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opinion
College Football
vs. Long Beach State
By Ryan Henderson
Special to the Online Forty-Niner
Long Beach State
has not had a Football Team since the early nineties. Should
Long Beach State bring back the program?
Not having a college
football team is like not having books at a library. The college
football season (beginning of the school year) is the most
exciting and sociable time of the year for students. I envy
other students at football-worthy schools that boast about
all-day tailgate parties, exciting football games, and post-game
celebrations.
But why doesn't
Long Beach State have a football team? Lets back up a bit.
In the late eighties, the president of the University had
convinced George Allen (a successful coach of the Washington
Redskins) that he could save the program, and the campus was
only a few miles from his home overlooking the Pacific. There
was no money, no support, no stadium, no talent, and no hope.
But there would be coaching. George Allen came, but not for
long. Allen died on New Year's Eve 1990, five weeks after
coaching his final game at Long Beach State. And the program
died with him. (this quote seems a little out of place)
Well, is not having
a football program that big of a deal? Charles Larson, a freshman
philosophy major, doesn't seem to think so.
" I don't really care. Long Beach State isn't like Nebraska
or USC, where football is considered sacred. I am sort of
glad there isn't a football team. It gives the chance for
the women to shine. Especially the volleyball team. Lets keep
things the way they are."
Julie Gold, a junior communication major, seems to have different
opinion.
"I hate not having a football team. Hanging out at the stadium,
the tailgating, and all the fun. That's what college should
be about. I want Homecoming to affiliate with football. I
hate it!"
Little trivia:
George Allen was so influential as a coach that even our school
colors are black and gold because of him. The school has been
using those colors for the most part since the fall of 1989,
when Allen adopted them for the football team..
Another little trivia: Terrell Davis, who was the MVP of Super
Bowl XXXII and is now a player for the Denver Broncos, spent
his first collegiate season playing under George Allen here
at Long Beach State. He left the school because the program
was eliminated. Following the 1991 season, Davis rushed for
262 yard and two touchdowns on 55 carries (4.8 yards a carry).
Former student
Casey Boggs, who also came here to play football, said he
sort of knew the program was faltering.
"The writing was on the wall. Long Beach State Athletic Program
made a difficult decision. But the right decision."
But Boggs also believes the school should try it again.
"Try it again. This time, democratically poll the student
body in the next election and determine if a new football
program should be considered. If the results show a resounding
support, then pursue with building a team. If Long Beach State
agrees to have a new team, the alumni will support the program.
Hail the Black and Gold!"
When I casually ask people today where they go to school or
where they went to school, I sometimes measure their caliber
by the strength of their sports program - specifically football.
It's true. Although I think Long Beach is one of the most
underrated universities in California, I am humbled when I'm
asked where I go to school - athletically speaking.
For more questions
or information please contact the daily 49er. E-mail: d49er@csulb.edu
or Internet location: http://daily49er.csulb.edu.
1. www.nfl.com/ce/feature/0,3783,4415490,00.html
2. www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/sports
/herSKOWITZ/1021336
3. http://members.aol.com/prymtyme/histrad.html#colors
4. www.raiders.com
5. www.chron.com
- By Mickey Herskowitz 2001 Houston Chronicle
6. http://daily49er.csulb.edu
7. www.denverbroncos.com
INTERVIEW:
Charles Larson
Freshman
School of Philosophy
Julie Gold
Junior
School of Communication
Casey Boggs
Weber Shandwick Worldwide
Senior Account Executive
Long Beach State '90-'94
Degree in Speech Communication
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