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by Eagle22 » Fri Feb 22, 2013 10:56 pm
Once Bruce Grube left Southern, the move to drive towards FBS gained a lot of momentum. Dr. Keel was hired in, and from day one he had the interest in making things happen. But he was saddled with an athletic director who had 15 years under his belt, and a decade worth of history at mocking the SunBelt. Most forget that Sam Baker was around at GSU when Wright Waters was SoCon commissioner ... and Waters played a role in Baker landing the job. What a lot of folks don't know is that Baker was not the first choice for AD when Bucky Wagner stepped down, instead he was a conciliatory candidate who Waters introduced when our selection committee was at loggerheads (this was 1995).
Paul Johnson's success in our premier sport afforded Baker a level of impunity that allowed him to survive many, many mistakes. After our '99 and '00 titles, he led a "Double up to leave Double-A" campaign to 'keep' PJ that fell flat on the booster base. He was at the time, loudly mocking the SunBelt leadership saying they had nothing to play for, while GSU was on the top of the mountain. Easy to say, but hard pills to swallow six years later when your team is 3-8 and you've hired an idiot coach.
Keel was advised by a number of boosters and donors to sever ties immediately with Sam, but pressing Georgia state budget issues demanded Dr. Keel handle University business first ... which allowed Sam almost two years to turn the corner. The problem Dr. Keel ultimately realized was that Sam had so damaged any possible relationship with SunBelt presidents, that a new beginning was necessary.
Dr. Keel gave every opportunity for Sam to get on board with the vision, but it simply wasn't/isn't in his DNA. There is certainly a fanbase split, but given the events of the last decade and the conference shifting it has become apparent to the majority of our fans that we need to move on. The idea of remaining in the SoCon without ASU is about as palatable to us, as it likely would be for ASU to stay if we left.
Fifteen years ago, I was a stout supporter of the division. That has changed over time because year after year it becomes clear that this division lacks leadership. It is either a stepping stone to bigger opportunities or a place to curl up and become comfortable. Our past leadership at GSU, since I started school in 1987, has been about pressing forward. While Bruce Grube was no sports fan, he did advance the university academics significantly to the point that we can be viewed in a much better light academically. Fortunately, our president understands it is possible to strive for excellence in academics and athletics.
Did Georgia State play a role ? Sure, their announcement on 4/12/12 certainly did. But, it was a black-eye day for Sam Baker, who openly scoffed at boosters/donors like myself that said the Panthers constituted a threat. But truth be told, a lot of inertia by our boosters has been scuttled and diffused in the past by the absence of direction and leadership. That has changed, and as a long time observer of the SoCon and ASU, I know that some on here can understand that feeling (Bork/Laney ring a bell ?)
I know that all the issues cannot be laid at the feet of just a president and AD, but when you lack drive and leadership from those two campus leaders ... it is impossible to move forward. In some facet, it is incredible that programs can survive some of the neglect, but that is a testament to the resolve of the fans, coaches and players. ASU and Georgia Southern, IMO ... have that commonality in their DNA.
Sorry for the long post, but every now and then I like to put out part of the story that either some have never heard, or perhaps have forgotten. There are quite a few GSU fans who've been on this FCS/FBS rollercoaster the last fifteen years, and we realize that you only get so many chances to go.
