Something that concerns me

[BradleyBrave]

Wait...there were a lot of fans who weren't going to buy tickets unless JL was fired. And that's their right. But 1 Guy doesn't like the way JL was treated and now he's not fan enough? Lets apply the same standards to all the JL haters.

I never said he wasn't fan enough. I just asked if that was a pro-Bradley thing to do.

It should be noted though, another prominent poster you know quite well said a few days ago -

"degree of sacrifice to give whatever amount IS one of the strongest determining factors in one's fanship".

So, according to some, the stance of giving up your seats might not be viewed as 'pro-Bradley', if they still have the means to do so and simply choose not to. I don't view it that way, and it doesn't sound like you do either. I was merely asking Air Petey what his view was.

I'm not giving mine up. Maybe with the mass exodus that's going to take place, I can even move closer to the court!

Hopefully some day we can all have a drink over this and laugh as we talk about what seed we are in the NCAA Tournament.

[Braves4Life]

I'm not giving mine up. Maybe with the mass exodus that's going to take place, I can even move closer to the court!

???To buy when others are despondently selling and to sell when others are avidly buying requires the greatest fortitude??¦ and pays the greatest reward.??? -- Sir John Templeton

[BUBraves2006]

What cracks me up are the people here calling for positiveness that were negative all season, and many of them, for much longer than that. Those people were allowed to be negative then, why can someone not have wanted JL fired now? Many of those chanting hypocrisy are worse than who they are 'calling out.'

Not sure who you're referring to, but it had certainly better not be me or BradleyBrave. For the record, I don't think I have ever made one single post about my feelings toward retaining or removing Les. So, direct your bitterness elsewhere.

Whether or not you wanted a change - trust me, I read PLENTY of great arguments on both sides ... what's done is done.

The overall point still is true - I want to be optimistic about the future and the anger towards the administration does nothing but hurt the program. Everything else is water under the bridge now, but if people want to have their feelings hurt because of this, that's really petty.

Supporting Les while he was still the coach (a major faction on here) - great idea ... good for the program, lots of facts to support this
Supporting a change because of a perceived lack of success - valid too, as it was based in other facts
Both of these - people want the best for the program...

Being incredibly negative when we really need to start looking forward, not back, isn't helpful to anyone except for some individual self-esteem boost.

[Air Petey]

I never said he wasn't fan enough. I just asked if that was a pro-Bradley thing to do. I was merely asking Air Petey what his view was.

My view is this:

I grew up in Peoria watching BU in the Fieldhouse in the 70's. Went to BU as a "non-traditional" student. Became friends with Dick, Stan and Mo while attending and after BU.

I became good friends with JL through the years because of many reasons. Traveled with the team for some great wins and some losses. I did not agree 100% with every decision that Jim made (Tough having 10,000 assistant coaches in town!).

Firing him AND the way he was fired is VERY wrong. The full story is not out.... and I hope it does not get out for the future of Bradley basketball. This admin needs to go. Everybody is accountable for their actions (even the President of the USA). The Board of Trustees should be getting a buy 2 - get 1 free for the private search firm right now!! I will never forget this.

That is how I feel!!

[BradleyBrave]

My view is this:

I grew up in Peoria watching BU in the Fieldhouse in the 70's. Went to BU as a "non-traditional" student. Became friends with Dick, Stan and Mo while attending and after BU.

I became good friends with JL through the years because of many reasons. Traveled with the team for some great wins and some losses. I did not agree 100% with every decision that Jim made (Tough having 10,000 assistant coaches in town!).

Firing him AND the way he was fired is VERY wrong. The full story is not out.... and I hope it does not get out for the future of Bradley basketball. This admin needs to go. Everybody is accountable for their actions (even the President of the USA). The Board of Trustees should be getting a buy 2 - get 1 free for the private search firm right now!! I will never forget this.

That is how I feel!!

Thanks for the thoughtful response Air Petey.

[lake Camelot]

Actually Air Petey. Many of your post really get under my skin. I have to say you did a very good job explaining your point of view on this. I hope you change your mind and root for the Braves again. You are entitled to your opinion though. You did a nice job spelling out why you feel like you do.

[FlyingSpaghettiMonster]

- Is there going to be a segment of people who aren't going to give the new coach a fair shake just because they thought Jim Les was unfairly dismissed?

Some fans never liked JL to begin with. I'm sure that there will be many fans that don't like the new coach and will long for JL. If that coach has success, that segment will get smaller and quieter. During the next year, this segment will probably be extremely vocal.

[Buesch N Chips]

Thanks for the thoughtful response Air Petey.

It's a completely valid response, especially if he was friends with JL. Most of us will not feel the same, because we are not personally involved.

[BradleyBrave]

It's a completely valid response, especially if he was friends with JL. Most of us will not feel the same, because we are not personally involved.

I agree. That's why I thanked him. I would be mad if my friend got fired too.

[BUBraves2006]

Some fans never liked JL to begin with. I'm sure that there will be many fans that don't like the new coach and will long for JL. If that coach has success, that segment will get smaller and quieter. During the next year, this segment will probably be extremely vocal.

I'm okay with that - you can't please everyone. Maybe my attitude is different because I don't live in Peoria anymore since graduating awhile ago. I don't get a chance to be friends with (or even have the chance to converse with) guys like Jim Les anymore. If one of my pals was let go from their job (no matter what it was), I might be a little perturbed, too.

But for better or worse, I don't really care who the coach is as long as he can hopefully bring in good young men who graduate and hopefully win more than we have in the past 20 years or so.

I don't think I'm making too brash of a statement by saying that everyone on here wants the good things Les brought to the program as well as more wins, right?

[Buesch N Chips]

I don't think I'm making too brash of a statement by saying that everyone on here wants the good things Les brought to the program as well as more wins, right?

If he exists. The grass is always greener....

[BRADLEY FAN 49]

I've been a fan for 40 plus years.
I liked Joe Stowell.
I liked Dick Versace.
Did not like Stan Albeck.
Did not like Jim Molinari.
For the most part I liked what Jim Les did while he was the Coach.
I thought he should have been given one more year.
I will still be there cheering for B.U., but I'am not sure we will ever be more than a 2-3 year up team,then have 2-3 down years.
I certainly hope I'm wrong, but thats the way I feel.

[Chico]

I can only say this, the old timers like myself have been through several coaching changes on the Hilltop and we always haven't been happy with the Admin's decisions. But one thing remains constant. We are still fans and support the team.

[AZ BU Fan]

We really should be able to rise above all of this. We're the rational ones who remain, remember? The blowhards are gone. Let's try to remain focused.

Go BU.

Sorry to disappoint anyone, but, this "irrational blowhard" is still on board!

Not too much to post about until there actually is a new BU Coach, and any fallout with existing players/future recruits actually occurs.

Seems the aftershocks of the JL dismissal and the tsunami of doom and gloom for BU post JL from some of the Forum blowhards are diminishing. The possibility of a nuclear meltdown on the Hilltop seems to be receeding as well with some of the potential candidate names flying around. Now, if we see helicopters flying over the Athletic Dept at BU dropping Illini river water, be afraid, be very afraid....

I am sure all the BU Fans out there will give the new Coach the same patience given the former Coach when he first started! The new Coach will need to reach the S-16 in his 4th year however!

[SFP]

"Brain Damage"

The lunatic is on the quad
The lunatic is on the quad
Remembering games and daisy chains and laughs
Got to keep the loonies on the path
The lunatic is in Bradley Hall
The lunatics are in my hall
The PJS holds their folded faces to the floor
And every day the paper boy brings more
And if the dam breaks open many years too soon
And if there is no room upon the hilltop
And if your head explodes with dark forbodings too
I'll see you on the dark side of the moon
The lunatic is in my head
The lunatic is in my head
You raise the blade, you make the change
You re-arrange me 'till I'm sane
You lock the door
And throw away the key
There's someone in my head but it's not me.
And if the cloud bursts, thunder in your ear
You shout and no one seems to hear
And if the band you're in starts playing different tunes
I'll see you on the dark side of the moon

"I can't think of anything to say except...
I think it's marvellous! HaHaHa!"
----------------------------------------

All this back and forth is lunatic. I'd have to believe we will get over this and in 10 years we will be fighting over another coach. Let's keep this in perspective. What went down was inevitable, how it went down was a crime but giving BU positive vibes is what is important. There is not one person that is Bradley University. There is a legacy of people and a community that makes it up. Changes will be made and different tunes will be played.

Sorry AZ I just had to go there!