Coach, I think the negative stuff is just misplaced anger from some people who somehow feel Title IX is to blame for every opportunity they didn't earn, but still felt they were entitled to. Don't waste your time trying to dry their tears.
Congrats on building an incredible program, one everyone can be proud of.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion as long as it is based on fact.
So what I am doing here is inviting any of you negative post people to come out to a practice any Wedesday at the golf course, sit and watch what these women do day in and day out and then make a judgement.
If someone wants to talk about draining money from any program what about the FULL ride athlete in many sports or the NBA guaranteed contract performers who never get off the bench?
Most of our women are on little or no money and come out and give their heart and soul to this team every day. I will take that kind of kid any day thank you. Needless to say I am very proud of these women and futhermore everyone of them gives back to this program not only while they are here but also afterwards.
As I said before we are family and if anyone wants to come out at 2:45pm any Wednesday and ride the golf cart with me you are more than welcome. I am serious about that. Of course you must identify yourself when you come to practice and not be anonymous like you post on here. :):):)
oh yay, everybody is a winner in my book! these are all good, wholesome girls, so they deserve to drain money from the university of minnesota... after all, it grows on trees, right?
Can We End On A Positive Note September 29 at 1:31pm
Another positive comment (thank you 'Synergy is Right') and lets please end this post on a positive note. These runners are all great, and don't deserve the negativity expressed by some below.
how can you people write these things about this MN cc team without even knowing what is actually going on in their program. i can guarantee that not a single one of you posting these negative comments have any clue in the world about any D-1 running program, especially the gophers. for those of you that think these women are just on the team for a "free ride" and collecting the goods, take a hike. every single girl on that team goes to every practice and works her butt off. every single girl on that team goes to meets and represents the U of M to the best of their abilities. coach wilson wouldn't allow it otherwise. no complaining, no excuses. he's benched many in his coaching career. so what only 7 runners can compete at the national meet. there are girls on that team that could make the top 7 for pretty much any other d-1 school in the country and compete at the regional and national meets for them, but no, they chose to be a golden gopher, even if that means being the 30th runner on the team. there must be something special about this team. maybe some of you downers should hang out with them for a while and figure out what they are doing to be positive, happy, successful women. (if they would even let your negative attitude in) i know i would love to be on that team. (and by the way, i was on a varsity team and made a big impact on it too so it's not coming from somebody who never got to play or compete.) so many smiles and love being spread by all. i watched the griak and i didnt see any other team there having as much fun, and loving and supporting their teammates as much as the gophers. they know how to do it...best of luck to the gophers in the remainder of your meets. show the country what you're made of!!!!
F-it...lets just have 200 girls go up for the award. Then it shows they are a stronger team.
It must feel good being one of the runners who ran 7 minute pace for 6k and then go up and get your picture taken. This is the most ridiculous thing in the world.
Kinda ridiculous is an understatement.
ya! go girls! spend the school's money to drive your recreational runners to meets, feed them, and cloth them. Ridiculous!
Not Bashing, Just A Thought. September 28 at 10:32pm
I agree that it is good to stay positive and there is no need to "hate" on any of the less talented runners on the Minnesota team but at the same time note there is a major difference between high school and college athletics especially at the Division 1 level. Money is going in to support this team and it could seem a little unfair. I am not exactly sure on the drop-off point meaning what sort of time standard you turn girls away so I can't judge in that respect but why not let the bottom half or so formulate a track club with an opportunity to reap the benefits of the University backing within due time if they achieve to a certain level? I will say being at the meet, although the girls weren't necessarily arrogant about their award it did seem a little cheesy and high school like with the amount of women and the fact that every single person went up to get in on it. I know they all helped and every person counts but at the same time, it kind of takes away from the woman working in the top 20 of your team.
Coach Wilson is a class act, always has been. Its obvious these girls enjoy each others company and support one another. It doesnt seem to be affecting their performance one bit.
Its too bad there arent more programs with coaches that encourage kids that want to go out/contribute in some way too participate.
Ive been involved/around many programs over the years, this program is one of top ones Ive admired for a long time.
Keep it up Gary, you are a truly great coach and, as anyone that has had the pleasure of meeting you, a better person.
Needless to say I was happy to see all of the positive posts AFTER the first one.
I just have a couple of comments. This team is a family and all the women are treated as equals. It is correct that not everyone is in the top group every year but just like a family everyone is cared for and everyone brings positive energy to the team.
Over the years every NCAA team has walk on kids who REALLY develop and end up in the top group. Of course on every team the goal is for each person to get better and try to set personal bests. Isn't that what life is about. Not everyone can be the CEO but everyone can contribute in their own way.
The last I checked athletics is supposed to be a place to learn life lessons. I have always had big teams and believe me it is fun for ALL of us.
Secondly, we have won the last 2 Big Ten titles and we had over 50 women on both of those teams. In fact we won last year because 16 women drove 11 hours to Michigan. They each carried Minnesota flags and without them cheering their lungs out I am not sure we would have beaten Wisconsin over the last kilometer for the 4 point win.
Lastly I would remind everyone who has ever been around cross country and also are parents........I do not think any parent treats the doctor in the family any different than the son/daughter who happen to work in a factory.
These women are like our daughters. They are wonderful kids with wonderful attitudes and perhaps next year we should have 70 on the team so that we can WIN THE NATIONAL TITLE!!!!!!!!!! :):):)
Thanks to all who posted positive comments.
This is not about Title IX, which does not provide MORE opportunities for female athletes, but only that there be EQUAL opportunities for male and female athletes. If the coaching staff wants to deal with a large team, that is their issue. On a lighter note, how can anyone not love a squad like that...Luv' dem Minnesota girls.
To the title 9 worshippers below... how is this not B.S.? At least 30 of those girls are 100% undeserving do be on that team and will never contribute one ounce to the Gophers. Yes, maybe they are not on scholarship, but they are still reaping benefits from the Minnesota athletic department (gear, facilities, tutors, coaching time, etc.). So they are still draining money from the system (might as well be flushing it down the toilet). Just imagine how many legitimate male athletes (wrestling, swimming, tennis, cc/track) who are far more deserving of a spot on a D1 program like Minnesota have been denied that opportunity in favor of these girls. Or imagine where that wasted money could have been put to better use (whether in or out of the athletic department). It can also be assumed that many of those girls are only on that team in order to enjoy the ride without contribution. This is actually a very good satirical mock of the title 9 plan.
If you've ever participated in organized sports, and cross-country in particular, you know that not everyone will make the race day headlines BUT that everyone contributes to the team in their own way (whether it be on race day, or during team workouts). This is a great program, with not an over-inflated ego among the bunch, and all these runners should receive their well-deserved award.
Title 9...let me remind you that all sports have "starters" and "bench players"...you may also notice that the Gophers football team does NOT, in fact, play all 90 of their players in any given game. Nevertheless, every person "contributes" and makes up what is known as a "team". Also, take into account the fact that most of these girls are running with no scholarship...so the size of the team is really not of the concern to anyone other than the coaching staff.
Minnesota Huge Team
Congrats on building an incredible program, one everyone can be proud of.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion as long as it is based on fact.
So what I am doing here is inviting any of you negative post people to come out to a practice any Wedesday at the golf course, sit and watch what these women do day in and day out and then make a judgement.
If someone wants to talk about draining money from any program what about the FULL ride athlete in many sports or the NBA guaranteed contract performers who never get off the bench?
Most of our women are on little or no money and come out and give their heart and soul to this team every day. I will take that kind of kid any day thank you. Needless to say I am very proud of these women and futhermore everyone of them gives back to this program not only while they are here but also afterwards.
As I said before we are family and if anyone wants to come out at 2:45pm any Wednesday and ride the golf cart with me you are more than welcome. I am serious about that. Of course you must identify yourself when you come to practice and not be anonymous like you post on here. :):):)
F-it...lets just have 200 girls go up for the award. Then it shows they are a stronger team.
It must feel good being one of the runners who ran 7 minute pace for 6k and then go up and get your picture taken. This is the most ridiculous thing in the world.
Kinda ridiculous is an understatement.
ya! go girls! spend the school's money to drive your recreational runners to meets, feed them, and cloth them. Ridiculous!
Its too bad there arent more programs with coaches that encourage kids that want to go out/contribute in some way too participate.
Ive been involved/around many programs over the years, this program is one of top ones Ive admired for a long time.
Keep it up Gary, you are a truly great coach and, as anyone that has had the pleasure of meeting you, a better person.
I just have a couple of comments. This team is a family and all the women are treated as equals. It is correct that not everyone is in the top group every year but just like a family everyone is cared for and everyone brings positive energy to the team.
Over the years every NCAA team has walk on kids who REALLY develop and end up in the top group. Of course on every team the goal is for each person to get better and try to set personal bests. Isn't that what life is about. Not everyone can be the CEO but everyone can contribute in their own way.
The last I checked athletics is supposed to be a place to learn life lessons. I have always had big teams and believe me it is fun for ALL of us.
Secondly, we have won the last 2 Big Ten titles and we had over 50 women on both of those teams. In fact we won last year because 16 women drove 11 hours to Michigan. They each carried Minnesota flags and without them cheering their lungs out I am not sure we would have beaten Wisconsin over the last kilometer for the 4 point win.
Lastly I would remind everyone who has ever been around cross country and also are parents........I do not think any parent treats the doctor in the family any different than the son/daughter who happen to work in a factory.
These women are like our daughters. They are wonderful kids with wonderful attitudes and perhaps next year we should have 70 on the team so that we can WIN THE NATIONAL TITLE!!!!!!!!!! :):):)
Thanks to all who posted positive comments.
wow.
title 9 at its finest