Comin' Around Again

So this is what it looks like around here, huh? So many things have changed, but a lot of things have remained the same. This is almost like a high school reunion for me.

For those of you who do not know who I am, I was the SID at Union from 1991-99. Back then, Larry Inkster was the man at UC, Darin Wilson was a Bulldog baseball player-turned coach-turned head coach, and some guy from the Corbin Times-Tribune named Jay Stancil was the only reporter we could get to come to Barbourville on a regular basis. Now, Larry Inkster's STILL the man, Darin is doing a great job in heading up the athletic department, and Union has one of the best SID's in the NAIA in Jay Stancil. The job that he and Gene Renfro are doing is just phenomenal. I'd like to think that I helped lay the foundation in the sports information office at Union, and Jay and Gene have built the Sears Tower on top of it. You all should be proud of what is going on at Union.

Now, back to the real reason I'm here. I've been following the Bulldogs from afar as a proud alum and former employee. The 2008 football season at Burch-Nau Field has been nothing short of amazing. I remember the two near-misses we had for playoff bids in 1992 and 1995, especially in 1995. We were on a six-game winning streak and led Lambuth (who was on top of the Mid-South Conference at the time) 24-7 at the half. Late in the fourth quarter it's 24-17 and the Eagles block a punt with around a minute to play. They score and tie the game at 24-24, then almost make a 43-yard field goal as time expires. That turned out to be the last tie game in Union history (since overtime went into effect starting in 1996), the Bulldogs finish 7-2-1 and ranked No. 16 in the NAIA. But we don't receive a bid because of a conference champ finishing lower than us in the polls. Talk about disappointment. Everyone on the staff kept thinking -- much like a Cubs fan -- "Wait until next year!".

Well, next year took 13 years, but it's been some wait. Tommy Reid came in before the 1996 season and has come from grad assistant to assistant to head coach. He has seen the ups and downs of the programs and has stayed the course. He has built the program back up from the mid-90s era, and we all saw a glimpse of what was to become this year's playoff run when the Bulldogs (FINALLY) beat Georgetown in the final game of the 2007 season. I was broadcasting our (McKendree University) season finale at Iowa Wesleyan College when Jay sent me the text. I'll be honest, I started to choke up during our game. Fortunately, we were up 35-0 with three minutes to go and probably no one was listening. But we all saw so many close calls during the 90s against G-Town that it was sweet to get that news.

The Union College Bulldogs are in the NAIA Football Championship Series. That has a nice ring to it. Now, it's time for a little bit of reality because their first-round opponent is no slouch. St. Francis (Ind.) is a perennial final four team, and I've seen them many times in Savannah at the championship game. They have a great facility, a super coach in Kevin Donley (former Georgetown head coach for those of you who may not know) and another great SID in Bill Scott. The Bulldogs will have their hands full, but if I know Tommy, he will have the Bulldogs prepared and ready to go.

If you have the chance to head north, I implore you to make the trip. Be a part of history for the Bulldogs. Make this magical ride last just a little longer. I wish I could be there.

GO BULLDOGS!!! You've made us proud.

Scott Cummings
Proud Alum (1991)
Former UC SID
Forever a Bulldog