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Post by fanblade on Apr 9, 2008 21:25:24 GMT -5
 I'm really excited for this program. This was an excellent pick. I had some worries but now I am 100% in Bayno Koolaid Camp.
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Post by lionspride on Apr 9, 2008 22:13:08 GMT -5
I will admit that I am pretty critical of LMU Athletics and the Men's basketball program. But it has been warranted over the last couple of years.
Today, I sat there in Hank's House and listened and hung on every word Coach Bayno spoke. He is outgoing. An extrovert. Much different than anyone we have had at the helm over the last 10+ years. I can talk on and on about our prior coaches. Trust me, though, I have not drunk the full cup of Bayno Kool-Aid. My following thoughts are grounded in rational reasoning:
Today I am finally convinced that LMU has hired a TOP QUALITY COACH. I am ABSOLUTELY convinced that the LMU ADMINISTRATION is changing its tune and FUNDING the Men's Basketball program to be competitive (nearly doubled Tention's salary for Bayno. Husak has already "blessed" Bayno's three assistance salaries.) LAWTON was there today. Lawton knows Georgetown and how basketball plays a big part of publicity. Lawton has accomplished a lot at LMU (upgrading the faculty, expanding the land with the purchase of Hughes building, expanding enrollment, upgrading student housing). Now Lawton is turning his attention to Athletics.
One thing that I heard in the Founder's Room after the press conference was quite revealing. There was a question about recruiting and open scholarships. Bayno said, (paraphrasing as accurately as I can without having a pen and paper in my hand......"We are working those things through. There are 2 incoming scholarships available for this coming year. Right, Bill (Husak)? I have already talked with Bill about this. I have made NO PROMISES TO ANYONE person, on the team or otherwise. I am still evaluating. There may be 2 or 3 more available. I have a program with my current players and if there is some players that do not fit or complete my program (up until the May NCAA rules timeline for coaches working with players), scholarships will open up. If the current players meet it, well, then they all come back."
THIS WAS QUITE REVEALING. Husak on board to release student-athletes from scholarships that do cut the coach's 1 month program? Typically, LMU Athletics when making a commitment to a student-athlete for a scholarship, the student-athlete has that scholarship for four years unless they do not make the grades or violate team or NCAA rules. Keep in mind that NCAA rules state scholarships for student-athletes are renewable year-to-year. IT SOUNDS AS IF LMU IS FINALLY GOING TO BE CUT-THROAT MAKE-IT, BREAK-IT MENTALITY for LMU Basketball. Student-Athletes on the Men's Basketball program are going to have to EARN IT. Either Bayno is over powering Husak already and Husak has not pulled back the reigns or has Husak given or been giving permission by the higher administration powers(Bove, Lawton), to change this typical protocol at LMU.
Bayno also is SERIOUS about WINNING. He does not sound like FLUFF or not TIMID to go on the record. He has relationship and is in it to win it. He wants UCLA on his schedule. He WILL recruit NBA talented players. There is no where that he has been that he did not bring NBA talented players. He has a "network of friends." That network consists of NBA players and coaches, NCAA coaches, and just a world of friends. He will get the talent he needs to bring in "good people and geat basketball players."
COMMITMENT, AND RECRUITING was the theme today. In addition to FAMILY. Today, the LMU family can rest easy. Bayno is back in the college ranks and he is driving this "sleeping giant" back the NCAA tournament in a BIG WAY.
Just Say Bayno!
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Post by titanczar on Apr 10, 2008 0:55:36 GMT -5
Anybody ask him about Levy?
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Post by fanblade on Apr 10, 2008 1:27:11 GMT -5
Yes, in the meeting with boosters someone asked him about what assistants he had lined up. He confirmed that Levy was on board. He mentioned the two have very old ties back to the east coast. He coached a 15 year old Levy for a summer camp I think he said. Attributed CSF's recent success to to Levy (like he wouldn't  ). |
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Post by ironlions on Apr 10, 2008 14:33:32 GMT -5
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Post by LMUpepbander on Apr 10, 2008 16:42:29 GMT -5
Here's hoping that the weight room will be coming PDQ, as opposed to being in the master plan drawing board. The athletic department has had the wrap around office complex so prioritized that they've neglected anything else. Hopefully they're finally going to pull the trigger on something.
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Post by ironlions on Apr 10, 2008 16:52:09 GMT -5
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Post by titanczar on Apr 11, 2008 0:10:21 GMT -5
I've only been to the court at GP. So is GP a bad use of space? Where are they going to put a new weight room? Are they just going to renovate the coach's offices? Of course the biggest question, who will pay for this?
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Post by fanblade on Apr 11, 2008 0:21:50 GMT -5
GP has really outdated facilities inside and in the basement. It's pretty horrendous actually. The weight room is a joke, looks scary. I agree with pepbander that WR needs first priority. I've been banging the drum that things needed upgraded if we are serious about competing and I'm glad it is a reality. But there are too many "plans" and "blueprints" floating around that do not correlate to one another. I just do not know what Bayno is talking about. By new offices and WR... my only guess is a renovation because the wrap-around complex around GP I thought was off the table due to GP being leveled in the 20 yr master plan. I guess they could throw up the wrap around but it's shelf life would be only 10-15 years, that doesn't seem likely. The President last year said that the "wrap around" was green-lit but that was before this 20 yr master plan came out. This would be a good thing for someone to uncover. Any sleuths in the house? Moles?  |
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Post by ldawg on Apr 11, 2008 1:48:26 GMT -5
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Post by ironlions on Apr 11, 2008 10:59:37 GMT -5
Thanks for the update ldawg. I really enjoyed watching the presser, even though I still wish I got to watch it live. All in all, I'm very excited ! Coach Bayno seems very genuine and very dedicated to rebuilding our program. I love his plans for our program, and I love the connections and resources he has to get us there. I was also reassured by his comments about not wanting to bolt anywhere.
I really like the idea of NBA players working out with our guys in the summer! "They will kill you" was a great comment.
Go Lions! ;D
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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2008 18:30:04 GMT -5
Thanks for the link. I really enjoyed that press conference. I am impressed with how the administration handled this situation. Very professional and classy. They are doing a good job getting people interested again in the program that was ranked as one of the worst this past season. Not an easy feat. Husak, Lawton, Bove, et al deserve credit.
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