Tough luck for BU

[valpotx]

That isn't going to be possible for me.  Anyone that has competed for Valpo against Butler would have a hard time not disliking them .  I turned down an offer from them to come to Valpo, and even though I played with Butler guys (and liked them) on my 2 summers in the Midwest, I still have that deep down dislike for them lol.

[bbtds]

I, like many of you, delight in the downfall of the Bulldogs. They once were an upstart in a mid-major conference but now because of their greed are suffering in a major conference. The way their fans were behaving on their message board those fans are truly deserving of this downturn in fortune. I'm sure the money is still good but they will be the DePaul of Indy for years to come.

Greed? Really? You think they should have turned down the Big East? Are you crazy? They were in the Horizon League 2 years ago and essentially jumped from the 13th best conference to the 4th best conference and everyone thinks they have a death sentence from a bad year. What sort of leash is expected from a mid major making the jump? A hand to a choke collar? They've been in games to the best Big East teams. They've had only 1 +150 RPI loss all year, and have had more top 100 wins than everyone in the Horizon minus Green Bay.

Everyone rejoicing over a Big East team's struggles should get over themselves and worry about teams in the Horizon that have lost to Evansville, North Carolina A&T, Eastern Illinois, UC Riverside, Loyola, South Alabama, and Austin Peay to name just a few.

Those annoying Butler fans you mention? What about us? How do we look at those weird Oral Roberts fans that had a Valpo fascination 3 years later?

I never said that Butler should have turned down the Big East. I just said that I delight in their downfall. That is mainly because of the way the Butler fans were on their message board. Yes, the money is still good and when a school or person goes for the money is that not greed? I don't believe you can in any way compare the way Butler fans' behavior to the ORU or Valpo fans' behavior. The Butler fans were so much worse and still somewhat are still terrible. I love reminding them on a daily basis what the Bulldogs record is in the Big East. There are not nearly as many Butler t-shirts and sweatshirts at work on Fridays these days.

[wh]

Butler is in a major conference thanks to a 2-year history of back-to-back runs to the national championship game that ended 3 years ago.  They have never made deep tourney runs over multiple seasons with different players, like a Gonzaga for example.  Unlike a Gonzaga, they have never demonstrated that they can attract top notch recruits over a period of years to be able to sustain themselves at the D-1 major conference level. 

So here we are.  The players from that one moment in history are long gone.  The coach from that moment in history is long gone.  They have no special players.  They haven't recruited any special players.  They have one of the most inexperienced, untested coaches with one of the shortest resumes in the D-1 major world.  They are the worst team in their conference.  They have one of the 5 worst conference records among 73 D-1 major teams.  Two of their players have quit the team during the current season, including one of their supposed "hot shot" freshman recruits.  Rumors abound that more players will quit the team at the end of the season.  They have no hot prospects for the future to help them climb out of the hole they dug for themselves and jumped in.  They are an unmitigated friggin disaster - an embarrassment to themselves and the league they represent.  They are clearly in over their heads, and it will take years - yes, years - to overcome this.       

[LaPorteAveApostle]

"How do you pronounce 'DePaul'?"

"In Indy, we say it 'BUTT-ler'!"

[vu72]

Sorry but I'm with valpotx, wh, apostle and others.  The relationship with Butler goes back further then any other school and as a result the dislike is also well established.  The fact that they won't schedule us but will schedule NJIT, or whatever, only makes seeing them fail all the more satisfying. 

[a3uge]

Wh, you said the same thing before last year and they were a shot away from the Sweet 16 last year. Insulting them for accepting a Big East bid is inane. Of course they're going to struggle for a couple of years. They were in a 1 bid mid major conference 2 years ago and just lost their coach. Anyone whom expected success this year is crazy. They should have been rebuilding in stiffer A10 play last year but were an at large 6 seed that won in the 1st round.

Referencing their conference record is very misleading. They are top 100 RPI in their OOC record, and Valpo's is 214. Implying that they're Depaul and stuck forever is completely baseless, especially after making these claims before last year's season that resulted in a tourney run.

Also, your standard for success seems to be set incredibly high. They made the Sweet 16 twice before the Championship season. They've had 7 appearances in the past 10 years and have only lost in the first round once. Marquette, Villanova, and Georgetown are the only Big East teams with a comparable resume over the past 10 years.

The hatred towards Butler is irrational at this point. They've moved on to two leagues already. Get over it. This is like if Bradley fans post about Creighton next year when they struggle after Dougie McBuckets leaves. At some point we're going to have to get over this Butler obsession. I'm sure ORU fans have gotten over Valpo by now.

[LaPorteAveApostle]

I'm sure ORU fans have gotten over Valpo by now.

http://www.valpofanzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=1693.msg40103#msg40103

[valpotx]

I think that some of us will just have to agree to disagree in regards to Butler.  I will forever dislike the athletics programs at Butler, having competed against them, and for the way many of their fans carry on about this magical 'Butler Way' crap, like it is any different than most programs in D-1. 

[crusaderjoe]

Butler is in a major conference thanks to a 2-year history of back-to-back runs to the national championship game that ended 3 years ago.     

Butler is in a major conference because of Barry Collier. 

[historyman]

Can we move this thread to a seperate "Butler University" category so I can avoid them from now on. This is truly pathetic.

[wh]

Wh, you said the same thing before last year and they were a shot away from the Sweet 16 last year. Insulting them for accepting a Big East bid is inane. Of course they're going to struggle for a couple of years. They were in a 1 bid mid major conference 2 years ago and just lost their coach. Anyone whom expected success this year is crazy. They should have been rebuilding in stiffer A10 play last year but were an at large 6 seed that won in the 1st round.

Referencing their conference record is very misleading. They are top 100 RPI in their OOC record, and Valpo's is 214. Implying that they're Depaul and stuck forever is completely baseless, especially after making these claims before last year's season that resulted in a tourney run.

Also, your standard for success seems to be set incredibly high. They made the Sweet 16 twice before the Championship season. They've had 7 appearances in the past 10 years and have only lost in the first round once. Marquette, Villanova, and Georgetown are the only Big East teams with a comparable resume over the past 10 years.

The hatred towards Butler is irrational at this point. They've moved on to two leagues already. Get over it. This is like if Bradley fans post about Creighton next year when they struggle after Dougie McBuckets leaves. At some point we're going to have to get over this Butler obsession. I'm sure ORU fans have gotten over Valpo by now.

In trying to compare Butler with Valpo I guess you're saying that Valpo would be a bigger flop than Butler is right now given the same circumstances.  Even if it's true, it's completely meaningless.  Butler and Valpo are in 2 completely different peer groups now.  Butler's is comprised of 73 D-1 Major programs in the 6 best basketball conferences in the country.  As I said (and supported with facts) they are the worst team in the Big East and one of the worst D-1 Major programs in the country.  By the way, in addition to the evidence I provided earlier add that they are one of only a handful of Majors than have 0 wins against top 50 teams.  They also have one of the worst RPI's among all majors.  In short, in a matter of 3 short years they have gone from the top of the mid major world to as low as they can possibly get in the major world.  That my friend makes their transition a complete flop and a disappointment beyond imagination relative to where anyone in the college basketball world envisioned they would be at this point. 

By the way, it means nothing to me that the very idea of having this discussion so offends you. This isn't high school, and you're not a hall monitor.  It will continue without justification or apology until those of us engaged in it decide to end it, whether you like it or not.  If that bothers you, let me suggest that you "get over yourself." 

[valpotx]

Can we move this thread to a seperate "Butler University" category so I can avoid them from now on. This is truly pathetic.

There is absolutely nothing 'pathetic' about it.  Just because you don't have that eternal dislike for them, does not make other people irrational.  I have VERY good reasons for disliking Butler sports until the day I die, just like I do for ORU sports, and others have their good reasons as well. 

[a3uge]

Wh, you said the same thing before last year and they were a shot away from the Sweet 16 last year. Insulting them for accepting a Big East bid is inane. Of course they're going to struggle for a couple of years. They were in a 1 bid mid major conference 2 years ago and just lost their coach. Anyone whom expected success this year is crazy. They should have been rebuilding in stiffer A10 play last year but were an at large 6 seed that won in the 1st round.

Referencing their conference record is very misleading. They are top 100 RPI in their OOC record, and Valpo's is 214. Implying that they're Depaul and stuck forever is completely baseless, especially after making these claims before last year's season that resulted in a tourney run.

Also, your standard for success seems to be set incredibly high. They made the Sweet 16 twice before the Championship season. They've had 7 appearances in the past 10 years and have only lost in the first round once. Marquette, Villanova, and Georgetown are the only Big East teams with a comparable resume over the past 10 years.

The hatred towards Butler is irrational at this point. They've moved on to two leagues already. Get over it. This is like if Bradley fans post about Creighton next year when they struggle after Dougie McBuckets leaves. At some point we're going to have to get over this Butler obsession. I'm sure ORU fans have gotten over Valpo by now.

In trying to compare Butler with Valpo I guess you're saying that Valpo would be a bigger flop than Butler is right now given the same circumstances.  Even if it's true, it's completely meaningless.  Butler and Valpo are in 2 completely different peer groups now.  Butler's is comprised of 73 D-1 Major programs in the 6 best basketball conferences in the country.  As I said (and supported with facts) they are the worst team in the Big East and one of the worst D-1 Major programs in the country.  By the way, in addition to the evidence I provided earlier add that they are one of only a handful of Majors than have 0 wins against top 50 teams.  They also have one of the worst RPI's among all majors.  In short, in a matter of 3 short years they have gone from the top of the mid major world to as low as they can possibly get in the major world.  That my friend makes them a complete flop and a disappointment beyond imagination relative to where anyone in the college basketball world envisioned they would be at this point. 

By the way, it means nothing to me that the very idea of having this discussion so offends you. This isn't high school, and you're not a hall monitor.  It will continue without justification or apology until those of us engaged in it decide to end it, whether you like it or not.  If that bothers you, let me suggest that you "get over yourself."

"complete flop and a disappointment beyond imagination relative to where anyone in the college basketball world"

I don't think even Butler fans are this disappointed going into a new league with a new coach. Maybe you increased your expectations of them because last year you declared them dead in when they joined the A10. We all know how their first year went. But whatever,  I guess that's just luck with their recruiting accidents, or luck that somehow Stevens was there.

Bottom 1/4 RPI is apparently one of the worst major bb programs in the entire country? That's a little bit misleading. What an incredible standard to hold a transitioning mid major team to. You'd be miserable if Valpo ever made a conference jump and struggled for the first year. You probably wouldn't cherry pick stats like taking conference record and ignoring ooc games like they didn't exist. Are you saying Mississippi State, Virginia Tech, UCF, are better schools because they have the same conference records? Again, that argument is absurd. Maybe you'd also ignore playing OK state, Villanova to one possession and the number of other close games they've played that show they aren't as bad as advertised?

Imagine if Valpo transitions to the MVC and Bryce leaves the program, and their first year in the league they win 2-3 games. What would you say to the Detroit fans on their message board writing paragraphs of insults about how Valpo is a "complete flop and a disappointment beyond imagination relative to where anyone in the college basketball world." I would find it ridiculous, but maybe you have the same expectations.

[a3uge]

Can we move this thread to a seperate "Butler University" category so I can avoid them from now on. This is truly pathetic.

There is absolutely nothing 'pathetic' about it.  Just because you don't have that eternal dislike for them, does not make other people irrational.  I have VERY good reasons for disliking Butler sports until the day I die, just like I do for ORU sports, and others have their good reasons as well.

I get disliking Butler. I get that they remind everyone of obnoxious self righteous Cardinals fans. But I will reserve writing their trip to the Big East as a complete failure/they're the next Depaul before the first season even ends.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[wh]

Wh, you said the same thing before last year and they were a shot away from the Sweet 16 last year. Insulting them for accepting a Big East bid is inane. Of course they're going to struggle for a couple of years. They were in a 1 bid mid major conference 2 years ago and just lost their coach. Anyone whom expected success this year is crazy. They should have been rebuilding in stiffer A10 play last year but were an at large 6 seed that won in the 1st round.

Referencing their conference record is very misleading. They are top 100 RPI in their OOC record, and Valpo's is 214. Implying that they're Depaul and stuck forever is completely baseless, especially after making these claims before last year's season that resulted in a tourney run.

Also, your standard for success seems to be set incredibly high. They made the Sweet 16 twice before the Championship season. They've had 7 appearances in the past 10 years and have only lost in the first round once. Marquette, Villanova, and Georgetown are the only Big East teams with a comparable resume over the past 10 years.

The hatred towards Butler is irrational at this point. They've moved on to two leagues already. Get over it. This is like if Bradley fans post about Creighton next year when they struggle after Dougie McBuckets leaves. At some point we're going to have to get over this Butler obsession. I'm sure ORU fans have gotten over Valpo by now.

In trying to compare Butler with Valpo I guess you're saying that Valpo would be a bigger flop than Butler is right now given the same circumstances.  Even if it's true, it's completely meaningless.  Butler and Valpo are in 2 completely different peer groups now.  Butler's is comprised of 73 D-1 Major programs in the 6 best basketball conferences in the country.  As I said (and supported with facts) they are the worst team in the Big East and one of the worst D-1 Major programs in the country.  By the way, in addition to the evidence I provided earlier add that they are one of only a handful of Majors than have 0 wins against top 50 teams.  They also have one of the worst RPI's among all majors.  In short, in a matter of 3 short years they have gone from the top of the mid major world to as low as they can possibly get in the major world.  That my friend makes them a complete flop and a disappointment beyond imagination relative to where anyone in the college basketball world envisioned they would be at this point. 

By the way, it means nothing to me that the very idea of having this discussion so offends you. This isn't high school, and you're not a hall monitor.  It will continue without justification or apology until those of us engaged in it decide to end it, whether you like it or not.  If that bothers you, let me suggest that you "get over yourself."

"complete flop and a disappointment beyond imagination relative to where anyone in the college basketball world"

I don't think even Butler fans are this disappointed going into a new league with a new coach. Maybe you increased your expectations of them because last year you declared them dead in when they joined the A10. We all know how their first year went. But whatever,  I guess that's just luck with their recruiting accidents, or luck that somehow Stevens was there.

Bottom 1/4 RPI is apparently one of the worst major bb programs in the entire country? That's a little bit misleading. What an incredible standard to hold a transitioning mid major team to. You'd be miserable if Valpo ever made a conference jump and struggled for the first year. You probably wouldn't cherry pick stats like taking conference record and ignoring ooc games like they didn't exist. Are you saying Mississippi State, Virginia Tech, UCF, are better schools because they have the same conference records? Again, that argument is absurd. Maybe you'd also ignore playing OK state, Villanova to one possession and the number of other close games they've played that show they aren't as bad as advertised?

Imagine if Valpo transitions to the MVC and Bryce leaves the program, and their first year in the league they win 2-3 games. What would you say to the Detroit fans on their message board writing paragraphs of insults about how Valpo is a "complete flop and a disappointment beyond imagination relative to where anyone in the college basketball world." I would find it ridiculous, but maybe you have the same expectations.

You're finally disputing the message instead of shooting the messenger.  Nice improvement. 

[IndyValpo]

"complete flop and a disappointment beyond imagination relative to where anyone in the college basketball world"

I don't think even Butler fans are this disappointed going into a new league with a new coach. Maybe you increased your expectations of them because last year you declared them dead in when they joined the A10. We all know how their first year went. But whatever,  I guess that's just luck with their recruiting accidents, or luck that somehow Stevens was there.

Well any hope you had at appearing clued in was lost right there. The Butler faithful are jumping ship at alarming rates.  They want Miller fired, they want Collier fired for hiring Miller in the first place.  They are even questioning Stevens. They are down on recruiting, they are down on the existing players. Living in Indy it has been pretty enjoyable to watch their fans suffer.  I am not as sold as wh that they are in total free fall but they can certainly see it where they are. 

[a3uge]

Wh, you said the same thing before last year and they were a shot away from the Sweet 16 last year. Insulting them for accepting a Big East bid is inane. Of course they're going to struggle for a couple of years. They were in a 1 bid mid major conference 2 years ago and just lost their coach. Anyone whom expected success this year is crazy. They should have been rebuilding in stiffer A10 play last year but were an at large 6 seed that won in the 1st round.

Referencing their conference record is very misleading. They are top 100 RPI in their OOC record, and Valpo's is 214. Implying that they're Depaul and stuck forever is completely baseless, especially after making these claims before last year's season that resulted in a tourney run.

Also, your standard for success seems to be set incredibly high. They made the Sweet 16 twice before the Championship season. They've had 7 appearances in the past 10 years and have only lost in the first round once. Marquette, Villanova, and Georgetown are the only Big East teams with a comparable resume over the past 10 years.

The hatred towards Butler is irrational at this point. They've moved on to two leagues already. Get over it. This is like if Bradley fans post about Creighton next year when they struggle after Dougie McBuckets leaves. At some point we're going to have to get over this Butler obsession. I'm sure ORU fans have gotten over Valpo by now.

In trying to compare Butler with Valpo I guess you're saying that Valpo would be a bigger flop than Butler is right now given the same circumstances.  Even if it's true, it's completely meaningless.  Butler and Valpo are in 2 completely different peer groups now.  Butler's is comprised of 73 D-1 Major programs in the 6 best basketball conferences in the country.  As I said (and supported with facts) they are the worst team in the Big East and one of the worst D-1 Major programs in the country.  By the way, in addition to the evidence I provided earlier add that they are one of only a handful of Majors than have 0 wins against top 50 teams.  They also have one of the worst RPI's among all majors.  In short, in a matter of 3 short years they have gone from the top of the mid major world to as low as they can possibly get in the major world.  That my friend makes them a complete flop and a disappointment beyond imagination relative to where anyone in the college basketball world envisioned they would be at this point. 

By the way, it means nothing to me that the very idea of having this discussion so offends you. This isn't high school, and you're not a hall monitor.  It will continue without justification or apology until those of us engaged in it decide to end it, whether you like it or not.  If that bothers you, let me suggest that you "get over yourself."

"complete flop and a disappointment beyond imagination relative to where anyone in the college basketball world"

I don't think even Butler fans are this disappointed going into a new league with a new coach. Maybe you increased your expectations of them because last year you declared them dead in when they joined the A10. We all know how their first year went. But whatever,  I guess that's just luck with their recruiting accidents, or luck that somehow Stevens was there.

Bottom 1/4 RPI is apparently one of the worst major bb programs in the entire country? That's a little bit misleading. What an incredible standard to hold a transitioning mid major team to. You'd be miserable if Valpo ever made a conference jump and struggled for the first year. You probably wouldn't cherry pick stats like taking conference record and ignoring ooc games like they didn't exist. Are you saying Mississippi State, Virginia Tech, UCF, are better schools because they have the same conference records? Again, that argument is absurd. Maybe you'd also ignore playing OK state, Villanova to one possession and the number of other close games they've played that show they aren't as bad as advertised?

Imagine if Valpo transitions to the MVC and Bryce leaves the program, and their first year in the league they win 2-3 games. What would you say to the Detroit fans on their message board writing paragraphs of insults about how Valpo is a "complete flop and a disappointment beyond imagination relative to where anyone in the college basketball world." I would find it ridiculous, but maybe you have the same expectations.

You're finally disputing the message instead of shooting the messenger.  Nice improvement. 

Well it's much easier to think of hyperbole while at work than look up RPI Forecast/Schedules on my phone trying to make a decent response from my phone.

[valpo64]

I love it!!    The Butler Way, way, way, way back.  And after DePaul's win last night Butler is finally by itself...dead last in the Big East.....Love it!

[zvillehaze]

I love it when wh gets fired up ... I just wish he would open up and say what he really thinks! 

I won't/don't care to argue about what the future holds because I really don't know.  wh and others could be correct in their predictions and I'm smart enough to know that anything I write won't sway them.  Besides, it's sort of like arguing whether it will rain on May 20th, 2017 ... one of us will be right, but we won't know who it is for a few years.

They have never made deep tourney runs over multiple seasons with different players, like a Gonzaga for example.       

I'm not sure I buy this ... since their magical Elite 8 run in '99 (led by Richie Frahm, their "one lucky recruit" per Pepperdine message board poster pu72), Gonzaga's been pretty disappointing in the NCAA tourney.

[78crusader]

What I think WH and others are missing is that many Butler games are now being shown on Fox Sports as part of the Big East package.  That is a big deal, even if they have a lousy team this year.  VU, on the other hand, seems only to be on the ESPNU or ESPN3 channels, which aren't available in all markets, and I would say aren't watched by nearly as many people as ESPN, ESPN2, or Fox Sports.  The TV exposure Butler gets really helps further their brand and increase name recognition.  VU needs more of this since I have been told by folks in Admissions that there are kids in southern Indiana, only 3 hours away, who have never heard of VU.

I am kinda glad Butler is struggling but I wish they were still in our conference.  They are a natural rival for us, along with Evansville.  It is a shame we can't play them regularly anymore.  Nothing against teams like Wright State and UIC, but we would draw more fan interest playing in-state teams like Butler and Evansville. 

Paul

Paul

[vu72]

What I think WH and others are missing is that many Butler games are now being shown on Fox Sports as part of the Big East package.  That is a big deal, even if they have a lousy team this year.  VU, on the other hand, seems only to be on the ESPNU or ESPN3 channels, which aren't available in all markets, and I would say aren't watched by nearly as many people as ESPN, ESPN2, or Fox Sports.  The TV exposure Butler gets really helps further their brand and increase name recognition.  VU needs more of this since I have been told by folks in Admissions that there are kids in southern Indiana, only 3 hours away, who have never heard of VU.

I am kinda glad Butler is struggling but I wish they were still in our conference.  They are a natural rival for us, along with Evansville.  It is a shame we can't play them regularly anymore.  Nothing against teams like Wright State and UIC, but we would draw more fan interest playing in-state teams like Butler and Evansville. 



Paul

Paul

I agree with Paul on this.  I suspect our tv coverage will increase with the new tv deal the Horizon is working on.  With the new NBC and CBS sports networks there will be more competition for programing and the Horizon has a pretty good product to offer.  On the other hand having people watch you get creamed doesn't necessarily help either.  I caught a little of their game last night which they easily could have lost by 30 or 35.  The dogs were called off and walk-ons played for the last 4 minutes.

[a3uge]

What I think WH and others are missing is that many Butler games are now being shown on Fox Sports as part of the Big East package.  That is a big deal, even if they have a lousy team this year.  VU, on the other hand, seems only to be on the ESPNU or ESPN3 channels, which aren't available in all markets, and I would say aren't watched by nearly as many people as ESPN, ESPN2, or Fox Sports.  The TV exposure Butler gets really helps further their brand and increase name recognition.  VU needs more of this since I have been told by folks in Admissions that there are kids in southern Indiana, only 3 hours away, who have never heard of VU.

I am kinda glad Butler is struggling but I wish they were still in our conference.  They are a natural rival for us, along with Evansville.  It is a shame we can't play them regularly anymore.  Nothing against teams like Wright State and UIC, but we would draw more fan interest playing in-state teams like Butler and Evansville. 



Paul

Paul

I agree with Paul on this.  I suspect our tv coverage will increase with the new tv deal the Horizon is working on.  With the new NBC and CBS sports networks there will be more competition for programing and the Horizon has a pretty good product to offer.  On the other hand having people watch you get creamed doesn't necessarily help either.  I caught a little of their game last night which they easily could have lost by 30 or 35.  The dogs were called off and walk-ons played for the last 4 minutes.

The current HL ESPN deal was set after Butler went to back-to-back championships. Fortunately we have more leverage with the creation of Fox Sports 1/NBC Sports/CBS Sports networks. The Big East has a great deal with Fox Sports and CBS Sports that results in all Big East games being televized. Looking at their schedule, almost all conference games are on FS1 and pretty much all Butler games are there as well. For  DirecTV, FS1 is on the same package as ESPNU.

Going down a tier, the A10 has a pretty good deal as well - about half their games are scattered across NBCSN, CBSSN, and ESPN1,2,U. Instead of the once a week ESPNU HL deal, I hope the HL eventually can spread to these other networks... Of course without sacrificing online viewing.

[bbtds]

VU needs more of this since I have been told by folks in Admissions that there are kids in southern Indiana, only 3 hours away, who have never heard of VU.

Heck, there are kids in southwest Indianapolis that continually say "Valparaiso who?"  I talked to a kid who attends Bishop Roncalli, the other day, and he had no idea that Valpo was in Indiana and this was a 4.0 gpa student.

[valpotx]

That is surprising to hear, as just about everywhere I go in area, someone has heard of Valpo if they follow college sports.  This has happened to me so frequently whenever I mention that I did my undergrad at VU, that it has actually gotten old lol.  Maybe it is because I speak with people my age and older, whereas these younger kids haven't heard of 'The shot.'

[bbtds]

if they follow college sports.

I believe those are the key words. Many qualified students that would be interested in Valpo don't follow sports. I know a current Valpo student who went to my church who knows all about the academic reputation but nothing of Valpo's athletic reputation. Maybe the board of director's decision not to invest in athletics as much as some of us would like is not as bad a decision as many would perceive it to be.