Things could be worse

[Bravesfan]

you may just save this board yet pete. We need more posters who have the b@lls to speak up like you are. Kudos my friend... And kudos to the others who echo our sentiments and have had enough!

+1

[Beninator]

You may just save this board yet Pete. We need more posters who have the b@lls to speak up like you are. Kudos my friend... And kudos to the others who echo our sentiments and have had enough!

+1

and another +1

[Chico]

This thread started out as something I think we could all agree with, things could be worse. But then it turned into the usual and kept going. IMO, both sides of the issue are guilty of the stirring. I was guilty at first of complaining after the firing of Coach Les. But after Geno was hired I began giving him 100% of my support.

[SFP]

This thread started out as something I think we could all agree with, things could be worse. But then starting with post #10 quickly followed by #11, it turned into the usual and kept going. IMO, both sides of the issue are guilty of the stirring. I was guilty at first of complaining after the firing of Coach Les. But after Geno was hired I began giving him 100% of my support.

That is all I'm hoping for from every real BU fan! Thank you!

[tornado]

..What I see here are two camps right now. ..

-first - I think there are and always have been 2 or more camps - see below...I have been around long enough to have seen those eras and camps in action..
Through it all I have remained a solid Bradley basketball fan and always supported the guys we had and remained friends with the guys who were replaced.
-and - does this surprise anyone? There have been many, many redical & unpopular moves throught athletics at Bradley in the past couple years that might
reasonably be expected to have created a little difference of opinions currently.

Back in the Stowell era - there were staunch supporters and also people who wanted to start with someone new - some of the very best years BU has ever had came about because we finally made the move...

Back in the Versace era - despite how good Bradley was and how successful basketball was - there was a certain camp that didn't like Versace, wanted him gone and tried with all their might to engineer his dismissal - this camp was led by numerous hit pieces by Dick Lien..

Back in the Albeck era - from the day Hersey graduated - a "camp" wanted Albeck gone..

Back in the Mo era - a "camp" led by Phil Theobald ridiculed, mocked, and attacked Mo, his character, & everything about him - they finally got their way then promptly disappeared only to revive themselves as haters of the next coach..

..and I am sure you recall that at least one "camp" who idolized a different candidate when JL was hired, mercilessly attacked BU, the selection process, the selection committee, the new head coach & even all those who supported him - calling them racists for not supporting a certain other candidate - and many swore they'd never come to another game....
...even tho attendances rose dramatically right away and were higher each of the first 6 years of the JL era than the preceding two seasons...something that has happened in reverse in spades...this past two seasons.
BTW - the ponytailed columnist who steamrolled all the attacks suddenly retires right after doing an interview with the ISU daily campus paper attacking the BU head coach and selection process and never explains his claim that the head coach has hired & surrounded himself with unethical people.

...so different "camps" are not new...

[lefty]

I agree with you T...although there are a couple of those cases where there really wasn't much controversy about the firing....but it seemed to that those camps dissipated fairly quickly and didn't linger for a couple of years...


but we didn't have message boards to fan the flames either.

[Da Coach]

There were several very prominent families and huge supporters of Bradley that left after the Molinari firing, and never returned to another Bradley game. So sometimes, the impact can be lasting. The support returned after each previous coaching change, so hopefully, we can expect eventually it will again.

[LittleBrave]

Yeah, it could be worse if we went winless, because after almost every BU loss, the same discussion ensues about you know what, since we can't seem to find anything else to talk about.

So I'm glad with more wins that the debate is put on hold, or is at least contained, until the next loss.

[LittleBrave]

There were several very prominent families and huge supporters of Bradley that left after the Molinari firing, and never returned to another Bradley game. So sometimes, the impact can be lasting. The support returned after each previous coaching change, so hopefully, we can expect eventually it will again.

(???)
I just don't get why fans would turn on the program just because a coach is let go...and perhaps it's a justified change, AND the turnover of coaches is simply part of sports that every fan must understand. Without being judgmental, it sounds to me like those "supporters" really didn't fit the bill and were too easily offended.

Maybe there's more to it behind the scenes that a die-hard fan who is no more than a specator doesn't see or hear about. And you guys on here that have been through it all are...well, still here...still supporting the team...still hopeful in the program through the good and bad.

[SFP]

...so different "camps" are not new...

So which one are you in? Moving forward 100% behind the new coach or still battling perceived slights. I understand voicing concerns. I do it all the time but when people make comments that could be detrimental to the recruiting process I then draw the line.

[lefty]

(???)
I just don't get why fans would turn on the program just because a coach is let go...and perhaps it's a justified change, AND the turnover of coaches is simply part of sports that every fan must understand. Without being judgmental, it sounds to me like those "supporters" really didn't fit the bill and were too easily offended.

Maybe there's more to it behind the scenes that a die-hard fan who is no more than a specator doesn't see or hear about. And you guys on here that have been through it all are...well, still here...still supporting the team...still hopeful in the program through the good and bad.

There are some that become supporters because of the coach or have an actual relationship with a coach while they are here.....


And while a supporter may understand the need for a change or even if they disagree with it......it's not always easy to accept

[tornado]

a few prominent African-American fans & community leaders left and were upset after Wayne McClain was passed over...I know Da Coach sat right next to one well known leader.....

One in particular returned in 2006 when BU enjoyed a lot of success - but most all of the others have never been back - Hopefully in the Geno era we can regain those fans...

[wily coyote]

-first - I think there are and always have been 2 or more camps - see below...I have been around long enough to have seen those eras and camps in action..
Through it all I have remained a solid Bradley basketball fan and always supported the guys we had and remained friends with the guys who were replaced.
-and - does this surprise anyone? There have been many, many redical & unpopular moves throught athletics at Bradley in the past couple years that might
reasonably be expected to have created a little difference of opinions currently.

Back in the Stowell era - there were staunch supporters and also people who wanted to start with someone new - some of the very best years BU has ever had came about because we finally made the move...

Back in the Versace era - despite how good Bradley was and how successful basketball was - there was a certain camp that didn't like Versace, wanted him gone and tried with all their might to engineer his dismissal - this camp was led by numerous hit pieces by Dick Lien..

Back in the Albeck era - from the day Hersey graduated - a "camp" wanted Albeck gone..

Back in the Mo era - a "camp" led by Phil Theobald ridiculed, mocked, and attacked Mo, his character, & everything about him - they finally got their way then promptly disappeared only to revive themselves as haters of the next coach..

..and I am sure you recall that at least one "camp" who idolized a different candidate when JL was hired, mercilessly attacked BU, the selection process, the selection committee, the new head coach & even all those who supported him - calling them racists for not supporting a certain other candidate - and many swore they'd never come to another game....
...even tho attendances rose dramatically right away and were higher each of the first 6 years of the JL era than the preceding two seasons...something that has happened in reverse in spades...this past two seasons.
BTW - the ponytailed columnist who steamrolled all the attacks suddenly retires right after doing an interview with the ISU daily campus paper attacking the BU head coach and selection process and never explains his claim that the head coach has hired & surrounded himself with unethical people.

...so different "camps" are not new...

Hey T looking at this post i now know why attendance is down. With all these coaches being let go nobody is coming back. lol
I agree with you regarding Phil and Mo but today they are very good friends and people should know that. Your point that Phil attacked the selection process and who we hired maybe a little to strong in my eyes. Its true he was against hiring someone with little to zero experience but how many schools would hire someone at our level with no prior coaching experience at any D1 level. Just name one school that has done it with no connections to their program.Alot of people were against the hiring and not all of it had to do with passing on WM. Alot of people not just Phil thought the selection process left alot to be desired.

[LittleBrave]

There are some that become supporters because of the coach or have an actual relationship with a coach while they are here.....


And while a supporter may understand the need for a change or even if they disagree with it......it's not always easy to accept

Nor is it easy to accept their action in turning away from a great program and not having the foreknowledge that it won't last forever. I absolutely loved Coach Mo, but my fanship was not based solely on the coaching staff - and if it is, then your fanship will waiver often and could be very short-lived. To each his own.

I'm sorry, but decisions need to be made for the good of the program - not to please a sector of the fanbase that will eventually leave because their beloved coach was removed. It's great that we have had a season of fans that have given great support financially and emotionally, but the real value is found in the fans that stick with the team for the long haul.

[Braves4Life]

Nor is it easy to accept their action in turning away from a great program and not having the foreknowledge that it won't last forever. I absolutely loved Coach Mo, but my fanship was not based solely on the coaching staff - and if it is, then your fanship will waiver often and could be very short-lived. To each his own.

I'm sorry, but decisions need to be made for the good of the program - not to please a sector of the fanbase that will eventually leave because their beloved coach was removed. It's great that we have had a season of fans that have given great support financially and emotionally, but the real value is found in the fans that stick with the team for the long haul.

While I agree with your sentiment LB I don't think it is realistic for a small school like Bradley. Remember, the majority of fans and supporters are probably not Bradley grads and, therefore, are drawn to the team (not the school) for a variety of reasons. It could be the coach, the AD, the Prez, their job... Bradley is Peoria's PRO team so the loyalty of some can be very fickle. It's nice to have the loyal, generous, and long time support of distinguished alumni like many of the BSS members that have (and will) be Bradley supporters through thick and thin. I don't always agree with these guys, and often question their motives and tactics, but there is no denying their loyalty as fans of Bradley Basketball. I'm thankful for the generous donations of the BSS members and all Braves Club members as they are the ones that help keep our program moving in the right direction...

God, I feel like a major kiss-up but facts are facts.