Article picks Bradley 10th in MVC next year

[MacabreMob]

Well said Squirrel!

[it's boogie time]

Where are the women going to play during the demolition and construction? Where will the men's practices be?

[MacabreMob]

Where are the women going to play during the demolition and construction? Where will the men's practices be?

I don't think they have decided yet, but I thought the women were gonna play at HS's around the area or ICC.

Let's get Jim Rea on here and tell us.

[squirrel]

I don't think they've ruled out alternate facilities yet, but that is a last resort from what I'm hearing. . .

A variety of options is being considered, but the most practical is also among the least favorable, and that is front loading the conference part of the schedule (i.e. play 9 homers first).

Should there be any construction delays, the other option is the use of the championship court in the new recplex for the following season. . .the new recplex is technically going to be off-limits for athletic department official activities, however, certain teams will be granted use until the new arena and its facilities are completed.

[houstontxbrave]

So the fact that BU has remained competitive during that stretch with its limited resources in my eyes is pretty amazing.

Losing at alarming rates is not competitive, finishing in the top 5 would be competitive.

So accordingly, she will likely have a shorter lease. And I think when the time comes to make a change, you will see an instant air of credibility which frankly hasn't been there. And if there doesn't seem to be signs of progress or improvement this year, you will likely see them bring in the new arena with a new coach, a new attitude, a new commitment, and hopefully a tradition.

But I think they would still be able to hire a promising up and coming coach at a salary that may not be quite at league standards, but starts to get the ball rolling.

So why then wait? Bring in that new coach and new attitude right now. Why wait for the inevitiable?

Obviously, I feel she has no business as the head coach at BU and others think differently. Her numbers at the end of the day speak for themself.

[squirrel]

So the fact that BU has remained competitive during that stretch with its limited resources in my eyes is pretty amazing.

Losing at alarming rates is not competitive, finishing in the top 5 would be competitive.

So accordingly, she will likely have a shorter lease. And I think when the time comes to make a change, you will see an instant air of credibility which frankly hasn't been there. And if there doesn't seem to be signs of progress or improvement this year, you will likely see them bring in the new arena with a new coach, a new attitude, a new commitment, and hopefully a tradition.

But I think they would still be able to hire a promising up and coming coach at a salary that may not be quite at league standards, but starts to get the ball rolling.

So why then wait? Bring in that new coach and new attitude right now. Why wait for the inevitiable?

Obviously, I feel she has no business as the head coach at BU and others think differently. Her numbers at the end of the day speak for themself.

First off, most colleges in Illinois played in the AIAW until the NCAA forced all member institutions sponsoring the sport to play in their association in the early 1980's. After becoming full members of the NCAA, some of the Valley members played in the Gateway, which did sponsor the sport. The MVC, which is a much tougher women's league given its joining membership, did not begin supporting women's basketball until 1992-93.

Before joining the NCAA, BU played junior colleges, and smaller local schools. In the 25 years after becoming DI, BU has played a number of non-DI opponents (although not too much the last few years).

All-Time coaches records for BU women's hoops:

Anelle Griffin 5-24 (2 years, AIAW Independent)
Jan Winkler 63-31 (4 years, AIAW Independent)
Joe Stowell 33-22 (2 years, Reclassifying to NCAA)
Angela Beck 38-44 (3 years, joined DI, joined Gateway)
Lisa Boyer 124-149 (10 years, led team to most wins in two year cycle before joining much tougher MVC)
Donna Freitag 37-69 (4 years)
Paula Buscher 84-114 (7 years)

I don't know the circumstances with Boyer if she was fired or moved on, but Freitag inherited at least a stable program and went 16-12 her first year but averaged on 7W her last 3.

Buscher has averaged 12 wins a year. BU has won more than 12 games in a season only 9 times in 25 years as a DI program. 3 of those have been her teams. At the very least she has been a stabilizing force.

I'm not saying BU can't do better or not be more competitive, but I also think its important to understand its history and place, and I for one understand that the program has generally been DI in name only and I would wager doesn't match the resources available of ANY of its DI opponents, or if so, likely less than 5% all time DI opponents.

That is all changing with the new facilities. . .it will be worth the wait, in my opinion.

http://admin.xosn.com//pdf3/47921.pdf?DB_OEM_ID=3400

Another thing to consider is that with Title IX, the staffing requirements likely also changed, and would have affected Bradley more than any other Valley school as Drake already promoted and financially supported heavily its women's program and was able to draw on talent-rich Iowa.

[houstontxbrave]

Boyer left on her own.

I feel strongly that she is not a good coach and her overall record bares that out.

After 8 years stabilization is not success it is being nothing but mediocrity.

I simply look at ISU, SIU. They made head coaching changes recently to young coaches and they are both seeing success. Both programs have improved substancially since Buescher has taken over at BU.

I understand the athletic department and others like her, and yes she has obsticals to success, but again in her 8 years as a head coach she has proven only one thing... she can not win basketball games at the D1 level.

[squirrel]

Boyer left on her own.

I feel strongly that she is not a good coach and her overall record bares that out.

After 8 years stabilization is not success it is being nothing but mediocrity.

I simply look at ISU, SIU. They made head coaching changes recently to young coaches and they are both seeing success. Both programs have improved substancially since Buescher has taken over at BU.

I understand the athletic department and others like her, and yes she has obsticals to success, but again in her 8 years as a head coach she has proven only one thing... she can not win basketball games at the D1 level.

And you probably think BU's facilities and budget are on par with other Valley schools for women's basketball as well

I'll agree with you BU has not done as well as it can. But with what resources they have available, no one can successfully argue they are bad.

I don't think we're too far off in opinion. I just don't believe BU could be expected to have done much better than they have. I understand that others feel differently, but it's a hard sell.

Why else would a lifelong Bradley fan whose parents are longtime season ticket holders choose ISU? BU traditionally offers nothing for women's basketball. . .recruits, coaches, chances for success.

Or if they did have a run of success, the coach responsilbe would be gone ASAP. Lack of stability at this level can lead to other problems (lack of continuity in recruiting, academic/guidance issues, etc.)

That will all change and soon.

[houstontxbrave]

We have officially beaten this horse to death.

Opps one thing though, absolutely not our facilities and budget are now where near the levels of other schools within the Valley in regards to Womens basektball.

Well second thing actually, and this goes to her as a coach .. I simply do not think she is a very good coach. But hey Im not always a good poster so who knows.

[Braveman]

Look at other sports.. some long-time BU coaches are barely 500- and they have coached a lot longer than Buscher...