To the outsider, everything seems to be right with the Morgan State football program. They are far removed from the 20-plus losing seasons, and they don’t appear to be looking back. The Bears have created a nationally-respected defense, and have had some moments in the sun before a national audience.
And yet, those closest to the program would freely admit that there’s a big difference between being right and being great, and that there is growing frustration with the Bears’ failure to reach the latter in recent seasons. Case in point:
Morgan State linebacker George Howard was selected Tuesday as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year. It marked the second consecutive season the Bears have had a player earn the honor. Howard is one of nine Morgan players named to the All-MEAC first or second team.
Maybe it’s just me, but it doesn’t jive well that a program with a nationally-ranked defense, back-to-back conference Players of the Year, and multiple all-conference players every year has posted a 16-18 record over the last three years. It’s how the Bears have sent multiple players to the NFL under head coach Donald Hill-Eley, but have posted just three winning seasons against four losing campaigns and one .500 year.
Look, it’s okay to be greedy. It’s okay to want more because the team has demonstrated an ability to accomplish more. I know a lot of folks say that Morgan football is better than what it was over a 25 year course, but recruits aren’t signed and money raised on the collective success of the last 25 years. It’s all about what have you done for me lately.
And lately, there’s the strangest feeling that the drive of the Morgan State Bears to be an elite program in black college football has stalled.
threeputt 12:31 pm on November 26, 2009 Permalink
JC,
I have mixed feeling on wanting to be greedy about wanting a Great team vs a good team if we can’t also have a Coach like Coach Hill who truly cares about the young men who come thru his program.
I am a Morgan Graduate who was there when football was king and basketball was just something we had to endure until my senior year when a freshman named Marvin Webster arrived on campus. I remember championship swim teams, Track teams, wrestling teams and Lacrosse teams (yes we were the only HBCU to have a lacrosse team). The Choir was world class then and is world class now. We called the band the niffty fifty now it is the Magnificent Marching Machine. Things can change!
I am a Morgan Fanatic – I live out of state however I support Morgan each and every year. I am a life member of the Alumni Association and I could not be any prouder of Morgan State as a University. I follow all of the sports programs and if they are playing anywhere near me, I make the trip to lend my support. I think that I might have been the lone Morgan fan at last years Glen Wilkes Basketball Tournament in Daytona when Morgan defeated Marshall University. I listen to all of the games that may be on the radio via the internet, I watched the Louisville game on ESPN360.com, I go to other school’s websites to listen too or veiw games when the team is away.
At homecoming this year I could hardly hold back tears as I walked around the campus and looked at the great additions to the campus (the Library and Student Union Bldgs are world class and would be so on any campus). I remember how nurturing the College was when I was a Student. Yes, I am one of those Morganites who knew most of the individuals whose names are on the new buildings.
with all this said – you are right we all want more however more will not come without our support win or lose. We know that more is possible! (ask Arkansas’ basketball coach). I challege other Morganites to rally around Morgan – continue to make it a great Institution first and the other things will follow. I hope that Morgan and all other HBCU’s will continue to place the development of Students first.
Morgan Now – Morgan Forever
ps: I love what you do with your site – the information is very good and the questions you bring up are great.
JC 12:47 pm on November 26, 2009 Permalink
I agree with all of your points. If Morgan Men like ourselves can’t speak honestly about the program, we stand little chance of engaging other Morganites and black college supporters of donating and checking for our program.
A good Morgan team is good for the MEAC, as evidenced by your reflections on the great teams of the past. Morgan has a tremendous fan base, but it lies pretty dormant because the team isn’t achieving to the level that the awards and media coverage would indicate.
And again, thank you for all of your support. Agree or disagree, these discussions must take place for the next generations of HBCU students and alumni to find the athletics at their schools as interesting and as exposed as any other university. Between you and Donyue, (a frequent commenter) I truly know that MSU supports my efforts fully.
MSU9350 1:46 pm on November 26, 2009 Permalink
Jarrett, Listening to Mr. Threeputt I thought I had a split personality as everything that he said I have been there and done that…..I remember being the sole in the stand at the UCLA and Arizona State games back in 1999, and I also follow the bears to away games via the home schools website. So its good to know I am not alone, because sometimes I feel that I am…As a matter of fact on ESPN.COM
MSU9350 1:59 pm on November 26, 2009 Permalink
where I blog daily on Morgan sports, other MEAC schools such as FAMU , South Carolina State fans are deep…And one of the just last week said “MSU1867 is the only one on the planet that cares about Morgan State” MSU1867 is my post name. It hurt but I couldnt argue because I am the only poster from Morgan that post. I agree that Coach Hill does a great job with the raising of Men…He is great at the intangibles in coaching , but programs are built on intangibles, the intangibles wont get fan support, intangibles wont bring in a steady stream of donations. Morgans past history and success in sports is one that should bring a since of pride to each and every morganite…However it is that past success that should drive and compel us to want more and get back to the days of glory. You know I think we need to have a new saying at Morgan which is “WWEHD” WHAT WOULD EDDIE HURT DO??? or ‘WWEBD” WHAT WOULD EARL BANKS DO? I have said it before that winning is the best adversting and marketing tool an institution can have. You hit the nail on the head Jarrett when you said the program has stalled….because that is exactly what it has done.
MSU9350 2:05 pm on November 26, 2009 Permalink
Happy Thanksgiving and I catch you on Next Weeks broadcast…..Regards, Donyue