I have been thinking about this all evening and wanted to get it out into the open. Those of you who have been on this board for the long haul know that I am actually pretty optimistic by nature. When it comes to watching TU sports I've always approached it with the attitude that anything can happen and we can always win on any given day. I like to give coaches a long leash to prove themselves before bagging on them too much.
My mindset for TU men's basketball was formed starting in 1980. I've enjoyed great things like watching Nolan's team beat Billy at the Civic Center, our first NIT championship run at the Mabee Center, following the team to NCAA tourney games, and sitting in the stands for our Elite 8 game that was oh so close. So the level of performance, engagement and competitive edge is how I see TU basketball and I've always been hopeful we are just around the corner from regaining that. It's what keeps things interesting and engaging.
Tonight though I have been reflecting on the past 18 years, and that all the students who have come through TU and all of the younger members of the Tulsa community have no memory of what I noted in my paragraph above. It is unrealistic for me to have this view that better days are right around the corner and that we are a basketball school just waiting to reemerge. It's too late. The best we can hope for considering the current situation is lighting in a bottle once every decade or two because it is clear that we no longer have winning ambition at the highest level. It is sobering and painful to say this out loud and I know many will say I've been fooling myself for a long, long time. But at some point, even the most optimistic person can't keep being optimistic.
I dropped the GHC membership this year. Next year I'm dropping most but not all my tickets. I suspect further down the line I will drop all my tickets.
Chris need not worry as long as he wants to run the message board because this is probably the last thing would drop, my membership in the Alley and on this board. Despite the squabbles and differing opinions, at least this is a place to be heard. And I really appreciate that Chris. I don't think the TU administration is listening, but I know that folks here are listening and many have a similar history with the program as I have.
I wish I had something else positive to say. Perhaps I will leave things this evening by repeating something I've posted many times, which is I would be delighted to be proven wrong.
My mindset for TU men's basketball was formed starting in 1980. I've enjoyed great things like watching Nolan's team beat Billy at the Civic Center, our first NIT championship run at the Mabee Center, following the team to NCAA tourney games, and sitting in the stands for our Elite 8 game that was oh so close. So the level of performance, engagement and competitive edge is how I see TU basketball and I've always been hopeful we are just around the corner from regaining that. It's what keeps things interesting and engaging.
Tonight though I have been reflecting on the past 18 years, and that all the students who have come through TU and all of the younger members of the Tulsa community have no memory of what I noted in my paragraph above. It is unrealistic for me to have this view that better days are right around the corner and that we are a basketball school just waiting to reemerge. It's too late. The best we can hope for considering the current situation is lighting in a bottle once every decade or two because it is clear that we no longer have winning ambition at the highest level. It is sobering and painful to say this out loud and I know many will say I've been fooling myself for a long, long time. But at some point, even the most optimistic person can't keep being optimistic.
I dropped the GHC membership this year. Next year I'm dropping most but not all my tickets. I suspect further down the line I will drop all my tickets.
Chris need not worry as long as he wants to run the message board because this is probably the last thing would drop, my membership in the Alley and on this board. Despite the squabbles and differing opinions, at least this is a place to be heard. And I really appreciate that Chris. I don't think the TU administration is listening, but I know that folks here are listening and many have a similar history with the program as I have.
I wish I had something else positive to say. Perhaps I will leave things this evening by repeating something I've posted many times, which is I would be delighted to be proven wrong.