University of Oklahoma Athletics
Mossman Prophecies No. 021
July 02, 2007 | Athletics
July 2, 2007
If you haven't heard it already, you'll certainly hear it soon. Someone will say, “There are too many bowl games.”
It's a selfish statement. Selfish? Yes, selfish.
Saying there are too many bowl games is no more than
saying, “We are providing too many opportunities
for student-athletes to enjoy post-season experiences.”
Who cares how many bowl games are held each year?
If it gives another group of football players an opportunity
to go to a city or resort and enjoy special treatment
and more time together, then what's the problem?
Oh, it rewards mediocrity, some will say. How? How
does playing one more game reward mediocrity?
Yes, there are some 6-6 teams going to bowl games this
season. Is that a mediocre season? Sure it is, but
does that team shake its mediocre label simply because
it plays in a bowl? Not to me.
Bowl games are wonderful experiences, some more than
others, but all unique and fun. In this day and age,
football players train year 'round. Why not let
them have some fun at the end?
There was a time when bowl games were reserved for
the elite. Today, the upper level bowl games are reserved
for the elite. Some of the others entertain mediocre
teams. So be it.
College sports are for the student-athletes. Sure,
as donors and ticket-buyers, we're important,
but we're still just the bystanders when compared
to the actual participants.
As the Sooner charter flew back from Kansas City after
the Big 12 Championship, this thought occurred to me:
The college football season is almost over.
Now that's a sad prospect. It was a blur in 2006.
In the span of one more month, it will be gone altogether
for another year.
I, for one, can't get enough of this game. So
I say bring on the bowls, every single one of them.
And to the players, I say, have a blast. You've
earned it.
During this holiday and bowl season, let's stop
being so stuffy and elitist. The bowls are for the
players. May each of them be blessed by the experience
and rewarded for their hard work and, yes, achievement.
Supporting them in their pursuits is the least we can
do in saying thanks for something that gives us so
many hours of enjoyment.
Mossman Prophecies Archive
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Kenny Mossman, Associate Athletics Director for
Communications, provides his perspective on Oklahoma
Athletics in his regular column on SoonerSports.com.
