thank you... for the most part

[bobbyhoward]

I wanted to wait until my career was done... but thank you for those who have supported me all these years. Senior night. Was a great show of respect to me my family and my two fellow seniors. We all greatly appreciated the support and ovation. Though this site is forbidden to look at by our coaching staff, I've caught up pretty fast in my has been years Haha. And where some of the floggers have great points whether its positive or negative, there are some head scratchers as well. As far as the comments about Coach Priebe... that man is a real and legit coach. A guy who tells you like it is. When it comes to X's and O's there are few better than him. As far as coach huse he has done nothing but break his back to turn this program into a competitive team. What people don't realize is that Montana State and Bozeman is a difficult sell. And the murder fiasco of five years ago doesn't help us out any. As for me, I can take any criticism you have. Blame the mediocrity on me. It was my job to take us to the dance. Were we close? Yes. But it did not get done and that is my fault. But that is as far as ill let anonymous people slide. I've done everything for this university that I could. And I feel that I should have earned those individuals respect. Have I gotten a hiding on here you bet. But it was all worth it to play for the blue and gold and all the support I've received will drown out the goons. My dad taught me a long time ago to not sweat the small stuff but don't forget those who've wronged you. This is my first and last post. Thank you bobcats, Bozeman, Montana, my family, my team, and lastly thank you to my CRITIQUES!!!

[grizzh8r]

Thanks for staying true to your roots and being a Bobcat, Bobby, and thanks for being gracious. You could have ripped some of the posters on here but you chose the high road. Bravo.

You were a lot of fun to watch in a Bobcat uni for 4 years; I only wish your senior season could have ended on a better note. Same goes for Eric and Danny. But it wasn't meant to be.

I wish you (and Danny and Eric) the best of luckin your future endeavors. You were great ambassadors for MSU. Thanks for all the memories!

GO CATS!

[mt jack]

Bobby -

I remember meeting you @ GFH around 2006 or so. I was an MSU-GF student and substitute teaching part-time. Talked Big Sky hoops with you a bit in a science class. I was able to watch the Bobcats live last Saturday in Flagstaff at the NAU (I'm an alum) game. You and your team mates played your asses off in that game. If people on here (and other sports blogs/sites) can't see that then they have never played competitively and are incapable of being objective. Absolutely no reason for you to have to explain yourself to some of "never pleased" crowd on bobcatnation but I respect you for doing so.

You represented yourself, MSU and the Big Sky conference well during your time in Bozeman. Best of luck.

MTJack

[BelgradeBobcat]

I guess I'm one of the bad guys.

First off I would like the thank Bobby for his 4 years as a Bobcat. There were a lot of great memories. One of my favorites was when you almost single handidly beat Boise State as a freshman. BSU didn't know what hit them.

I don't think this disappointing season was your fault. You win as a team, you lose as a team. Everybody in the league game planned for you-and I know it wasn't easy. You did your best to carry this team-no one can fault you for that.

The thing is, there weren't that many critics on this board-very few in fact. If this was football the critics would have shut the servers down. And that's a big concern. When people stop caring and apapthy takes hold...well we won't need the Fieldhouse anymore-Shroyer will be plenty big enough.

Your statement that MSU and Bozeman is a hard sell really jumped off the page. I'm in denial. I don't want to accept that. I'm watching Northern Colorado vs. Montana in the championship game being played in a gym smaller than most you played in when you were in high school. Dang it-if Northern Colorado-5 years from being a D-2 team can do it-Montana State should at least be able to win a few conference tournament games! I remember that same defeatest attitude about the football team. Mike Kramer came in and changed that culture. We need to change that culture for basketball too.

All that said...I've committed to take a chill pill for next season.

Thanks again for everything. If I had a say I'd vote for you in the Bobcat Hall of Fame just as soon as you're eligible.

All the best.

GO BOBCATS.

[LZCAT]

Bobby, I would like to thank you and your fellow seniors for all the hard work, the thrills, the agonies, all of it. I've gone to every home game of your career here, save a few and have thoroughly enjoyed watching you play. You are one of the hardest working players I have seen and I thought you got ripped for not being named first team all big sky. You and Eric both deserved it as much as some who were named. The fact that you are a Montana guy makes me very proud. It seems like Montana guys are tougher and work harder than most players. I know you will be successful in your future life and I wish you nothing but the best. I hope you realize that most of our crappy posts are not meant personally, but are merely frustrated rants from frustrated fans who love the Bobcats dearly and want them to do good.Thanks for the memories.

[bpcats]

I want to thank Bobby, Erik and Danny for all their handwork over the last four years. The one thing that I have admired the Bobcats under Coach Huse and your team is that it always played hard every game and is mentally tough.

[TIrwin24]

I'm surprised that the coaches don't let you guys look at this forum... For the most part, this place is full of posters that are good at stating constructive criticism and positive comments. I was one of the posters that repeatedly flamed Huse for his coaching, but that's simply a personal opinion.

That being said, I did get a chance to watch you play ball for a few years before I graduated and I was always impressed with your skill. Like a previous poster said, I think the whole league put a target on your back for this year to shut you down and force your teammates to handle the brunt of the load, but you still managed to make a lot of those teams look foolish which is awesome!

Congratulations on the completion of your tenure as a Bobcat, thank you for all your hard work on the court and the best of luck in the future!

-Tyler Irwin

[wbtfg]

Thanks for everything, Bobby. I appreciated that you and your fellow seniors always played hard and played the game the right way.

Best of luck to you in the future.

[Old Skool Cat]

Thanks Bobby for all your hard work and dedication as a Bobcat! It's so great to have a Montana kid not just on the roster, but as one the key players. When I think back to all the players who have rolled through Bozeman over the years, it's the Montana boys that seem to jump off the page -- Ferch, Sprinkle, Hatler, and Howard. Yes, I think Bobby ranks up there among the best Bobcats ever, and most definitely on the list of all-time great Montanans who suited up for the Cats. Conrats on your career, and here's wishing the best of luck in all your future endeavors!

[4everacatfan]

Bobby,

I have been a fan since I watched you play in Arizona with Rotary out of Seattle spring of your junior year in high school . I thought there was no way you would stay in Montana. I have to say it is nice to see someone raised as a Bobcat be loyal to his blue and gold and to his coaches. Best of luck in whatever you do, knowing your family history maybe we will see you somewhere down the line on the sideline coaching. Best of Luck and thank you for the 4 years you have given to this university.

[TrueCat]

[quote="BelgradeBobcat"]I guess I'm one of the bad guys.

First off I would like the thank Bobby for his 4 years as a Bobcat. There were a lot of great memories. One of my favorites was when you almost single handidly beat Boise State as a freshman. BSU didn't know what hit them.

I don't think this disappointing season was your fault. You win as a team, you lose as a team. Everybody in the league game planned for you-and I know it wasn't easy. You did your best to carry this team-no one can fault you for that.

The thing is, there weren't that many critics on this board-very few in fact. If this was football the critics would have shut the servers down. And that's a big concern. When people stop caring and apapthy takes hold...well we won't need the Fieldhouse anymore-Shroyer will be plenty big enough.

Your statement that MSU and Bozeman is a hard sell really jumped off the page. I'm in denial. I don't want to accept that. I'm watching Northern Colorado vs. Montana in the championship game being played in a gym smaller than most you played in when you were in high school. Dang it-if Northern Colorado-5 years from being a D-2 team can do it-Montana State should at least be able to win a few conference tournament games! I remember that same defeatest attitude about the football team. Mike Kramer came in and changed that culture. We need to change that culture for basketball too.

All that said...I've committed to take a chill pill for next season.

Thanks again for everything. If I had a say I'd vote for you in the Bobcat Hall of Fame just as soon as you're eligible.

All the best.

GO BOBCATS.[/quote]


First off, Kramer built a house of cards here and MBB needs nothing like him here. If ANYTHING they need a coach like Ash.

Thank you Bobby, you are a class act and one of the toughtest players I have seen

[seataccat]

I remember when MSU landed Bobby Howard. We all felt fortunate to have you and your actions confirmed our enthusiasm. Congratulations on a nice career in blue and gold.

Theodore Roosevelt quote sums it all up pretty well I think.

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

[aucat]

Bobby, I guess I can understand the coaches not wanting you to read posts by a bunch of "arm chair coaches," most of whom probably never even played hoops in college. However, the posts here are very mild compared to what I have read in other forums that cover bigger sports programs.

It has been a great pleasure to watch you play these past four years. You always played with such fire and enthusiasm, that I couldn't even get angry at you when you missed those free throws from time to time (grin)! The way you made plays around the basket amazed me. You made plays that someone four inches taller would've had trouble pulling off. So thanks for a great career as a Bobcat. You will truly be missed next year and again, you just don't know how much we appreciated you and enjoyed watching you play!

I will disagree with you, though, about MSU being a hard sell. When I look around the Big Sky, I think we should be an easy sell. I've been to most of those other gyms (my daughter used to play for the Cats), and most of them just don't match our facilities.

Also, I think the fan support here for Bobcat athletics is very good. I can only imagine what it would be if our basketball team consistently competed at the top of the conference. I guess the bottom line is, hey, would you rather be in Greeley or Bozeman for four years? To me, there is no comparison, yet we know what they just accomplished down in Greeley. We sure don't hold that against you, Bobby. You always did your best.

Best of luck with all of your endeavors in the future and thanks again for being such a great Bobcat!!

[RickRund]

Cannot add to anything that has been posted. So I will just say THANK YOU Bobby for giving many of us some great memories.....

[SonomaCat]

Judging by the tone and quality of Mr. Howard's post, I think he has a great future ahead of him.

Congrats on your career at MSU, Bobby, and best of luck in whatever future endeavors you choose to apply your mind to. It appears you certainly have the tools, humbleness, and the thick skin that will serve you well.

After all, any kid that spent time growing up in a 7-C town already has a lot going for them!

[ilovethecats]

i'm sure i am one of the bad ones too. i want to point out that all my criticisms over the years were nothing personal. it was simply an avid fan of bobcat basketball expressing my opinions. and i want to point out that after we lost to nau, i was the first to thank bobby, danny, and erik for their years wearing blue and gold. but there has to be SOMETHING to the criticisms. if it's not lack of talent, then what? if the coaches are great then what? i just don't get it and i'm trying to wrap my head around it.

i fully expect bobby to defend his coaches and teammates. i would be dissapointed if he didn't. but there has to be some rhyme or reason why the cats haven't had success in a long time. since the last time the cats made the dance, i have had to watch almost every other team in the conference win the big sky title. hell, unc was a D2 school a few years ago and they are winning conference titles! so what is it? why is bozeman a tough sell? and if that is the case as bobby said....doesn't that tend to back up my claim that we're not getting the talent that we need to compete?

bottom line is we did the most we could with the talent on our roster. i never questioned our guys effort, and i wouldn't do that. i never questioned their heart. i have said over and over that our guys did the most they could with the talent we had. this isn't a knock on them personally. and it's not a knock on huse as a person either. but something has to give....

as BB said, if this was the football board, our comments wouldn't even be acknowledged because there is SO MUCH criticism of them because more people care about football. well i am one of the rare guys that cares way more about basketball. and i haven't been very happy as a fan....but a supporting fan none the less. i refuse to believe that there is just something in the air here in bozeman that keeps quality players from coming here. it just doesn't add up.

as for bobby, that was a classy post. i personally would like to apologize if i ever came across as personal to you or the other guys on the team. you were a leader, and i respect that. but it is up to the coaches to get the guys around you to benefit everybody, and win games. but you didn't have a supporting cast, and even the guy that should have been the best on our team faltered down the stretch. i am sure it was not the way you wanted to go out...but it is just a game, and i hope your time here was enjoyable for the most part. best of luck to you and our other seniors now that your careers are over.

and best of luck to huse and his staff figuring out what needs to be done to get this thing turned around....

[wbtfg]

Judging by the tone and quality of Mr. Howard's post, I think he has a great future ahead of him.

Agreed...perhaps a doctor?

[CelticCat]

I wana say thanks for a great career to Mr. Howard, as well as to Piepoli and Rush. You had ups and downs, but you guys exemplified what it is to be a Bobcat; no one every questioned your heart. Good luck in your future endeavors!

[CARDIAC_CATS]

I wana say thanks for a great career to Mr. Howard, as well as to Piepoli and Rush. You had ups and downs, but you guys exemplified what it is to be a Bobcat; no one every questioned your heart. Good luck in your future endeavors!

Couldn't have said it better myself. The Bobcats may have had their ups and downs this year but NO ONE can questions the heart of these guys on this team. Bobby you are a great Bobcat! I think you were often playing out of position a lot (especially when we were in foul trouble). We really really needed a big man in the middle so other teams couldn't game plan for our slashers/shooters. Not having a rock in the middle really makes it hard on an offense (to go inside/kick outside). When that is not there, teams struggle. The Griz will have a good year next year, but they will not be as good w/o QVale manning the middle unless they get another quality big man down there. When he went out of games, the Griz offense (and rebounding) struggled mightily in most games I watched.

It has been a fun 4 years watching you Bobby. You left nothing on the floor and demanded nothing. You gave it your all and I like how you play (Loved your inside post/baseline game). If you ever get a job in Billings let me know as I would love to get you on our YMCA team

Good luck to Bobby, Piepolie, Rush!

[ABQCat]

This is my first and last post.

Why? You would be the kind of poster that benefits everybody for reasons that are perfectly obvious. At the bare minimum, I hope you consider eventually coming back anonymously, although some of the veterans on here would probably sniff you out pretty fast. Either way, please reconsider.