Great Article on Coach Stowell's double firing from BU

[sousaman2089]

I'm trying think of a way to get an article about this in The Scout, since I'm the sports reporter, I should have some say, but there really isn't much to write about with ripping off KIrk W.

The sad truth is very few students on campus even know who Coach Stowell is.

I've been trying to get some Bradley history out through The Scout (through a Gene Melchiorre column and frequent references to old players), but it's difficult to get old stories in a "(new)spaper".

It's just sad that a man who meant soooo much to Bradley has to go out on shove out the door.

[tornado]

...arrogance of these decisions with little regard ..

I think there was LOTS of regard paid to these decisions...I have heard they have been in the discussions for several years about the employment situation -- which with Coach Stowell is always a bit of an uncertainty --
and out of respect and graciousness to Coach Stowell -- they basically let HIM call the shots the past several years -- pretty danged unusual considering the situation......
...letting him take many, many days off for his own needs and for his wife's...letting him work only part time and pass on the road trips, etc..
I think if all were known, you'd see that your comments are the ones that are not really fair..
this was not an example of the ax falling without due warning....
had this happened 10 years ago -- I'd probably feel differently -- but the writing was on the wall -- he was not pushed off the ledge...

[Beninator]

I think there was LOTS of regard paid to these decisions...I have heard they have been in the discussionions for several years -- and out of respect and graciousness to Coach Stowell -- they basically let HIM call the shots the past several eyars --
letting him take many, many days off for his own needs and for his wife's...letting him work only part time and pass on the raod trips, etc..
I think if all were known, you'd see that your comments are the ones that are not really fair..
this was not an example of the ax falling without due warning....

I am not and have not talked about the radio broadcast. see my previous posts. Additionally, many employers will accommodate an employee who needs time off for family matters. Obviously the HOF committee means something to Stowell. Why can't BU be big enough to let him stay on the committee? That would be the classy thing to do.

[Out of Balance]

But why exactly did KW have to mention that "Stowell and head coach Jim Les have had no relationship to speak of beyond their postgame radio show. Some in the Les camp believe Stowell is not supportive enough, while Stowell points out his radio job is “analyst, not cheerleader.”

He then follows this up with "I’m told by multiple sources, however, that Les had no input on the decision and was genuinely surprised when he learned Stowell wouldn’t be working men’s games."

Why does he feel the need to even mention JL's name in an article about Joe Stowell?

I can't talk for KW and anything the PJS publishes, friend I didn't take it as a swipe at Jim, as KW pointed out that he had done his leg work and that maybe the relationship between the two may not of been the best, but it had nothing to do with and did prove, Jim had done nothing to insight these moves and was surprised at the dealings Jim Les is the coach, so it only makes sense to me that he would talk about Jim's reactions and if there was any fall out between the two that might of lead the BU admin. to the steps they took towards Coach Stowell Hell I don't know what happen friend, but I know this much blaming the local media for everything that happens on the hill, well, its just craze To me , if change was needed it could of been handled better!

[real fan]

It is not just the coach Stowell thing that concerns me, coach Ryan and coach Beauchem being gone is a real concern as they ran successful programs, I think the President is way to controlling .

[shaunguth]

I can't talk for KW and anything the PJS publishes, friend I didn't take it as a swipe at Jim, as KW pointed out that he had done his leg work and that maybe the relationship between the two may not of been the best, but it had nothing to do with and did prove, Jim had done nothing to insight these moves and was surprised at the dealings Jim Les is the coach, so it only makes sense to me that he would talk about Jim's reactions and if there was any fall out between the two that might of lead the BU admin. to the steps they took towards Coach Stowell Hell I don't know what happen friend, but I know this much blaming the local media for everything that happens on the hill, well, its just craze To me , if change was needed it could of been handled better!

I know what you're saying, but I just didn't think JL's name even needed to be mentioned for Kirk to make his point regarding the Joe Stowell issue. I personally don't think the coach on the hottest seat in the conference would have an influence over the President and the new AD in this instance.

[Beninator]

I know what you're saying, but I just didn't think JL's name even needed to be mentioned for Kirk to make his point regarding the Joe Stowell issue. I personally don't think the coach on the hottest seat in the conference would have an influence over the President and the new AD in this instance.

I agree with OOB on this part. By including JL in the article, KW took away an argument for the rumor mill out there.

[Out of Balance]

I know what you're saying, but I just didn't think JL's name even needed to be mentioned for Kirk to make his point regarding the Joe Stowell issue. I personally don't think the coach on the hottest seat in the conference would have an influence over the President and the new AD in this instance.

Good Point, friend Who's left, Jimmy If I were him, I would have one eye on her all the time and my back to the wall

[amckillip]

There are still plenty of ways to stay involved and support Bradley --

There are many supporters who don't ask the school to pay them or do any special favors for them..
I look forward to seeing Coach Stowell at the games supporting the team...

Stowell bleeds Bradley red. No need to bash him!

who has bashed Stowell -- I have nothing but honor and compliments for the man --?

Sorry T, that's a swipe. Plain and Simple. I normally agree with a good portion of your posts, but you're defense of the administration lately has been a bit extreme and seemingly illogical.

It is not just the coach Stowell thing that concerns me, coach Ryan and coach Beauchem being gone is a real concern as they ran successful programs, I think the President is way to controlling .

I'd actually call this an understatement. I have a lot of respect for some things Glasser has done, and she is a HUGE improvement over Broski. However, she has little to no deference for BU history, and pays only lip-service to phrase she so often quotes - "Once a Brave, Always a Brave." I think she see's BU as a stepping stone and won't be upset when she moves along. Hopefully her legacy will be more positive than negative, but I think the scale is tipping in the wrong direction....

[tornado]

can you quote anything in the Wessler article that actually comes from Stowell and sounds like he's upset at anything here??

I see only ONE quote -- and since Wessler admits it is from a comment that Coach Stowell gave the PJ Star "earlier in the week" perhaps even before any of this was made public, then I am not sure the column actually has even one comment from Stowell on this subject...
but even so the one line from Coach Stowell does NOT sound bitter or negative, instead it sounds quite positive and optimistic...

[dogsrus]

I'm not one of those people that wanted big changes.

However, I would have to imagine that those people didn't have a beef with Joe Stowell of all people. So I don't really see the point DC is trying to make.

You couldn't be MORE wrong.....Coach Stowel is responsible for the mediocre hoops all these years.

He was the FIRST guy all those people asking for change wanted gone....


My goodness.....this couldn't be further from the truth and the greatest reach (in a long line of great reaches) of all time trying to tie change in the hoops program with Stowell getting dismissed.

I can't believe some are trying to make that connection......

[dogsrus]

can you quote anything in the Wessler article that actually comes from Stowell and sounds like he's upset at anything here??

I see only ONE quote -- and since Wessler admits it is from a comment that Coach Stowell gave the PJ Star "earlier in the week" perhaps even before any of this was made public, then I am not sure the column actually has even one comment from Stowell on this subject...
but even so the one line from Coach Stowell does NOT sound bitter or negative, instead it sounds quite positive and optimistic...

I know MANY people that have left jobs with a bitter tastes in their mouths but remained classy on the way out......that fact says NOTHING about how he feels.

[houstonbrave]

I can also understand the decision re. the radio broadcast. However, I also would not have even imagined they would take him off the HOF committee. Bad choice. Yes, it is their choice but I don't like it. It is hard to imagine anyone more dedicated to Bradley Basketball than Coach Stowell. In respecting our tradition I expect better than this.

Although I resisted posting it at the time I was not thrilled that we did not name the court in the new facility the Stowell Court. I think really highly of JJ and I realize it was probably a decision of economics but I admit I really could not think of a more appropriate name for the court than Joe's.

He is an 84 year old man who has an incredible tie to Bradley Basketball. I expect better than this from the University and I am disappointed.

Note-There is no disrespect to Corky intended. He should be on the committee as well.

[BuB]

This is just an example of the new regiem coming in and putting their mark on the program. Make lots of moves and changes to erase the old history. Try to create new history/highlights for the school..... Now time will tell if the changes are good or bad for the school but that does NOT mean the changes were justified or good or even well thought out.

Coach Stowell absolutely deserves to be on any and all HOF commitees that deal with Bradley sports, period. His removal is a joke. As far as being removed from the broadcast booth is concerned, I think their are many ways to keep him involved that would have been better. Let him do pre game interviews, give him post game comments, read half time stats etc. Give him a microphone during time outs to interview people in the crowd or ex players. So many things could be done to let him stay involved but still give Danny Adams the much needed time he needs to improve his color.

IMO people turn on the radio to hear Snell and Coach. Has he slipped some over the years? Who knows, but people still remember who he is and what he has meant to the school. People want to hear him. In 20 years if we are still lucky enough to have Snell, will we discard him in the same way? Against his wishes? Very few have meant more to the school than Stowell. Very few have earned this status. This is similar to Harry Carey late in his career and very similar to Mike Shannon right now for the Cardinals.

[BuB]

Originally Posted by real fan
It is not just the coach Stowell thing that concerns me, coach Ryan and coach Beauchem being gone is a real concern as they ran successful programs, I think the President is way to controlling .

I'd actually call this an understatement. I have a lot of respect for some things Glasser has done, and she is a HUGE improvement over Broski. However, she has little to no deference for BU history, and pays only lip-service to phrase she so often quotes - "Once a Brave, Always a Brave." I think she see's BU as a stepping stone and won't be upset when she moves along. Hopefully her legacy will be more positive than negative, but I think the scale is tipping in the wrong direction....

I could not agree more with both of you.