Your Weekly General Michigan State Athletics Question and Answer Article

Hondo, thanks for the hard work and the direct answers. I have to think that there are times your straightforward answers make your job difficult. You hinted at it before, care to elaborate? Kurt

No, I don’t. One day I will. I had a really interesting situation once that it isn’t possible to talk about now, but one day I will. I don’t care. I always tell people that if I am wrong tell me and I will go on and in BIG LETTERS, or on the air retract it. They can’t, so it dies there. Thanks Kurt.

Hello Hondo,

As long as your talking sports facilities, what are your thoughts about the pool at I.M. West? A colleague of mine said it’s the worst facility in the country. Have you heard anything? Do you think they will cancel the program? Perhaps they may build a new pool? Thanks,

BC

I am unsure BC if it is the worst in the country, but it is the worst in the Midwest. That includes the Big Ten and MAC. Yes, the MAC. Let me first say that Coach Gianiodis is a super coach. He could win with this program and does a super job. It is a sport (the men’s part) that would be a target if they cut sports because they simply are so far behind the 8 ball. You have kids that will go to a MAC school over MSU (not always, but it has happened) because of facilities. You also can’t blame Mark Hollis. With tight times, how do you put money in a program that doesn’t produce money at all? Chicken or the egg or is it doomed? Do I think they cancel the program? It is MY OPINION that when they do eventually start cutting and they will have to at some point, that is one that has to be looked at. Any program that starts the season like the Royals and already eliminated, and the problem is not coaching, then you have to either poop or get off the pot. I want to reiterate that I really like coach and think he can win and is a winner.

Hondo, I love the weekly general MSU column. It is my favorite thing you do. You mentioned a few weeks ago about the successor to President Simon. I can’t find that article, but who was that again and what do you think about him? Kathy

No problem Kathy. The man I mentioned was Kim Wilcox.  He is a genius, literally, and I can tell you is loved around the campus even with having to make some hard decisions. He is tough, a go-getter, and would be a super choice. He is currently the Provost, but once the retirement of President Simon happens sometime in the future, the thought process is that he is next and that would be a great decision.

Hondo, I was listening to the radio show last week and tuned in late. You were at the tail end of discussing why people have to understand the dilemma Coach Anastos has to overcome. Sorry I was late, but worked called. What was the dilemma you mentioned please? Claude

No problem Claude. Glad that you have a job! I was discussing that in football and basketball a new coach comes in for one that is in shambles (that is what Anastos has inherited) and they can go get recruits immediately. Not hockey. It is a really screwed up system and his predecessor picked essentially the next TWO years of recruiting classes. So whether he wants them or not, signed yet or not, he will honor those commits. In hockey you have to wait until the third season to make a major impact. If this team gets to .500 it will be a great season by Anastos and his staff. He can fix it, but Spartan fans have to understand the cards that he has been dealt and accept it. One thing I can tell you is that these kids love the new staff and will fight, scratch, and do all they can. I can’t wait.

OK everyone, there you go, our weekly general MSU athletics Q and A article. We will continue them every Tuesday morning, so if you have a question (not about basketball or football) here is a simple way to get it here. Send your questions to SpartanNationMail@yahoo.com and put in the subject line general. If it doesn’t get answered in the article you will get a personal response. Thank you!