Bradley Welcome luncheon for AD Chris Reynolds, Brian Wardle, and new coaches

[Buesch N Chips]

Does anyone else notice the trend of all these promises? Basically, he is saying we will do things 180?° different than the previous administration has done them in these past few years.

That's exactly what Glasser, Cross, & Ford tried to do.

[Da Coach]

True, but things were not as terrible as some want us to think. Plus they didn't just change coaches and AD. They changed everything, even things that should have never been changed. Thus, they made things far worse and lost most of the fan support. Now it all needs to be undone, and thank goodness the right people are in charge to get it done right this time.
The first rule of management- If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[85Brave]

Was JG there?

[Da Coach]

Was JG there?

No

[Tommy]

Pretty exciting stuff, and thanks for sharing, guys. Wish I could have been there to meet the BU Forum folks. Maybe next time!

[tornado]

That's exactly what Glasser, Cross, & Ford tried to do.

they tried - but they tried to cater to a small group of fans who had bad ideas and whose plans literally sunk the program...
they wanted to downsize, start playing Eureka, move plenty or ALL games to Ren-Col, flood the roster with jucos or "difference-maker transfers who were supposed to suddenly become great players after flopping 2 or 3 other places, they wanted to cancel all the fan-favorite events and jack up ticket prices on the fans in the lower bowl who are your lifeblood, and tghey wanted to jam down everyone's throats that we already WERE better and getting better yet and that the fans are uninformed or ignorant if they don't see it.
They even had the full loyalty of a gullible media to play along (which it appears this group does not have yet) and toot their horns for them - and yet the wise fans till saw the tremendous failures and did not buy into the spin.
Thus for the first in history - didn't happen even in the worst of the Stowell, Albeck, or Mo years - the fans packed up and left in droves with some games of less than 2000 REAL fans there - butts in seats.

Things are different now and those Geno/Glasser worshippers are going to be left behind.

[tornado]

btw- after the lunch, a large group of fans followed the coach & staff down to Carver Arena and viewed the facilities and lockerroom...
the hallway, lockerroom, and entryway back to the BU lockerroom & BSS room has been completely re-done already - dozens of large pictures/posters/plaques etc...
..that show action scenes from past games of different eras - celebrating past Bradley greats...
Each player (there's only five at this time) has a back-lighted scene of himself above their own locker with their name in lights.

It's all nice - but Coach Wardle repeatedly stressed that each player will work hard to improve, and will have to perform and demonstrate teamwork & improvement - or they will not be part of the program.
That these five who stayed at Bradley were the only ones willing to buy into what it takes to become winners.

He said never again on his watch will we see articles on how a losing season is a success simply because we had a little spike in the number of games won. And never again will we call a 30 point loss a "moral victory" simply because we hung close or were leading at halftime. We might see hard work turn a sow's ear into a silk purse but we won't be calling a sow's ear a silk purse hoping the fans buy it.

[lefty]

It was a great luncheon for sure. I sat next to Coach Wardle. It's obvious this is where he wanted to be when his season in Green Bay was over..


job well done by the BU athletic department and Ken Goldin....

[Chico]

Reminds me of the beginning of the Versace era at Bradley. DV's first season the Braves were a below .500 team I believe. We all know what happened the next several years.

[tornado]

but Dick brought in a couple good jucos to mix with the freshmen - so far we have not seen that with Coach Wardle....but times have changed and I guess I'd rather have the four year guys - the recent juco-restocking approach has been a disaster

[it's boogie time]

One of the best Bradley functions I've been to. I wish the season was closer.

[tornado]

yes...we need to start a thread titled "Dr. Chris Reynolds - One of the Best AD's in School History (no question mark)"
(we've had some good ones - and Fergie was there at the lunch yesterday but KK wasn't!!)

[Da Coach]

Reminds me of the beginning of the Versace era at Bradley. DV's first season the Braves were a below .500 team I believe. We all know what happened the next several years.

Yes, you are right. Dick's first team, 1978-79, finished dead last in the MVC, with a 3-13 conference record (9-17 overall).
His second year, they won the MVC with a 13-3 record (23-10 overall), and then swept though the MVC tournament, beating Tulsa, Wichita State, and West Texas State. They went to the NCAA, but lost a heartbreaker to Texas A&M 55-53.
Dick's third season, they went 18-9, and 10-6, but it was only good enough for a tie for 4th that year.
But then he came back in his 4th season (1981-82) and went 26-10, 13-3 in the MVC and was snubbed by the NCAA and went on to cruise to the NIT championship.

[lefty]

yes...we need to start a thread titled "Dr. Chris Reynolds - One of the Best AD's in School History (no question mark)"
(we've had some good ones - and Fergie was there at the lunch yesterday but KK wasn't!!)

It might be a touch early....but everything certainly looks promising

[Da Coach]

There is no doubt Chris has a much different personality than any previous AD in my memory. He has infectious energy and more positivity than anyone before him. With his background and record of being successful and moving up the ladder quickly, I can't help but believe he will be successful at Bradley. Let's hope he stays for a long time (and that Indiana isn't in the market for an AD soon).