posted October 23, 2008
I am a former Moc football player from 1986-1991. I am a native of Enterprise, Ala., and currently live in Dothan, Ala. The reason that I explain where I live is to prove a point that Moc football adds value to the city of Chattanooga.
My wife and our kids visit the Chattanooga area annually and sometimes a couple of times per year. We always try to catch one Moc game. While in the city we spend a good bit of money on clothes, dining and lots of other things. I usually see other alumni in the hotel that are doing the same thing.
I would probably only come to Chattanooga every 2-4 years if the Mocs were not playing football.
I constantly have buddies here in South Alabama saying what's going on with the Mocs and things of this nature. The point is, that no matter if the team is good or bad, people six hours away from the Scenic City are talking about Chattanooga. This is what a football program does for you.
For the gentleman that says we should drop football, I say that you don't have a clue what you are talking about.
Rodney Allison is a classy gentleman and I wish him the best. I am sorry it didn't work out for him. But all that I can tell you is that Chattanooga will win. This city has so much to offer and our team will be at the top one day.
I challenge all of you local citizens to stop pulling for a team from another city and pull for your local hometown team. When somebody asks me here in South Alabama, 'Do you pull for Bama or Auburn?' I tell them I pull for the Chattanooga Mocs.
Get behind this team, Chattanooga. You have something special in your back yard. Take advantage of it.
Chad Martin
Dothan, Ala.
* * *
In the mid seventies, football was not enjoying much success at UTC. Joe Morrison changed that in the later seventies. Chamberlain Field was the place to be on a Saturday in Chattanooga. The Mocs were winners.
All that is needed is one dynamic person to lead this program. There have been many first class coaches at UTC since that have not enjoyed the success as Coach Morrison. However, as then, it can change in just a short amount of time.
Look at the additional benefits of the program. Many of the players make Chattanooga their home. Many become successful businessmen in Chattanooga. They give to the University. They help lead and provide employment for residents of the area. These guys are the real benefit to the University.
So, just because there is little success on the field, does that mean that Chattanooga and the University have not been successful? No.
Just look at some of those former players, John Murphy, Donnie Lepard, Bryon Coleman just to name a few that I know. All became successful businessmen and were former student athletes who made Chattanooga home.
Anybody recognize the name of B.J. Coleman, the son of a former Moc, a pretty good football player now playing in Knoxville? Other football Mocs that come to mind that have made an impact on the city of Chattanooga, Bucky Wolford, Bill Price, Tom Weathers, and many more. Get the point?
These men have had an impact on the city and many lives. We probably would not have been fortunate enough to have many of these people if it were not for the football program.
The point is, the success on the field can be changed. The success off of the field with these men is even greater. Think about the long term benefits of this program before you call to discard it.
Wade Thomison
Collegedale
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