MelroseHawkins
Well-Known Member
Wtf. Yea right! That's all I got. Remember that statement? Lets enjoy this ride!!!!!!
"Iowa's not a basketball school."
- Thread starter MelroseHawkins
- Start date
FromFry2Ferentz
Well-Known Member
Iowa has always been a basketball state.
At the time Alford made the quote, he wasn't far off. Iowa was putting a lot of money into the football program (rightfully so) and very little into the BB program. Unless I'm mistaken the men's and women's teams were sharing Carver for practice (one in am, the other in the pm on a rotating scehdule)
Credit goes to Davis for keeping the program solid but I'm not sure he could have been successful with the BB program being so far behind the "arms race" during the Alford/Lick era. Iowa has just recently caught up with its fantastic practice facility.
Quite honestly, Fran probably doesn't take the job 4 years ago without that facility in the works.
Credit goes to Davis for keeping the program solid but I'm not sure he could have been successful with the BB program being so far behind the "arms race" during the Alford/Lick era. Iowa has just recently caught up with its fantastic practice facility.
Quite honestly, Fran probably doesn't take the job 4 years ago without that facility in the works.
Caught up, but behind. Jerry Dinardo said it best just when most teams feel caught up in terms of facilities they are once again behind. But it is nice to have a practice facility so schools can not use it against you when recruiting.
MeatMan
Well-Known Member
Bowlsby really let things get outdated, and it was ridiculous that Iowa men and women had to share Carver for practice time. that said, Alford sucked and couldn't get it done, and was in way over his head at the start. by the end it was too late, even though he had gotten better at a lot of things. that, and his ego was still incredibly huge, so there's no chance of him taking any of the blame.
Yeah, its to the point now regarding athletic facilities at the major college level where its kinda like being the first guy on your block to buy a brand new state of the art computer or TV. You're in great shape for a year or two, but by then 5 of your neighbors have something better.
No question, Alford's recruiting, coaching, and arrogant nature only made a bad situation much, much worse.
WindsorHawk
Well-Known Member
He made a lot of mistakes...and doesn't seem to have learned a thing. He will always be a legend in his own mind.
hawkdrummer1
Well-Known Member
The essence of Alford's quote was really "I'm used to basketball (and ME) being the center of attention. And my ego can't tolerate anything less." Basketball had a great history at IOWA. But it shared the stage with successful football and wrestling programs.
At Indiana the closest thing to a successful sport after basketball....was soccer.
At Indiana the closest thing to a successful sport after basketball....was soccer.
ajkhawkeye
Well-Known Member
lightning1
Well-Known Member
? Why would they do that? Isn't that what the "practice facility" was for? I think you are mistaken. I recall some of the players saying how nice it was to be able to go to the PF and shoot or practice when ever they wanted. No offense, as I'm not certain about it.
ajkhawkeye
Well-Known Member
I work for athletic facilities and yes they may use the gym to shoot late at night or when they don't have practice but for the most part both men's and women's teams practice on the main court.
lightning1
Well-Known Member
...so just another excuse for Alfraud? Got it. Should have known.
ShadasRevenge
Well-Known Member
He wasn't far off, but that was also when he left. Alford forgot to mention that when he took the job, Iowa was coming off an appearance in the Sweet 16, while the football team had gone 3-8, and was about to go 1-10. When he came to Iowa City, Iowa was most certainly a basketball school. He had a lot to do with Iowa turning into a football school.
HobbieHawk
Well-Known Member
Iowa State is still on our football schedule, with 9 conference games, home-and-home, keeping all their gate when we visit them and forcing OUR fans to buy ISU season tickets or packages to see Iowa at ISU.
He's *NOT* a good AD in my opinion.
A blind man could've instrumented the practice facility improvements
MelroseHawkins
Well-Known Member
Boy, terrific point Shada!
MelroseHawkins
Well-Known Member
I kind of agree. I have never really been enamored with him. He fills the job. Actually, promising practice facilities is prob what got us a decent coach to come here anyway. The point is that, that was going to happen anyway. It had to at that point.
