2024 SMSU Mustangs: Year 3 of Underwood

[SW_Mustang]

That's not at all what he said. It's fine to debate things and have disagreements about the university and how it should be run, but at least argue in good faith. This just makes you look like a sad, angry man.

It's ironic that you'd say that when he made a couple points in his post in the same vein, but we're not gonna call those out, are we?

You all are free to perceive me in any way that you wish. The people I've met IRL from this board probably wouldn't say the same as you have, at least I hope not. I don't think I'm all that unreasonable, personally. I just want the university to succeed in a world where universities don't succeed. Odd to describe that sentiment as "sad and angry," but do you.

[Stanger86]

It's ironic that you'd say that when he made a couple points in his post in the same vein, but we're not gonna call those out, are we?

You all are free to perceive me in any way that you wish. The people I've met IRL from this board probably wouldn't say the same as you have, at least I hope not. I don't think I'm all that unreasonable, personally. I just want the university to succeed in a world where universities don't succeed. Odd to describe that sentiment as "sad and angry," but do you.

For someone who constantly talks about how bad college athletics are around the Northern Sun and Summit, you sure spend a lot of time and money claiming to be an avid supporter of these institutions and athletic programs that you are degrading out of the other side of your mouth.

[SW_Mustang]

For someone who constantly talks about how bad college athletics are around the Northern Sun and Summit, you sure spend a lot of time and money claiming to be an avid supporter of these institutions and athletic programs that you are degrading out of the other side of your mouth.

Now we're just spouting off nonsense - but I'll bite. Since you're keeping track of what I have to say, it shouldn't be a problem for you to share the post of where I said I hate the NSIC. Ball is on your court on whose bluff gets called. Or we can just take our own advice and maybe not say ridiculous things.

Also - I'm curious, how much time and money have I spent watching two Summit League teams play each other? You've got that answer too, right? Not sure what it has to do with anything, but humor me.

[SW_Mustang]

It's been long enough and I have a long drive - so here it is: It's not Marshall State University, it's Southwest Minnesota State University. The school should exist to serve the entire region. This might come as a shock, but the needs of the immediate community don't always reflect those of the entire region. If that standpoint is offensive, then deal with it. There are two options - either whine to me about my opinion of the Summit League (I guess?) or challenge it. Tell me why I'm wrong.

The outgoing president understood at a basic level that if you want to grow and expand, you have to give people a reason to come. You can't just say "we're here, we're great" and expect to survive as a college. Marshall has nothing to draw in our target demographic. It's not news, it's not offensive, it's been talked about for two decades at this point. I don't want the school to adopt that mindset. Do I agree with everything he did? No, and I don't have too. Do I think he gets a lot of unjust hate for almost no reason? Absolutely.

Is Marshall a great place to live? Perhaps, for some. Is it a great place to raise a family? Perhaps, for some. Is it a great place to be 18-22? No - for most. If you guys want to get upset at me, go ahead - I can take it. But really, really look at what's there. Why is the bar scene so lackluster? Where do kids go for a concert on Friday night? Why aren't the outdoor activities very plentiful? etc. etc. etc. Then ask yourself "Is this what I want for my alma mater? Stale nothingness?"

Not to get political - but it also can't be denied that Lyon County tends to vote against the interests of education, as do most rural communities, usually for some strange conspiratorial reasons. We're not going to get into that here (and frankly, I don't like either side of the aisle). But it can't be ignored either. (My guess is someone quotes or DMs me about that aspect of it, ignoring everything else).

I want to expand - I want at least one satellite campus, maybe even an ag outreach center. I want us to be a viable option for the youth and adults of the region, and I'm not going to apologize for it.

[SW_Mustang]

Edit: point made

[vikingfaithful]

Edit: point made

I like your new avatar.

[SW_Mustang]

I like your new avatar.

Appreciate it! I've got a lot of crossover between here and Twitter so I thought I'd do some brand alignment...

If only I could change this throwaway name I picked 10 years ago haha

[Stanger86]

Our college football team sucks, but our high school has produced more NFL draft picks in the last 5 years than any other high school in the state of Minnesota.

[MrMustang]

You're angry that he boosted enrollment and fixed critical infrastructure. Maybe that's why I don't think the Marshall crowd should have a say. Maybe making people who hate higher ed angry is a good thing when trying to run a university. You guys vote against it every two years, so why should I consider your opinions? What is so scary about college? Is it the idea that people will see that life exists beyond the farm? Let's be honest here though - nobody locally has any money to give. By definition a rural community can't be affluent. There are other ways to raise money, I submitted some in my official proposal to the university.

So let me ask you, Mr. Attorney - what do you want the university to be? Because you don't seem to like it when it grows, don't like it when it shrinks, don't like it when education gets propped up, don't like it when the buildings get much needed attention... Would you be happy if we cut all the education and just ran sports? All we ever hear from you is how awful things are. You were the one who was adamant the college would close permanently during COVID, now you seem to be upset that it isn't headed that direction.

I don't care about Hawiian Night. It's in the middle of hockey season, so I can't go anyway, and it's not like we ever win on that night. I just love that it made the salt-of-the-earth types have an absolute meltdown, and I was absolutely there to throw gas on that fire in any way I could (even beyond this board). It's fun watching the "facts don't care about your feelings" crowd express their feelings in such a toddler-ish manner.

Another thing you're wrong about - I lived there twice. We moved in my childhood because it's an awful place to raise a family. I didn't fully understand it until I moved back, and I was always local to the town, so I know more about it than you think I do. You've been quick to tell people in Mankato, Sioux Falls, and the Twin Cities how awful their lives must be, but get upset when I do it back.

Don't get me wrong - I think you're a swell guy, you're just wrong on a lot of things. That's all. I agree with you about the football team though.

I gave him credit for what he did well. Not sure why you think I didn't.

SDSU had turned itself into a FCS power and grown leaps and bounds ased on rural farm and ranch support But I digress. I can tell you the State of Minnesota doesn't think rural folks are poor based on how the MN estate tax is figured.

[MrMustang]

It's been long enough and I have a long drive - so here it is: It's not Marshall State University, it's Southwest Minnesota State University. The school should exist to serve the entire region. This might come as a shock, but the needs of the immediate community don't always reflect those of the entire region. If that standpoint is offensive, then deal with it. There are two options - either whine to me about my opinion of the Summit League (I guess?) or challenge it. Tell me why I'm wrong.

The outgoing president understood at a basic level that if you want to grow and expand, you have to give people a reason to come. You can't just say "we're here, we're great" and expect to survive as a college. Marshall has nothing to draw in our target demographic. It's not news, it's not offensive, it's been talked about for two decades at this point. I don't want the school to adopt that mindset. Do I agree with everything he did? No, and I don't have too. Do I think he gets a lot of unjust hate for almost no reason? Absolutely.

Is Marshall a great place to live? Perhaps, for some. Is it a great place to raise a family? Perhaps, for some. Is it a great place to be 18-22? No - for most. If you guys want to get upset at me, go ahead - I can take it. But really, really look at what's there. Why is the bar scene so lackluster? Where do kids go for a concert on Friday night? Why aren't the outdoor activities very plentiful? etc. etc. etc. Then ask yourself "Is this what I want for my alma mater? Stale nothingness?"

Not to get political - but it also can't be denied that Lyon County tends to vote against the interests of education, as do most rural communities, usually for some strange conspiratorial reasons. We're not going to get into that here (and frankly, I don't like either side of the aisle). But it can't be ignored either. (My guess is someone quotes or DMs me about that aspect of it, ignoring everything else).

I want to expand - I want at least one satellite campus, maybe even an ag outreach center. I want us to be a viable option for the youth and adults of the region, and I'm not going to apologize for it.

Marshall folks worked very hard to make the AG Program work here with no support from the administration. It briefly brought in a whole new bunch of supports, money givers, Booster Club members only to have the rug pulled out from under them.

[SW_Mustang]

Sorry for dumping on Marshall so hard. I'll let it go - I gave it some thought and it's strange to let a town I don't live in anymore occupy that amount of mental space. People are free to enjoy living wherever they choose. I didn't like it so I did the sensible thing and moved. The tough part for me is watching SMSU exist in a place like that - for reasons best kept to myself at this point.

I don't know what I said that made anyone think I hate the NSIC. I may not agree with every decision they make, but I'm also allowed too. I love SMSU and MSU about equally and am very fortunate to spend the amount of time and money that I do on them - as well as Augustana and USF thanks to their proximity.

As for the Summit League - I don't understand what that has to do with anything, but correct. I don't enjoy the sports so I don't go. I live next to SDSU and I will pay for a ticket when an NSIC or P4 team comes to town, because that's what I enjoy watching and it's cheaper than driving elsewhere. I've tried to keep that opinion off the board as of late but it keeps getting brought up. I maintain no affiliations to SDSU beyond being appreciative for the education they gave me.

[SW_Mustang]

Anyway - I was looking through the M4L Day options and saw some interesting projects:

-Football is looking to fund gold uniforms for next seneon
-Basketball is raising money to fund locker room upgrades
-Wrestling wants to fund new mats

I also thought it was interesting that the general fund wants to replace the banners in the R/A (and PE, I assume) with newer ones.

Also visited the softball field recently and the updates they made to that look wonderful - sounds like they want to do more. Hopefully a new scoreboard or something.

[SW_Mustang]

Jennifer Flowers out as AD *sigh*

I hope that's not the end of the momentum our non-football teams have been building.

[Thunder]

Jennifer Flowers out as AD *sigh*

I hope that's not the end of the momentum our non-football teams have been building.

It's really a shame to see all these administrators and coaches just jumping from school to school. I wish the NCAA could put some guardrails in place to keep them from moving so much.

[SW_Mustang]

It's really a shame to see all these administrators and coaches just jumping from school to school. I wish the NCAA could put some guardrails in place to keep them from moving so much.

I don't disagree - but I believe both her and her husband are Winona alums. I'd take that job at my alma mater if offered.