is conjecture.

That's not dreams, SSOM. It makes sense, but lots can happen between now and then. I still have a lot of respect for you, I just don't know why you decide I am clueless in all of this, because I am not.

It was what came to mind as I read what she had to say... I posted what came to mind at the time and actually stopped reading your post from that sentence on - I didn’t even see the part about your rebuttal about the multi use facility.

So my previous post addressed that part of your post having now read it. Which brings me back to my initial reaction and why I was so put off. I refuse to go down this road again - if anyone cares what I have to say they can search it.

 

[Bally #50]

Like it or not, she holds the key to EVERYTHING athletic at Indiana State and if you are not interested in her opinions about ISU sports, fine, but I was, and I think most on here are. She’s not even inaugurated yet but my gut feeling is quite favorable so far. We’ll see if i’m right in due time. It’s a start.

 

[SycamoreStateofMind]

Like it or not, she holds the key to EVERYTHING athletic at Indiana State and if you are not interested in her opinions about ISU sports, fine but I was and I think most on here are. She’s not even inaugurated yet but my gut feeling is quite favorable so far. We’ll see if i’m right in due time. It’s a start.

For goodnees sakes - I agreed with her opinion that the football field should have been a joint facility. Why are you so quickly jumping to conclusions? Other than that did I say anything directly or indirectly about what she had to say? Don’t put words in my mouth about the President of this University. She has my 100% backing and I very much respect with what she has to say. In fact - I quit reading when I agreed with what she had to say about our football/track facility. So where you’re coming up this other mess - I’ve not the slightest clue. But reading comprehension is probably pretty important.

If it makes you feel better - I think many appreciate the insight that you’ve so kindly shared with us tonight. So thank you.

 

[Bally #50]

Is this a tape recording? Some things never change. Now I understand why you & GL see "eye to eye," as we rapidly approach the conclusion of his 4th straight losing season.

I couldn’t lay this to bed yet without one more comment to you, Fred. “Some things never change” ??? Perception is not always fact. I’ve long had a rule to not speak negatively about coach because unlike you and others know the game so much better than I. You have NO IDEA what I would do if it was my decision to make — because I have never voiced that opinion, period. Like SSOM just said, maybe it’s an issue of reading comprehension. If you think I sit back and smile about how we’re playing and the dwindling support, you couldn’t be further from the truth. I just choose not to voice those opinions on this forum.

So like SSOM also said, don’t put words in my mouth unless you’ve heard them from me directly because so far, you have been less than correct.

 

[eagletree]

If the idea of having a stadium next to campus is to draw students to the game or increase attendance, just take a look at basketball. How is that working for us?

 

[bent20]

With football you kind of need a fresh start. That's where a new stadium sure wouldn't hurt. Come out in red and white and call yourselves the Wabbies or some stupid crap, we need to wipe the slate clean with football, if it's going to continue.

 

[eagletree]

I sure hope it does. We have had season basketball tickets for years but still love tailgating and going to football games. New stadium would be nice but if not improvements to Memorial need to be made. The grounds around Memorial are outstanding.

 

[sycamore tuff]

Hahaha the football field and the track conversion. Eat shit. Not you - just generally anyone reading this.

Look up the 20+ posts where I made that very same argument over the course of 5 years and was basically shot down by most here every time. Big fans of Memorial Stadium and the same ole shit I guess. Understand who/what you are and find a way.

Now I’m fully in support (again I should add) of dropping the program completely because of the lack of vision and commitment to the program.

Why would you want to drop track? They do ok. I know they don't generate much money but I wouldn't drop it.

 

[Fiji Bill 72]

I have not been reading Sycamore Pride on a regular basis, and looking at all of this back and forth, I understand why. Somehow, we took a wonderful comment about our new president and turned it into a battle of why our sports suck. As for Dr. Curtis, I had the honor of serving on the Illinois Teachers Certification Board with her when she was at Illinois State. You are correct; she is a wonderful person and will help to continue to make ISU shine.
What bothers me is that, sometimes, if someone puts out an opinion, it creates a war. When she said there was plenty of room on the river campus and that possibly using the track would be a start, I take that as a plus. Something is better than nothing. Would I prefer a stand alone, yes. But we have no one who is going to give us 20 or 30 million as seed money. I say, if she can get it done at the track stadium, great. Let's go Trees.

 

[SycamoreStateofMind]

Why would you want to drop track? They do ok. I know they don't generate much money but I wouldn't drop it.

DROP FOOTBALL...

NEVER Track - it's our best program.

The lack of vision and commitment applies to the football program at Indiana State. You build an on campus track and field facility and have the opportunity with prime real-estate to build a multi-use facility but they missed the boat, that ship has now sailed. We're left with what? Watch this.

Brand new lighting this past off season at Memorial Stadium - the current track has NO lighting.

A new field this off season - that very same field could have been put inside the current track.

It should also be noted that the current track also doesn't have much in the way of permanent seating. So you could have taken the same amount of investment that we made in putting band-aids on Memorial Stadium and put that toward a multi-use on campus facility. That would have shown a different level of commitment and forward thinking. But they didn't do that and now the new President goes "oh look at that space and what we could do with it"... It wasn't brain surgery. I loved her observation - I want us to have stand alone facilities just like the rest of you. It's not feasible - look how long it took us to finally renovate the HC and how hard we had to work for those dollars.

 

[Bally #50]

I have not been reading Sycamore Pride on a regular basis, and looking at all of this back and forth, I understand why. Somehow, we took a wonderful comment about our new president and turned it into a battle of why our sports suck.

AMEN! A man of reason there Bill and I certainly appreciate it. We were in school together so it shows it must be maturity that adds to reasonable thinking. I know that Bankshot was too so that's not a perfect theory however. Thanks again. I'm joining you in hiatus.

 

[Bally #50]

DROP FOOTBALL...

NEVER Track - it's our best program.

The lack of vision and commitment applies to the football program at Indiana State. You build an on campus track and field facility and have the opportunity with prime real-estate to build a multi-use facility but they missed the boat, that ship has now sailed. We're left with what? Watch this.

Brand new lighting this past off season at Memorial Stadium - the current track has NO lighting.

A new field this off season - that very same field could have been put inside the current track.

It should also be noted that the current track also doesn't have much in the way of permanent seating. So you could have taken the same amount of investment that we made in putting band-aids on Memorial Stadium and put that toward a multi-use on campus facility. That would have shown a different level of commitment and forward thinking. But they didn't do that and now the new President goes "oh look at that space and what we could do with it"... It wasn't brain surgery. I loved her observation - I want us to have stand alone facilities just like the rest of you. It's not feasible - look how long it took us to finally renovate the HC and how hard we had to work for those dollars.

Just a few quick comments for you, SSOM. Track IS our best program and has our best facility. Stands are in the plans and I am guessing the will arrive sooner than later. You want the stadium for football at the track to get the stands and lights. As I said before, the land over by the Wabash has room to build one for football and it's our property already or will be soon. The MUCH-NEEDED turf replacement can be moved to a new location. It is done all the time. By the time Memorial is closed, you'll have your OWN lights and stands at the track. We're talking 10 years before anything happens. All I said was that President Curtis talked about football and had the forethought to talk about the River Campus and that I thought she would be good for ISU and at least I was pleased with the selection. Fiji Bill is right, you young guys just want to fight. At least for now, I am done having these first-grade arguments.