National Respect Has A Process, Even For Our Bobcats

By, Weston Warner, Sports Contributor

@CorridorNews | @Corridor_Sports

Just as a forethought, I’m really excited that Larry Teis put out the release in regards to the Bobcats missing out on a chance to compete in what would have been their first bowl game in school history (Dr Larry Teis Statement).  The fact that he felt the absolute NEED to do so is the key–among many other things, what it essentially shows us is the fact that there is enough internal and external support for the football program financially and socially that created the need for such an urgent statement. Although he didn’t get to say exactly what he wanted (which is of course impossible to do without hurting somebody’s feelings), he at least got to address some of the positive and negative issues that arose from the disappointment of not getting invited to the party and what Bobcat Nation (fans, students, faculty, alumni) can do to improve its national outreach.

While it is very disappointing, I also want to be clear in that I also understand the hesitancy from the bowl committees.  I can imagine that to be a very tough job–it’s truly all about the dollar signs and what sort of lucrative effect that you have as a program which can really only be judged on past experience in bowl games, home game attendance, road game attendance, retail sales, and hype created socially from the program and the fans.  Some of these things were apparently enough of an issue to keep the 7-5 Bobcats out. 

When you look around at all of the bowl teams that received an at large bid it’s truly hard to single out a program and say “I know that they didn’t deserve it”.  Pittsburgh, who received the selection to the Armed Forces Bowl over the Bobcats, might not have the prestige that it once had but I can imagine that they are a “safer” pick for the committee if it’s all about the almighty dollar.  Still, I am glad that he mentioned the Armed Forces Bowl and am glad that he singled out Pittsburgh–it creates a notion that the athletic department feels like they can run with the big dogs and their not afraid to stick their neck out there.

I’m also glad that he addressed the things that we could all do to improve the situation externally, like road game attendance.  Road game attendance is definitely the hardest thing to ask for out of fans but if Bobcat fans want to be heard they have to travel a lot more.  It’s as simple as that.  I will say that given the number of twitter shout-outs, retweets, favorites, and sales pitches for the bowl bound Bobcats during the waiting period you would think that the home stadium attendance was at least 30,000-40,000 this season.  Unfortunately and probably most importantly, that was not the case. 

That being said, the home attendance did increase again this season and rose above the 20,000 per game average (20,598) for the first time in school history and packed in over 32,000 in attendance for the Navy game.  It’s great that so many people stepped up socially on twitter, but did all of these people also attend the home games, away games, or buy Texas State apparel?  It’s just a simple question, not an insinuation that those same people did not–but it’s a question worth asking.

All in all, the only things that you should take from this statement is:

* The overall record on the field improved and the program has great upward momentum

* Home attendance improved but still needs to get better

* Road attendance needs to get a lot better

The best thing about all of this is that the program is truly in a great place.  Just like any form of respect, it has to be earned and it’s never just given.  Coach Franchione and the Bobcats are taking every right step towards national respect and this is just a small bump in the road that every program has to endure on its way to national respect. 

Meanwhile, Bobcat fans can now show all of their support for all of the other great athletic programs that are either already in season or about to be which in turn can create even more of a sense of community, support, and momentum.  Danny Kaspar and the Men’s Basketball team are 5-1 and have a HUGE game this weekend in Austin against the nationally ranked Texas Longhorns.  Coach Antoine and the Women’s team are 3-3 and already have a nice rivalry win over UTSA.  Coach Harrington and Coach Woodard hit the diamond in less than two months. 

This will be a great distraction from the fact that when the football season turns over a new leaf and the 2015 campaign starts it will begin with what might quite possibly be the biggest road game in the history of the program–a trip to Tallahassee, Florida to take on Florida State on September 5th.  I guess that will be the first test to see if we can improve our road warrior mentality, as a football program and most importantly as a fan base.