I know that what is posted on this board is often seen and read by many individuals within the athletic department. With that in mind, as a season ticket holder for the past 9 season, I have to say that I was disappointed with this year’s schedule.
I am fully aware of the difficulties that programs like UD face when trying to put together a non-conference schedule. The days of home and home games with likes of Louisville, Marquette, Memphis, ND and UC are sadly long gone. These programs have left UD behind for the bright lights of big time college basketball. Without big time football and a big time conference the chances of those series restarting are just slim to none. Most UD fans can understand this cold reality of big time college athletics. Having said that, UD could do a much better job of attracting more compelling match ups.
My first thought would be to tap into some of our relationships within the Pioneer Football League. I would think that
Ted Kissell would have the ear of the other athletic directors within the PFL. It would seem to make some sense to schedule new home and home series with fellow PFL programs like Davidson, Butler, Valpo, Drake, or San Diego.
What about programs like Missouri State, Wichita State, Southern Illinois, Illinois State, Indiana State, Evansville, Pepperdine, Northern Iowa, St. Mary's, Western Kentucky, Tulsa, Tulane, Bradley, Nevada, Utah State, Air Force, TCU, UTEP, New Mexico State, Colorado State, or even Weber State? Bradley just makes so much sense for so many reasons it's just plain silly we haven't played them.
I am guessing that the Marshall and Troy games are the start of new home and home series. (The reason I say this is because years ago we would have never scheduled Toledo or Akron home and home, but boy have time changed.) If that is indeed the case, I'm extremely disappointed in UD. I have to believe that there were opportunities to start series with much more compelling opponents. Heck, get Bucknell, Drexel or Holy Cross on the phone!
I just have a sneaking feeling that Ted's pride is also hamstringing our scheduling efforts to an extent. The reason I say this is because it seems that UD has a strange aversion to anything from the Horizon League. I could be way off base on this but it seems UD avoids scheduling home and home games with logical programs like Butler, Detroit, and Loyola to avoid the inevitable cry of foul from the local media and Wright State fans. The truth is that UD has some history with these three programs and it would seem logical that we'd renew these relationships given the current environment of big time basketball. Maybe it's time for Kissell to swallow his pride and call Butler, Detroit and Loyola. As a season ticket holder, I'd prefer these games over home and home games with the likes of basketball challenged programs like SMU, Troy and Marshall.
As a financial supporter of UD athletics, this is my two cents.