Oklahoma State University Athletics
An Open Letter To The OSU Family
January 07, 2000 | General
Jan. 1, 2000
An Open Letter to the OSU Family:
On behalf of Oklahoma State University Athletics, I feel it is of the utmost importance that I address some critical issues concerning our football program. As your Athletic Director and a member of the OSU family for the past five years, I feel I can speak frankly with you when it comes to matters we hold dear.
Judging by the many calls and letters I have received recently, you are not satisfied with our 5-6 record these past two seasons. (In a way, I am glad you are frustrated following a losing season, because that means our expectations for this program are higher than they?ve been in the past.) You are not alone. Our coaches are not satisfied, our players are not satisfied, and believe me ? I am not satisfied. I have addressed this and other concerns with Coach Simmons, and we all understand that our football team must perform at a higher level.
In my career (whether as a player, coach or administrator), I have always been associated with winning football, and I understand what it takes to build a winner. I?ve seen how it is done during my years at Virginia Tech, Florida and Arkansas. I am also keenly aware of the reasons some mediocre programs remain mediocre.
We are at a crossroads, and it is up to the OSU family to decide which way we are to tread regarding our football program. Oklahoma State has a wonderful athletic program, evidenced by 42 NCAA Championships, but a key piece of the puzzle has eluded us: sustained success in football. We've fielded some of the great players in the game, but winning seasons have been few and far between. Over the last half-century, football at OSU has not received the love and care it needs, and the record shows it. OSU has suffered through 31 losing seasons in the last 50 years ? this is NOT acceptable. We cannot change what has happened in the past, but we can determine where we go from here.
It has been said that goals are "dreams with a deadline" ? It is my goal to have a beautiful, modernized Lewis Field within a few short years. Some will say it can?t be done, but one look at the ongoing construction of our $54 million Athletic Center (the largest one-time athletic project ever in the state of Oklahoma) shows that it can ? and will ? happen here at OSU. These facility improvements are an absolute necessity if we truly want to move beyond mediocrity.
Today, we are playing catch-up for a half-century of inconsistency and lack of performance when it comes to Cowboy Football. The challenges we are facing now (such as the very poor condition of our football stadium) did not spring up overnight, nor can they be fixed overnight. Lewis Field?s current condition is merely a symptom of a greater issue. We have to develop our infrastructure in order to build a winning football program the right way.
But we can't merely hope for a consistent winner. Together, we need to do
the things necessary to ensure our success. We must:
? upgrade our stadium for the benefit of our fans, recruits and overall
football program
? provide attractive financial packages for coaches so OSU is not seen as a
stepping-stone
? recruit and graduate top-flight student-athletes
What will it take? A new attitude. We must break the chains that have held OSU back in the past, allowing our fans to enjoy only 19 winning football seasons since 1949. Oklahoma State is truly a wonderful university, with a proud heritage and a combination of outstanding academics, athletics and campus life. OSU deserves to have ? and we will have ? a consistently winning football program.
In the next few months, you'll be hearing much more about our specific plans for Cowboy Football and your role in the future. Meanwhile, I urge you to stand behind us, both faithfully and financially. (Your continued investment in OSU Football through season tickets, donor seating and POSSE membership is a good way to start.) As I said, we are at a crossroads. Together, let's choose the path to success.
Sincerely,
Terry Don Phillips,
Director of Athletics
