Thanks for the memories Benny, Crawford, and JLitt

[Beaker416]

Is there anyway I can just block Front Row Panther's posts, ala an ignore tool? I can't stand reading people's posts that show so little class.

[Beaker416]

Thanks Gonzo. And I also want to regret not thanking Benny J, Crawford, and JLit for all the great memories over the years and I'm sure that they'll be just as big of success after college as they were during college.

[Pantherpower]

It is kind of sad we will never get get to see Ben Jacobson take a last second shot, on the shot clock, with four other people open, and miss it! I will forever keep those memories in my heart. Bye, bye. What is Ben Jacobson's degree by the way? He will need it!

Not sure what Ben's degree is in, but you Front Row Panther, have failed on the subject of Class.

[Marc Wigim]

It is kind of sad we will never get get to see Ben Jacobson take a last second shot, on the shot clock, with four other people open, and miss it! I will forever keep those memories in my heart. Bye, bye. What is Ben Jacobson's degree by the way? He will need it!

I'm usually the last guy on this board who would say "You can't criticize" and all that jazz, but is there a point to all of this? I'm sure you would have done a much better job, huh? Go watch "Quite Frankly With Talking Head Smith" and next time you have a thought? Just LET IT GO.

[Newsbreaker]

We should all salute what these seniors have done. Remember, when they made the decision to attend the University of Northern Iowa, they were going to nowhere...probably even less then nowhere. It was more then reasonable to expect no chances at post-season play, and a 'great' year was just escaping the play-in games in STL.

Three years later, we've just played in our third straight tournament, with some great recruits coming to continue help building a tradition of winning at UNI.

You Seniors, we all owe you a debt of gratitude. I doubt very much you will ever be able to accurately and completely comprehend what you've done for our school and our community.

[Marc Wigim]

Just did some reading on Hawkeyereport.com and the overwhelming majority talks about UNI on the same level as Iowa. There's NO WAY that would have happened four years ago. I know. I was here, playing in a pep band that would often be the only student section there. Oh, how things change for the better.

[merkpanthers]

I haven't seen the tape of the game yet because I have been over seas for the last 10 days. I just want to say that it has been awesome to watch these guys play throughout my time here at UNI. These guys and coach Mac have turned this program around in a short amount of time. It would have been great to get a NCAA win and that is the only thing that is holding our program back right now. To be a top program you have to win big games and we have been close the last 3 years but just couldn't pull them off. It has been a joy to watch these 3 men play with Panther Pride!!

[CF Panther]

Let me start things off by saying thanks to the 3 contributing seniors on this year's basketball team! Those 3 took UNI outta the sh!tter to the tournament 3 times. That is quite an accomplishment! I have been critical of Jacobson all season, as I think he had a subpar year by his standards, but he was still good for UNI. Reflecting back, it is important to remember all of the great things he did for UNI in his first 3 years to balance some of his flops this season. All in all, he was huge for putting UNI on the map.

ON A SIDE NOTE
...NOW I need to get something off of my chest...numerous posters on this board seem to think that every star athlete at our school is some sort of Saint. Each time I see someone question one of our "stars", or speak their mind about them, the comebacks are always about what a great "person" or "student" the individual is. Let me be the first to say that these posters should maybe think twice before these types of endorsements unless you truly have been around/seen/interacted with the said athlete. I have restrained myself numerous times in posts from posting what I REALLY think about what I have seen/heard from a specific athlete due to my belief that they are just kids that deserve a little privacy in their personal (e.g. off the court) lives. I know that I wouldn't want my drug habits (don't have any...but if I did...), drinking habits, womanizing habits, skipping class habits, cheating habits, or just flat being an idiot put on a public message board where my family and friends could see it associated directly with my name. However, in the few years that I have spent at UNI, I have seen examples of all of the things in the above list that involved student athletes. Now, I will not call out any particular athlete, but I have seen empty statements made by our posters about more than one athlete at UNI who is far from a "class act". Of course, many of the athletes at UNI are great people. A majority of them would be a safe statement. However, like any large group of people, there are bad apples among the rest... It saddens me to have to make attempts like this to try to bring some people back to reality, but I had to get this off my chest... *End of rant*...

[JayJ79]

I have seen examples of all of the things in the above list that involved student athletes

and I've seen plenty such examples in student non-athletes, and in non-student non-athletes. people are people.
Heck, I'm sure many ACTUAL saints had some pretty nasty habits, though I'm sure any unpleasant aspects were whitewashed by popular opinion.


these kids get enough criticizing for their on-court/field actions over the course of a season. Unless they do something really bad (i.e. Pierre Pierce, etc.), there's no reason the general public needs to know about their personal lives.

[Newsbreaker]

and I've seen plenty such examples in student non-athletes, and in non-student non-athletes. people are people.
Heck, I'm sure many ACTUAL saints had some pretty nasty habits, though I'm sure any unpleasant aspects were whitewashed by popular opinion.


these kids get enough criticizing for their on-court/field actions over the course of a season. Unless they do something really bad (i.e. Pierre Pierce, etc.), there's no reason the general public needs to know about their personal lives.

Unless I'm badly mistaken, that sound you just hear was Jay missing the point.

[panther2317]

Everyone is free to his/her opinion, but when you post it on a message board prepare to have it ripped to shreds. I'll not make this a personal statement, but I hope people who are quick to judge never have to be judged themselves. I don't think they'd be able to handle to scrutiny.

[Newsbreaker]

2317, none of us (with a few exceptions) know each other well enough to even GUESS how each of us should be judged on any standard.

[Panthers Win!!]

Thank you to all of the seniors, Benny, Erik, and John as well as to all those guys and gals that may be graduating that served behind the scenes as trainers, scout team members and in various other support capacities.

While I'm sure not all your on-court goals were met this year when you reflect on your accomplishments at UNI during your basketball career you have to be proud. There aren’t many programs that have been to the dance the last three consecutive years. You have helped put UNI and the MVC conference on the basketball world map. The Panther basketball team is and will remain a force to be reckoned with in and outside the conference. Each one of you has overcome obstacles and persevered. You and your families have to be very proud of your accomplishments on the basketball court. As well, listening to each of you during post game interviews it’s clear you are all articulate intelligent men. I’m positive each of you will take what you’ve learned while at UNI to the next level whether that includes basketball, further education or your careers.

I also want to personally thank you on behalf of all of those fans like my wife and I that haven't embraced our alma mater after graduating. After we left the University twentyish years ago we haven't been back until this year. Thank you for giving all of those like us a swift kick in the rear. The success you have contributed to along with that of the football team has brought many alums and fans of the program back both as fans and financial contributors. You have left your mark on the University which will endure for many years to come.

Thank you!

[panther2317]

2317, none of us (with a few exceptions) know each other well enough to even GUESS how each of us should be judged on any standard.

Isn't that what I was saying? Don't judge...lest you be judged. News...I think sometimes (I'm judging here...ignoring my own advice) you jump on my posts to disagree with me...for the sake of disagreeing. When in reality...we're pretty close to the same line of thinking.

[NJ Panther]

Top 10 Benny J Moments forgotten By Front Row Panther
10. As a freshman scores 29 points against Kyle Korver and nationally ranked Creighton. UNI looses a surprisingly close game
9. 2004 vs. Drake: In Des Moines leads UNI in scoring and hits shot to take the lead with 48 seconds remaining
8. 2005 vs. Drake: Again leads team and makes game leading shot with 38 seconds remaining
7. LSU 2005: With 2 point lead steals ball from LSU's Temple Garrett that leads to Crawfords game sealing 3. Finishes with 11 points on 4-7 shooting. This becomes UNI's key win come dance time
6. Creighton 2004: In loss to Creighton on ESPN scores carear high 31 points, including an amazing 10 in the final 41 seconds to bring UNI back.
5. Iowa 2005: Makes 3 near end of the game which Iowa then ties to go into OT. Finishes with a 16 in huge Panther win
4. Western Michigan in BB: On national TV scores 29 points as Panthers make a huge statement
3. ISU 2004: Torches Clones for 27 points in blow out win
2. SMS 2004 MVC Tournament: On ESPN for a NCAA bid scores 26, including 6 in OT (all but one of UNI's OT FG's). Named MVC tournament MVP and UNI makes trip to Dance.
1. WSU 2005: At Charles Koch arena on Senior night with a sold out crowd scores 24 including the dramatic game winner that will go down as one of the greatest and most important shots in UNI history. This win basically seals second straight trip to NCAA tournament.

Yep Front Row, I really wish Benny would have gone elsewhere so we would have never had to "deal" with these "horrible" moments. An amazing run to say the least. Now, I really hope someone can come up with Top 10's for JLit and Crawford because they had amazing moments as well. Here's to the next batch of Panthers making this groups accomplishment look like child's play! This class should be pioneers, not simply a golden age. Keep it up Cats!