and wrote Stricklin. This is my letter and his response:
<div>Thanks<redacted> for taking the time to write. I hope you understand that I cannot discuss personnel matters.</div><div></div><div>Scott
>>> redacted> 3/14/2012 12:01 PM >>>
</div><div style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #fff; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif; COLOR: #000; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><div>Mr. Stricklin,</div><div></div><div>I am an MSU alumni and athletics fan. I try my best to support the school and its athletics as best I can each year. First off, let me say that I think you've done a great job since taking over when Greg Byrne left. I appreciate the effort that has gone on with our new marketing campaigns and I am ecstatic to see what we've done with our facilities (and our future plans) over the past few years. Your leadership is noticed and appreciated.</div><div></div><div>I'm writing today to voice my opinion on the state ofour men's basketball program. This past season was totally unacceptable considering the amount of talent we had on our roster. I'm not sure we've EVER had a more talented starting 5 at MSU. Missing the NCAAT and then getting beaten on our home court in round one of the NIT BY A FIVE SEED should not be acceptable to anyone. Losing twice to the 2nd worst team in the SEC (once on our own home court) should not be acceptable to anyone. If this were an anomoly, I could overlook it. Unfortunately, this has become the norm over the last 6-7 seasons. Rick Stansbury did a tremendous job early in his career. He has built our program up to a new level. Unfortunately, I feel like we peaked a long time ago under his leadership and we are now in a steady decline. I'm afraid that giving him one more year will furtherundothe work he has done over the past 14 years and bring our program to a newlow that will take years to come out of. </div><div></div><div>Mr. Stricklin, I'm asking you to make a hard choice, but what I believe is the right choice. It's time for our basketball program to move in a new direction. As much as I appreciate Rick Stansbury for everything he's done for our university, I believe the time has come to part ways. I don't want to see him go out a loser after so much winning. I think if he left now, he could still go out on a fairly high note. If we let him come back next year and have a terrible season, and then fire him; I think we will be doing him an unjustice. Please - make the hard decision. I know this may not be what some of the biggest boosters want, but your obligation is to the university as a whole, not just a small minority. </div><div><var id="yiv1704479154yui-ie-cursor"></var></div><div>Thank you for your time. I know you will do what's right for our university.</div></div>
<div>Thanks<redacted> for taking the time to write. I hope you understand that I cannot discuss personnel matters.</div><div></div><div>Scott
>>> redacted> 3/14/2012 12:01 PM >>>
</div><div style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #fff; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif; COLOR: #000; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><div>Mr. Stricklin,</div><div></div><div>I am an MSU alumni and athletics fan. I try my best to support the school and its athletics as best I can each year. First off, let me say that I think you've done a great job since taking over when Greg Byrne left. I appreciate the effort that has gone on with our new marketing campaigns and I am ecstatic to see what we've done with our facilities (and our future plans) over the past few years. Your leadership is noticed and appreciated.</div><div></div><div>I'm writing today to voice my opinion on the state ofour men's basketball program. This past season was totally unacceptable considering the amount of talent we had on our roster. I'm not sure we've EVER had a more talented starting 5 at MSU. Missing the NCAAT and then getting beaten on our home court in round one of the NIT BY A FIVE SEED should not be acceptable to anyone. Losing twice to the 2nd worst team in the SEC (once on our own home court) should not be acceptable to anyone. If this were an anomoly, I could overlook it. Unfortunately, this has become the norm over the last 6-7 seasons. Rick Stansbury did a tremendous job early in his career. He has built our program up to a new level. Unfortunately, I feel like we peaked a long time ago under his leadership and we are now in a steady decline. I'm afraid that giving him one more year will furtherundothe work he has done over the past 14 years and bring our program to a newlow that will take years to come out of. </div><div></div><div>Mr. Stricklin, I'm asking you to make a hard choice, but what I believe is the right choice. It's time for our basketball program to move in a new direction. As much as I appreciate Rick Stansbury for everything he's done for our university, I believe the time has come to part ways. I don't want to see him go out a loser after so much winning. I think if he left now, he could still go out on a fairly high note. If we let him come back next year and have a terrible season, and then fire him; I think we will be doing him an unjustice. Please - make the hard decision. I know this may not be what some of the biggest boosters want, but your obligation is to the university as a whole, not just a small minority. </div><div><var id="yiv1704479154yui-ie-cursor"></var></div><div>Thank you for your time. I know you will do what's right for our university.</div></div>
