I wonder how it is for a guy like D.A., who has busted his ass on the East Coast to organize alumni and take the pole position on the actual work of the Convo remodeling.
I wonder what it's like for Robert Walter, who made a big splash Friday, and got a bedwetting Saturday.
Thanks for thinking of me Pete, and since you asked:
About the game/bowl experience-
- First, after hanging around here for a couple of years I have realized I need to avoid the board like the plague for a couple days after a defeat like this so I don't end up on the ledge. (although everyone's opinions here are valid)
- I wouldn't have traded the weekend for anything, even if I had know in advance we were due for a beat down. NOLA was great, all the people were as well and I think it was a positive experience regardless of the result. And if the game was a net loss of only $30-40K including offsetting the student trips, as I suspect it was, it was merely the cost of one more in-season game, and that is an excellent investment regardless of the outcome.
- I think the student trip idea/investment was genius and money well spent by the Athletic Department, and I think the recipients of the investment would say the same thing. Eff anyone who says otherwise including the announcers.
- NO ONE felt worse about the result of the game than the players and coaching staff. I spoke with a number of players and parents in the hotel after the game and thanked them for their hard work this season and they were very emotional and some were even crying an hour after the game. They understood the importance of the opportunity and the opportunity lost, and while a victory certainly would have been preferred I am satisfied that they put forth an earnest effort.
- Don't kid yourself if you believe the Athletic Department wasn't disappointed as well.
- They were beaten by a better team. Matt Morton (our head equipment manager for those who don't know him) spoke with the Troy equipment manager at halftime, and he said that Troy hadn't played in two years like they played in the first half.
- We are not tOSU, and you can't compare where this FB program is now with BB and it's heritage/history at Ohio. In my four years and one quarter at Ohio, FB went 2-9, 1-10, 1-10, 4-6-1 and 1-9-1. If anything we play a stronger schedule than we did 20 years ago. This program has made quantum leaps from where it was 20-30 years ago, and I personally won't let three bowl losses and two MACC losses in five years impede the enthusiasm I have felt for the program's resurgence since Frank's hiring.
About the impact on donors/almuni-
- I had the good fortune to spend quite a bit of time with some pretty big donors, and while understandably disappointed at the outcome, one bowl loss isn't going to have a detrimental impact on their charitable giving when you consider the good will earned on such a trip.
- I donate as a gift; time and money. I ask nothing in return. If I started to expect certain results or influence over the outcomes, I wouldn't have the same positive feeling that I have currently, and I would probable stop donating. Most of the larger donors such as the Walter's feel the same, and I am sure they didn't regret having made the commitment after the first half was over. (and by the way, totally awesome gift there, and thanks to them)
- Most of the larger events we host in Boston revolve around Ohio Athletics, and we don't always win or have a Georgetown experience. (I hosted a big event for the Miami (in Oxford) game last year, anyone remember the second half meltdown.) The good stewardship at the events always outlive the results of the game.
Short story long, I take a long vision and think that we will continue to improve. Realistically we likely all had over-heightened expectations for this team, especially after the preseason losses of veteran o-liners and the early season losses of Noah and Lavon. The 2010 version of the Cats were likely closer to the 6-6 or 4-7/4-8 squads, and they actually managed to win eight games and EARNED a bowl birth. They worked very hard and represented the school positively on more occasions than not and I thank them for it. The 2011 class has more early and strong commits than they have in year's past, which continues to reflect well on the progress this staff has made. And a new practice facility won't hurt matters in the future either.
Did it suck to see us porous as the levees during Katrina, absolutely. But that's why they play the games and sometimes we're gonna lose, on occasion losing ugly.
First round is on me at the CI post game Wednesday, and if MH55 shows I'll treat him as well. It will be my first game in the Convo in probably 15 years, and I'm really looking forward to it. Let's drill those guys.