Encouragement and Support for Players

[Redwhite09]

In another thread "Bradley Mom" stated, "If you are worried about them (referring to the players) leaving, how about showing them some encouragement and support?"

I am here to do just that.

I waited until today to post as I was too devastated to do so yesterday. Even though I felt there was a possibility Les would be let go, I was in favor of giving him "one more year" with a full squad to work with. When the news flashed, I couldn't believe how terrible it made me feel. I felt like someone kicked me in the stomach. As someone else mentioned, we at Bradley are a family, and I reacted as if I had heard bad news about a family member. For all the athletes and their parents who are reading this, pelase know that there are a lot of fans who are hurting too, that we feel like the rug has been pulled out from underneath us also.

To you athletes, I feel like you are also family. I have watched you grow and mature over this year and previous years. From my viewpoint, it will be another devastating blow for me if another part of our family is not on the floor next year. I just want you to know that there are lots of fans that support you and that a lot of us who have sat and cheered for you year after year are hurting too. It is my greatest hope that we can all heal together.

[it's boogie time]

It's tough to state in writing. However, I'm guessing once the new coach is announced and makes his first public appearance, you'll see the fans and community support for the BU basketball program.

[real fan]

In another thread "Bradley Mom" stated, "If you are worried about them (referring to the players) leaving, how about showing them some encouragement and support?"

I am here to do just that.

I waited until today to post as I was too devastated to do so yesterday. Even though I felt there was a possibility Les would be let go, I was in favor of giving him "one more year" with a full squad to work with. When the news flashed, I couldn't believe how terrible it made me feel. I felt like someone kicked me in the stomach. As someone else mentioned, we at Bradley are a family, and I reacted as if I had heard bad news about a family member. For all the athletes and their parents who are reading this, pelase know that there are a lot of fans who are hurting too, that we feel like the rug has been pulled out from underneath us also.

To you athletes, I feel like you are also family. I have watched you grow and mature over this year and previous years. From my viewpoint, it will be another devastating blow for me if another part of our family is not on the floor next year. I just want you to know that there are lots of fans that support you and that a lot of us who have sat and cheered for you year after year are hurting too. It is my greatest hope that we can all heal together.

This goes for just about everyone that is a BU fan, it has been a tough year for all of us in that we had great expectations for the team only to be devastated by Taylors heart problem and then Sammys foot problems that virtually gave us 0 chance to have that championship season, I only hope you players realize how much the Bradley fan base cares about you and hopes you guys decide to stay together and finish out your careers at BU, nobody will ever appreciate you guys as much as BU fans will next season plus it would be great to see you stay together as a team.

[LittleBrave]

I echo the sentiment about if ANY of the BU players leaves - we will miss them and they won't be forgotten.

We know that you long to win and be a contender and we believe you are good enough to contend no matter who the coach is because you all have a winning attitude and have found that chemistry on the court, which germinates from the chemistry you have off the court.

Most of all, there is enough pressure on you guys as it is - whatever choice you make, there will be some that object, but you have to do what's right for yourself - and there WILL be people who support you no matter what you decide.
I encourage you to think about this...You guys have a good thing still going at BU even though a dark cloud may be hovering above you right now. Give it some time, reflect, and hopefully you'll see the light break through the darkness, giving way to better days at Bradley University. Because we want to see you in a Bradley uniform next season.

We are hurting with you right now with Coach Les' departure. We probably don't feel it as much as you all, but we are right behind you, rooting for you as a person, excited to watch you grow, and praying you succeed in all you do.

[Buesch N Chips]

This goes for just about everyone that is a BU fan, it has been a tough year for all of us in that we had great expectations for the team only to be devastated by Taylors heart problem and then Sammys foot problems that virtually gave us 0 chance to have that championship season, I only hope you players realize how much the Bradley fan base cares about you and hopes you guys decide to stay together and finish out your careers at BU, nobody will ever appreciate you guys as much as BU fans will next season plus it would be great to see you stay together as a team.

It is a whole lot bigger deal to the staff and players than it is to "us". It was not tough for me because I don't invest my time in it, and no one should feel sorry for any fans. I feel bad for the players/staff because they deserved to have a season with all of the pieces in place, and I feel bad for them even more now because of their mentor having to leave, and of the enormous stress that the uncertainty of their future is undoubtedly causing.

The hire will determine their futures, and I am hoping that we find the needle in the haystack, if he even exists.

[BUfan14]

I echo the sentiment about if ANY of the BU players leaves - we will miss them and they won't be forgotten.

We know that you long to win and be a contender and we believe you are good enough to contend no matter who the coach is because you all have a winning attitude and have found that chemistry on the court, which germinates from the chemistry you have off the court.

Most of all, there is enough pressure on you guys as it is - whatever choice you make, there will be some that object, but you have to do what's right for yourself - and there WILL be people who support you no matter what you decide.
I encourage you to think about this...You guys have a good thing still going at BU even though a dark cloud may be hovering above you right now. Give it some time, reflect, and hopefully you'll see the light break through the darkness, giving way to better days at Bradley University. Because we want to see you in a Bradley uniform next season.

We are hurting with you right now with Coach Les' departure. We probably don't feel it as much as you all, but we are right behind you, rooting for you as a person, excited to watch you grow, and praying you succeed in all you do.

Great thread, great post. I agree 100%. I don't know the guys, but I care about them as a huge fan. Bradley basketball means more to me then any other sport, and that is saying a lot from a huge Cubs fan. I ramble on about ALL the BU players and recruits all the time. How good they are, how good they will be, how deep we are, and on and on. And I have never been more excited about a team than next year's....I really hope the players and recruits consider staying. But I understand their decision either way.

[LittleBrave]

Great thread, great post. I agree 100%. I don't know the guys, but I care about them as a huge fan. Bradley basketball means more to me then any other sport, and that is saying a lot from a huge Cubs fan. I ramble on about ALL the BU players and recruits all the time. How good they are, how good they will be, how deep we are, and on and on. And I have never been more excited about a team than next year's....I really hope the players and recruits consider staying. But I understand their decision either way.

Us Cubs, Bears, Braves fans gotta' stick together through any kinda' weather!

I've been a die-hard Cubs fan since I was 6 yrs. old. Yes, die-hard!
But since my mid-20's, I became more passionate about Bradley hoops than about Cubs, and I can't miss a BU game whether on radio, Internet, TV. I get emotional when seniors graduate, when players leave, when the season ends.
True Bradley fans stay true to the team for life.
Once a Brave, always a Brave!

[MikeCash]

I'll admit that I'm one who is having a nearly impossible time looking at the big picture right now.

But for me it's so much more than just wins. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing that gets me going more than a successful Bradley team. But the connection you accidentally build with these individuals--most of whom I've never met--is what is eating at me right now. I've never looked forward to/dreaded a senior night speech more than Sam Maniscalco's. I've not been more excited about a potential starting lineup than that of Maniscalco/Simms-Edwards/Brown/Egolf/Prosser with a deep bench of Abell/Harris/Thompson/Eastman and Lemon (etc).

I'll agree with the earlier poster. Punch-to-the-gut is a good way of putting it. I'll stop just short of saying I feel betrayed. But right now I can't make my brain be optimistic enough to not dwell on the seemingly awful timing of this. And I feel for the guys more than anything.

I've never been prouder of a Bradley team than I was of this current group over the past month. I've scarcely been more excited about an incoming class as these four. I'd love to think that all of them would want to stay as badly as I want them to. With that not being realistic, I will do my best to support all of the individual decisions that have to be made...and thank them heartily for what they did give to the program and to me personally in terms of enjoyment and pride.