His philosphy failed to hit home... this time

March 24 , 2005
By Dan Tomlin
Sports Editor

Coach Ted Eskildsen’s career at St. Ambrose University could best be defined as “The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly.”

During his tenure as the head coach of the Queen Bees, Eskildsen managed to collect more wins through four years than any SAU coach before him.

He also helped the Queen Bees to conference championships in 2002 and 2004 while taking them to the NAIA women’s national tournament in those years as well.

That was the good.

The Bad?

Despite all the winning, even the casual Queen Bee fan couldn’t help but notice that each season there would be a revolving door of Queen Bees who would make their way not only out of the starting lineup, but quit the team all together.

Ultimately the biggest difference between players and coach would be philosophy, but for the most part, it was too little too late.

Former Queen Bee players will tell you that they butted heads with the man referred to as “Uncle Ted,” but at the end of the day had the same objective, to win.

This year was different. It seemed as though there was no way too work around the disagreements between players and coach, and that would be Coach Ted’s the final demise.
The Ugly?

The worst part of the entire situation is the way it was perceived by the St. Ambrose community. The Queen Bees basketball team continued to flourish over Eskildsen’s tenure, but he was not able to survive.

Many of the Queen Bee players had decided that they would not be able to play under Eskildsen, and had written off his philosophy.

It was evident to someone who has followed the team for four years that this one was different, and come second semester you could almost see the writing on the wall Coach Ted would more than likely finish his St. Ambrose career with this season.

Now the bright side.

Coach Ted will bounce back. The good coaches always do, and Eskildsen is a good coach.
His coaching career is a testament to the man that he is, and if nothing else he is a very wise basketball man.

His success at each of his stops including his latest here in Davenport just goes to show that with the right attitude and coaching strategies you can win basketball games.

There are certain things everyone will remember about Ted. For one, he always had an interesting story. He’s been a lot of places and seen a lot of things, and was always very good at articulating a situation and explaining exactly what he wanted you to know.

Another thing no one can fail to forget is his exuberance on the basketball sideline. Love it or hate it, Coach Ted brought emotion to the bench, and poured his heart and soul into each and every Queen Bee game.

Though discouraged even this season, Eskildsen still remained positive and looked for the bright side of things.

While Eskildsen will be missed, sophomore guard Jennifer Goetz said it best,
“We will get a new coach and continue the St. Ambrose tradition.”

The tradition of winning is bound to continue. This season was the first in nearly 20 years that the Queen Bees have flirted with having a .500 record.

Let’s hope that this “nationwide search” for a replacement will turn up not only some high quality coaches, but also high quality people.

It takes a big man to be a coach, and Coach Ted Eskildsen is one of the biggest men I know. He had a good run, and will be missed, but as the old saying goes, the show must go on.

And coach Ted, 'This O'Doul's is for you!"

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