Head Coaching Search

[L'Étranger]

Ant new candidates/info for the coaching search?

[Western_101]

57, would love to see your pictures too because I was a part of them from 1971 till now.  I will never forget being in the east bleachers for the Central Michigan game.  jc




 

Were those the rickety wooden ones where you were packed together elbow to elbow? Fun times back in the day!!!!!!



 

The old east stands were not too bad in 1997, doubt they were rickety in 1977. They were comprised of concrete footings and steel vertical I beams and steel angled I beams to which was attached wooden planks, but is was a combo steel/wooden structure. It was fine at the time though.

There was an older version of the East side that was before my time. It was made of wood. I don't know when the other newer east side stands were erected. Late 1960's early 1970's? either way they weren't rickety when 57 was there. (I am not referring to the current East side stands circa '07). 
 
 
 

[Neckfansince71]

The rickety stands were torn down in the fall of 1971 and replaced by the stands 101 is referring to.  The first night they were used happen to be my first WIU football game and I think we beat NEMoSt. 23-21.  I would say it was at least 5 times the size of the ones it replaced.  It was a tremendous upgrade and allowed the Necks to set the attendance regard for a game against Central Michigan that was in the process of heading to the MAC.   ;)jc
  

[L'Étranger]

[sealhall74]

I am not sure Archie Bunker would have approved of the Peach Blossoms, but IMHO, the 70s were the glory days for fan interest at WIU football games.  I generally dont like people showing up after kickoff for games, but in the case of the Peach Blossoms, it was all part of the show.  The Vets would make their appearance in a beat up old green pickup truck (at that time anyway, I read they used to show up in a camoflaged jeep in the 60s) around late 1st quarter, early 2nd, make a round or two on the old cinder track and kick up a little dust doing it, then debark into stands and get ready to party.  This was theater at its very finest. Fans young and old loved it.  So what does this have to do with a coach search?  I think the new coach needs to be one who can think outside the box, try something orginal, use the trickiest of trick plays, ...  You get the idea.  Ask the prospective candidate what he (or she) thinks about the old WIU Peach Blossom tradition.  If they say it is horrible and would never work today, move on to the next candidate.   

From the Sequel Archives:  https://collections.carli.illinois.edu/ ... 7774/rec/1
 
From the Courier Archives:

Parent's Day 1977. Place: Hanson Field Occurrence: While sitting quietly on the bleachers with my roommate and his family, I felt something on the back of my head. Thinking it was just some canned fan, I ignored it. It was followed, however, by an arm placed around my shoulders. A glance backward revealed two of the ugliest legs that ever stuck out from under a skirt. The ends of these legs were concealed by a pair of beat up boots, which was probably for the best. Confused, I glanced at the arm. ""'It, too, was a hairy monstrosity. Fear had now begun to over rule my better judgement. Then I saw the face. Under a bright mop head was a bearded, mustachioed, make up covered face with very big, very red lips that were rapidly decreasing the distance between them and my face. It happened. Not only did it kiss me, but it also left a, big mark on the side of my face. Chastitie had struck again. Actually, I know Chastitie's human counter part. I won't tell you who it isthough. Had his Peach Blossom alter ego not taken over that fateful Saturday morning none of this would have transpired. The human counter part is. Well, he's not a Peach Blossom, normally. This happens every time WIU's football Leathernecks play a home game. Eight men (?) show up in full wierdo regalia and are unleashed on a deserving crowd. The members of this ""organization"" are: Candie, Chastitie, Pussie, Nookie, Hornie, Cherrie, Queenie, and Rosie. The Peach Blossoms are composed of Vet's Club members who; ""want to be Peach Blossoms; are in good standing with the university; and can handle a fair amount of liquor,"" says Greg Pro, who is the unelected/ elected captain of the squad. Why do they do what they do? Pro says, ""It's our own form of contribution to team and school spirit. We do it because we enjoy it.'' The Peach Blossom tradition is 11 year old and was brought about by the Vet Club. Expenses to maintain the club at Peaches run about $200 per year. They include wigs (which have to be replaced about every year), uniforms and, of course plungers. The plungers are an integral part of the Peaches. During their activities, the plungers are passed into the crowd. The comeback filled with booze, hence the requirement that the Peaches be able to handle their liquor.


 
 
 
 

[Western_101]

 

This meme fails, One starts with a snarky one line or one word intro (ontop) then clarify it in the same manor on bottom, the humor needs the template of something that sells your comedic point.

What you have is a picture with a lot of words.  I suggest you try again.

[Western_101]

I am not sure Archie Bunker would have approved of the Peach Blossoms, but IMHO, the 70s were the glory days for fan interest at WIU football games.  I generally dont like people showing up after kickoff for games, but in the case of the Peach Blossoms, it was all part of the show.  The Vets would make their appearance in a beat up old green pickup truck (at that time anyway, I read they used to show up in a camoflaged jeep in the 60s) around late 1st quarter, early 2nd, make a round or two on the old cinder track and kick up a little dust doing it, then debark into stands and get ready to party.  This was theater at its very finest. Fans young and old loved it.  So what does this have to do with a coach search?  I think the new coach needs to be one who can think outside the box, try something orginal, use the trickiest of trick plays, ...  You get the idea.  Ask the prospective candidate what he (or she) thinks about the old WIU Peach Blossom tradition.  If they say it is horrible and would never work today, move on to the next candidate.   

From the Sequel Archives:  https://collections.carli.illinois.edu/ ... 7774/rec/1
 
From the Courier Archives:

Parent's Day 1977. Place: Hanson Field Occurrence: While sitting quietly on the bleachers with my roommate and his family, I felt something on the back of my head. Thinking it was just some canned fan, I ignored it. It was followed, however, by an arm placed around my shoulders. A glance backward revealed two of the ugliest legs that ever stuck out from under a skirt. The ends of these legs were concealed by a pair of beat up boots, which was probably for the best. Confused, I glanced at the arm. ""'It, too, was a hairy monstrosity. Fear had now begun to over rule my better judgement. Then I saw the face. Under a bright mop head was a bearded, mustachioed, make up covered face with very big, very red lips that were rapidly decreasing the distance between them and my face. It happened. Not only did it kiss me, but it also left a, big mark on the side of my face. Chastitie had struck again. Actually, I know Chastitie's human counter part. I won't tell you who it isthough. Had his Peach Blossom alter ego not taken over that fateful Saturday morning none of this would have transpired. The human counter part is. Well, he's not a Peach Blossom, normally. This happens every time WIU's football Leathernecks play a home game. Eight men (?) show up in full wierdo regalia and are unleashed on a deserving crowd. The members of this ""organization"" are: Candie, Chastitie, Pussie, Nookie, Hornie, Cherrie, Queenie, and Rosie. The Peach Blossoms are composed of Vet's Club members who; ""want to be Peach Blossoms; are in good standing with the university; and can handle a fair amount of liquor,"" says Greg Pro, who is the unelected/ elected captain of the squad. Why do they do what they do? Pro says, ""It's our own form of contribution to team and school spirit. We do it because we enjoy it.'' The Peach Blossom tradition is 11 year old and was brought about by the Vet Club. Expenses to maintain the club at Peaches run about $200 per year. They include wigs (which have to be replaced about every year), uniforms and, of course plungers. The plungers are an integral part of the Peaches. During their activities, the plungers are passed into the crowd. The comeback filled with booze, hence the requirement that the Peaches be able to handle their liquor.


 
 
 
 

 

Dude even for me this constitutes word vomit. Are you trying to ruin this thread?  I have a different opinion on the perception of the "Peach Blosssoms". 

It makes the Institution look like a bunch of drunken fraternity boys, and that's coming from a Sigma Chi. 

[sealhall74]

I am not sure Archie Bunker would have approved of the Peach Blossoms, but IMHO, the 70s were the glory days for fan interest at WIU football games.  I generally dont like people showing up after kickoff for games, but in the case of the Peach Blossoms, it was all part of the show.  The Vets would make their appearance in a beat up old green pickup truck (at that time anyway, I read they used to show up in a camoflaged jeep in the 60s) around late 1st quarter, early 2nd, make a round or two on the old cinder track and kick up a little dust doing it, then debark into stands and get ready to party.  This was theater at its very finest. Fans young and old loved it.  So what does this have to do with a coach search?  I think the new coach needs to be one who can think outside the box, try something orginal, use the trickiest of trick plays, ...  You get the idea.  Ask the prospective candidate what he (or she) thinks about the old WIU Peach Blossom tradition.  If they say it is horrible and would never work today, move on to the next candidate.   

From the Sequel Archives:  https://collections.carli.illinois.edu/ ... 7774/rec/1
 
From the Courier Archives:

Parent's Day 1977. Place: Hanson Field Occurrence: While sitting quietly on the bleachers with my roommate and his family, I felt something on the back of my head. Thinking it was just some canned fan, I ignored it. It was followed, however, by an arm placed around my shoulders. A glance backward revealed two of the ugliest legs that ever stuck out from under a skirt. The ends of these legs were concealed by a pair of beat up boots, which was probably for the best. Confused, I glanced at the arm. ""'It, too, was a hairy monstrosity. Fear had now begun to over rule my better judgement. Then I saw the face. Under a bright mop head was a bearded, mustachioed, make up covered face with very big, very red lips that were rapidly decreasing the distance between them and my face. It happened. Not only did it kiss me, but it also left a, big mark on the side of my face. Chastitie had struck again. Actually, I know Chastitie's human counter part. I won't tell you who it isthough. Had his Peach Blossom alter ego not taken over that fateful Saturday morning none of this would have transpired. The human counter part is. Well, he's not a Peach Blossom, normally. This happens every time WIU's football Leathernecks play a home game. Eight men (?) show up in full wierdo regalia and are unleashed on a deserving crowd. The members of this ""organization"" are: Candie, Chastitie, Pussie, Nookie, Hornie, Cherrie, Queenie, and Rosie. The Peach Blossoms are composed of Vet's Club members who; ""want to be Peach Blossoms; are in good standing with the university; and can handle a fair amount of liquor,"" says Greg Pro, who is the unelected/ elected captain of the squad. Why do they do what they do? Pro says, ""It's our own form of contribution to team and school spirit. We do it because we enjoy it.'' The Peach Blossom tradition is 11 year old and was brought about by the Vet Club. Expenses to maintain the club at Peaches run about $200 per year. They include wigs (which have to be replaced about every year), uniforms and, of course plungers. The plungers are an integral part of the Peaches. During their activities, the plungers are passed into the crowd. The comeback filled with booze, hence the requirement that the Peaches be able to handle their liquor.


 
 
 
 



 

Dude even for me this constitutes word vomit. Are you trying to ruin this thread?  I have a different opinion on the perception of the "Peach Blosssoms". 

It makes the Institution look like a bunch of drunken fraternity boys, and that's coming from a Sigma Chi. 


 

Maybe you had to put time in Vietnam to really appreciate it.  Not sure but they earned and deserved all my respect.  IIRC, alcohol was a big part of a Saturday afternoon at Hanson.
 
 

[WIU2DC]

Historically, how long does it take us to hire a new HC? Or does it vary every time? Do we think any of the current coordinators will apply or will they all move on with Elliot?


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[ST_Lawson]

I am not sure Archie Bunker would have approved of the Peach Blossoms, but IMHO, the 70s were the glory days for fan interest at WIU football games.  I generally dont like people showing up after kickoff for games, but in the case of the Peach Blossoms, it was all part of the show.  The Vets would make their appearance in a beat up old green pickup truck (at that time anyway, I read they used to show up in a camoflaged jeep in the 60s) around late 1st quarter, early 2nd, make a round or two on the old cinder track and kick up a little dust doing it, then debark into stands and get ready to party.  This was theater at its very finest. Fans young and old loved it.  So what does this have to do with a coach search?  I think the new coach needs to be one who can think outside the box, try something orginal, use the trickiest of trick plays, ...  You get the idea.  Ask the prospective candidate what he (or she) thinks about the old WIU Peach Blossom tradition.  If they say it is horrible and would never work today, move on to the next candidate.   
 

Obviously the 1970's and '80s incarnations of the Peach Blossoms wouldn't fly today, but we do need something along that level of interest/excitement. Idk what that would be...outside of winning games, what does the current crop of students get excited about? I think improving the gameday experience would help (the new scoreboard is a step in the right direction), but also having a better "choreographed" team introduction would be nice.

Example - When the team comes out of the locker room to do their march to the stadium, have a drone following along with/above them the whole way. Show the video from that drone live on the video board and overlay it with music...something like that.