NorthoftheBorder

There's a UTSA guy named BigRunner2012 on the WAC board and he is generally the starter of all the threads that speculate on WAC expansion.  He seems to like to stir the pot and get discussions going on "potential" expansion candidates.  Not sure he is someone in the know.

As a LU Alum and fan, I have always supported a move to FBS only if Lamar will do it right and fund it right.  I also absolutely have no problem with SHSU moving up in the same conference or another FBS conference with one caveat; can you leave TT behind!!! ;)

What a draft!!!!

[quote name="Cat79" post="979956" timestamp="1299680578"] This message is clear to me.  The invites will go to Lamar and either Seattle or Cal St-B.  This is what the WAC needs to get to 8 football playing universities and one non-football team for each division.  This is the path to add western football universities to the west division at the next expansion time.   There has been interest by ULL but their UNT and Ark St brethern seem to be trying to persuade them not to leave the SBC for the WAC.  ULL fans have stated on one of their fan sites that the WAC is a better basketball conference than the SBC.  WAC baseball is even with the SBC but note that Fresno won the CWS a few years back which did not ever happen in the SBC. ULL fans see football as a push between the WAC and SBC. [/quote] I think ULL has better rivalries with LU and La Tech than UNT & Ark State.

Never will forget a well known local sports broadcaster telling me that Tommy Sewell had only a few changes of clothes to his name while at Lamar and when LU would pull up to the Thomas Center in Ruston to play La Tech there would be Karl Malone's brand new Nissan 300Zx parked in front with "Mailman" on the license plates.

[quote name="oldollie" post="979084" timestamp="1299523769"] I just saw a UT ad that states only 15% of UT grads give money back to the University. The ad also says that 50% of A&M grads give back to their University. Again this is an ad put out by UT. But then again, when a UT grad watches ESPN they are giving back to the Universities owner so maybe that should count as well. ;D ;) [/quote] That is undoubtably the thing that TAMU has done the best in getting more fervant "former student" support in donations and attendance.  It is admirable to all Universities.  But I am confident that UT grads are on point in taking care of their own with the best of them when it comes to hiring graduates.

[quote name="AggiesAreWe" post="979010" timestamp="1299516214"] [quote author=NorthoftheBorder link=topic=81232.msg979005#msg979005 date=1299515941] [quote author=AggiesAreWe link=topic=81232.msg978952#msg978952 date=1299511234] [quote author=becktobigs link=topic=81232.msg978945#msg978945 date=1299510759] [quote author=mffl link=topic=81232.msg978895#msg978895 date=1299483770] BR 360, I haven't heard anything about a new coach, and I don't believe the players have either. It seems like Woodard has taken over the play calling duties for this next season. [/quote]Does anyone know that Hindshaw is gone or are you just jumping to that conclusion because he wasn't on the field during the Red-White game?  There could be a lot of other reasons for him not being out there.  [/quote] He is gone. [/quote] So does LU plan to hire another assistant? [/quote] Not sure. All I know is that in the practices that I attended, Ray was working with the secondary and making the defensive play calls. [/quote] I can't imagine that they wouldn't hire another coach.

[quote name="AggiesAreWe" post="978952" timestamp="1299511234"] [quote author=becktobigs link=topic=81232.msg978945#msg978945 date=1299510759] [quote author=mffl link=topic=81232.msg978895#msg978895 date=1299483770] BR 360, I haven't heard anything about a new coach, and I don't believe the players have either. It seems like Woodard has taken over the play calling duties for this next season. [/quote]Does anyone know that Hindshaw is gone or are you just jumping to that conclusion because he wasn't on the field during the Red-White game?  There could be a lot of other reasons for him not being out there.  [/quote] He is gone. [/quote] So does LU plan to hire another assistant?

[quote name="adminbaberuth" post="978769" timestamp="1299454146"] [quote author=1696dogs link=topic=81312.msg978766#msg978766 date=1299453393] As the parent of a select/high school player I take a little offence to the remark about wanting a player to go select for the money.  My son has dreamed of playing at the next level since he was 5 so as parents we took whatever means necessary to help him get there. I don't know any parent who wouldn't do the same given the opportunity. It has nothing to do with wanting him to make big money but to fulfill his dreams.   [/quote] good point 1696, most kids i know just want the the opportunity for next level. no one i know of is getting rich on select ball in this area, we have some of the best baseball people. [/quote] The kids are not making any money at select, it is all the "private coaches" that are making the money while the kids are at that level.  It's the hope of parents that their child will get a college scholarship and even move to the pros that opens up paying jobs for private coaches.  I am not against kids participating and developing and pursuing a dream, to the contrary I support kids pursuing noble goals and dreams.  But if it destroy's high school athletics, then we have lost something special about communities and schools (especially the small towns) that most of us have enjoyed in our lives.  I don't think that is a good thing.

[quote name="Lefty99" post="977170" timestamp="1299211663"] The network through A&M is mch stronger than the other 2 schools as far as getting jobs if something were to happen and he gets his degree.  Though, I wouldn't be surprised to see him land at TCU. [/quote] I don't think the "network" is "much stronger" at A&M than UT.  Both by far have the "better networks" than the other Texas Universities, but A&M is not much better.  Probably equal at best.

Once again, it is the dollar that is driving this.  There is money to be made in "select" ball as well as the hope of developing into a professional athelete drives kids (really the parents, agents and the proverbial hanger's oner's) to chase the select route as they see it as a better path of development and future cash.

[quote name="77" post="978541" timestamp="1299384160"] Congrats to the Cowboys men and women conf. champs. [/quote] Yep congrads to the Cowboys from a Cardinal fan.  Been awhile since they have done this but "cowboy hats" off to them.

[quote name="NorthoftheBorder" post="977437" timestamp="1299257317"] What I am most interested in knowing is not how the QB's performed but how did the O-line and D-line look as well as the Linebackers, DB's etc.  Does the team look like they are getting stronger, bigger, quicker and in better shape?  Do the players look like they are understanding the offensive and defensive schemes better?  These are the things that will make the real difference next year. [/quote] I wish someone who saw the game would give their opinion on this!

[quote name="KHSAlum400" post="977469" timestamp="1299261293"] :o :o :o Wow! What a comeback by Tenaha! [/quote] I got blood kin in that tiny East Texas hamlet.  God's country my dad used to say.  Had to sing the famous Tex Ritter classic "Tenaha Timpson Bobo & Blair" when whe saw the water tower as we drove into town.  Of course, none of my blood contributes to the hardwood success!  Go Tigers!

[quote name="Sgt Rey" post="977347" timestamp="1299250783"] I attended the game too...I saw Prewitt as the better all around QB, then a close one with Bevil and JJ...Lamar's weakest part on defense is the safety position...Garrett played the 4th qtr at safety(made it better), but appears he has been moved up to "joker".... Jr was invited to the scrimmage and after, was invited as a preferred walk on...he will be attending Lamar in the summer. [/quote] Will Jr have access to the weight and training room and working out with team this spring and summer.  I would think that woud be a huge benefit to him.

[quote name="ForeverADog" post="977456" timestamp="1299260252"] What mffl is saying is that Coach Hinshaw may be getting the boot and Coach Woodard will take over play calling duties. [/quote] Hinshaw is the D-coordinator.  I would think that LU would have to bring in another D-coordinator as they would need another top quality coach on staff.

What I am most interested in knowing is not how the QB's performed but how did the O-line and D-line look as well as the Linebackers, DB's etc.  Does the team look like they are getting stronger, bigger, quicker and in better shape?  Do the players look like they are understanding the offensive and defensive schemes better?  These are the things that will make the real difference next year.

[quote name="mffl" post="977410" timestamp="1299255224"] Anybody notice a missing coach? I'll give you a hint: There wasn't as much yellow on the sidelines as there was during the season. [/quote] I am clueless?  Wasn't at the game but don't understand your riddle either.  Maybe you can spell it out for me.

Somebody make something up so we will have something to talk about!!!! :D

[quote name="jdcurran235" post="972884" timestamp="1298696792"] Does anyone know the exact circumstances when we left the SBC orignally.  Where we asked to leave, or did we ask to leave?  Money? etc. [/quote] LU was not asked to leave.  They made the decision for financial reasons but is has always been my opinion that it was also done to try to save then Head Basketball coach Grey Giovanni's job as he was not very successful in the Sun Belt.  They also used the carrot to appease the fan base that Lu would be in a better position to bring football back as at the time the Sun Belt didn't have football much football as I remember.  And 12+ years later they did.  But we were not kicked out as some buffon on the WAC board suggested.

[quote name="jdcurran235" post="972746" timestamp="1298690399"] [Hidden Content] They are voting on us. [/quote] No matter which way this vote goes it won't have any bearing on what the WAC and Lamar hierarchy's do.

[quote name="UNLV" post="971533" timestamp="1298568157"] Also on the track for Tier 1. [/quote] Being on track for Tier 1 doesn't mean that LU is very near or very close to being Tier 1.  It means that it is a goal, there is a plan, and LU is working to put all the pieces together to attain Tier 1 status.  It will be awhile, but that is the goal.  I pray that Dr. Simmons health and energy remain at a high level and he is around at least another 5-7 years (or longer).  LU will have trancended into a really great university that we will all be proud of with his leadership.  I also hope that there is a succession plan that puts into the Presidency after Dr. Simmons retires a superior leader who will only continue to grow and improve Lamar.  That will be great for the region and all the alumni of LU! P.S.  Latest census figure for the Golden Triangle Metro is 388,745 which is a modest increase from 2000.  Jefferson County is up slightly, Orange County is down slightly, and Hardin County had a nice increase.  Can't find any data yet on the cities.  Overall good news for the area.

Lets get back on topic.  I anyone has any really credible information about what the administration is doing in regards to whether they are pursuing an invite to the WAC I wish they would share it.  No names that would compromise the source, but something from a really credible source.  I saw the post earlier about " is Lamar screwing themselves out of an invite".  I can't say because we really don't know to the level that we are working on putting the plan together to make a move.  Maybe someone else knows.

[quote name="SabineRavine" post="971940" timestamp="1298603239"] [quote author=UNLV link=topic=79479.msg971834#msg971834 date=1298593828] Lamar is on track for tier 1. [/quote] Once again you make a blank statement without any type of evidence.  Kind of shows you know nothing about nothing.  Go ahead and list where LU is at in terms of research funding, type and number of advanced degrees offered, endowment, etc.  Lets see just how "on track" LU is . . . When you can provide some actual evidence maybe a person or two will actually take you seriously.  But I guess since LU has research funding, confers degrees, and has an endowment fund, they're "on track" in your mind.   [/quote] Ravine at one time I thought you were affiliated with LU, but now I'm pretty sure you are just another naysayer with intent to discredit and slander Lamar at every opportunity.  You do have some soul mates who visit this site.

[quote name="Jack0" post="969408" timestamp="1298267294"] [quote author=coachacola link=topic=79479.msg969367#msg969367 date=1298253412] Over at BobcatReport.com (another Texas State sports forum), the Site Admin is reporting that a WAC official said that the conference is looking to add Lamar, Seattle and Utah Valley State.  That would be 8 for football, 11 for basketball.  I think the ultimate goal is 9/12.  He also said Montana wants to join the WAC but they are tied to Montana State which does not want to go. [Hidden Content] [/quote] Hey guys - I'm the site admin at BR.  I've known about your candidacy since the Dallas meetings.  Your reps met Benson informally and started a dialogue very quietly.  My source had never heard of your school and walked away impressed.  They like how Lamar handles their business and the potential of the Triangle as a DMA viewing area and the fertile recruiting ground us Texans know of already. What I have been told is that your school was very cautious and really thought this through, and an invite is imminent.  The administration didn't want people making decisions for them outside the program via the media.  The other big thing I have heard is that maybe you will not accept immediately if you don't feel you are ready. You can come BS with us at bobcatreport.com about it and I promise to tell you guys if I hear anything at your site. Thanks, Jack [/quote] Thanks for the update.  I am confidant that LU will not make a move unless Dr. Simmons is convinced it willl work.  I am sure he and his team are working this diligently to make happen if possible.  As I have said before, I will trust Dr. Simmons.  By the way, what is a DMA viewing area?