It’s not the Students or the Fans!

Over the years, I have had the opportunity to speak with many people about TXST athletics including distinguished alumni, faculty, fans, athletes, and students. Universally one word keeps surfacing, “Why?” Why isn’t this or that done? Everyone is baffled as to why things never seem to change. It is no secret that many people think of TXST as being inferior. This infuriates me because I know that perception is reality.

I have given this much thought and am led to one key opinion. I feel the problem is the lack of desire to move TXST athletics forward in a deliberate and publicized fashion. It would be fantastic to hear the athletic department say, “Let’s begin by outlining our goals and the process through which we will achieve them.” If TXST’s athletics department is incapable of determining a formula to move forward, isn’t it time for change? Continually blaming the students and fans for core issues such as poor attendance at athletic events is not the solution. This only goes so far when TXST has had only five winning football seasons in the past twenty-three years as stated by TXST’s Athletic Director in the Ask the AD forum on TXST’s website. This is in a lackluster conference which is rarely televised or reported on by TXST or other media. Doesn’t this speak directly to a sustained lack of leadership?

When the athletic department is perceived as “just going through the motions”, is it really fair to blame the students and fans, or rather the athletic department who seems to do the same thing, year after year? How can the students or the fans be expected to remain positive and supportive over the long haul when things never seem to change? How many Bobcats do you know who graduate and end up supporting the Longhorns or other schools?

So what leads to these thoughts? Without boring you with a diatribe, the answer is obvious. All you have to do is take a look at any other successful and respected program for the solution. I guess until TXST’s student body is chanting “We are Texas State!” TXST’s best (both academics and athletes) will continue to leave for Texas’ flagship institutions; either that or just not consider TXST in the first place. Just look up the street and think of how the Longhorns are perceived and there is clearly no appreciable difference in the students. Just as clearly the problem isn’t the fans. I think TXST needs to stop blaming the student body and the fans and take an honest, unbiased look at themselves. I guess you either get it or you don’t. Isn’t the best predictor of future success past performance?

People align themselves with respected, well run institutions. Obviously winning is nice, but it isn’t everything. The heart of the issue is well beyond that. People choose quality academic and athletic programs, not mediocrity. TXST will not be viewed as successful until they understand this concept. Clearly TXST has the academics. To quote Coach Bailiff, “The difference between us and the Longhorns is attitude.” Coach Bailiff clearly understood this and now he’s gone. What does his leaving convey?

Especially in Texas, from grade schools through college, athletics is what captures the hearts and minds of the populace. Further, it is no secret that football is the most closely followed sport with the largest fan base. The high school athletics program my children attended were better run and more respected than TXST and there were never any excuses or scapegoats. To adapt a famous Edmund Burke quote, the only way to maintain the status quo is to foster apathy and ensure there is no accountability. TXST needs to foster the attitude of champions and then perceptions will change. You can’t just say it, you have to do it.

Plans for moving into the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) were recently reported in the University Star; however after reading the article closely, I found no definitive statement that TXST will actually effect this change. I find it coincidental that this announcement comes when there is an existing moratorium on moving to the FBS. Frankly, with the way the athletics department is managed, I have to wonder if this change will ever really come to fruition. Shouldn’t this have been done twenty years ago?

I can only imagine a day when Texas State University lives up to its name and is nationally known and respected. While I know this compilation of my thoughts as well as those of others may offend the sensibilities of some, if you are offended just remember that inaction maintains the status quo. Also remember that the problem isn’t the students or the fans.

David Eyre

loyal2youtsu@yahoo.com