[PAmedic]

Or lack thereof???

first season in 5 yrs with a losing conference record, first season in 5 yrs to NOT make the finals, but overall record trending DOWN.

***

2012:
Conference: 9-12*
Overall: 19-36
*lost in first round of BSOUTH tourney (double elimination)

2011:
Conference: 11-7*
Overall: 30-30
*advanced to BSOUTH finals, won, then lost in NCAA regionals

2010:
Conference: 13-5*
Overall: 39-18
*advanced to BSOUTH finals, LOST

2009:
Conference: 10-8*
Overall: 26-35
*advanced to BSOUTH finals, WON- forcing a deciding game 2- then LOST

2008:
Conference: 5-10*
Overall: 20-40-1
*advanced to BSOUTH finals, LOST

[BJWilliams]

I would have to concur that we may need to make a change. I love COach Wetmore, but softball probably has more turnover than men's basketball. I mean the young lady who was the winning pitcher in the Big SOuth Championship game last year ended up transferring. I think in the midst of all this hullabaloo about realignment and FBS and what not, Mr Barber is going to need to take a long hard look at this situation.

[JK37]

Does an NCAA bid just one season ago give anyone pause?

[ballcoach15]

I also think it may be time to make a change in softball. We seem to be behind some other Big South programs, and the future does not look bright. We need new blood in the program and someone with a dynamic personality, who will at least speak to fans on the street, and not be locked in a shell..

[PAmedic]

Does an NCAA bid just one season ago give anyone pause?

completely valid point. And thats why I put the tourney results in there. Its possible to have a down conf season and go on a run in the post season- similar to hoops.

the problem is we're trending the wrong way in both regular season non-conf, conf, and post-season results.

with our commitment, staffing and funding of all AD programs- should we be seeing better results?

IDK

[Purple Haize]

I also think it may be time to make a change in softball. We seem to be behind some other Big South programs, and the future does not look bright. We need new blood in the program and someone with a dynamic personality, who will at least speak to fans on the street, and not be locked in a shell..

....and more Dogwood players....

[BJWilliams]

I also think it may be time to make a change in softball. We seem to be behind some other Big South programs, and the future does not look bright. We need new blood in the program and someone with a dynamic personality, who will at least speak to fans on the street, and not be locked in a shell..

....and more Dogwood players....

Gretna won 1 game that I know of this year...Appomattox maybe, Altavista maybe, Nelson has one girl that probably should have gotten a look. To be completely honest, Id want us to go more after girls in the Seminole before the Dogwood if we were to look at local athletes in softball

[Purple Haize]

I also think it may be time to make a change in softball. We seem to be behind some other Big South programs, and the future does not look bright. We need new blood in the program and someone with a dynamic personality, who will at least speak to fans on the street, and not be locked in a shell..

....and more Dogwood players....

Gretna won 1 game that I know of this year...Appomattox maybe, Altavista maybe, Nelson has one girl that probably should have gotten a look. To be completely honest, Id want us to go more after girls in the Seminole before the Dogwood if we were to look at local athletes in softball

But Beej, if only we had a history of going after Dogwood players this wouldn't be an issue! I mean heck, those programs would be turning girls away because they all would know they have a chance to play at LU. It would be like our minor league farm system. Where is your vision man!

[ballcoach15]

the Dogwood District has nothing to do with LU recruiting. In fact I saw no Dogwood player this past season who is D1 material at LU or any other school. There are players in the state that are D1 and could help LU, but I see too many of them leaving the state for other programs. I think the game has passed Coach Wetmore by, and we need new younger , more agressive coach.

[BJWilliams]

Knew you couldnt stay away for long

[ballcoach15]

I was out of the area the past 2 weeks and did not have access to computers.

[Purple Haize]

the Dogwood District has nothing to do with LU recruiting. In fact I saw no Dogwood player this past season who is D1 material at LU or any other school. There are players in the state that are D1 and could help LU, but I see too many of them leaving the state for other programs. I think the game has passed Coach Wetmore by, and we need new younger , more agressive coach.

That's a bold statement considering your earlier chubby on all things Gretna

[ballcoach15]

I think you are referring to my previous posts about football. Gretna did have 2 players that could have played at LU, but were not offered.

[Old School]

I can't think of a better christian gentleman and coach than Paul Wetmore. Over 500 wins and at least two Big South championships and people on here are asking for a change? Get over yourself. We need more coaches like coaches Wetmore, Tolsma, Green, Alder, etc. not kick them to the curb because they haven't won as many games as you think they should. Good grief people.

[libertyfan4life]

+1

We need to be mindful as a school to not grow into and develop a reputation of dismissing coaches etc. It is possible to become a program where no one in the coaching world wants to go or come based upon our past history and our culture as a school.

I am not saying any of these things with a personal knowledge of or friendship with Coaches like Wetmore, Green, Alder etc. I am just speaking as an Alumni and that I think that there are some on this board that can lack grace and self restraint overall at times when you post and or speak.

Hoping the best for each of our coaches this season and in the seasons to come. Let's show our coaches the best of our support!

[PAmedic]

I can't think of a better christian gentleman and coach than Paul Wetmore. Over 500 wins and at least two Big South championships and people on here are asking for a change? Get over yourself.

A. I asked a simple question (5 months ago... better late than never, but ok). We do that here.

B. My grandfather was a great "christian gentleman". He wasn't asked to coach Division I sports.

C. We aren't a NAIA bible college, and there are fantastic coaches with belief systems in line with ours that are successful. This isn't an either/or proposition.

D. By all accounts Ken Karcher was a nice guy. So... why isn't he still here?

E. Again- I never called for anyone's head. I was broaching the subject- seeing as our unofficial motto is "If it's Christian it oughta be better".

I look forward to seeing how the team does this season.

[PAmedic]

(bump)

[ballcoach15]

I think LU softball could be better than what it is. seems as if we go with flow, and accept what comes our way, without trying to take program to next level. there seems to be no life in the program, as compared to other schools.

[PAmedic]

agreed. no offense to our longstanding coach. But you'd think after hoops this is the next program to get some scrutiny.

esp if the trend doesnt get reversed. In a hurry. like this season.

go Flames.

[JK37]

Seems a common pattern in collegiate coaching at all levels in all sports: downward trend in victories is noticed, so a deeper look is taken. Something is found (e.g., turnover in personnel), so many more deeper questions are asked.

We'll see what the next step may be...

[ballcoach15]

When any team takes a turn for the worse, and heads south in the standings, it may be time for a change. I think LU softball needs a jump start/new life in program. We are too staisfied with meditority

[BJWilliams]

When any team takes a turn for the worse, and heads south in the standings, it may be time for a change. I think LU softball needs a jump start/new life in program. We are too staisfied with meditority

Which is pretty much what both PA and JK said (minus the last sentence)

[adam42381]

Only because nobody knows what meditority means.

[panther1]

Can we compete this year ? Or are we filling schedules?

[ballcoach15]

A true story from the Recruiting Trail. Several years ago I was coaching a game, in which 2 LU coaches came to look at this girl on opposing team. I knew whp he was looking at, and I knew she was not D1 material, (nor D3, NAIA, or anything at next level).

The LU coaches watched about 2 or 3 innings of game and left. The thing that puzzled me was neither of the coaches came and introduced themselves, and asked for any recommendations "down the road". When a coach goes to a game he/she should meet with the coaches of teams playing. I think the proper term for this is "networking". I have done it with coaches from several other schools.