Monday, October 31, 2011

Words of Encouragement

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Takin' to the Streets!



LET THEM KNOW!!!


I'm going to be totally POSITIVE on the blog today.

I think we all deserve it.

So I am urging all my readers to send emails to President Lee Bollinger and Athletic Director Dianne Murphy as they go about replacing Norries Wilson as head coach.

This might seem like an easy decision to most of us, and maybe some of us think it will be easy to actually carry out.

But it won't be.

Bollinger, Murphy, Bill Campbell and the University as a whole could be in for an avalanche of criticism and unwarranted attacks for relieving Wilson at this time.

Politics will be brought into this, among other issues that have nothing to do with football.

We have to let the powers that be know that we demanded this decision and we support them for putting it into place.

You can email President Bollinger at: officeofthepresident@columbia.edu

You Can email Dr. Murphy at: mdm2111@columbia.edu

Let them know you know how hard this choice is and how they will have your support.

Let them know you will NOT be silent when the newsmedia or anyone else comes at them with crazy accusations of unfairness to Coach Wilson or anyone else.

Let them know that this dismissal is beyond warranted and no one has a right to criticize it on any sane level.

This blog and its readers aren't just about criticizing and wishing for better things.

We're also all about supporting good decisions at least twice as loudly as we bemoan the bad ones.

Let's prove that TODAY.



Not Just a Snow Job

I also want to say something VERY nice about the people who run things at Wien Stadium.

Now, we've all heard the comments about whether the players had the right gear... that's another issue.

I want to point out the hard work and excellent ADVANCED PLANNING that went into making Kraft Field even somewhat playable Saturday.

I watched as not one, but two snowplows and several people with shovels worked feverishly to clear as much of the field as possible before the game, at halfime, in between quarters and during timeouts.

The pickup truck snowplow drove faster in reverse than I've ever seen a plow go just to set up each new run.

These people were working really hard... and smart. I was really impressed.

I really wish I knew the names of the people who were smart enough to make sure those plows got there and then the names of the people who drove and shoveled that muck away. If anyone in the administration isn't afraid to email me, please let me know their names so I can give the proper kudos.

But I DO know that as AD, Dianne Murphy deserves a lot of credit for at least assembling the right stadium staff to handle this.

I know that Erich Ely is the Associate Athletics Director for Facilities Operations. Steve Figueroa, Scott Butch, and Maggie Johnson are listed as part of that staff.

And I know that Alex Oberweger is the guy who makes sure the broadcasters could at least try to get video and audio on the air.

I've been a TV producer for 17 years, and I can tell you getting clean shots on the air even on good days can be impossible. The fact that anyone not at Wien Stadium was able to follow any of the game is a testament to all the people at YES and Columbia who busted their butts to get it done.

48 Comments:

At Tue Nov 01, 12:10:00 AM GMT+7, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Is Gilmore still the Columbia faithful's dream coach after Kevin Kelly's Georgetown team soundly defeated HC last weekend?

 
At Tue Nov 01, 12:13:00 AM GMT+7, Blogger Jake said...

I'd say yes because the weather really screwed things up this weekend and I don't think just one week like that makes all the difference.

But for what it's worth, Kelly was on my radar as a possible candidate anyway.

 
At Tue Nov 01, 01:21:00 AM GMT+7, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Jake, is it a foregone conclusion that the Wilso era is going to be over in three weeks?

 
At Tue Nov 01, 01:22:00 AM GMT+7, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Any details on the JV game ???

 
At Tue Nov 01, 01:22:00 AM GMT+7, Anonymous Anonymous said...

How about Joe Paterno? At this stage of his career he might welcome a new challenge. Plus he's an Ivy Leaguer (Brown) and from the same hometown as legendary Lion QBs Sid Luckman and Gene Rossides (Brooklyn , N.Y.). Think Papa Joe would help with recruiting??

 
At Tue Nov 01, 01:24:00 AM GMT+7, Blogger Jake said...

My sources say it is a done deal... but I also have sources that say there will be a furious political backlash and Bollinger needs bolstering.

 
At Tue Nov 01, 01:32:00 AM GMT+7, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Jake,

I don't foresee a "furious political backlash." On what account, racism? We were the first to break the color barrier for head football coaches in the Ivy League, so that's ridiculous. Wilson has had six years to prove himself, has not had a winning season and has apparently stirred up some negativity with regard to his policies and procedures. No apologies needed, and I don't see the need to bolster the administration...that would be overdoing it.

 
At Tue Nov 01, 01:56:00 AM GMT+7, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Jake-

I can't believe that this athletic administration, advisory board, or the University would bend to the whim of the "Race Card". As a football alum (three year letter winner when no frosh could play varsity), and more importantly, person of color, I am disgusted and appalled at such a notion! The loss of the Provost and our Dean have NOTHING to do with Coach Wilson. It is this type of attitude and stereotype that fails us as a race. Coach Wilson has been given the benefit of the doubt and more than enough chances to succeed. If he wins 2 of the last three games, I will be championing his cause to stay. Unfortunately, it does not look that way. 1 win may be a gift. Nevertheless, a 1-9/0-10 season is unacceptable for a caucasian, black, yellow or red coach! I would ask the University not to fail as human beings as well. This disaster has been going on far too long.

 
At Tue Nov 01, 02:11:00 AM GMT+7, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Kevin Kelley looks like a good choice. His team just beat first place Holy Cross and is now a half game out of first place behind Lehigh. Certainly the Georgetown facilities are nothing to crow about, but he's doing it anyway, and off the field as well with civic activities for the players.
Have no idea if he'd be interested, but here's his bio:

http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=14691059&postID=8265473456354079592

 
At Tue Nov 01, 02:16:00 AM GMT+7, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Kelley's top assistant at Georgetown is Dave Patenaude, who coached at CU for four years, has a very good resume, and I think (?) was in the running for Lion HC last time around.

 
At Tue Nov 01, 02:49:00 AM GMT+7, Anonymous Anonymous said...

My sources tell me that Norries was actually our third choice six years ago. We have had a policy of being tight fisted with packages for the HC and the assistants. I like Norries and was a fervent supporter of his until the wheels fell off. Had we hung on to beat Fordham and Princeton and beaten either Penn or Yale, I might think otherwise. But barring a trifecta (which is unlikely, although I will fervently hope for one)then I think we need to get another hire like Kyle Smith. If you want to send a message to the administration then let them know that you usually get what you pay for. We need to provide an attractive package to get the HC and the staff we need. PS, if Norries sees that the situation is a lost cause he is still a very classy guy, and I would n't be surprised to see him hand in his resignation.

 
At Tue Nov 01, 03:20:00 AM GMT+7, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Having been through the Georgetown recruiting with my son, Coach Kelly is a high class individual. I do not profess to know the intracacies of who should be the CU coach, but I remember this. Coach Kelly practices at 7 or 7:30am until 9:30am and the student athletes are done with football obligations for the day so they can join organizations and be a regular student. With NW and the 7:30am position meetings, lifting during the day, and 2:30 busses and returning to campus when the dining halls are closing, anyone that has that sort of approach to coaching is fine with me. These young men are STUDENT athletes, and I am afraid that is sometimes lost with the current staff. They are also young men that need to be treated with respect. Screaming all practice from the coaches is rarely a way to motivate, on the field or in life.

 
At Tue Nov 01, 03:33:00 AM GMT+7, Anonymous Anonymous said...

If we want Kelly we need to make him a very generous offer and make it clear that we are not going to cheap out on the assistants.

 
At Tue Nov 01, 04:04:00 AM GMT+7, Anonymous Anonymous said...

If what you are saying about the in-season demands placed on the players is true, then Columbia is in serious violation of the NCAA by-laws, a sanctionable offense. I doubt that is the case, but if it is, it must be reported to Murphy on an urgent basis. If it's not true, then the issue should be dropped. Following are the governing rules from the current NCAA By-laws (games are included in the weekly limits):

17.1.6 Time Limits for Athletically related Activities. In all sports, the following time limitations shall apply: (Adopted: 1/10/91 effective 8/1/91)
17.1.6.1 Daily and Weekly Hour Limitations—Playing Season. A student-athlete’s participation in countable athletically related activities (see Bylaw 17.02.1) shall be limited to a maximum of four hours per day and 20 hours per week. (Adopted: 1/10/91 effective 8/1/91)

17.02.1 Countable Athletically related Activities. Countable athletically related activities include any required activity with an athletics purpose involving student-athletes and at the direction of, or supervised by, one or more of an institution’s coaching staff (including strength and conditioning coaches) and must be counted within the weekly and daily limitations under Bylaws 17.1.6.1 and 17.1.6.2. Administrative activities (e.g., academic meetings, compliance meetings) shall not be considered as countable athletically related activities. (Adopted: 1/10/91 effective 8/1/91, Revised: 10/31/02 effective 8/1/03)

 
At Tue Nov 01, 04:13:00 AM GMT+7, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I can't help thinking that if three plays had gone differently, we'd likely be talking about how good this season is: (1) the interception at the end of the first half of the Fordham game; (2) the first false start at the end of the Penn game; and (3) the catch and fumble that led to Yale's first field goal. Funny thing is each one was a player mistake, and none caused by coaching.

 
At Tue Nov 01, 04:17:00 AM GMT+7, Anonymous Mitch '68 said...

The idea of Coach Kelley's early morning practices, mentioned above by 1:20, is certainly interesting but unfortunately hard to see how that could work at CU with the commute. At the same time, the cost/benefit of the current in-season early meetings and weight lifting sessions at CU should also be looked at. Seems like a good way to drive everybody crazy.

 
At Tue Nov 01, 04:25:00 AM GMT+7, Anonymous Anonymous said...

2:13 get a life!!
Three plays? are you kidding.
A coach who has been here 6 Ficking years and can't run the ball in a SNOW STORM?
Puleease
Doc/ jock

 
At Tue Nov 01, 04:29:00 AM GMT+7, Anonymous Anonymous said...

In response to 2:13: the simple fact of life is that good teams don't make these types of mistakes week in and week out. There is usually a fine line between winning and losing. Apart from the no-show effort at Dartmouth, we were certainly capable of winning every other game this season. But where does the fault lie? Sure it is easy to say that this player made that mistake, etc., but at some point it is up to the coaches to prepare the players not to make mistakes. Moreover, it is up to the coaches to make half time adjustments. We fell short in the Fordham and SHU games, when we came out flat in the second half, and likewise at the Yale game. We outplayed Penn in the first half and should have had a three touchdown lead at half time, at least. So we are getting out smarted in two respects: we consistently make mistakes and find ways to lose close games, and we do not make proper half time adjustments. That isn't a talent issue; it is a coaching issue.

 
At Tue Nov 01, 05:04:00 AM GMT+7, Anonymous Anonymous said...

2:29, that's where we differ. I think every football coach in America teaches his offensve not to false start, every year. And yet players do it from POP Warner to the NFL, and sometimes at the worse time - even Bill Belichek's guys do it sometimes. It's one thing if it's habitual with a player or team, but that hasn't been true of Wilson's teams or individual players. So I just don't see logically how it can be called Wilson's fault. Just not possible.

 
At Tue Nov 01, 05:07:00 AM GMT+7, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I thought NW was earning 220K a year so that seems reasonable for a I-AA school (even in NY). If Priore (who went to Stony Brook) was the first or second choice , who was the other choice on NW. BTW , the school earned 24% on the endowment last year, so I think we can afford to pay a little more for the head coach (or assistants).
Assistants at CU have moved on to better positions (see Chip Kelly at Oregon, as well as the Miss State HC) as well as a bunch of them becoming HC in the Div 3 programs, so there being an assistant at CU is not a dead end job. When I write the president what should I say (good luck in firing the coach?) or should I state that I will support him in his decision to replace NW?

CU_88

 
At Tue Nov 01, 05:12:00 AM GMT+7, Blogger Jake said...

Support him in replacing the coach. Promise him we have his back.

 
At Tue Nov 01, 05:26:00 AM GMT+7, Anonymous Anonymous said...

@2:29: Remember that Columbia scored an easy TD due to an apparently horrendous Yale punt return miscue. It happens, even to good teams. The difference is that when Yale needed to atone, they did so -- driving the ball down the field and then stopping Columbia on the last drive of the game to seal the victory.

Over 60 minutes, talented teams can overcome such miscues to win games. Less talented ones struggle to do so.

 
At Tue Nov 01, 05:41:00 AM GMT+7, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Re 3:26: the Yale mistake on the punt return was actually the result of one of the best pressure punts I had ever seen. You really had to be there to appreciate what a phenomenal kick it was. As far as talent level versus coaching, why do w efall short on blocking and tackling? Is that a recruiting issue, or a practice issue? Do we spend too much time on live scrimmages during the season and not enough time on drilling fundamentals?

 
At Tue Nov 01, 06:35:00 AM GMT+7, Blogger cathar said...

A post on replacing the coach, including an urging to write letters to Bollinger anbd Murphy,followed by many reader posts supporting that course of action is "totally positive?" In what alternate universe would that be?

A friend's brother played for Miami (and then for the Dolphisn for a few years. Another friend's son played at Clemson. From their stories, anyone who believes that those NCAA regulations about time commitments are actually followed and honored at successful football programs is seriously deluded.

And it'll be interesting to see if Fordham, which so far has only us as a win, and with all those schoalrship players, retains its own head coach after this season.

 
At Tue Nov 01, 07:18:00 AM GMT+7, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dream coach is one who can win while enduring hands down the worst facilities in the Ivies(stop with the BC center comments-it's almost comical) with the most difficult practice situation in the East.Like the players, has to be super resilient and strong minded but also a leader of men. That's why assistant coaches never work out well as HC for Columbia--way too many off field obstacles to overcome besides flying the plane for the first time.

 
At Tue Nov 01, 07:20:00 AM GMT+7, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Cathar, you must be the dumbest Columbia graduate ever. Jake has already reported the coach is gone. Today he's telling us the fact that Bollinger et al are going to get slammed for that decision and he's asking the readers to support them at this time. Why does everything have to be explained to you all the time? And why do you keep giving yourself a pass as we continually ask you to explain your other logic-free assertions? I don't know what they serve you at the Northern Jersey CU alumni club, but it's definitely not legal.

 
At Tue Nov 01, 09:46:00 AM GMT+7, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Actually, talking about dumb Columbia graduates, just because Jake reported that his source said Wilson he'll be gone, doesn't mean he'll be gone. It means Jake's source said he'll be gone. Nothing more. The source may be right and he may be wrong. Let's not be so gullible.

 
At Tue Nov 01, 05:37:00 PM GMT+7, Anonymous Anonymous said...

To the last poster about us being gullible. You're right! One day Jake say he stays, the next he's gone, and now because of "politics" (Race Card) he may stay.

You don't have to be the "Amazing Kreskin" to figure that a 1-9, or 0-10 season should cost this staff their job (after years of decline as well). Unfortunately, BC, the FBC, Diane (and even Bollinger) are of weak moral/ethical/social character IF (I repeat IF) they keep Norries. Supporting Norries sets us back years! Give him a job on Diane's staff, like we did with Ray, so that he works out his contract, and then we are rid of him.

 
At Tue Nov 01, 05:46:00 PM GMT+7, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Worth repeating!!! We all need to act here!!! Please, please contact the below for our kids sakes!

Bollinger: officeofthepresident@columbia.edu

Dr. Murphy at: mdm2111@columbia.edu

A change is necessary!

 
At Tue Nov 01, 06:04:00 PM GMT+7, Blogger cathar said...

Poster at 5:18, you sound so devoted to serious, rational discourse, I can only stand in awe of both your verbal deftness and your obvious commitment to courtesy.

And I write this even as, formally, Norries Wilson (the very nice Norries Wilson, I'd like to add in the "better the devil you know than the devil you don't know" spirit) remains head coach. Although, dear poster at 5:13, it seems to you that, well, by golly, if Jake posted it here then it perforce must be true and guaranteed.

 
At Tue Nov 01, 06:44:00 PM GMT+7, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dear Mr. Cathar,
There is not one writer on this blog (except for those who think NW held back heaters and parkas intentionally) that have disagreed with you that NW is not a nice person. This is a football blog however, they are not knocking his personality and character, they are unhappy and criticizing his ability to coach football.Please admit it,just has not worked. This team deserves a coach that can lead them to victory.So far he has not accomplished that. Not good for the coach(and his staff). Not good for the FB team.

 
At Tue Nov 01, 07:34:00 PM GMT+7, Anonymous Bill Flick '87 said...

1. How many of you think that Norries (or Murphy) is the real or only problem?

2. Does Campbell not know how to select a competent coach?

3. Is Norries simply not cut out to be a head coach?

4. Is it a coincidence that we have not had a winning coach in the entire history of our program?

I say NO to all of these questions.

It would be interesting to compare the football budgets of each Ivy school. I am guessing CU ranks at the very bottom of that list, too.

I had an email exchange with some of my former teammates yesterday comparing the conditions of the game on Saturday to our Cornell game the Garrett year. One of them wrote: "...remember them (Cornell) wearing wool-lined parkas and gloves on their sidelines while we wore what amounted to CU blue Hefty bags." Some things never change.

So I could be wrong but I'm not buying the notion that we had suitable clothing and heat for our players but Norries withheld it from them. I think the school just doesn't care enough about football to make the necessary investments we need to succeed.

Norries' time may have expired here but I don't think he is the root of the problem. Jake, I love your blog but you'd have been better off demanding that Bollinger make a successful football program a priority. if that means hiring the best coach than go hire him and spend the dollars needed to do so. Give the coach everything he needs to succeed, too. Harvard went out and hired a D1 head coach from a top 20 program. I realize Harvard is Harvard but would we even consider doing something so bold? Not a chance!

They told Garrett they were committed to winning and he learned very quickly that they weren't really that serious about winning. we spent the next three years watching John, Jason and Judd earn All Ivy and Bushnell accolades and win Ivy Titles. Meanwhile, we went out and hired McElreavy, which was a joke on so many levels.

The history of our program has us so far behind our peer programs we are going to need to seriously overspend to catch up.

I have no confidence we would ever do this but if Norries is a goner and if we really want to have a wining program we are going to have to overpay in order to get the most qualified coach and staff that we can find. There is not a coach in America that would choose Columbia over another Ivy school if the package were the same - simply because we have never, ever, ever, not in 75-100 years, demonstrated we are truly committed to a winning football program.

If the school doesn't make a complete commitment with the next hire we will all be writing the same letters to Bollinger 5 years from now. You can change the coach and change the AD all you want but if the Administration continues to "support" football the same way they have been throughout history we will continue to dwell in the basement of the Ivies.

One more thought: Coach Campbell wants to win as badly as any of us but he can only do so much if the Administration isn't really committed to it.

 
At Tue Nov 01, 08:11:00 PM GMT+7, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm not sure where the poster on the team daily activities got their information from, but, it is nowhere near reality. Both Columbia and Georgetown.

As far as NW is concerned the lack of proper clothing and heaters at the last game in my opinion is almost criminal. I am still waiting for an explanation from the university why they allowed their students to put in a situation that could have led to serious physical harm potentially a life threatening situation. If it was a coaching decision then he should be fired immediately and the AD for allowing it. That would need to happen even if they were undefeated. There is no excuse for putting anyone in a life threatening situation. They knew 24 hours in advance the conditions were going to be brutal. The snow was supposed to come later, but, the rain, cold and wind were being predicted on Thursday.

 
At Tue Nov 01, 08:32:00 PM GMT+7, Anonymous Anonymous said...

3:37, a decision to keep Wilson is far from an indicator of "weak moral/ethical/social character". It would merely be a choice of differen means to the same goal - consistent winning. Keeping Wilson may be based on more insight into what is needed to win at Columbia, and Norries Wilson's character and ability, than this board community can muster. And a refusal to panic in the face of a setback.

4:44, if you go back and read this blog thoroughly, you will see constant attacks, expressed and implied, against Wilson's chracter and personality, as well as his professional ability. All of it is preposterous if you have a rational view of him, the team and the program. Especially preposterous are the accusations of abuse of the players. If you know the man, you would know he wouldn't tolerate it. If you know the program, you would know it wouldn't tolerate it (see Garrett and Shoop and Gilmore).

Actually it is the tenor of many of the attacks on Wilson that reflect poor "moral/ethical/social character" of the posters. You can recognize some accomplishment and ability on Wilson's part and still be critical of many of his decisions, and also maintain that what he's done isn't enough or he isn't right for Columbia. There are valid reasons on both sides of the stay or go argument. But to insist that the facts are black and white is unfair, not credible and just plain wrong. To return to the business metaphor, a decision based on willful mischaracterization of the factual context is a bad decision, one mangers get fired for. If Campbell and Murphy refuse to panic or to be stampeded, it would be a reflection of superior character and managerial ability. And that is true whether their decision is to keep Wilson or let him go.

 
At Tue Nov 01, 08:40:00 PM GMT+7, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Jake, why not pass the hat here for money to buy parkas for the team? Now, that would be positive!

 
At Tue Nov 01, 09:28:00 PM GMT+7, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sideline capes would be estimated at around $5k to $7k for 108. An oline vendor (footballvendor.com) has them for $4,000 for their brand. A higher level cape would be more. Jake, is there anyway you could find out what Columbia would be charged for these from their supplier (Nike...)? We could all contribute to a specific fund for the capes to be purchased (and uised).

 
At Tue Nov 01, 09:46:00 PM GMT+7, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Bill Flick-  nice job.  I played after you, but nice job!

It's funny to me that people "think" that they know what's going on with the program, yet they are clueless, or do not want to believe, the reality of just how bad it is...

1.). Something simple as Parkas ARE a coaching call and those IDIOTS do not have them; it's that simple.  How do I know?  Because I asked!  The equipment manager and coaches should have identified this and now some of these kids end up on Gossett's, or worse, Dr. Levine table (I mean injury, not that you are a bad Dr.  In fact, thanks for all that you do.).  Actually, Levine should mandate them as a health measure, like a flu shot, just to get the ball rolling.  By the way, you can get the parkas anywhere. You do not have a contract from Nike, you buy product from them.  This is something so simple and avoidable, yet they make it so difficult and they are so stupid.  As far as the heaters go, the training staff and medical staff requested them, to no avail.  I believe another post remarked about that.  This is not a situation where Norries wanted to "toughen up" these kids.  He's just dumb!  Can you believe we are talking about parkas?  

2.). Thank you Cathar for not making another "Zola" reference in your post.  I know that it took you a great deal of self control not to do so.  I also appreciate you coming strong with yet another insidious post about Norries being a nice guy and that even though he has an unbelievably poor record (which you never acknowledge), the devil we know is better??? Seriously, that's your rationale?  And you have the audacity to mock Jake?  Cathar, do you seriously think that Norries should be retained?  A simple "yes" or "no" will suffice.  

3.). I challenge ANY the posters who think Norries, or his staff, are nice guys to watch a practice, speak to a player, speak to a parent of a player, speak to the medical staff, speak to ANYONE other than the coaches and see what they say about how the kids are being treated.  THEN send Jake an apology note.  

4.). Football Committee -  I realize that you are in an "advisory role", but step up for goodness sakes.  Campbell doesn't care about you (seriously, he doesn't even know most of your names anyway) so why care about him?  Take a stance guys!  I know that you care!  Make a difference here!  Now is your chance!

 
At Tue Nov 01, 09:48:00 PM GMT+7, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Great idea on the parkas. We can sew in "courtesy of Jake's Blog" on the inside.

Heck, I would even go so far as to get them sponsored by Chico's Bal Bonds (Original Bad News Bears reference, for the young).

 
At Tue Nov 01, 09:53:00 PM GMT+7, Anonymous Anonymous said...

3:41 thanks for the comment on the CU punt in 4th quarter. that is why I read this blog. Soaked to the bone, feezing cold and a player hits a 60 yard punt of what amounted to a bowling ball. shotgun snapping the ball without feeling in your hands; catching passes without solid footing; answering the call after 3 hours in a blizzard. Say what you will about the AD, coaches, missed tackles, penalties whatever. Just remember these boys have character and integrity and it should be treated with proper respect however things workout.

 
At Tue Nov 01, 10:31:00 PM GMT+7, Anonymous Mitch '68 said...

It really seems like the events of this year could become the basis of some sort of academic course in how to make a mess of a football team and as football season. One thing after another.

Re the sideline conditions for the Yale game, I wish to make the observation -- and any experienced outdoor person knows this -- that one of the most dangerous and destructive things you can do in bad weather is to remain still while getting cold and wet. If you're actively moving around, like the players on the field, it's not so bad -- but the players on the sideline during the Yale game were but in an extremely uncomfortable and threatening position.

How stupid and insensitive! Just because a kid isn't a starter does't mean you haven't got a future Bill Campbell standing there getting treated like a prisoner in a Stalinist gulag. But it doesn't matter if it's a future Bill Campbell or not. Suppose it's just a kid who came to Columbia, probably after a lot of hard work and sacrifice by many people, and this is what he gets. How disgraceful!

There really is no excuse for this having happened. It's infuriating. It's actually the biggest train wreck yet in a season of amazing train wrecks. Can this mess be topped? Let's hope not -- but there are still three games to go.

 
At Tue Nov 01, 10:59:00 PM GMT+7, Anonymous Bill Flick '87 said...

7:46

Last year and again this year I spoke with a recent grad who played for Norries. The vibe I got was that the players generally like Norries but have a real problem with at least one of the coordinators. Is that inaccurate?

I suppose the way this season has turned out could have changed the way the players now feel about Norries.

The Columbia I know could break Knute Rockne's spirit, maybe same has happened with Wilson. They just don't care about winning and it's going to be more of the same unless Bollinger states it as a mission of his to win an Ivy football Championship.

 
At Tue Nov 01, 11:28:00 PM GMT+7, Anonymous Anonymous said...

7:46, I myself don't have time to go to practices at Baker Field, but I do talk to a couple of guys who have been going once or twice a week since before Wilson became coach - and who used to see Jake there once in a while with Recco prepping for their broadcasts. They say they have never seen or heard anything that could be characterized as abuse at any time over the past five years. Once, one said, a player was ordered to run laps during practice. Not sure what the infraction was, but that's a commonly used disciplinary tactic in athletics, and hardly abusive. Neither is strong language used to make a point, necessarily. No one has provided a single actual incident that would constitute abuse of a player. If you know of any, and you were to tell Wilson, I have no doubt he would stop it, if you were right. Murphy, too.

 
At Wed Nov 02, 01:10:00 AM GMT+7, Anonymous John Alex '89 said...

Thanks Flicker for your remarks. Clearly we played in the same era a I pretty much have the same feelings.

I have had two players as long time interns and neither said a bad word about Norries, though we talked about CU football extensively.

 
At Wed Nov 02, 01:16:00 AM GMT+7, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thanks 7:43 for acknowledging what I said about the 60 yard punt. I heartily agree with what you said about our young men. They deserve to go out on a high note. I will be there pulling for them. Anybody who has ever played the game knows what it takes to put everything on the line when you are playing only for pride.

 
At Wed Nov 02, 05:35:00 AM GMT+7, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I was surprised to hear this, but apparently Bollinger interviews some of the athletics recruits, football included.,to help bring them in. If so, he may be taking a greater interest than he's being given credit for.

 
At Wed Nov 02, 06:52:00 AM GMT+7, Anonymous Anonymous said...

The worst thing about this discussion is that we've had it scores of times before! How long do we have to suffer through the same arguments with nothing happening? Do we really want perpetual losing for another 60 years? Because Wilson is a nice guy, he should never have to succeed in his job? It's not as if he had some winning seasons or even--please God--one championship to suggest he's capable of winning again.
Wilson has what every CU football coach has--a lot of losses. At this stage of this university's frightful football record, I don't want to hear about anything but W-L. There's nothing else to talk about any more, it's all been talked to death over and over. WIN.
Find a coach who can win.
One person wrote a nice comment here until he said if NW wins two of the last three he's for keeping him. We'd keep him for a 2-8 record?
It really is time for a change, not only in coaches, but in the attitude of CU's Administration.

 
At Wed Nov 02, 06:56:00 AM GMT+7, Anonymous Anonymous said...

If we are worried about paying a head coach a lot , then we should hire Moglia (the former CEO of ameritrade) who worked as a head coach in the UFL (as well as an unpaid assistant at Dartmouth). If NW does not allow coats/heaters then that is another reason to get a new coach.
CU 88

 
At Wed Nov 02, 09:47:00 PM GMT+7, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Best suggestion yet was from 11;16 on this post and alos on tuedsdays post: attend this week's game in support of THE PLAYERS!

After last week's effort in a blizzard in which the lions never gave up, spending a sunny afternoon at Wein stadium to acknowledge the PLAYERS will feel as warm as any parka.

that should be something even Jake and Cathar can agree on. Go Lions!

 

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