Congrats to Chas Thompson becoming the new wrestling coach at FHSU. Now build this program up into a national powerhouse, and fast. Their should be great improvement in the first two years. (I didn't say win it all but a top 5 finish would be great measuring stick, remember a lot of the wrestlers were recruited by Coach Thompson).
I believe these first two years are very critical to Chas to help with his future recruiting as his personal credentials aren’t going to sell kids to come wrestle at FHSU. I suspect this year’s team will be much improved from last. I am also glad a native Kansan was hired. Another positive is Chas already has a great relationship with the entire athletic department, therefore more dollars thrown wrestling’s way immediately and if not I would think its time to throw more of our trust/money from a investment stand point into Newman.
I talked with Athletic Director Curtis Hammeke yesterday and let’s just say we don’t agree with how important winning national wrestling titles at FHSU and winning in general is. It’s not his top priority. I believe College athletes should be ran as a business where your measured foremost by winning on the mat, a very very close second academics, third how you play the game (respect, class act, role model citizen, etc.), and lastly which all contribute to what I mentioned above recruiting, stability, fundraising,public acceptance, (and the tangent of the results you post compared to how much money you don't cost the Athletic Department). The conversation was interesting to say the least and I look forward to talking with Curtis Hammeke, Cody Bickely, and Chas Thompson whether it is for complements, critiquing, or about ideas.
Let it be no secret, I plan on getting a masters degree in Higher Education while training the next four years and I wouldn’t mind having a Administrative job at Fort Hays someday(or one like it in Kansas). I did tell him how important it was to get more funding to wrestling through the Administration and how easy it would be for FHSU to win a DII national wrestling title with the talent Kansas produces on a yearly basis. I hope receiving phone calls and emails from myself and others will help.
As far as getting a donation from me and others, show some serious progress like producing a national champion in the next two years to generate some real excitement. They also need to design a cool shirt and sell the heck out of it because I would definitely buy one right way and so would many others. I would also like to see and hear about Chas attending Kids and High School wrestling events as much as possible. They need to announce his/and every other college wrestling coaches name every time he enters a gym/arena to watch and recruit. At Kids state every year they need to announce Chas and all college coaches names and they need to have a booth where they all sell shirts and sign camp brochures. I believe this is the best way to gather interest for Kansas college wrestling and it would reach all the elite Kansas wrestlers at one time.
Now, a tough question is why did they choose Chas Thompson over Eric Akin? It just doesn’t make a lot of sense if Eric applied which I am told he did by multiple reliable sources.
A second tough question is what does Chas Thompson bring to the table that Cody Bickley didn’t that will lead to individual national and team championships? And if Administration support at FHSU is the problem how do we fix it? Side note:It’s a fact that Kearney gets 1.6 scholarships a year from the University and they fundraise the rest of the scholarship money given out.
I will support Coach Thompson and would give him a special deal to use me in his FHSU camps as my/if name grows and if he so chooses. Building their camps to raise money to supplement coach’s salaries and the program should be a top priority. Now, to all associated to FHSU and Kansas College Wrestling, make it happen and win individual national wrestling and academic championships!
Sincerely, Eric Luedke
(785) 443-3001
ericlued@hotmail.com
“AT THE END OF THE DAY YOU ARE DEFINED BY WINNING AND LOSING”
That's great news ... congrats Chas!!
Luedke,
I will jump in for Coach Thompson here and give my take on your tough questions.
Question 1. "Now, a tough question is why did they choose Chas Thompson over Eric Akin?
Ike's Answer: Did Eric Akin even put his name in for consideration? Eric Akin lives in the Kansas City area...not exactly Hays, KS. If Eric Akin was offered and did take the job I would guess that it would just be a stepping stone towards another job at another school. Coach Thompson will be a "permanent" hire.
Second Question: A second tough question is what does Chas Thompson bring to the table that Cody Bickley didn’t that will lead to individual national and team championships?
Ike's Answer: I think that Thompson will stay up night and day relentlessly working to make the National Championship happen. He feeds off his passion for wrestling and brings the excitement and drive that is necessary to win. He has many more personal connections to KS coaches as well as the junior college ranks that he will utilize to the fullest.
Third Question: And if Administration support at FHSU is the problem how do we fix it?
Ike's Answer:
Coach Thompson is already putting together a fund raising campaign...expect to see a lot of fundraising out of him. Get involved as you have offered. It's time for all of us that have been critical to be supportive and make it happen. No program is built by one man...but it will be led by one good man. He will need everyones support to make FHSU elite.
I personally agree with your take on priorities from an athletic deparment, but that is another issue. Many of your fundraising ideas are great...I know there will be something in the fall around Black and Gold duel time...plan on it and make it happen.
Another side note...I think your idea that someone needs a lot of accolades as a wrestler to be an elite coach is way off base. It sure doesn't hurt but is by no means a pre-requisite for an elite coach. There are a lot of examples to choose from in our sport and others.
Congrats Coach Thompson!
Ike, nice reply. The junior college connection is a huge assest Coach Thompson brings. Lots of excitement heading into next year. It will be fun to follow. Another question, who takes over at Pratt CC? Also, props to Coach Bickley on leaving the stable full of good talent as he transitioned into his new job. And again, to Coach Thompson on be hired as the new head coach at FHSU.
Luedke,
Where do you come off talking like you are god's gift to wrestling? Sure, after junior college you had a decent D1 career and we are all very proud of you. But you aren't the first all-american to come from kansas. And just because you did ok gives you no right to get on here and talk bad about bickley and thompson. Threatening not to give your support if the program doesnt take off in the first 2 years. Oh no! if fhsu doesnt have your support the only thing that will happen is they will stop getting annoying phone calls from some kid whos head is to big for his shoulders.
>I will support Coach Thompson short term until proven and would give him a special deal to use me in his camps as my name grows if he so chooses.<
So many things about this statement are so arrogant and ignorant...What makes you think he would want you to come put on a camp? And I'm sure your name will grow...after that olympic trials performace the only way you can go is up!
So please do us all a favor and go back to iowa. stop leaving your negative comments about KS collegiate wrestling. Why didnt you apply for the job if you have all the answers? Sorry but thats just how i feel man...your not that special bud and its about time you realized it.
I would just like to wish Chaz all the best. Great person to represent Kansas.
See you soon cuz!!
At the risk of sounding somewhat flippant in my remarks, I'm acutely aware that incoming coach Thompson does not have an abundant supply of "fairy dust" that he can magically sprinkle in the air and immediately produce a "conveyor belt" of National caliber wrestlers, let alone champions - especially in a span of a mere two (2) years. Come'on now!
Most of accept the fact that recruitment at Fort Hays presents its own unique challenges. Same can historically be said for the Wichita State University Baseball Program: when Gene Stephenson inherited this moribund baseball program,he thereafter, "gradually" found a way to allow a "cold-climate" baseball program to morph itself into a nationally recognized program, it amazed alot of us and it resulted in alot of pride for the Wichita community - but it took alot of hard work, dedication, coaching (and recruiting) smarts and, of necessity, some "time".
I'd like to think that the same can be said for Kansas State Football - once infamously (in an article in Sports Illustrated -the specific date of which I cannot recall) was identified as one of the "worst" football programs in the nation, "gradually", morphed itself into a steller program of national prominance. Everyone knows that this took some "time". The reward was special.
Now, I'm not predicting that incoming coach Thompson will be our next Gene Stephenson or Bill Snyder - but lets give him this opportunity to see what he can do,without saddling him with any unreal or unfair expectations. Wouldn't you want then same courtesy applied to yourself?
Yeah, two years really is ridiculous Luedke! You have to at least give a guy four or five years to get a set or two of "his" recruits through from freshman to senior. I can't think of any of the current elite coaches that took over a middle of the pack program and took it to the top in two years. Brands turned around the "good" hawks in a couple years...but they are also perennial powerhouse Iowa and they weren't that far down in the pack either. He didn't do that at Virginia Tech. Can you name any programs that improved that many spots nationally and won a title in two years?...I sure can't think of any. I got faith in Coach T though...it won't be too many years until he gets his.
Luedke, I see that you have edited in a Top 5 finish as the measure of success. I think realistically a team winning titles is really a team putting itself in position to win titles (Top 3-5) while shooting for the title. All the chips (including luck) won't necessarily fall into place to take that title home...or they just might. I think FHSU will be jumping into the top ten within a couple years (maybe next)and huntin' for that title (top five) within five. I don't think it is fair (typically) to start being critical of the job a coach is doing until he has had a realistic amount of time to implement his system and cycle his guys through that system.
This thread needs to go to the college section anyway.
At the risk of sounding somewhat flippant in my remarks, I'm acutely aware that incoming coach Thompson does not have an abundant supply of "fairy dust" that he can magically sprinkle in the air and immediately produce a "conveyor belt" of National caliber wrestlers, let alone champions - especially in a span of a mere two (2) years. Come'on now!
Most of accept the fact that recruitment at Fort Hays presents its own unique challenges. Same can historically be said for the Wichita State University Baseball Program: when Gene Stephenson inherited this moribund baseball program,he thereafter, "gradually" found a way to allow a "cold-climate" baseball program to morph itself into a nationally recognized program, it amazed alot of us and it resulted in alot of pride for the Wichita community - but it took alot of hard work, dedication, coaching (and recruiting) smarts and, of necessity, some "time".
Now, I'm not predicting that incoming coach Thompson will be our next Gene Stephenson or Bill Snyder - but lets give him this opportunity to see what he can do,without saddling him with any unreal or unfair expectations. Wouldn't you want then same courtesy applied to yourself?
At the risk of sounding somewhat flippant in my remarks, I suggest you become familiar with the facts prior to comparing the Fort Hays State University wrestling program with the Wichita State University baseball program.
Coach Stephenson DID NOT "inherit
ed this moribund baseball program", he built his program from scratch. As you will recall, the WSU baseball program was dropped in 1970 and resurrected by an insightful athletic director named Ted Bredehoft who hired Gene Stephenson in February of 1977. I was proud to be in attendance at the resurrected programs first game against Emporia State University.
I talked with Athletic Director Curtis Hammeke yesterday and let’s just say we don’t agree with how important winning national wrestling titles at FHSU and winning in general is. It’s not his top priority. I believe College athletes should be ran as a business where your measured foremost by winning on the mat, a very close second academics, third how you play the game (respect, class act, role model citizen, etc.), and lastly which all contribute to what I mentioned above recruiting, stability, fundraising,public accptance, (and the tangent of the results you post compared to how much money you don't cost the Athletic Department). The conversation was interesting to say the least and I look forward to talking with Curtis Hammeke, Cody Bickely, and Chas Thompson whether it is for complements, critiquing, or about ideas.
Let it be no secret, I plan on getting a masters degree in Higher Education while training the next four years and I wouldn’t mind having Hammeke’s job at Fort Hays someday. I did tell him how important it was to get more funding to wrestling through the Administration and how easy it would be for FHSU to win a DII national wrestling title with the talent Kansas produces on a yearly basis. I hope receiving phone calls and emails from myself and others will help.
I do not believe anyone associated with Fort Hays State University athletics has been arrested for discharge of a firearm in the city limits or was seen displaying a raised arm and extended middle finger to the fans after a match at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater.
Now, a tough question is why did they choose Chas Thompson over Eric Akin? It just doesn’t make a lot of sense.
Thompson met the requirements! Did Mr. Akin apply for the position?
Does the wonderfully talented and gracious Akin possess the requisite educational degrees? As I recall, he does not.
I will support Coach Thompson short term until proven and would give him a special deal to use me in his camps as my name grows if he so chooses. Building their camps to raise money to supplement coach’s salaries and the program should be a top priority. [b]Now, to all associated to FHSU and Kansas College Wrestling, make it happen and win individual national wrestling and academic championships!
I will support Coach Thompson as he comes from a wonderful Kansas wrestling family and possesses great character, charisma, and a very high energy level.
Congratulations to both Fort Hays State University and Chas Thompson.
Nice to see you posting again Richard, missed it.
I am going to have to disagree with Luedke with his measuring stick approach. A program is worried about its integrity and public appearance first, not winning. Enron and Barry Bonds, both won at extremely high levels, but we all know how they are viewed publicly. Changing the public view of FHSU wrestling and the University in general is IMO, the largest challenge Coach Thompson faces. If he can convince new recruits that going to college in Hays is a worthwhile venture, then he will be successful. If he cannot change the overall view of FHSU as "Affordable Success" (possibly the worst college slogan ever), in the eyes of potential wrestlers, then he probably will have a hard time winning championships, individual or team.
Mr. Salyer,
You are wrong on both accounts. I was never arrested for the racoon incident. It was a misdemeanor, and I was out line I'll admit. And about flipping off the crowd at OSU??? It never happenend from this guy, I blew a few kisses to our biggest rival after a big individual win. I just wanted to set the record straight. I must add I do enjoy your passion for the sport of wrestling you have and would like to meet you someday. I have read a lot of your updates and posts and your about the only one I have never met.
MYBAD(real name for credibility?),
I do thank god for my talents. We are all gifts from him.
Where do you come off talking like you are god's gift to wrestling? Sure, after junior college you had a decent D1 career and we are all very proud of you. But you aren't the first all-american to come from kansas. And just because you did ok gives you no right to get on here and talk bad about bickley and thompson. Threatening not to give your support if the program doesnt take off in the first 2 years. Oh no!
I haven't ever talked bad about Coach Bickley or Thompson as people and I have never said anything about Coach T's coaching ability. We all have to wait and see. Pratt CC is all we can base his ability off of as the head coach and I don't think that is a good/fair measuring stick.
What makes you think he would want you to come put on a camp? --I won't reply to this but it shows how much you know about wrestling.
If fhsu doesn’t have your support the only thing that will happen is they will stop getting annoying phone calls from some kid who’s head is to big for his shoulders.
As far as me supporting the program, I have about 200 Kansas kids in my camps a summer, plus hundreds more I see at the Iowa Wrestling Camps and across the United States. When they say they might want to wrestle Division II or at Fort Hays what do you think I tell them?
So please do us all a favor and go back to Iowa. Stop leaving your negative comments about KS collegiate wrestling. Why didn’t you apply for the job if you have all the answers? Sorry but that’s just how I feel man...your not that special bud and it’s about time you realized it.
I will go back to Iowa next week because unfortunately Kansas doesn’t have college where I can train for Olympic and World Freestyle wrestling teams. Sorry you interpret my comments as negative. I will not write anything that can remotely be interpreted as negative from this day on (Seriously, I won’t). I am positive everything was about FHSU and not Kansas Collegiate Wrestling.
About being not so special, you are right. I don’t think I am any better than anyone else as a person but I do feel I know college wrestling, have above average collegiate credentials, and have learned form the best in Dan Gable, Tom Brands, and Jim Zalesky.
Hope this pleases you and next time post your name as it adds credibility. All I want is Kansas Colleges to be sucessful in wrestling and felt FHSU was slacking. I am completely done posting on this topic for at least a few years and will call Chas and Cody heal wounds if they exist soon. I hope everybody that I have offended won't hold it against me and understands I was trying to spur change in many ways. We got it in a new coach and a new Assistant AD and the excitement is as high as I have ever witnessed about FHSU wrestling. My posting is over now and I am glad!!!
Sincerely, Eric Luedke
I was never arrested for the racoon incident.
Quite possibly the funniest and most interesting sentence ever posted on this board! Molest one omnivore and you're labeled for life?
Jayhawk Pride,
I have a question about the following that you posted.
Changing the public view of FHSU wrestling and the University in general is IMO, the largest challenge Coach Thompson faces. If he can convince new recruits that going to college in Hays is a worthwhile venture, then he will be successful. If he cannot change the overall view of FHSU as "Affordable Success" (possibly the worst college slogan ever), in the eyes of potential wrestlers, then he probably will have a hard time winning championships, individual or team.
I am curious what the public perception of FHSU really is. I hold 2 degrees from FHSU, live in Ellis county and I am currently employed by the university so my view is construed by being so close to FHSU. I am curious of what the rest of Kansas thinks about FHSU. Not trying to sound defensive, just curious.
Personally I feel that FHSU is the BEST higher education institution in the state and one of the best in the U.S. This perception is not based on athletics, but on the quality of education, caring faculty, technology initiatives, and the Hays community.
Just looking for details about your comment.
Salyer:
I've now read your "flippant" and "sarcastic" remarks. For the life of me I really don't understand the need for same. I am familiar with the dismantling of the W.S.U. baseball program as you remarked. I, too was a W.S.U. student during this time period. I had former team-mates who were Shocker Base-ball players on that team.
In my opinion, this does nothing to cause me to redconsider my posted remarks that Gene Stephenson inherited a "moribund" (dictionary definition: "being in a dying condition")baseball program - O.K. Salyer, the program was "Dead" - not "Dying". I'll give you that.
But this ignores the point that I thought that I was obviously making with my post: that we needed to give the incoming FSHU coach some time to create a successful program and not create any pressure to produce extra-ordianry results in in the short-term. But evidently, either I didn't make myself clear, or Salyer didn't "get it" or for some reason unknown to me, wanted to call attention to some "beside the point" comment included in my remarks.
I would not have taken the time to respond to Salyer's needless comments (as I perceived it): other than the fact that I orsdinarily enjoy the give and take of this forum - O.K., probably enjoy more of the "give" than the "take" - But I did resent Salyer's "flippant" and "sarcastic" remarks (as I perceived them) I just wanted Salyer to know that I didn't appreciate it.
I appreciate Eric Luedke's comments. They are pointed at times but one thing they don't lack is passion. His comments about Chas were positive as well as candid toward his expectations. It is clear from all that he wrote on this subject, he cares! I can assure you that Coach Thompson wants to embrace FHSU alumni and especially our homegrown D1 heroes!
It's refreshing to hear one of those heroes speak from his heart. We need more of that instead of less!
Richard,
Let's set the record straight and perhaps enlighten your trivia bank:
Eric Akin graduated from Iowa State University in 1994, the only post secondary institution he ever attended. He went there 5 years, redshirted the first year, and then competed 4. He is the only 118 lb 3x Big 8 Champion in NCAA history. He is Kansas' only 4x Division I All American and one of only a handful from Iowa State. He also added 2 University National freestyle titles to his 6 USA national titles he won before college, which included 3 OW's!! He got married at 19 and began raising his family, which now numbers 6.
The year he graduated, 1994, he was named Male Athlete of the Year at Iowa State. How many wrestlers have ever won this award at a Big 8 school?
After graduating, Eric stayed 1 year in Ames, helping his longtime backup Jason Nurre become an NCAA finalist in his only year as a starter. On to Iowa City for 3 years, where he shaped Mike Mena and Jesse Whitmer while knocking off Zeke Jones to become Olympic Alternate in 1996. He came back to Kansas after being injured at 97 WTT, and bingo, Zach Roberson wins OW at juniors, repeats against Zach Allen the next year, and both get full rides at D-1 schools. No coincidence that they were Eric's workout partners as he defeated defending World champion Henson to make the 1999 World Team. At 2000 Olympic Trials, he retired old rivals Lou Roselli and Mike Mena, defeated Abas for the 6th time and lost to Sammie in a hard fought battle. After 2000, Eric moved to Nebraska, where he stayed the 4 years that Jason Powell competed, culminating in St Louis where Eric got to coach Jason to a tech fall in the finals before watching Zach get his in the next match! His competitive career post 2000 includes a national open freestyle title, 4 WTT placings and wins over world medalist Jesus Wilson and NCAA champs Michael Lightner and Teague Moore, among others.
From a coaching standpoint, he has the Midas Touch. Has anyone he ever coached not made the NCAA finals??
Now, where did you hear that he didn't graduate?
Hopefully, since it is so close, Baker University will be able to get Eric to be the new Head Coach, and the parents of his new recruits can be as happy as Mr. Powell, Mr. Murray, Mr. Klein, etc are with their sons' outcomes at Nebraska.
Kevin,
Excellent post! Wrestling misses your presence in the Sunflower state. While I know Hays, KS is not Palo Alto, CA it would have been nice to have seen your name on the list of candidates as well! We need you back out here to cultivate a new era a championship caliber wrestlers!
I believe the "requisite degree" that Mr. Salyer may have been referring to was the "unwritten" requirement that the degree come from Ft. Hays State University! ;-)
Hope all is going well for you!
Will
mcarroll,
I grew up in the Hays area, and many of my good friends attend or have graduated from FHSU. That being said, Hays may be the single hardest sell to make to a college aged student. Hays is a great town to have kids and raise a family, but imagine if you were a recruit who came into town. Depending on the direction of the wind, the campus may or may not smell like a feedlot. The Mall has nearly as many closed stores as open ones. The college age nightlife consists of a few small bars. If there is a wrestling dual that evening, the student will see the meager crowd file into the lower level bleachers in Gross. The towns boasts two attractions, a museum and a fort. Not exactly leverage on a coach's side. Any student from a town bigger than Hays will probably be discouraged by its lack of size, and
the relative age of the town.
Regardless of how good of an education one can receive a FHSU, many people see it as a school in a podunk town, in the middle of nowhere, with nothing to do. Probably not the best place to be
at when competing against other schools for the same athletes.
.....Hopefully, since it is so close, Baker University will be able to get Eric to be the new Head Coach, and the parents of his new recruits can be as happy as Mr. Powell, Mr. Murray, Mr. Klein, etc are with their sons' outcomes at Nebraska.
Mr. Klemm, I agree with Will that you made an excellent post. I also agree with Will that it would be great to have you back in Kansas someday.
I really agree with your last statement. My son has been working with Eric Akin this post high school season at St. James for freestyle practices and this past week at a wrestling camp at Baker. My son holds Eric in very high esteem and really enjoys working with him. My son thinks Eric would be an excellent college coach. As a parent I would feel very good about my son choosing to wrestle at a college that Eric Akin was head coach at. If Eric is interested in becoming a college head wrestling coach, I wish him the best of luck in securing such a position and Kansas would be very fortunate if it could be at a Kansas college or university.
Will and Vince,
Thanks for the kind words. Everytime I meet someone, I work in "I'm from Kansas..." whether they care or not!
My wife and kids are entrenched in school, etc. and if I tried to move back, I'm afraid it would be alone and little Kevin (3yo July 7)wouldn't have me riding his tail.
I do follow Kansas wrestling fervently, and miss everyone involved. I enjoy reading the boards, and although I came at Richard, I really enjoy his efforts to market our Kansas boys. Keep up the good work!
This thread is about FHSU, and I want to congratulate Chas and give my 2 cents:
Coach Thompson is a young, high energy coach who knows the administration well and vice versa, he has head coaching experience in Kansas, loyalty to Fort Hays, inroads to and a commitment to Kansas recruiting and and a great guy.
Also, the economic reality is that wrestling is never flush with cash, and a younger coach can also be comfortable with what they can pay until we raise more.
We want to make sure we welcome the opinions of tigers like Eric Luedke, and though it may seem he came on strong, wrestling is an aggressive sport, and if a Hawkeye can't get in your face, who can today? Not just any hawkeye, pretty much the epitomy of the stubborn overachiever nobody wanted that went on to become the 2nd 2x All American Iowa Hawkeye from Kansas in a row and then stepped right in and knocked off all time great Casey Cunningham at the Open his first year out.
Great things are happening in Kansas Wrestling at the college level, with options and opportunities increasing every day with pipelines to all the key D-1 programs, the strongest Jucos around and now new programs slated all over the state. Let's learn from the guys at that level and bring them in. We can greatly benefit from their contacts and technique and they need the support from the Kansas wrestling community to pursue their goals.
Good luck at National Duals everyone,
Kevin Klemm
Kevin,
We will keep hoping for your return someday. I am probably crazy but I have not given up on NCAA Division I wrestling at KSU, Wichita State or KU. We need to open up one of these potential opportunities for you. It would also be nice to have your son as one of Kansas young wrestlers in the future. Until we can get you back please keep posting. Perhaps if you have time maybe you could start a topic or two for a young wrestler like Gutwrench1 did about how to become a state champion, a Fargo All-American or a successful college wrestler. You sure were successful in helping a lot of young wrestlers achieve those accomplishments. It would be worth it to Kansas if we could somehow create a position like a Director of Youth Wrestler Development that would pay well enough to get you and your family back to Kansas.
I would also like to offer my congratulations to Chas Thompson. I wish him the best of luck and success at Fort Hays State University. I hope the program will reach a high level of success under his leadership. My guess is that Coach Thompson goals for success at Fort Hays State are even higher than anyone else's expectations for him and the program.
mcarroll,
I grew up in the Hays area, and many of my good friends attend or have graduated from FHSU. That being said, Hays may be the single hardest sell to make to a college aged student.....The college age nightlife consists of a few small bars.....Any student from a town bigger than Hays will probably be discouraged by its lack of size, and
the relative age of the town.
Regardless of how good of an education one can receive a FHSU, many people see it as a school in a podunk town, in the middle of nowhere, with nothing to do. Probably not the best place to be
at when competing against other schools for the same athletes.
Believe it or not, there are some kids who are drawned to FHSU BECAUSE of the city of Hays. I personally see the advantage of having my children attend school at FHSU due to the small, family-friendly atmosphere. (and how many shoe stores do you really need in a mall anyway?, if you only pick the college because of the shopping, you probably need to look at your priorities).
I would much rather have my college-age children live in a place where they don't have to worry about locking their doors versus a place where they feel the need to carry mace with them everywhere they go. And as for statement about the college nightlife consisting of a few small bars----if that was indeed true, why does FHSU carry the stigma of being a "party school"? Could it be the ratio of bars versus population? Pretty high last time I looked.
But, in my opinion, the main draws to FHSU is the campus, the low student-teacher ratio and the COST!!!!!. I have a son who is going to be a senior. We are currently looking at schools. With the raising cost of gas, food, and general living expenses - the ultimate decision will be based on: What university will give us the best education for the lowest price. Right now, FHSU is leading the pack.
I am sure I am not the only one who feels this way as the enrollment at FHSU has gone up significantly in the past 15 years.
or ever heard of oktoberfest, one of the craziest things you will ever see!
I've been a part of Oktoberfest many times.