In response to Wyoming High School atheltes...

[pokerupfront]

Face it, UW is the only University in the state, and they long ago chose to try and compete big time athletically when the state has the smallest population in the country. There is no place on UWs roster for Wyoming kids, and that pisses off families and friends of local athletes. That is why so many of the few truly blue chip athletes choose Colorado State, Utah, and BYU over Wyoming, because of the snubs thrown at their brothers and friends by UW recruiters.

Bottom line? Wyoming Football represents professional sports to the state's fans. You want to compete in the Mountain West, then you have to throw money at the program, it can not support it's self. No bucks, no Buckaroos. At the status quo, I would surmise that the program can only challenge for a conference title in football once every 20 years or so. Laramie can not compete with the conference leading cities, and their facilities. Beating Oklahoma, USC, Florida, or Penn State in a national championship game is as likely as traveling past the speed of light.

We can always watch Star Trek re-runs instead I guess.

 

[WYCowboy]

It would seem to me UW could at least invite Meredith (or any other Wyoming HS athlete that is a stand-out player) to walk on and see if they could prove themselves enough to make the team. At least there are the Hathaway Scholarships that are available to Wyoming kids that help pay tuition. If they do make the team, they should be given an athletic scholarship the next year.

 

[TheBuckhole]

To me, Prosinski is still a question mark. Yeah, he's making a lot of tackles, but from the Safety position, which isn't necessarily a good thing.

 

[TheBuckhole]

..... At least there are the Hathaway Scholarships that are available to Wyoming kids that help pay tuition. If they do make the team, they should be given an athletic scholarship the next year.

Although the Hathaway helps Wyoming kids (I guess), it pretty much eliminates any chance of any walk-ons from other states. Even before the Hathaway Scholarship, it was almost impossible to get a scholarship if you weren't from Wyoming, believe me, I know.

I agree that we need to recruit Texas, California, etc. I also feel that Wyoming only produces one or two solid D-1 athletes every few years or so. But, as we all know, Wyoming isn't real receptive to outsiders, no matter if you're an athlete, businessman, student or faculity member. This is ignorance will only continue to hurt our athletic programs. I'll guarantee you that if a good percentage of out of state recruits knew they'd be treated like shit when they got here, they wouldn't have come here in the first place.

As somewhat of an "outsider" (I lived in Wyoming almost 20 years, but I'm not from there - oh my!), I think I see things a bit differently, as do most other outsiders from the conversations I've had with them. Example, I had class with Jay Straight, he told me his grandmother begged him not to go to Wyoming because of this attitude, among other things, including percieved racism. I've heard Jay Novacek talk shit about Wyoming on national radio and he's from Nebraska!! (born in South Dakota). How freaking sad is that?!?! Until this changes, Wyoming is still going to have trouble recruiting from anywhere.

 

[McPeachy]

..... At least there are the Hathaway Scholarships that are available to Wyoming kids that help pay tuition. If they do make the team, they should be given an athletic scholarship the next year.

Although the Hathaway helps Wyoming kids (I guess), it pretty much eliminates any chance of any walk-ons from other states. Even before the Hathaway Scholarship, it was almost impossible to get a scholarship if you weren't from Wyoming, believe me, I know.

I agree that we need to recruit Texas, California, etc. I also feel that Wyoming only produces one or two solid D-1 athletes every few years or so. But, as we all know, Wyoming isn't real receptive to outsiders, no matter if you're an athlete, businessman, student or faculity member. This is ignorance will only continue to hurt our athletic programs. I'll guarantee you that if a good percentage of out of state recruits knew they'd be treated like s##t when they got here, they wouldn't have come here in the first place.

As somewhat of an "outsider" (I lived in Wyoming almost 20 years, but I'm not from there - oh my!), I think I see things a bit differently, as do most other outsiders from the conversations I've had with them. Example, I had class with Jay Straight, he told me his grandmother begged him not to go to Wyoming because of this attitude, among other things, including percieved racism. I've heard Jay Novacek talk s##t about Wyoming on national radio and he's from Nebraska!! (born in South Dakota). How freaking sad is that?!?! Until this changes, Wyoming is still going to have trouble recruiting from anywhere.

Buckhole...that is generalizing a bit. I think, in fact, you are correct, but it is for a select few...not for the majority, of athletes at UW. Close-mindedness (like what you describe as far as Jay Straights grandmothers comments) is just that.

Not to jump off topic too much or be too political, Wyoming is an easy target, and gets painted with a broad brush too often (see 1998 events). Not everyone in Wyoming rides a horse to work...

 

[WYCowboy]

Some of these attitudes do exist in Wyoming - I know they do. What drives me crazy is when you go into a business that has the attitude they are doing you (the customer) a favor. There is prejudice within Wyoming and I am not talking about racism. I have seen very little racism in Wyoming. What prejudice I am talking about is people in the western part of the state look down on people in the eastern part of the state (and vice-versa) and also the northern & southern parts feel the same way about each other. It's the ranchers against the non-ranchers, the old timers against the younger generation, and the lawyers & law enforcement against the others. They just look at each other as being outsiders. At least the attitudes are better here than say New York City where they are rude to everyone.

 

[Wind River Poke]

I am a Wyoming native and have lived in 3 of the 4 corners. I can cite many an example of being an outsider. Ever notice how us Wyoming folk look at license plates? It's an identifier of where you are from.
When I lived in Weston Co. (21) I was hassled by a rancher while hunting on BLM land. He saw the Fremont Co. (10) plates and started in telling me about how all the out of county people have ruined the deer hunting...as he reaps large profits from the outfitter, who is the one actually over hunting the area, he leases his land to.
Anyone from the South Pass area will tell you how those damn Sweetwater Co. (4) people have ruined the fishing there.
Most Laramie Co. (2) residents that commute on Happy Jack will tell you that those Albany Co. (5) drivers are reckless.
It's sad, really, but I think it comes from having such small communities within our State. Ever stop in the local cafe in Upton, or Lingle, or Pavillion, or one of a hundred towns in this state? It actually goes silent when you walk in the door during the local coffee time.
But to our credit we do love the pokes and band together when it comes time to drive 300 miles on icy roads to watch the Pokes play BBall in January. Or shovel our neighbors out when its time to head to Laramie to watch the Cowgirls win the WNIT. And hats off to those 17K that sat in the wind 2 weeks ago clinging to some sort of hope that we would actually beat the Utes.

PS..Mcpeachy, is your avatar girl looking for a sugar daddy..LOL :lol:

 

[MrTitleist]

People from 20 county think 15 county sucks, and that the 9 county are backwoods yokels (no offense, GreybullPoke!).