Jack Piatt
Daily Egyptian
Who let the dogs out?
Good question.
Probably someone who knew the dog had to pee.
Now, if the question is "who let the Dawgs out?" the only possible answer would be SIU men's basketball head coach Bruce Weber.
Not only did he let them out, he let them out all the way to the Sweet 16.
If you were not seated or standing in the SIU Arena this past season or watching the games closely on your television set, it's fair to say you missed a hell of a season. Wow, what an amazing opportunity to be a part of: to one day be an SIU student, and then game by game slowly transform into a Saluki.
What is a Saluki? Let me help you with that one.
A Saluki is anyone who goes to this University and actively supports the sports programs, by playing or cheering.
Either way, a Saluki is not just an Egyptian war dog.
It, like the Fighting Irish or the Hoosiers, is a state of mind.
Even though we had such an outstanding season, it doesn't mean there isn't room to improve a few things.
It is not my job to scrutinize the basketball team and its players' weaknesses; I'll leave that up to Weber since he obviously has that job down to a science.
What I can do is bring up some suggestions that we as fans have a right to give.
I think it is time to ask ourselves what the importance of an opening game song is, and how it represents our team.
The current song, "Who Let The Dogs Out," performed by the Baha Men, has an obvious reference to our mascot, and at one time may have been appropriate, but I think it is time to dig a little deeper in the creativity sandbox.
Besides the fact that this song is heard all over the world at so many sporting events and is overplayed on too many radio stations, there is our team to think about.
Has anyone ever thought about what they want played?
According to SIU guard Kent Williams, they haven't.
Williams said he personally doesn't like the song being used for opening the game, and many of the other basketball players feel the same way.
This past seasons' star, center Rolan Roberts, said the song is old and has to go.
Both Williams and Roberts feel that the team should be allowed to pick their own opening game song. Their head coach agrees with them.
"Every year, you should do something different to re-energize the program," Weber said.
Now that is a concept!
Why not let a team that has just done more for this University than any other program, person or state grant in a long time pick its own theme song?
Everyone who is a college sports fan across the nation knows that SIU can play damn good basketball.
This school is riding high on pride and excitement because our basketball players and their coaches are getting their job done with selfless dedication to this University and to the sport of basketball.
Now this goes out to whom ever is in charge of making this change happen. Think about all the good things this past season's basketball team and its successes have brought to this University.
Now think of one good reason why they can't pick their own opening game song.
The ball is now in your court, and we are waiting.
Reporter Jack Piatt can be reached at jpiatt@dailyegyptian.com
Published on 11/17/05; 12:24:44 PM
