Letter to the Sports Editor of the PJ Star about Bradley

[Da Coach]

This letter from a Bradley season ticket holder was printed in the sports section today (Sunday, November 9, 2014).
It does not appear to be in the online version of today's newspaper.

Because I have the permission of the writer, I will post it here. Note that the writer of this letter is not a member of Bradleyfans.com, though he is a long time season ticket holder, and a donor to the program. And based on several other communications I have received after last Thursday's game, I believe he represents the feelings of many loyal Bradley fans and season ticket holders.


Bradley's aloofness, arrogance belie true condition of basketball team

>>As a lifelong Peorian and long-time season ticket holder, I am writing to express my utter frustration and disgust with the current state of the Bradley men's basketball program.
>>Losing to Augustana in yet another exhibition game and having Eureka on the regular-season schedule are but two more indications of how far this program has dropped. While this drop seems to be apparent to every local fan that actually still pays attention to BU basketball, it seems to be a secret to the administration at Bradley The season ticket process, pricing philosophy, and endless thirst for maintenance fees, along with an aloofness and arrogance that belie the true condition of the program, continue to disturb me, and alienate more and more fans and sponsors. (See Peoria Park District Golf Fee Fiasco for more insight on how to drive your revenue, and product, into the ground.).
>>Here is what I think is an emblematic example of how/why the program is on a downward path.:
>>I noticed that Nate Wells did not play in the exhibition game. (Granted, I was not actually at the game, but I assume he was dressed and able to play, as nothing was reported otherwise). I also heard, and read, Coach Ford's comments about his players being casual, forgetting plays out of the huddle, not knowing what to do/where to go, not taking Augustana seriously, being too comfortable with their success in their secret scrimmage, lackadasical practice this past week, etc. I'm willing to bet that one player that he is not referencing, and he would not have these issues with, is Nate. But Nate does not fit the prototype for this program (athletic, vagabond, short-termer, grade/legal troubles, undisciplined, etc.). So, what does Coach Ford do? He allows the people who do not perform to continue playing and does not hold them accountable. What does he do to the kid that works hard and does what he's supposed to do? He sits him during an exhibition game, where he is admittedly trying to spread the minutes. Therefore the other players are not held accountable, recognize this, and do not change their habits. And, sadly, the fans understand this, and thus get even more turned off by the program, because it does not recognize loyalty, perseverance, and hard work. Reward Nate with minutes, and any others that work hard and do what their told, and see how quickly the others fall in line.
>>In the meantime, I'll continue to keep my fingers crossed and hope that the men's basketball program doesn't sink to the level of the women's volleyball team, at least for a little while longer.
TIM MCCORMACK
PEORIA

[ACBL]

Ppl who say things like this get put on an enemies list on the hilltop

[bravetime33]

This letter from a Bradley season ticket holder was printed in the sports section today (Sunday, November 9, 2014).
It does not appear to be in the online version of today's newspaper.

Because I have the permission of the writer, I will post it here. Note that the writer of this letter is not a member of Bradleyfans.com, though he is a long time season ticket holder, and a donor to the program. And based on several other communications I have received after last Thursday's game, I believe he represents the feelings of many loyal Bradley fans and season ticket holders.


Bradley's aloofness, arrogance belie true condition of basketball team

>>As a lifelong Peorian and long-time season ticket holder, I am writing to express my utter frustration and disgust with the current state of the Bradley men's basketball program.
>>Losing to Augustana in yet another exhibition game and having Eureka on the regular-season schedule are but two more indications of how far this program has dropped. While this drop seems to be apparent to every local fan that actually still pays attention to BU basketball, it seems to be a secret to the administration at Bradley The season ticket process, pricing philosophy, and endless thirst for maintenance fees, along with an aloofness and arrogance that belie the true condition of the program, continue to disturb me, and alienate more and more fans and sponsors. (See Peoria Park District Golf Fee Fiasco for more insight on how to drive your revenue, and product, into the ground.).
>>Here is what I think is an emblematic example of how/why the program is on a downward path.:
>>I noticed that Nate Wells did not play in the exhibition game. (Granted, I was not actually at the game, but I assume he was dressed and able to play, as nothing was reported otherwise). I also heard, and read, Coach Ford's comments about his players being casual, forgetting plays out of the huddle, not knowing what to do/where to go, not taking Augustana seriously, being too comfortable with their success in their secret scrimmage, lackadasical practice this past week, etc. I'm willing to bet that one player that he is not referencing, and he would not have these issues with, is Nate. But Nate does not fit the prototype for this program (athletic, vagabond, short-termer, grade/legal troubles, undisciplined, etc.). So, what does Coach Ford do? He allows the people who do not perform to continue playing and does not hold them accountable. What does he do to the kid that works hard and does what he's supposed to do? He sits him during an exhibition game, where he is admittedly trying to spread the minutes. Therefore the other players are not held accountable, recognize this, and do not change their habits. And, sadly, the fans understand this, and thus get even more turned off by the program, because it does not recognize loyalty, perseverance, and hard work. Reward Nate with minutes, and any others that work hard and do what their told, and see how quickly the others fall in line.
>>In the meantime, I'll continue to keep my fingers crossed and hope that the men's basketball program doesn't sink to the level of the women's volleyball team, at least for a little while longer.
TIM MCCORMACK
PEORIA

How does he know who works hard he wasnt at the game. Does he witness practices?

[Da Coach]

How does he know who works hard he wasnt at the game. Does he witness practices?

For the record, Geno has said publicly several time in interviews and chat sessions how hard Nate works in practice, and how he is the ultimate team player, and how he should be part of the rotation. Geno has rewarded Nate with a scholarship all 4 years that he has been here as a member of Geno's team.

This is Nate's 4th year with Geno. Yet despite the complete lack of production by any of our big men, Nate was the only scholarship player not injured, ineligible, or suspended, who did not get off the bench for even 1 second of playing time.

[tornado]

he knows who slacks off, and who gets suspended, and who breaks the team rules...

[AZ BU Fan]

IF Nate isn't going to get minutes in exhibition games vs teams like Augustana, why is he still on the roster at BU?

Once he figured out he wouldn't get a lot of playing time at BU, why wouldn't he have looked to another School/Conference/Div where he could play/start and be more successful? This would have helped BU with another open scholarship to find another player who could contribute at this level.

If we are serious about BU becoming a major MVC BB power, having players for 5 years who can't contribute and take up scholarships isn't going to get it.

PS Didn't some former coach recruit and sign him and tell us all how good a player he was, or was going to be in the MVC?

[Da Coach]

Come on AZ, this is year 4. It is way past the Statute of Limitations for blaming the previous coach for the failings of this program.

Yes, the previous coach recruited and signed Nate, but the current coach is the only coach he has ever played for at Bradley, and scholarships are evaluated and renewed on a yearly basis. That means Geno has made the decision 4 straight years to retain Nate on this team
Geno ran off 4 of the other 5 recruits from his first year, plus a bunch more every year, so he surely wouldn't have hesitated to run off Nate if he wanted to.
So if Nate can't contribute on a team with virtually no production from our bigs against a small, unathletic D3 team, then it is not Jim Les' fault.

BTW, who knows if Nate could have developed into a player who could give us meaningful minutes, since he never has had the chance.

[Canton BU fan]

If the players won't take this seriously that's the coaches fault. If this coach can't get everybody on the same page it's time to find one who will.

[Chibearsfan10125]

Once he figured out he wouldn't get a lot of playing time at BU, why wouldn't he have looked to another School/Conference/Div where he could play/start and be more successful?

Maybe he likes Bradley and values the education he is getting. Maybe he understands that while basketball is important, getting a degree from a quality institution is equally, if not more, important. Sure, he could still get a degree from another school, but if he likes the school and his teammates, why would he leave?

[Buesch N Chips]

Come on AZ, this is year 4. It is way past the Statute of Limitations for blaming the previous coach for the failings of this program.

True, but it goes both ways. Jim Les should not be blamed for the failures of the Geno Ford era, nor should he get any credit for the successes.

[tornado]

every midmajor coach takes a few chances and has a few misses...but most don't miss on 9 out of every 10 with 6-8 new players and massive turnover every season

[Da Coach]

True, but it goes both ways. Jim Les should not be blamed for the failures of the Geno Ford era, nor should he get any credit for the successes.

What success? Bradley has never had a period of 3 years under any previous coach with less success as we've seen these past 3 years.
Can you name what the high point of the last 3 years is? Can you name the biggest wins of the GF era? Can you name any "upsets"?

[Dub]

Nate Wells should start

Prior to this letter, I was thinking of making an arguement that Nate should not only play a bit, but possibly be our starting center. I noticed in the past few times I've seen the team in informal situations (most recently at the river jam) that he is the emotional leader of the team. You cannot overstate the value of on-the-court/field leadership. Look no further than Aaron Rogers vs Jay Cutler tonight. For a while now Nate is our emotional leader, but ALWAYS from the bench. Not right.

[Buesch N Chips]

I'll put it very nicely and say I don't think Nate is, or ever will be, a contributor.

But it was an exhibition. What's the harm in giving him a little court time?

[wily coyote]

I'll put it very nicely and say I don't think Nate is, or ever will be, a contributor.

But it was an exhibition. What's the harm in giving him a little court time?

Agree with every word in your post ,if for no other reason than to show people for the umpthteen time Nate is out of his league. The coaches see these kids every day. Can't believe they wouldn't play him if they thought he could contribute.