Although it's great to have a football team voted #1 in the country after 4 weeks of play, that's not really the important thing...
You probably think I am going to say that what's more important is where we finish...that's too obvious.
When I think about our football program, I believe the really important thing is how far we have come in just a few short years. Coming off a "final four" season and currently ranked #1, everyone agrees that we are one of the best FCS football teams in the country.
Just think, a few years ago we were struggling to have a winning season...
And now...thanks primarily to the support of our Spider fans and the University, we have...
1. attracted two great head football coaches [Dave Clawson and Mike London];
2. increased the assistants' salary pool to permit these head coaches to put together top-flight staffs;
3. funded a full allotment of football scholarships, which enables these coaches to recruit high quality student-athletes;
4. funded and obtained governmental approval to build an on-campus stadium;
5. constructed a new football locker room;
6. enhanced the weight rooms;
7. installed FieldTurf on the football practice facility;
8. hired an academic coordinator who focuses on football student-athletes;
9. increased team travel and recruiting budgets...
The list could go on...but these are some of the things that have helped create a winning attitude on and off the field...
THANK YOU to all the Spider fans who have made gifts to the Spider Club, who have contributed to building the new stadium, who have purchased football season tickets...you have helped make this happen!!
You probably think I am going to say that what's more important is where we finish...that's too obvious.
When I think about our football program, I believe the really important thing is how far we have come in just a few short years. Coming off a "final four" season and currently ranked #1, everyone agrees that we are one of the best FCS football teams in the country.
Just think, a few years ago we were struggling to have a winning season...
And now...thanks primarily to the support of our Spider fans and the University, we have...
1. attracted two great head football coaches [Dave Clawson and Mike London];
2. increased the assistants' salary pool to permit these head coaches to put together top-flight staffs;
3. funded a full allotment of football scholarships, which enables these coaches to recruit high quality student-athletes;
4. funded and obtained governmental approval to build an on-campus stadium;
5. constructed a new football locker room;
6. enhanced the weight rooms;
7. installed FieldTurf on the football practice facility;
8. hired an academic coordinator who focuses on football student-athletes;
9. increased team travel and recruiting budgets...
The list could go on...but these are some of the things that have helped create a winning attitude on and off the field...
THANK YOU to all the Spider fans who have made gifts to the Spider Club, who have contributed to building the new stadium, who have purchased football season tickets...you have helped make this happen!!
