Old Fogie ... errr, Fungo ... ummm, Highly Regarded and Beloved Old Timer
Posted
Kinda old news but what happened? Birmingham Southern goes from D-1 to D-3 ----- players transfer ---- and the baseball program is suspended????? article Fungo
Posts: 4717 | Location: Spring Creek (Jackson),Tennessee | Registered: December 26, 2002
Fungo, I thought they suspended this year because so many players left their program and to give time to adequately prepare for the change in level. I'm sure this was a difficult decision for all involved.
Coach Jan Weisberg who was at UK for many years and then left under Cohen and coached at a DIII here, Transylvania U, has gone there to be the new head coach. Great guy and should bring some terrific things to that program. I already know young HS player looking into the school. I would suggest others do the same.
Posts: 5328 | Location: Kentucky | Registered: December 30, 2004
Fungo - this is a shame. They had a fine season last year and it was a strong program from year to year. Many of their players have found new homes in other fine programs such as Mississippi State and Winthrop. The school just decided they could not afford to fund a D1 program anymore.
I'd love to have a cup o coffee with Shoop sometime & get the real scoop. my bet is Shoop was doing most of the funding anyway - w/fundraising & camps etc
Posts: 3613 | Location: NE Ohio | Registered: December 27, 2002
The board of trustees felt that D-I was too much of a financial drain, so, in their infinite wisdom, they drop all sports down to D-III, and decide to add FOOTBALL. This is a school that was moderately successful in most Big South sports.
JT
Posts: 3489 | Location: Lynchburg, VA | Registered: January 15, 2003
My son was at BSC the last 2 seasons.........here is what happened. The president and a trustee started traveling to D3 schools as early as January 2006. The coaches and athletic director were kept in the dark until an article came out in the Birmingham News. About 2 weeks before the end of the season, I heard rumors about it, but did not give it much thought. After the final home game, coach Shoop told us what was going on and that there would be a vote amoung the trustess. He was very positive about it and did not think it would pass. I'll never forget the call from my son on the way home from the Big South Tourn. "Dad, BSC is going D3, what am I going to do?" I was in shock. It was a very sad and dissappointing time for my son, his coaches, and teamates. To this day I do not understand. Why were the coaches and especially Joe Dean Jr., the althletic director kept in the dark so long? I believe it was so they would not have time to get the support they needed to stay D1. I admire Coach Shoop for his grace and behavior during this difficult time for he and his family. I think BSC took several steps backward, in regard to being a very well thought of and prestigious college. I am glad coach Schoop is still coaching, and my son is at LSU. I really feel for the upper classmen whose baseball careers ended on that sad day. Sorry about the length, but this pretty much sums it up.
Posts: 36 | Location: Alabama | Registered: February 14, 2003
dad9 - congrats to your son on landing at LSU To me, this was a key indicator on the strength of the BSC program to see the many fine schools that their players wound up at after the news came out. Some things were not meant to be I guess, but now there are new opportunities
Dad9, Blake will do well at LSU... I will still be watching.
He is right on folks! It took all of the players and coaches by surprise. I gained even more respect for Brian Shoop after this matter. He once again took the high road amidst some VERY scandalous treatment. BSC will be the loser in the long run. They lost a solid baseball and basketball program.
Bee, You are right. Money was not the problem with the decision. Brian Shoop has already raised more money at UAB than they did in the last 5 years. He has the reputation and ability to do so.
The fact behind the matter was not money, but FOOTBALL. The new chancellor is from the NE where D3 is much stronger. He wanted a football program and knew they could not compete at the upper levels, so he all other sports suffer for him to have his D3 football team.
Most of the baseball players and coaches landed on their feet and will do well. The real looser in this situation will be BSC (and eventually the chancellor). They lost a lot of credibility with this decision and enrollment $$$ will be on the decline now. The credibility issue was not as much about the decision, but the irresponsible and unethical way they went about making their decision. They treated some good people badly!
The winner in this situation - UAB!!!
Posts: 935 | Location: Alabama | Registered: December 26, 2002
Met Coach Shoop at Jim and Nick's Restaurant in Birmingham last June. My son underwent TJ surgery the next day. Coach Shoop and a couple of his coaches and a couple of players came in and we saw their caps. My son went up to Coach, and introduced himeself. Shoop was a real gentleman and wished my son well. I also heard him lecture at the big coaches' convention last January here in Chicago. Very impressive to say the least.
His loss to BSU is UAB's gain. I know he must have been crushed to see his program thrown to the wolves and what that meant to his players.
I'd be proud to have my son play for Coach Shoop any day, even if his mother might think it is a little far from home.
Originally posted by itsrosy: Met Coach Shoop at Jim and Nick's Restaurant in Birmingham last June. My son underwent TJ surgery the next day. Coach Shoop and a couple of his coaches and a couple of players came in and we saw their caps. My son went up to Coach, and introduced himeself. Shoop was a real gentleman and wished my son well. I also heard him lecture at the big coaches' convention last January here in Chicago. Very impressive to say the least.
His loss to BSU is UAB's gain. I know he must have been crushed to see his program thrown to the wolves and what that meant to his players.
I'd be proud to have my son play for Coach Shoop any day, even if his mother might think it is a little far from home.
Let's not forget that we have young 17 & 18 year old men going off to war in various countries. I would much rather be going to school and playing baseball in Alabama than going to war.
Posts: 591 | Location: USA | Registered: December 26, 2002
