The Post Wiedie Era

[Sycamore624]

We are now about 2.5 seasons since the Wiedie firing and getting ready to enter Coach Moren's 3rd full season at the helm. The Lady Sycamores program once a mainstay in the upper MVC standings and a just as good in the classrooms with 3 WBCA's National Team GPA Awards in Coach Wiedie's time have now in the past few seasons become a mid to lower level MVC team. Since the new staff the team has lost 5 players via transferring, quitting the team or being forced off the team including two double figure scoring starters. Now with these 5 there were some situations that have been discussed on here in other posts like injuries,playing time and so on but I still think 5 is a pretty significant number for a solid program. In the past 2.5 seasons we are 37-36 overall and 23-23 in the MVC.

What is everyone's honest opinion about the direction of the program and the new staff? I've personally talked to two of the players that have left on several occasions and have heard several stories that really concern me about the current staff. I'm not going to name names or go into details but it's not the kind of things that should be happening to ladies who have decided to commit to ISU and it's program. What's everyones thoughts? Is this a critical year for the staff? I know since Jim's depature we have lost some amazing talent in girls like Melanie Boeglin, Laura Rudolphi, and Kelsey Luna to name a few but that happens. We still have some talent on this team and I'm very interested to see what happens this season.

 

[Sycamore624]

No thoughts on this subject?

 

[blueblazer]

No thoughts on this subject?

I don't know Coach Moren. I did not believe her style of play would not fit in with past expectations. I did know Coach Weddle, both as a student and friend, his grandpa was a close friend of mine, I supported him for the Coaching position. I will not list all of the qualities that made me support him, rather just say I think ISU missed a great opportunity. I believe the program has and will continue to lose support. I have no problem with the firing of Jim Wiedie, oversight is the responsibility of the AD and he apparently had cause. I simply think we missed a tremendous opportunity when we passed on Clint Weddle.

 

[Bally #50]

Of all the situations in the state of Indiana State athletics, the women's basketball is the one I am most concerned about, and have been since Jim left. I always liked Jim and felt he was a friend so I was hurt when he was let go. After going back and forth on his firing, I sided with Ron Prettyman on that issue and moved on. Coach Moren, at the time, seemed to be a good fit and I was excited about her future at ISU but also knew that Jim was going to be a tough act to follow.

I am not too sure what it is about women's basketball and verbal and physical abuse between coaches and their players but the IUPUI women's coach that seemed to be such an animal-- raised my awareness of the subject. It was an awful story. Not too long after that story surfaced, we started to lose players on our team and the rumors were out there that it might be related to the same issue. Of course, we are aware that Coach Wiedie's story was alleged to be related to that issue as well. I have a connection with some former staff members but I have not heard anything concrete as to what might be the problem and I have tried to get some answers. I simply know that losing quality players is NEVER a good thing and there is a possibility that some of this is going on but I have absolutely no concrete indication that it might be true.

Coach Moren seems to be a well-spoken, intense coach that is VERY tough on her players. That much we know. Beyond that, I know nothing. For three years I have been prying people to give me statements and so far I have come up with nothing. For now, I give her the benefit of the doubt, but I promise you, I will continue to keep my ear to the wall. Am I concerned about her tenure as coach? Absolutely. If the women's program continues on it's current course, my guess is eventually something will surface. I hope not. Frankly, I wish we could have corrected the issue with Jim and this would have never been open for discussion. For years, women's hoops was our signature program. Now I am not sure and only know we are barely keeping our head above water and at least on the surface, something doesn't seem right. It sounds cliche, but only time will tell.

 

[Coach]

Of all the situations in the state of Indiana State athletics, the women's basketball is the one I am most concerned about, and have been since Jim left. I always liked Jim and felt he was a friend so I was hurt when he was let go. After going back and forth on his firing, I sided with Ron Prettyman on that issue and moved on. Coach Moren, at the time, seemed to be a good fit and I was excited about her future at ISU but also knew that Jim was going to be a tough act to follow.

I am not too sure what it is about women's basketball and verbal and physical abuse between coaches and their players but the IUPUI women's coach that seemed to be such an animal-- raised my awareness of the subject. It was an awful story. Not too long after that story surfaced, we started to lose players on our team and the rumors were out there that it might be related to the same issue. Of course, we are aware that Coach Wiedie's story was alleged to be related as well. I have a connection with some former staff members but I have not heard anything concrete as to what might be the problem and I have tried to get some answers. I simply know that losing quality players is NEVER a good thing and there is a possibility that some of this is going on but I have absolutely no concrete indication that it might be true.

Coach Moren seems to be a well-spoken, intense coach that is VERY tough on her players. That much we know. Beyond that, I know nothing. For three years I have been prying people to give me statements and so far I have come up with nothing. For now, I give her the benefit of the doubt, but I promise you, I will continue to keep my ear to the wall. I am concerned about her tenure as coach, absolutely. If the women's program continues on it's current course, my guess is eventually something will surface. I hope not. Frankly, I wish we could have corrected the issue with Jim and this would have never been open for discussion. For years, women's hoops was our signature program. Now I am not sure and only know we are barely keeping our head above water and at least on the surface, something doesn't seem right. It sounds cliche, but only time will tell.

what he says........................something's just not jelling here ?

 

[Sycamore624]

I'm working on an Exclusive Q&A session with one former Lady sycamore that will be able to provide some insight on several issues....She was willing to do it about a month ago and we are just working out some issues. If it happens it will be in the Supporting Members section so it's not easily viewable by the general public.

 

[Bally #50]

what he says........................something's just not jelling here ?

The obvious question here....what's not jelling? There is not a lot of controversy in the thread. There can't be. I don't have the facts.

 

[hans1950]

It's awfully hard to keep everyone quiet about serious issues in any program these days.If something is amiss I'm sure it will come out sooner rather than later.That being said it's entirely possible that the expectations of some of these young athletes haven't turned out the way they thought they would.Time will tell.

 

[Bally #50]

Hans1950, exactly the point I was trying to make. I obviously am not trying to stir anything up here and I was extremely careful in what I stated. I felt that the women's program is not where it should be but after three years of trying to figure it out, I can't tell you why or if there is more to it. We all have theories but hey, bottom line, nothing outwardly is sticking out at this time.

 

[Bally #50]

Backwoods, don't you think you might want to give us a few of your thoughts before this Q & A is, in fact, presented to us. You were inquiring if any of us had opinions and you, so far, have said nothing. Although there are hundreds of us on here, it is obvious that there is either a huge apathy on SP on the subject, or opinions are remaining SILENT. I thought seriously about not saying anything for the exact reason I stated above. But I am concerned and I am also curious as to what is going on. YOU brought up the subject, it struck a chord with me, now I would like to see WHY you brought it up.

 

[BlueHeart]

Don't want to stir the pot more here, but I'm having trouble coming up with the two double figure starting players who have left the team. As I look over the rosters post Wiedie Nikki Gunning (acl injury), Sadie Oyer, Moriah Hodge, Illyssa Vivo, and Amanda Pedro (left before the Coach Moren began) are the 5 that I think you are speaking of. Lest we forget those who left during the Wiedie era...here's the list I could come up with: Megan Burton, Kayla Mullins, Annie Bankhead, Bianca Jarrett, DeeAnn Rayburn, Stephanie Lisch, Maria Olsthorn, Tamara Shelton, Lindsay Galbraith, Jessica Verhoff. I apologize for any misspellings, too. This is the way of basketball. For whatever reason, players choose to leave. Sometimes it's injury, sometimes it's a personality conflict with the coaches or other players, sometimes it's academic, sometimes it's personal reasons. It's life in college basketball. Why go looking for controversy? Let's be supportive of all the players and all the coaches. Fill the seats and cheer them on and let's just stop trying to find trouble and "pick at the scratch" until it becomes infected. It's not good for any of us.

 

[SycamoreFan317]

Don't want to stir the pot more here, but I'm having trouble coming up with the two double figure starting players who have left the team. As I look over the rosters post Wiedie Nikki Gunning (acl injury), Sadie Oyer, Moriah Hodge, Illyssa Vivo, and Amanda Pedro (left before the Coach Moren began) are the 5 that I think you are speaking of. Lest we forget those who left during the Wiedie era...here's the list I could come up with: Megan Burton, Kayla Mullins, Annie Bankhead, Bianca Jarrett, DeeAnn Rayburn, Stephanie Lisch, Maria Olsthorn, Tamara Shelton, Lindsay Galbraith, Jessica Verhoff. I apologize for any misspellings, too. This is the way of basketball. For whatever reason, players choose to leave. Sometimes it's injury, sometimes it's a personality conflict with the coaches or other players, sometimes it's academic, sometimes it's personal reasons. It's life in college basketball. Why go looking for controversy? Let's be supportive of all the players and all the coaches. Fill the seats and cheer them on and let's just stop trying to find trouble and "pick at the scratch" until it becomes infected. It's not good for any of us.

Amen!

 

[Bally #50]

I say Amen, as well. I totally agree. It is easy to point fingers from behind a typewriter but as I said, I have tried to "probe" into this matter a couple of times and have come out finding NOTHING. I guess the moderator in me wanted to see if those two posters wanted to continue but they did not. Am I worried about the situation? Yes. Do I think there are issues? I agree with you 317, "This is the way of basketball." I am happy with that answer for now. Go get him, Lady Trees~

I would rather concentrate on a wonderful thing happening weekend. Not only is it Homecoming, my friend Dave Boeglin's daughter is being inducted into the ISU Athletic Hall of Fame. Congrats, Mel. IMO, your are the best woman player to ever suit up for the Sycamores. Have a great weekend everyone.

p.s. to you young folks, a typewriter is something like a keyboard that you can collect thoughts on.

 

[Sycamore624]

Backwoods, don't you think you might want to give us a few of your thoughts before this Q & A is, in fact, presented to us. You were inquiring if any of us had opinions and you, so far, have said nothing. Although there are hundreds of us on here, it is obvious that there is either a huge apathy on SP on the subject, or opinions are remaining SILENT. I thought seriously about not saying anything for the exact reason I stated above. But I am concerned and I am also curious as to what is going on. YOU brought up the subject, it struck a chord with me, now I would like to see WHY you brought it up.

I posted this thread for a couple reasons. One, the Lady's forum was beyond dead and I wanted to get some life brought to this part of the forum with a legit question/debate. Secondly, as stated by several in this thread fans/alumni/boosters have heard rumblings about "possible" internal issues among players and staff. Wether they be legit "rumors" for that many of us to have heard there is enough there for fans and supporters to discuss/debate it.

I have been a season ticket holder for football and both the mens and womens hoops teams for the last 5 years so me bringing up this topic has nothing to do with supporting the womens program. I will support the team wether it's Coach Moren or whoever...My personal opinons on the subject is that we have lost several players in a very short time frame and I have heard from multiple sources there are internal issues. Wether that is just players not getting enough playing time or being pushed to hard by a strict coach or if there is actually a legit problem I don't know for fact but it's worth discussing.

I think this is a critical season for the womens program as it is Coach Moren's 3rd full season and we will be losing some very good talen after this year with some seniors. Hopefully we return to a MVC contender and everything settles back to normal.