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CU-AFA hoops
July 1st, 2009, 9:07 am · 5 Comments · posted by david ramsey
Jeff Reynolds says the University of Colorado is not on Air Force’s 2009-2010 basketball schedule, according to a story in today’s Gazette’s by Jake Schaller.
“Nothing’s really changed,” Reynolds said.
Reynolds doesn’t want to play CU because of his friendship with Jeff Bzdelik, the former Air Force coach.
Reynolds shouldn’t have the luxury of bypassing opponents because of purely personal reasons. And I’ve never understood his logic. There’s little in life more fun or satisfying than beating one of your best friends.
The Falcons have fallen into an ocean of problems, but the biggest obstacle now facing Reynolds is apathy. Bzdelik has the same problem in Boulder. They coach teams surrounded nightly by empty seats. Thousands of fans have given up and refuse to travel to games. This makes sense. The Falcons were winless in the Mountain West last season, and the Buffs won one game in the Big 12. The teams coached by these close friends combined for one win and 31 losses in conference play.
If CU traveled to Clune Arena, fans would travel there, too. Same goes for an Air Force journey to Boulder. The apathy would lift, if only for a night.
One other point:
Athletic director Hans Mueh has said he wants AFA to play CU.
But Reynolds said he has not spoken to Mueh about the game.
Really?
I’ve spoken to Mueh about the possibility of the teams playing. So has Jake.
But Reynolds hasn’t.
Give Hans a call, Jeff.
A quick plug:
Even though Jake recently attacked me on this blog, calling me a “lunatic” for my views on the NBA, I still feel compelled to recommend his blog, which should be the online home for every Air Force fan.
http://gazetteafasports.freedomblogging.com/
But Jake’s ”lunatic” remark has me wondering.
When I was studying at Abilene Christian University, we were taught to follow Christ’s example of kindness and service.
Still not sure what Jake was taught at Notre Dame.
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David
All good points. I suspect that the reason that CU and Denver are not on the play list is much more practical. Losses too both of them turns up the pressure on the AF program and coach. I suspect that we have not seen the bottom yet and this season will be worse than last year. As I overheard Dr Mueh explain :it is just one year.” Now that we have rolled over the contract for another 5 years, we will see if there is any improvement across that period. However I am fairly sure that the coach doesn’t want even more pressure from losses to in state rivals with real emotional attachments. Scott has Denver on an up turn as seen by last year’s record. As for Brother Jeff in Boulder…there is some justice…but neither he nor Reynolds needs the heat. A shame…I agree could generate some fan interest. However, Simon and Garfunkel will be performing the Sounds of Silence in Clune on a regular basis this year. Arguments that loyal fans will show up regardless is a bit unrealistic. Some of us will make a pilgrimage from here out of curiosity and hope but most people want to see good basketball and expect a reasonable chance of winning. If they see blow outs and sloppy play…they will always vote with their feet and their wallets. (possible exception…the Washington Red Skins…mediocre year after year and still filling the stands…so I suppose it can be done)
It will be interesting to see how many fans show up for games at Clune this season. I was impressed by the loyalty of the fans this past season.
David,
In order for Reynolds to give the Chemistry professor a call, the Prof has to give his head hoops coach his number AND then answer the phone when he calls. God forbid he actually walk down the hall in the athletic department offices to discuss the AFA-CU scheduling quandary!!
I would love to see who the incoming class of recruits are and a full schedule BEFORE I buy season tickets. This program has regressed all the way back to Reggie Minton ball. I skipped the Stony Brook game last year on New year’s Eve day as I thought it was a “gimme” and I had better things to do that day. In retrsoect, it was a pathetic foreboding of things to come for the rest of the season….i.e. 0-16 in conference play!!!!! How many games into this upcoming season will it take for fans to start wearing the brown paper shopping bags of shame?!?!?!
TCOJB – Your last question is an interesting one.
But let me make this prediction:
I don’t believe we’ll see anyone wearing shopping bags at Clune.
Point well taken and valid David re: the brown bags. You’re right it won’t happen. Brown bags come from fans who are coerced into buying their season tickets for fear of losing their seats rights. No such axiom at AFA. Fans will stay away in a lousy economy in droves. More red ink for a program which doesn’t know how to run like the business it should be.
Hans & Co. will revile the Colorado Springs faithful as “fair weather fans” when in reality, they would pack 6500 seat Clune if they produced a winner. That won’t happen this year or any year Jeff R. is the head coach. This was “bad chemistry” from the beginning and a “failed experiment”.