Definition of futility

[vu72]

I am well aware of the lack of success in our football program, and hopefully that will begin to change starting in the fall.

In the meantime, after building a brand new tennis facility, our tennis teams may be the worst of all the teams.  Our women's team finished the year with a match record of:  0-20 and more embarrassing was the fact that their individual game record within those matches was 11-137.

Our men at least had a respectable record of:  6-11 and had individual game record of 22-132.

So, the notion of "build it and they will came" certainly hasn't held up in the tennis world.  In the meantime our track athletes have set some new school records while practicing at a Junior high.  The football field looks silly without a track.  My point is simply that we made a mistake in not building the track first and then the tennis facility.  This is without the benefit of where the funds came from and perhaps funds were donated specifically for tennis, I don't know.

I'm certainly not picking on our tennis athletes and I understand that the women only had one senior so hopefully things will improve.
Right now however, we aren't even close to competing in the Horizon, not even close.

[valpo84]

As I recall, the women had been to a couple straight NCAAs when the funds were being raised for the Tennis complex. The men's program had been building. The switch to the Horizon and some coaching changes has probably caused a cycle of being down and we can only hope that the trend is the opposite direction going forward.

[78crusader]

VU72, you are usually not so negative.  What's up?

Look at the bright side: our SB team is 25-17 and, after starting the season 1-15 (against unexpectedly strong non-conference competition), the BB team is 14-21 and 9-3 in the Horizon (good for second place).  I'd like to congratulate the BB team in particular since they could have simply thrown in the towel after the 1-15 start. 

Paul

[sectionee]

Why don't you donate the money needed for a track?  I'm told if there was a donor then there would be a track.  The problem is college athletes just want more and more, but once they are alumni don't dare ask them for a dime back (I know there are exceptions).  I played collegiate baseball and use to feel the same way, now I wish I made enough to give a bigger donation each year.

[vu72]

You know, if I had the money I would and have told Mark LaBarbera that on several ocasions.  I'm working on it--how about you sectionee??

I guess my post did come off as negative, not sure how else to read it!  My post had more to do with a couple of things:  First, I think from an image standpoint, that the track should have been built first, all things being equal, and second, that those who think that building facilities will solve all our basketball and other sport problems, should think again.

As for the coaching issues, it is true that the women have had a few coaching changes in recent years, but the men have had  Jim Daugherty as the men's head coach since 1985!!!!  That's before Homer Drew showed up!!

[sectionee]

haha, I'm a school teacher so I'm a few dollars shy of the $1,000,000! 

Good point on the coaches.  I don't think many people realized how long he has been in charge of the tennis team.

[IndyValpo]

The women's tennis program is about as low as possible.  If you think that 72's records look bad, dig a little deeper and see the number of 6-0 6-0 losses and it is mind boggling. 

Anyone who knows of a HS female tennis player who wants to play college tennis needs to direct them our way.  I know of a pretty good junior who has tried to make contact with the coach but her inquires have never been returned. Sadly, I would think our coach would welcome any interested party.  Time for this board to do some recruiting!

[vu72]

The women's tennis program is about as low as possible.  If you think that 72's records look bad, dig a little deeper and see the number of 6-0 6-0 losses and it is mind boggling. 

Anyone who knows of a HS female tennis player who wants to play college tennis needs to direct them our way.  I know of a pretty good junior who has tried to make contact with the coach but her inquires have never been returned. Sadly, I would think our coach would welcome any interested party.  Time for this board to do some recruiting!

No wonder they are terrible!  My understanding is that coaches in general followup on interest from every kid.  If this is happening then the AD should get on the case.