By Randy Stevens
Sports Editor
July 15, 2008 11:39 am
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Vacations are great.
Even after a month off, I still feel like I could use some more.
As some of you may know, my recent vacation was like no other. Leaving Texas a single man, I went to Colorado and got hitched. That’s right. One of San Marcos’ most eligible bachelors is off the list and my wife now has to ditch her Irish last name and carry the burden that comes along when you carry the name Stevens.
I can hear it now… “You’re married to that A-hole?” someone will eventually say to her while at the grocery store. “My condolences.” I hope she’s ready.
My wife is not a big sports fan, but she is a good sport. She’s a people watcher, so when I suggest that we check out the Rockies and the Mets at Coors Field two nights before our wedding, she was game.
We sat in the infamous Rockpile where tickets are $5 (Actually, they’re $8.75 when you include the service charges) and had a great time watching drunks getting thrown out among other crazy fan antics.
That was our only sporting outing during three weeks in Colorado, as we both enjoyed sightseeing around Ouray, Fraser and Grand Lake. Hiking, fishing and just simply relishing the cold and dry mountain air were our main activities.
Now that I’m back, and finally have readjusted to the blazing heat, I’m refreshed and ready for another season of Corridor sports coverage. And believe it or not, our football season kicks off next week.
A little damage control
Some of you may have read Tyler Mayforth’s piece about how much the athletic budget at Texas State has increased over the past five years. In the article, Tyler writes that the men’s basketball program “crumpled” under the administration of then assistant athletic director Tim McMurray, which was incorrect.
McMurray, in fact, was in charge of marketing and the Bobcat Athletic Foundation, the department’s booster group. Tyler, in fact, obtained incorrect information and listed McMurray instead of Greg LaFleur, the school’s former athletic director that was fired before current AD Larry Teis was hired.
We apologize to McMurray for the mistake, and trust me Tim, had I not been on vacation I would have caught that one.
Budget increase great, but…
Tyler’s piece was encouraging, knowing that the school is making strides towards moving up the to FBS level at the monetary level.
But old-school Randy here still wholeheartedly believes there’s only way sure-fire way for this move to happen. Win, win and win!
It’s the simplest concept in sports at any level. Everyone loves a winner, even if it’s pro football team or a Little League All-Star team. Win, and people want to be a part of it.
If Texas State wants to see its athletic budget grow large enough to make the move to FBS, then the football team has to get on the winning track and remain there.
Losing seasons and lopsided losses to schools like Division II Abiliene Christian are simply unacceptable. Donors’ wallets aren’t very deep when their school is sporting losing programs, especially when it’s football.
And last season, which included five consecutive losses (some be very embarrassing margins) wasn’t very encouraging for prospective donors.
“The Drive” will be heading down the wrong highway if the same thing happens in 2008.
Randy Stevens is Sports Editor of the San Marcos Daily Record. Contact him at rstevens@sanmarcosrecord.com.
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