2008 Woodie Awards
Cleveland: Golden Eagles improvement worth noting this year
Tyler Cleveland
Issue date: 12/4/08 Section: Sports
As we all get ready for the final stretch and prepare to head home for the winter break, we can take solace in knowing that all is right with the world.
The football team pulled a Rocky-like comeback and slid into a bowl game for the sixth straight season, the basketball team is pesky but still undersized and we finally held a free election in the United States that couldn't be contested in a court of law.
The Golden Eagles accepted a bid to play in the New Orleans Bowl on Dec. 21, which is fitting for a team that showed over the month of November that they belong in some type of post season play.
New Orleans is a great fit for the Eagles because its an easy trip for the fans and our chances of winning against the Sun Belt Champion, whether it be Troy or Arkansas State, are good. That will let us run our consecutive winning season streak to 15 years.
Plus, it's New Orleans and who doesn't want to spend a weekend in the Big Easy.
I've written negatively of the Eagles in this space before, and at the time it was warranted. That said the Eagles deserve all the credit in the world for not throwing in the towel. They worked hard and they deserve credit and a great crowd for the bowl game.
SMALL BUT STRONG
The basketball team is currently 4-2, and have a big road swing coming in the next week.
They lost to South Alabama Tuesday night, but that shouldn't be too discouraging to fans. The Jaguars are a NCAA tournament team and have been strong for the past five or six years.
The Eagles will travel to face New Mexico Saturday in Albequerque, then head to Manhatten, Kan. for a tilt with Kansas State on Fox Sports Net.
These teams may not have the name recognition of a Duke or a Florida, but these are tough games, so don't be too quick to judge the Eagles if they don't win them all.
The Eagles are undersized, but they play bigger than their stature and can score at will when the right players have the hot hand.
Newcomer Rodney McCauley can play, and when head coach Larry Eustachy gets all his players eligible the Eagles will be a true NCAA contender.
BE THANKFUL
Overall, it's been a great season for Southern Miss, with many more ups than downs.
Credit for the victories goes to all the players and coaches, but a lot goes to the unsung heroes of the Athletic Department, from Director Richard Giannini to student-trainers and the sports information staff.
If there is any doubt that Southern Miss athletics is headed in the right direction, just compare our facilities to what we had five years ago.
Gone is the press box at Pete Taylor Park that looked like an extra dugout at the top of bleachers. Gone are the tents set up in the south endzone of M.M. Roberts Stadium to make room for the new endzone and skyboxes. Shoot, Eustachy even has a steam room in the coaches locker area.
With plans laid, there is no reason that 2009 won't bring even more improvements. Even now the ground is leveled for the new tennis courts.
Remember that we as sports fans at Southern Miss have a lot to be thankful for this Christmas.
That's it 'til the spring, boys and girls. Everyone have a great break, and please be safe when travelling.
The football team pulled a Rocky-like comeback and slid into a bowl game for the sixth straight season, the basketball team is pesky but still undersized and we finally held a free election in the United States that couldn't be contested in a court of law.
The Golden Eagles accepted a bid to play in the New Orleans Bowl on Dec. 21, which is fitting for a team that showed over the month of November that they belong in some type of post season play.
New Orleans is a great fit for the Eagles because its an easy trip for the fans and our chances of winning against the Sun Belt Champion, whether it be Troy or Arkansas State, are good. That will let us run our consecutive winning season streak to 15 years.
Plus, it's New Orleans and who doesn't want to spend a weekend in the Big Easy.
I've written negatively of the Eagles in this space before, and at the time it was warranted. That said the Eagles deserve all the credit in the world for not throwing in the towel. They worked hard and they deserve credit and a great crowd for the bowl game.
SMALL BUT STRONG
The basketball team is currently 4-2, and have a big road swing coming in the next week.
They lost to South Alabama Tuesday night, but that shouldn't be too discouraging to fans. The Jaguars are a NCAA tournament team and have been strong for the past five or six years.
The Eagles will travel to face New Mexico Saturday in Albequerque, then head to Manhatten, Kan. for a tilt with Kansas State on Fox Sports Net.
These teams may not have the name recognition of a Duke or a Florida, but these are tough games, so don't be too quick to judge the Eagles if they don't win them all.
The Eagles are undersized, but they play bigger than their stature and can score at will when the right players have the hot hand.
Newcomer Rodney McCauley can play, and when head coach Larry Eustachy gets all his players eligible the Eagles will be a true NCAA contender.
BE THANKFUL
Overall, it's been a great season for Southern Miss, with many more ups than downs.
Credit for the victories goes to all the players and coaches, but a lot goes to the unsung heroes of the Athletic Department, from Director Richard Giannini to student-trainers and the sports information staff.
If there is any doubt that Southern Miss athletics is headed in the right direction, just compare our facilities to what we had five years ago.
Gone is the press box at Pete Taylor Park that looked like an extra dugout at the top of bleachers. Gone are the tents set up in the south endzone of M.M. Roberts Stadium to make room for the new endzone and skyboxes. Shoot, Eustachy even has a steam room in the coaches locker area.
With plans laid, there is no reason that 2009 won't bring even more improvements. Even now the ground is leveled for the new tennis courts.
Remember that we as sports fans at Southern Miss have a lot to be thankful for this Christmas.
That's it 'til the spring, boys and girls. Everyone have a great break, and please be safe when travelling.
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