Originally Posted by
SportTechFan
This was sent this morning by David Dodd in Shreveport via email to BVD for delivery to Coach Dykes and the team . . .
My name is David Dodd. I am not a country music superstar, or a millionaire engineer, or a Superbowl-winning quarterback. I am simply a proud graduate of Louisiana Tech.
There are many thousands like me, average people, who are called "beleaguered" by our friends who support a team 220 miles away. We care not. We do not compare ourselves to anyone, only to ourselves. We appreciate the history and tradition of Louisiana's "flagship" school, but we have our own rich history and tradition. That force of character has made us great. We are not boastful, but we are proud. We have achieved greatness from nothing, we have played anyone, anytime, anywhere. We are due.
Even though we may not display it as some other alumni do, we are fiercely proud of our university, one that has overcome incredible odds, both athletically and academically. Although we may not show it outwardly, we know in our heart of hearts that you are champions. We will be watching, and we will be with you. We will not quit. We will not accept defeat. When you take the field at Boise, please take in your heart and soul the following, from a "beleaguered" Bulldog who knows the truth: YOU ARE CHAMPIONS.
I am a Bulldog.
I have weathered the storm.
I have sat while those around me
Have said "that's great that you are
Loyal to a lesser Louisiana school."
I am a Bulldog.
I have held my tongue
While others said "there's only one"
Only one school in Louisiana that
Can compete on a national scale.
I am a Bulldog.
I have been there, I have screamed and cried
When others with more money, more prestige,
Have been shaken by our fight and fury, even in loss,
And I have waited, waited for the day of reckoning.
I am a Bulldog.
And there are tens of thousands like me,
Who know the truth, that there is NO BETTER
NO BETTER school, NO BETTER team,
NO BETTER heart and soul and fight.
WE ARE THE BULLDOGS.
And we will be watching, and we will be with you
All of you, each and every one, when you take that field
And you will be given the strength of tens of thousands
And you will vanquish the enemy, no matter how strong.
We ARE THE BULLDOGS.
WE ARE LOUISIANA TECH
WE KNOW THE TRUTH--THAT WE ARE CHAMPIONS
WE DO NOT KNOW THE MEANING OF DEFEAT
WE BOW TO NO FATE. WE WILL NEVER SURRENDER. EVER.
NO FATE. NO SURRENDER. EVER.
WHO ARE WE??
WE ARE THE BULLDOGS.
WE ARE CHAMPIONS.