Rubicon,
I find nothing in your statement that I can find fault with. All that you say is extremely reasonable and perhaps probably.
My concern is this: The only way, the we can ever learn to qualify to play in a P5 conference or be considered a P5 Independent team is to LEARN HOW TO PLAY A P5 SCHEDULE. If we can not learn how to play a P5 schedule before becoming a P5 team, than how can we ever expect to be a successful P5 team if by some chance we ever get invited into a P5 conference? “Faith Without Works, Is Dead”. “God helps those that help themselves” etc. Yes, while learning to play the P5 schedule vs P5 teams, we will suffer many defeats; We will have much disappointment.
I understand and I accept those defeats and those disappointments that will happen during the period of learning and during the period of suffering, and during the disappointing times full of growing pain.
As long as I can actually see that we indeed are growing and becoming more like a P5 team, through experience of playing those teams and those schedules, I am not one that expects or demands a lot of wins. I do expect that pray that we will learn as fast as possible and grow as fast as possible and remain dedicated to that cause as much as possible.
If we look for a Mission Statement, with long and short term goals, of SUCCESS for our BYU Cougar Team, I would write the following:
Mission Statement:
While maintaining our culture, our beliefs and our integrity in the University and it’s Standards and the Church which owns it, we shall also respect those that do not share and/or live by our beliefs.
We will say nothing about any person or organization unless it is respectful. We will not force our will on others, We recognize that others have their free agency to choose or reject those cultural attitudes which they believe to be true. We will be a friend to all citizens in this nation which we love and respect. We will do onto others as we would have them do onto us.
We shall use our BYU Cougar Football team as an instrument for gaining national respect by being honest, true, respectable to all, even to those that may not be respectable to us.
We will always take the high road. We will never get involved in controversy. Controversy is not what our football team is about and it will never take part of it. The goal of our football team is to be the best they can be on and off the field. This does not include controversy.
We shall support our team at all times be it during times of success or times of disappointment and while doing this, we shall always be open and able to receive suggestions on how we can continually improve, not only our play on the field, but also our image in the world and how the world perceives of to be.
Short Term Goal:
Recruit like, train like, schedule like and act like, a RESPECTED P5 team until such time as we are truly recognized nationally as an Independent P5 team or a member of a P5
conference.
Stick tight to our beliefs and live them without compromise, but never expect those that do not believe the same as we do, to live our beliefs unless they want to.
Keep politics out of our BYU Cougar Football team. Concentrate on being the best team that we are capable of being. While trying to recruit the very best players possible, also, always try to recruit the best coaches available, and pay those coaches a competitive stipend at market prices.
Long Term Goal
Be recognized as a very competitive P5 team Independent/or in a P5 Conference, that is respected not only for the winning on the filed, but also for being a great team that is non judgmental, leaving all judgement to God, and a team that is liked and a team that is easy to get along with, and a team that is respected by all.