The hardest part about 'rebuilding'.

**snowcraig2.0** · 12-04-2007, 01:18 PM

Let me start this by saying, I feel great about the direction of our athletic department as a whole. Many of the smaller sports are experiencing some great success already. The basketball team still has a chance to make a run to some kind of post season play (imo, most likely NIT). I think we return to a bowl game next year in FB, and '09 could be absolutely special for coach Chizik and crew. We all know about our number 1 ranked wrestling team as well.

The one thing I keep struggling with though, is the fact several great Cyclones have to endure the growing plains without tasting the success first hand. Rashon Clark and Ace Bowen stick out in my mind. These are two guys who bring it every single time they compete, and deserve to be talked about whenever a discussion of the all time greats at ISU takes place. Hopefully these guys, and others, will take pride in knowing that the foundation they laid is the cornerstone on which future success at ISU takes place. I for one know I have even more respect for these guys knowing the sacrifice they are making.

**ISUFan22** · 12-04-2007, 01:22 PM

I swear, should we start winning games and reach uncharted territory, these are the kinds of guys we need to bring back and recognize with much thanks and a standing ovation.

**CycloneGizzard** · 12-04-2007, 01:24 PM

I guess I'm not in the know here, but I was wondering what sort of sacrifice both Bowen and Rahshon are making. Thanks.

**rob05** · 12-04-2007, 01:28 PM

Didn't Rashon play in the NIT semi's and the second round of the NCAA? Not sure though. This bball season is still young, so who knows. I agree with Bowen, and you gotta wish Todd and Bret went out in style

**snowcraig2.0** · 12-04-2007, 01:32 PM

Yes he did, but just like you said with Todd and Bret, you'd like him to go out in style.

**LindenCy** · 12-04-2007, 01:33 PM

He played in the NCAAs, but then was on the team the last two years when we went nowhere, and now is his last year.

**cloneu** · 12-04-2007, 01:36 PM

With all the players that went running after Morgan was gone, it could have been very easy for Clark to leave, he had to know it was gonna be tough going his last couple of years. He could have went back east and played on some better teams. But he stuck around, accepted his role and has done everything asked of him.

As for Bowen, his situation is a little different, but just as respectable. He has played in a lot of games the last 2 years knowing there will be no Big 12 championships, no bowl games. An easy situation to not go 100%, but he always did, and that is very respectable. Let alone stepping up and raising his brother to give him a better life.

Two great guys to have as Cyclones.

**wartknight** · 12-04-2007, 01:41 PM

I was just talking about that with my wife the other day. Especially Rahshon. The guy has had ample opportunities to bolt, but has stayed true to ISU.

**cy1225** · 12-04-2007, 02:10 PM

Originally Posted by snowcraig2.0

Let me start this by saying, I feel great about the direction of our athletic department as a whole. Many of the smaller sports are experiencing some great success already. The basketball team still has a chance to make a run to some kind of post season play (imo, most likely NIT). I think we return to a bowl game next year in FB, and '09 could be absolutely special for coach Chizik and crew. We all know about our number 1 ranked wrestling team as well.

The one thing I keep struggling with though, is the fact several great Cyclones have to endure the growing plains without tasting the success first hand. Rashon Clark and Ace Bowen stick out in my mind. These are two guys who bring it every single time they compete, and deserve to be talked about whenever a discussion of the all time greats at ISU takes place. Hopefully these guys, and others, will take pride in knowing that the foundation they laid is the cornerstone on which future success at ISU takes place. I for one know I have even more respect for these guys knowing the sacrifice they are making.

Why should we even be rebuilding?

**dustinal** · 12-04-2007, 02:50 PM

Originally Posted by cy1225

Why should we even be rebuilding?

Umm...what?

**CYVADER** · 12-04-2007, 03:00 PM

Originally Posted by dustinal

Umm...what?

i thought the same thing. we are currently in the middle of what seems to be an entire facelift of our athletic department. we aren't just rebuilding, it's like we are wiping the slate clean and starting over. remodeled facilities (hopefully phase II happens very soon), a new identity through our marketing with i-state becoming our new branding image, and an entirely new coaching staff for all of the major programs. we had some great success accross the board in the early 2000's but didn't capitalize on it or sustain it. i really feel like the ball was dropped, and obviously it set us back about 10 years. jp is doing something that should have been done long ago-getting people to give money to the department-not an easy task to accomplish when the product is less then par, but for some reason, i feel more promise for the future of iowa state athletics then i did even when the product was above par. i think the hardest part about rebuilding is doing it the way we are trying right now-slowly building our programs from the ground up in order for us to sustain long term success rather thentrying to become the next flash in the pan.