[NU Sports] Walker's Future

[Dennis Gaub]

Amen. Although my primary allegiance remains to NU, I also root for the
University of Montana, which handed me my graduate degree. And, I know,
comparing Missoula, Montana, to Chicago in terms of a college sports fan
base is strained, to say the least. Yet, if I want to cheer the Grizzlies in
what is widely recognized as the best stadium in Division 1-AA football, I
have to get single-game tickets in mid-summer. No chance now. The place was
recently expanded to about 23,000 seats, and it sets attendance records most
every Saturday. And UM students, alums and Griz fans from around the state
make the place the place absolutely rock.

We'll have an interesting experience at the end of October. My wife, my
16-year-old son (who is looking at NU's music program) and I are coming to
Evanston to attend homecoming. My son, especially, will be comparing the
atmosphere at Ryan with what he's experienced at Washington-Grizzly Stadium,
where one of his cousins suits up as a starting defensive lineman and
another younger cousin awaits his shot at copper-and-gold glory.

Just hope that, win or lose on Oct. 29, we have a more entertaining time
than at the last NU game we attended: the 2002 Labor Day weekend debacle
down at Colorado Springs. We walked out at halftime with the Cats behind,
38-0. I was tempted to put a brown bag over my head. Another one of those,
with my family next to me, and I join the fire-Randy crowd.

Dennis Gaub 

-----Original Message-----
From: nwu-sports-bounces at tssi.com [mailto:nwu-sports-bounces at tssi.com] On
Behalf Of DPENDERG at aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2005 7:05 AM
To: nwu-sports at romaine.tssi.com
Subject: Re: [NU Sports] Walker's Future

 
I think Walker will finish his contract but unless 2006 produces some
significant results (and, really, after six years of such pathetic defense,
can anybody realistically expect next year will be better?), I predict that
he  will leave by "mutual" consent with the University.
 
A large part of the Walker/Bienen judgment will be what we saw on  Saturday:

only 24k attendance for a Big Ten game on a pleasant afternoon  in
September. 
 I mean, many D-II teams do as well.  Something is  wrong in Wildcat City,
folks. The only time that Ryan fills is  when other teams bring their hordes
of supporters (and may well happen with an  ocean of red we'll witness next
week against Wiscy).  Of course, there is a  close correlation between fan
interest and W's, which have not been exactly  abundant under Randy Walker.
Whatever platitudes that Murphy may utter,  D-IA football is still a
business.  You perform or you're gone. 
 
In a message dated 9/28/2005 12:27:46 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,
BSchooler at aol.com writes:

Regarding Walker's future, I think it's important to remember what Mark
Murphy said in his first interview after being hired as Northwestern's AD.  
He said
something like our student athletes having a positive experience  is just as
important as wins and losses. I applauded these sentiments;  some thought it
was settling for mediocrity. 

In any case, I don't  think Mark Murphy's rather progressive criteria for
evaluating success  bodes well for Randy Walker's future. That and the
continuing shortcomings  with recruiting, special teams and the defense. I
know Roy Lamberton and  others will disagree, but that's my opinion based on
what I know. 

Bob  Schooler
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