Clester Johnson was on the radio earlier today and mentioned that there are lots of different things that have been done and that many former players are upset but he was not too specific. One thing that he mentioned personally was that when he goes down to the athletic department instead of them saying welcoming former players they have a "What are you doing here?" attitude. He mentioned that Tommie Frazier (a guy who happened to work under Pederson) mentioned that the only time former players hear from the athletic department is when they need money (donations and appearances) and they don't even pretend to be concerned about the players personally.
I am at a loss to what these players actually want from the university. You talk to some players and they say this alienation is brought on by the players themselves. Others talk like they used to be able to come in and hang out (as if they had nothing better to do), and now they can't. Like they got kicked out of their favorite tree house or something
As far as I know, they can attend practice any time they want they just have to ask. As with anything in life, when you want something you typically have to ask for it. It's not like the football staff should have to roll out the red carpet every time Keithen McCant comes to town.
The current staff really has no ties to these players. This is something that can't be said for players who played at the time these guys did. That's what happens when you have the same basic coaching staff for 20+ years.
Do the players want to just sit around and jabber jaw with a staff they have no connection with? I could understand stopping by if you wanted to talk to an former coach or trainer of yours, but to just stop by unannouced and expect to be lauded by some sort of reception by people you have no connection with is kind of impractical isn't it?
What is it they want? I really want to know. 10 to 1 they'd say something like respect. OK, now what does that entail? Sure, the perception of a "rude" reception that you mention wouldn't exactly emit respect but what are the details of this encounter? If it's true, then shame on whoever he talked to for at least not being polite. Or is it that these guys are just bitter? Isn't that a possibility? I mean, you have to have some kind of gall to have a golf outing at the same time as the AD's outing. Almost to the point of being obsesive about it ala firesteve.com
As far as only hearing from the university when they need money, join the club. Guess what the schools I attended want when they call or write? Cash.
An bad guy caller ripped Clester and all the other former players to which Clester mentioned that you can't just have a "get onboard and get over it" attitude because without the former players coaches and staff there would be no program as we know it.
I don't know that anyone is discounting that fact, but at the heart of the matter is when does it end? At some point as a Husker fan, a former Husker player, a former Husker whoever I think you have to get over it or take your ball and go home. 5 years? 10 years? 15 years? Seems like a long time to stew on something like this. At some point I'd have to think you're either in you're out.
The people in this boat need to eventually ask themselves how much do you want it to be the mid-late 90's forever and how much do they still want to support the Atheltic Department? Dont' they?
