Agree - add to that the fact that Wild Bill is a pretty headstrong and proud guy; meaning if he really was unhappy with any treatment in Hawaii, you wouldn't have seen him cheering in Hilton at all these past two months...
Wild Bill to call it quits!
- Thread starter SLCyclone
- Start date
Agree - add to that the fact that Wild Bill is a pretty headstrong and proud guy; meaning if he really was unhappy with any treatment in Hawaii, you wouldn't have seen him cheering in Hilton at all these past two months...
Yep. My thoughts exactly. If it was the economy, I'll betcha JP would give the guy tickets just to make sure he's inside Hilton.
Weren't there some posts here about him being missing for a few games after the Hawaii trip???
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True, but he has been quieter, and has missed some games, so who knows, no one at this point.
If Wild Bill is so loud and taunts the other team and refs, then why not tell the coaches to tone it down also? They are twice as abusive. Ever sit behind the bench and listen to Johnny Orr during his games? I even sat next to his wife and she even threw something at Wayman Tisdale during a game and the refs were looking at me, ready to toss me out.
The first thing I always do once I get to my seat for the women's game is to see if Bill is there. Something smells really fishy here about this whole deal. KCCI had to get this story from someone in order to report it. So there are people out there that know the whole story.
The first thing I always do once I get to my seat for the women's game is to see if Bill is there. Something smells really fishy here about this whole deal. KCCI had to get this story from someone in order to report it. So there are people out there that know the whole story.
When KCCI first decided to do the story on him, I don't think they knew that this was going to be his last year. It just happened to work out that way.
O.K. Sorry I apparently started a brouhaha by saying I was retiring from the ISU Women’s basketball scene. And yes it is economics, coupled with approaching 70 years old and that it really is a demanding task each game to lead the crowd. It requires year round training. (Three days/week of 730 sit-ups, 120 push-ups, some chin-ups, pull-ups, numerous stretching exercises and run 2-3 miles depending on the weather.) Ask Justin Dodge, my replacement, how easy it is. He told me he went home and crashed after covering for me at the Vanderbilt game. And he’s a "young pup" yet."
The Hawaii trip was planned and paid for last spring at the urging of friends who knew I had been promising my wife for 46 years to take her to Hawaii and show her my "old haunts" from being stationed there at as Schofield Barracks. Since this is the 50th anniversary of my being assigned there it seemed like a logical time to go (if we were ever going to be able to) and tie the reminiscences in with some good old ISU Women’s basketball. Used credit card points for the flight and hit the piggy bank for the rest. Had a great time, but it dawned on me while there that we can no longer manage that kind of expense (and that of Big 12 Women’s Basketball Tournaments), if we are to make a move into the retirement community we have chosen. So on returning from Hawaii I canceled my request for tickets to the Big 12 Tourney and decided this would be the last season. It seemed logical to finish the season since the tickets were already paid for.
As for all the rumors about the Hawaii trip, yes Rich Fellingham did throw a tantrum at me for being too loud and spoiling his broadcast. But that’s O.K. Rich and I are long time friends and we can interact with each other that way. Yes Callie had to tell me to pipe down or we would get a technical. That’s her job and she had to do it. We were already over 20 points behind and the referees were going to make certain Stanford had every advantage, so they thought they could take me out of the mix. (Not that I could make any difference.) But I never give up on the team during a game, and gave it my best shot all the way. A technical on the crowd at that point would not have cost us the game. You might remember that Stanford with a 36 point lead took a shot with 3 seconds left to win by 38 – poor class by an otherwise great team – so I felt justified in supporting our valiant players to the end. I still feel it is inappropriate for referees to tell the crowd to quiet down when no profanity or harassment is being directed at them. Most Big 12 refs recognize me as a loyal supportive fan, if not a bit loud, and wouldn’t think of telling one person in a huge crowd of 200 people to quiet down. But that happened and it’s over.
Used to think I would be doing this into my 90’s, but it’s not in the cards. Got to lay back and give it a rest and focus my energy and money on some other things. Also, no problem with Jamie Pollard other than that he fired the most positive football coach in existence to bring in a bad choice. Delighted to have Paul Rhoads on board, but still miss Mr. Positive Enthusiasm Dan McCarney.
I don’t expect the athletic department to "provide me seats." They are not a charity organization and they need to keep the thing afloat financially. Nor am I a charity case. So weep not for me. I (we) had a great quarter of a century run. I have loved all three coaches and their staffs during that time and of course the players. That’s what it’s all about – the best darn people in the world are Iowa State Women athletes and especially the BB players we’ve known over the years. God Bless them, and the rest of you fanatics keep on supporting them. Hilton HAS to be the toughest place for visitors to play in in the country, and we can do it with class and humongously great noise and support for the Cyclones. Keep it up. See you at three more games. Then I deserve to retire with honor. Thanks to all of you for your good thoughts. WYLD Bill
The Hawaii trip was planned and paid for last spring at the urging of friends who knew I had been promising my wife for 46 years to take her to Hawaii and show her my "old haunts" from being stationed there at as Schofield Barracks. Since this is the 50th anniversary of my being assigned there it seemed like a logical time to go (if we were ever going to be able to) and tie the reminiscences in with some good old ISU Women’s basketball. Used credit card points for the flight and hit the piggy bank for the rest. Had a great time, but it dawned on me while there that we can no longer manage that kind of expense (and that of Big 12 Women’s Basketball Tournaments), if we are to make a move into the retirement community we have chosen. So on returning from Hawaii I canceled my request for tickets to the Big 12 Tourney and decided this would be the last season. It seemed logical to finish the season since the tickets were already paid for.
As for all the rumors about the Hawaii trip, yes Rich Fellingham did throw a tantrum at me for being too loud and spoiling his broadcast. But that’s O.K. Rich and I are long time friends and we can interact with each other that way. Yes Callie had to tell me to pipe down or we would get a technical. That’s her job and she had to do it. We were already over 20 points behind and the referees were going to make certain Stanford had every advantage, so they thought they could take me out of the mix. (Not that I could make any difference.) But I never give up on the team during a game, and gave it my best shot all the way. A technical on the crowd at that point would not have cost us the game. You might remember that Stanford with a 36 point lead took a shot with 3 seconds left to win by 38 – poor class by an otherwise great team – so I felt justified in supporting our valiant players to the end. I still feel it is inappropriate for referees to tell the crowd to quiet down when no profanity or harassment is being directed at them. Most Big 12 refs recognize me as a loyal supportive fan, if not a bit loud, and wouldn’t think of telling one person in a huge crowd of 200 people to quiet down. But that happened and it’s over.
Used to think I would be doing this into my 90’s, but it’s not in the cards. Got to lay back and give it a rest and focus my energy and money on some other things. Also, no problem with Jamie Pollard other than that he fired the most positive football coach in existence to bring in a bad choice. Delighted to have Paul Rhoads on board, but still miss Mr. Positive Enthusiasm Dan McCarney.
I don’t expect the athletic department to "provide me seats." They are not a charity organization and they need to keep the thing afloat financially. Nor am I a charity case. So weep not for me. I (we) had a great quarter of a century run. I have loved all three coaches and their staffs during that time and of course the players. That’s what it’s all about – the best darn people in the world are Iowa State Women athletes and especially the BB players we’ve known over the years. God Bless them, and the rest of you fanatics keep on supporting them. Hilton HAS to be the toughest place for visitors to play in in the country, and we can do it with class and humongously great noise and support for the Cyclones. Keep it up. See you at three more games. Then I deserve to retire with honor. Thanks to all of you for your good thoughts. WYLD Bill
Sad to hear it, also I hate to ask then, but is your house on the market? I lived a couple of doors down from ya years ago. A true cyclone fan needs to be in that house too!
Thank you for everything Bill.
I started going to ISU wbb games with my mom when Theresa Becker was the coach. I was around 12 years old. Those were bad times. Every time we went to games you knew it would be a blowout loss, but there was always Wild Bill to make a 20 point blowout loss worthwhile if that makes any sense. Most 12 year old kids would think this guy was off his rocker, but I loved it. We would sit right beside him. I still enjoy you as much as I did then and always will. Wild Bill is why I'm a ISU wbb fan.
I started going to ISU wbb games with my mom when Theresa Becker was the coach. I was around 12 years old. Those were bad times. Every time we went to games you knew it would be a blowout loss, but there was always Wild Bill to make a 20 point blowout loss worthwhile if that makes any sense. Most 12 year old kids would think this guy was off his rocker, but I loved it. We would sit right beside him. I still enjoy you as much as I did then and always will. Wild Bill is why I'm a ISU wbb fan.
Ditto on the thank you. Your enthusiasm and service for all things ISU, not only WBB, is greatly appreciated. This fan certainly wishes you the very best in all you do.
On a slight tangent, I could be wrong, but doesn't Okie St save a seat at all men's BB games for Henry Iba? Just in case he ever decides to show up again? Seems like I've heard they save a seat for somebody. Perhaps ISU needs a permanently reserved seat at all future WBB games for the good Wyld Bill "just in case"!
On a slight tangent, I could be wrong, but doesn't Okie St save a seat at all men's BB games for Henry Iba? Just in case he ever decides to show up again? Seems like I've heard they save a seat for somebody. Perhaps ISU needs a permanently reserved seat at all future WBB games for the good Wyld Bill "just in case"!
Thank you Wild Bill. Many years ago took my very young kids to a game, must have been 17 years ago, and let me say that the impression you made with them was invaluable. My son graduated a year and a half ago and my daughter this year. You are a true legend in our household. Love you and your enthusiasm. We will miss your presence from the program.
Go Cyclones!
Go Cyclones!
