The University of Idaho opened a new chapter this year. Students returned to campus for the fall 2019 semester with new President C. Scott Green at the helm and Terry Gawlik taking over Vandal athletics.
Two fresh sets of eyes to help move UI forward from issues that have faced the university in the past several years.
A lot has taken place on campus in the past year — from the chaos that stemmed from JAMM professor Denise Bennett’s situation to UI’s budget crisis and the ensuing reactions — and as a result, there has been plenty for campus to chatter about.
It would be easy and maybe tempting to forget other aspects of the campus experience when addressing this university, yet it would paint an incomplete picture. It would be easy to obsess over the budget deficits and the potentially treacherous path out of it.
While we have focused so heavily on specific areas of campus and demanded answers and solutions — and rightfully so — UI athletics have almost fallen completely out of the conversation.
Idaho is not a “sports school” — it probably never will be. But that doesn’t mean students should have to settle for mediocrity year after year.
Bringing in Terry Gawlik to Moscow from the University of Wisconsin was an impressive move on behalf of the university. Gawlik can bring a lot to the table. Coming from Wisconsin as senior associate athletic director for sport and administration, Gawlik not only has over a decade of experience to her name, but expertise in areas Idaho has been desperately working to catch up in over the past few years, such as Title IX.
Her hire ignited a spark of hope and change in Vandal athletics, even for those of us who could be classified as middle-of-the-road Vandal ‘fans.’
Yet on the field we are still settling for mediocrity.
After its second season in the FCS as part of the Big Sky Conference, Idaho football once again failed to impress. Yes, there were some shining moments from the 2019 season, but you can only put so much lipstick on a pig — and this pig was not pretty.
Last season the team got something of a pass for its first season back in the Big Sky, finishing with an overall record of 4-7, going 3-5 in conference play.
This season looked like a near mirror image of last as the team finished 5-7 overall and 3-5 in conference.
This is not to dismiss the success of Idaho women’s sports in recent years — from volleyball’s runs in the conference tournament to the always dazzling performances from women’s basketball’s “Splash Sisters” Taylor Pierce and Mikayla Ferenz.
Yet for better or for worse, a fan base is often defined and rallied by the success of its football team.
Vandal fans have rarely had much to rally around in years past.
Jon Newlee and women’s basketball will likely continue to be the shining stars of Idaho athletics and fans should relish their success and be there cheering them on along the way.
And as they do, UI must continue to prioritize success across sports and stop forcing fans to cheer on mediocrity in the men’s sports.
Idaho football should no longer get a pass for slipping through a season with less than stellar records.
UI has new leadership and is well into the process of writing the next chapter of its story.
Maybe it’s time for Idaho football to start doing the same.
— Editorial Board
Lerty
If the comments are not going to be shown why prompt for any?
Ron Reynolds
Idaho football mediocrity (or worse) is thy name.
Tog Lerty
Coach Paul Petrino is getting paid $490,000.00 a year. Three poor years in a row, very bad QB development for 4 years. Time for change.
M. James
#Hatersgonnahate -That's was the departing shot the FB twitter aimed at our students and alumni this season. It's not just mediocrity, it's an openly antagonistic relationship the coaching staff has built towards us. It's not the FB team vs. its opponents on the field, it's been the FB team vs. their actual fans. That's unacceptable, and needs to be put down.