McPeachy
Well-known member
I have heard this from many sources, spanning multiple decades of being Wyoming fans. What could have been...and what basically castrated any and all hopes of Wyoming athletics (football primarily) remaining nationally competititve. Take it for what it is worth...many sources spanning multiple decades, and a lot of whiskey mixed in.
When Fred Ackers took the UW coaching job in 1975, he vowed to make Wyoming what it was in the 60's. A national power. He vowed to be competing for national championships. He was going to do it all, and do it right, from the ground up. And it started in 1975...although his record wasn't great (2-9), he did have the base set, as evident by posting an 8-4 record in 1976, and having 2 players selected first round in the NFL draft (Aaron Kyle - Dallas, and Lawrence Gaines - Detroit). And we all know about the Fiesta bowl.
But why did Fred really quit before our Fiesta Bowl trouncing in Tempe? Many blame Texas coming back around and tossing the offer his way. But that wasn't it...that was the easy out. What it really was...was the fact that Fred had been working hard to have a dome built at UW, it was his passion, it was what would be required to take Wyoming to the next level. It was going to house all sports, all administrative offices, and be the cutting edge of facilities, nationally. There were practice facilities, weight rooms, locker rooms, meeting rooms, booster rooms, trophy rooms, etc., etc. It was actually nicer and better than what turned out to be the carrier dome in Syracuse...before the carrier dome in Syracuse was even a thought.
In late 1976...Fred was denied. And that, my Wyoming fan friends, is what got us here today. Fred saw the writing on the wall...he knew that Wyoming was too "good 'ol boy politically driven" to make it happen. Fred took the first (actually second) offer that came his way. Oh, and the cost? Just under $50 million. Doesn't seem like much these days. And sure, we have had some "blips" but those blips, have happened, what, 3 times in 36 years? Maybe 3. Not sure 1996 was that great.
And what the hell is my point? Looks like CSewe learned (or is learning) from our mistake from 35+ years ago. Hopefully UW will as well.
When Fred Ackers took the UW coaching job in 1975, he vowed to make Wyoming what it was in the 60's. A national power. He vowed to be competing for national championships. He was going to do it all, and do it right, from the ground up. And it started in 1975...although his record wasn't great (2-9), he did have the base set, as evident by posting an 8-4 record in 1976, and having 2 players selected first round in the NFL draft (Aaron Kyle - Dallas, and Lawrence Gaines - Detroit). And we all know about the Fiesta bowl.
But why did Fred really quit before our Fiesta Bowl trouncing in Tempe? Many blame Texas coming back around and tossing the offer his way. But that wasn't it...that was the easy out. What it really was...was the fact that Fred had been working hard to have a dome built at UW, it was his passion, it was what would be required to take Wyoming to the next level. It was going to house all sports, all administrative offices, and be the cutting edge of facilities, nationally. There were practice facilities, weight rooms, locker rooms, meeting rooms, booster rooms, trophy rooms, etc., etc. It was actually nicer and better than what turned out to be the carrier dome in Syracuse...before the carrier dome in Syracuse was even a thought.
In late 1976...Fred was denied. And that, my Wyoming fan friends, is what got us here today. Fred saw the writing on the wall...he knew that Wyoming was too "good 'ol boy politically driven" to make it happen. Fred took the first (actually second) offer that came his way. Oh, and the cost? Just under $50 million. Doesn't seem like much these days. And sure, we have had some "blips" but those blips, have happened, what, 3 times in 36 years? Maybe 3. Not sure 1996 was that great.
And what the hell is my point? Looks like CSewe learned (or is learning) from our mistake from 35+ years ago. Hopefully UW will as well.
