Can someone find a post that hasn't regressed into a diatribe on coach P?

[Carl Spackler]

There is not one UConn fan that felt good after the Towson game! That's a given.
Some people can move on, some can't.
And some of those that can't move on find the need to make sure no else moves on. The lesson isn't about convincing one another to change who we are but to realize that this is the nature of the world. Therefore the only solution for those who want to avoid negativity is to strengthen our resolve in spite of these people.

It's much easier to draw attention and feeders off negative energy, than it is to generate and sustain positive energy. It's much harder to generate and sustain positive energy when there is limited external frame of reference from which to draw positive energy on a topic of discussion. I think that the anonymous internet messaging board world, magnifies this kind of aspect of human nature 100 fold.

 

[ctchamps]

It's much easier to draw attention and feeders off negative energy, than it is to generate and sustain positive energy. It's much harder to generate and sustain positive energy when there is limited external frame of reference from which to draw positive energy on a topic of discussion. I think that the anonymous internet messaging board world, magnifies this kind of aspect of human nature 100 fold.

It certainly is easier to behave a certain way when our identities are anonymous. I prefer analysis, civil debate, excitement, and positivity. But sometimes circumstances prevent this from happening. Currently the football forum has lost most of the things I prefer.

I understand the frustration of these fans. I understand the need to vent and it gives us a feeling of empowerment when we complain. There is some truth that those who complain the loudest or most frequently get results. And there are situations which this becomes necessary. Which situations will depend on who we are and what is going on in our lives.

I still love these forums. I've learned to not let the negativity impact me very much if at all. It took a lot of effort to get to this place but the only other choice is just to tune out of life or find utopia.

 

[Carl Spackler]

I also enjoy these forums, and I freely vent when I feel the need to, and prefer civil debate and positivity in discussion. (I can do with some violence and controlled rage and aggression on a football field though) and I even created my own cyberspace tool to combat those that I feel are pursuing the negative energy feedback cycles. It's called a Debbie Stick ™. It looks like this: (any resemblance to a Louisville Slugger ™ is purely coincidental)

 

[FfldCntyFan]

If its not, it's WM, or the fans, or the marketing, or whatever.

The negativity on this board is sucking the fun out of being a husky fan.

With a title like what you gave this thread you are complaining about other posters' negativity?

The way I see it, most posts have evolved into a diatribe on coach P!

 

[FfldCntyFan]

That's the issue. If you post something on here that doesn't snipe at pp or WM it's viewed as accepting the situation. Sadly, there are a lot of fans that really don't want PP to win, and would have conflicts if he did.

No, there are many who don't want P to return. That is what is at issue here and I do not understand how it is that you cannot see this.

In my humble opinion I believe that the worst thing that could happen here (which considering our schedule after the Michigan game should be a possibility) is that we end up around seven wins, giving McHugh what he sees as sufficient ammunition to pull rank on Manuel (possibly for the second time) and force year four on us.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

I also enjoy these forums, and I freely vent when I feel the need to, and prefer civil debate and positivity in discussion. (I can do with some violence and controlled rage and aggression on a football field though) and I even created my own cyberspace tool to combat those that I feel are pursuing the negative energy feedback cycles. It's called a Debbie Stick ™. It looks like this: (any resemblance to a Louisville Slugger ™ is purely coincidental)

I like the debbie stick. It kind of reminds me of something I had last year to demonstrate teamwork to GDL!

 

[FAIRTIDES]

If its not, it's WM, or the fans, or the marketing, or whatever.

The negativity on this board is sucking the fun out of being a husky fan.

Je%$# H. F@#$*&^ C&$@* !!!!! There is not one person on this board that would not revel, hell, luxuriate in a piece of positive news. A "good news" thread would, in fact, "hijack" this board.

So, in the interest of ensuring equal time to "good/positive news," this space is available. Marty, you go first.

 

[Carl Spackler]

No, there are many who don't want P to return. That is what is at issue here and I do not understand how it is that you cannot see this.

In my humble opinion I believe that the worst thing that could happen here (which considering our schedule after the Michigan game should be a possibility) is that we end up around seven wins, giving McHugh what he sees as sufficient ammunition to pull rank on Manuel (possibly for the second time) and force year four on us.

Here is a difference between you and I (and therefore, by extension I suppose others). I honestly don't care if Pasqualoni stays or goes, I just want to win, and I want clear stated goals as to what we are after in football, and I want to be able to measure progress toward such goals. None of that has anything to do with what the name of the head coach is.

 

[Waquoit]

That's not really what he did at all. My interpretation is that he pointed out that even with the changes and effort in promotions/marketing, etc... there may be an underlying attitude, that even deeper fundamental change needs to happen to get it right, and he pointed out that in our cultural environment, we may never have the type of fan base that is a guaranteed sellout when times are rough and we aren't winning. I happen to agree with those points. If you do not, then please say why.

My interpretation of him saying we have front-running fans meant that our fans are front runners. I don't know what you are saying. You lose me after your 2nd sentence most times.

 

[Carl Spackler]

My interpretation of him saying we have front-running fans meant that our fans are front runners. I don't know what you are saying. You lose me after your 2nd sentence most times.

Perhaps the context was misinterpreted. It's possible that context can be completely ignored as well. I can begin my paragraph structure with loosely related subject sentences. Such sentences can string together an idea. Then in closing of the paragraph, I can use the technique of placing the topic sentence last. This is a less common paragraph construction method than placing the topic sentence at the start of the paragraph. It is effective though. I will work harder to keep your attention span at a higher rate and frequency. Did you get this far or have I lost you?

 

[FAIRTIDES]

I guess that's why all the Preferred seats sold out the minute they went on sale 10 years ago. This program has had the worst marketing from the start. Now that they have lousy marketing and a horrible coach you point to the fans?

Bingo!

The Northeastern sports' markets are very delicate. Above, it was pointed out that the Red Sox consecutive sellout streak was broken. Same with the Phillies. Yankee attendance is down, as are ratings. Same with the Mets. Three years ago, the Jets had a multi-year waiting list for season tickets. According to press reports, that is no longer the case. Even the Giants' list as dropped in size. The term "no-show" was invented to describe Giants' season ticket holders that stopped coming to watch bad teams. The reason? Declining condition of the product on the field. People in our part of the country will not buy crap, period. They do, however, return as soon as team management (or AD's) get the message.

But, while a fan base waits for improvement, it bitches, moans, screams and yells. Once it was limited to bars. Later, and into the present, Talk Radio. More recently, the net.

So, we vent. It's harmless, doesn't hurt anyone. Most of all, it's not required reading.

 

[John]

If its not, it's WM, or the fans, or the marketing, or whatever.

The negativity on this board is sucking the fun out of being a husky fan.

my "Blew a .341 in jail" thread had no PP-bashing.

 

[Carl Spackler]

Bingo!

The Northeastern sports' markets are very delicate. Above, it was pointed out that the Red Sox consecutive sellout streak was broken. Same with the Phillies. Yankee attendance is down, as are ratings. Same with the Mets. Three years ago, the Jets had a multi-year waiting list for season tickets. According to press reports, that is no longer the case. Even the Giants' list as dropped in size. The term "no-show" was invented to describe Giants' season ticket holders that stopped coming to watch bad teams. The reason? Declining condition of the product on the field. People in our part of the country will not buy crap, period. They do, however, return as soon as team management (or AD's) get the message.

But, while a fan base waits for improvement, it bitches, moans, screams and yells. Once it was limited to bars. Later, and into the present, Talk Radio. More recently, the net.

So, we vent. It's harmless, doesn't hurt anyone. Most of all, it's not required reading.

I'm not sure if the word 'delicate' is accurate. The next word that comes to my mind is 'saturated', but I don't think that is accurate either and probably farther from the mark than 'delicate'. But I do think you've hit upon something important with this. Not sure what it is, but I'm pretty sure it's important.

 

[FAIRTIDES]

I'm not sure if the word 'delicate' is accurate. The next word that comes to my mind is 'saturated', but I don't think that is accurate either and probably farther from the mark than 'delicate'. But I do think you've hit upon something important with this. Not sure what it is, but I'm pretty sure it's important.

"Delicate" in terms of how little it takes to change the course of fandom.

 

[Carl Spackler]

"Delicate" in terms of how little it takes to change the course of fandom.

See I don't really agree with that at all either. I think you hit on something, but I'm finding trouble putting it to words , simply. It's as much a socio-economic thing as it is a cultural thing. I don't see any Yankees fans running out the door on their "fandom" because we're losing the race to Boston this year, and haven't really done much of anything lately, but they aren't going to be quiet about not wanting to pay through the noses to go to the stadium, and they will stay home instead. I certainly don't see Boston Red Sox fans wavering in the "fandom". Giants? Patriots? Jets? Mets? Rangers? Bruins fans wavering? Celtics? Knicks? I guess it all depends on what you define as "fandom".

 

[FAIRTIDES]

See I don't really agree with that at all either. I think you hit on something, but I'm finding trouble putting it to words , simply. It's as much a socio-economic thing as it is a cultural thing. I don't see any Yankees fans running out the door on their "fandom" because we're losing the race to Boston this year, and haven't really done much of anything lately, but they aren't going to be quiet about not wanting to pay through the noses to go to the stadium, and they will stay home instead. I certainly don't see Boston Red Sox fans wavering in the "fandom". Giants? Patriots? Jets? Mets? Rangers? Bruins fans wavering? Celtics? Knicks? I guess it all depends on what you define as "fandom".

That's what I said, probably poorly. Of course they remain fans, big fans. They are like the wife or girlfriend/significant other that "withholds favors" after a birthday or anniversary is forgotten. But, the bond remains strong, and things return to normal; usually following flowers and a weekend in Manhattan that includes Broadway (expensive free agent or new coach).

 

[Carl Spackler]

That's what I said, probably poorly. Of course they remain fans, big fans. They are like the wife or girlfriend/significant other that "withholds favors" after a birthday or anniversary is forgotten. But, the bond remains strong, and things return to normal; usually following flowers and a weekend in Manhattan that includes Broadway (expensive free agent or new coach).

That analogy I understand full on.


In 2003, UCONN football was the hot guy for all the ladies, that was really geeky in grade school but was grown up now and eye popping.

In 2013, UCONN football doesn't have the same appeal to the ladies that same guy had when they got the first impression 10 years earlier, or in other cases saw him first time in forever 10 years ago, and those ladies are looking for dinner and a show to get back to the sheets, rather than a simple "Hello".

Yes - I just managed to portray myself and unknown numbers of other men, as women that know how to play their men like fiddles.

See what losing football can do to a man? Yikes.

 

[cohenzone]

I guess that's why all the Preferred seats sold out the minute they went on sale 10 years ago. This program has had the worst marketing from the start. Now that they have lousy marketing and a horrible coach you point to the fans?

I said we have front running fans. It's true. If you follow UConn men's hoops you know how pissed Calhoun was when attendance at NIT games sucked. People bought preferred seats because there was excitement. I am among them. And I will keep buying How many negative nellies are there on this board who are saying screw it. They have the right to react that way but it doesnt mean that doesnt include a bunch of frontrunners. I get that we now gave an unexciting product. Other than the Danny O years our O wasn't all that great despite having some excellent runners. All I'm saying is that Edsalls record and PPs record are only marginally different, especially if you toss the Orlovsky period. There is a reason why a lot of us thought RE wasn't the guy to bring us to the next level. We definitely have fair weather fans.

 

[ZooCougar]

Randy Edsall, winning seasons and bowl games.
Paul Pasqulaoni, losing seasons and no bowl games.

Not much of difference.

 

[Marty Jackson]

Sorry Marty, but us fans don't approve of mediocrity. If you are pleased with what this program has become because of these 2 guys, then good for you. No one is calling out the players, in fact we are all supporting them. But GDL and P have sucked the life blood out of everyone. If the diehards here are jumping ship, what do you think about the fans that consider doing other things besides going to The Rent? I think they would choose something else. It's going to take A LOT for them to want to come back some point down the line, especially with the schedule we are going to have in the future.

please show me at what point I mentioned being pleased about where the FB program is.
All I'm saying is that every post doesn't need to bash P. It should be possible to read or have a discussion about maryland and what they'll bring this week. Discussions that used to happen here. Instead, the thread turns to the usual rant about P.
We get it. the fanbase doesn't like P. does that mean every conversation needs to be held hostage to that fact? I don't think so. Nor do I think my position suggests I am accepting of where we are at.

That's all I've tried to say. So please, tell me again how I approve of where we are at as a program.

 

[Marty Jackson]

No, there are many who don't want P to return. That is what is at issue here and I do not understand how it is that you cannot see this.

In my humble opinion I believe that the worst thing that could happen here (which considering our schedule after the Michigan game should be a possibility) is that we end up around seven wins, giving McHugh what he sees as sufficient ammunition to pull rank on Manuel (possibly for the second time) and force year four on us.

so you are rooting for Uconn to lose in order to get rid of P. how is that different from what I said.

 

[Marty Jackson]

With a title like what you gave this thread you are complaining about other posters' negativity?

The way I see it, most posts have evolved into a diatribe on coach P!

maybe I'm missing some joke???

 

[Waquoit]

I said we have front running fans. It's true. If you follow UConn men's hoops you know how pissed Calhoun was when attendance at NIT games sucked.

That's kind of silly example. I went to an NIT game that was so crowded it violated the fire code. Most teams at an elite level have lukewarm support for the NIT. UConn had many sellouts before Calhoun came to town. As far as football goes, the team was never really was never in-front so I don't see how the fans can be front runners.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

so you are rooting for Uconn to lose in order to get rid of P. how is that different from what I said.

I'm not rooting for UConn to lose. I will never root for UConn to lose. What I said (which obviously went over your head) was that it would be worse for the program overall if somehow we find a way t pull off enough wins to give McHugh sufficient ammunition to keep P here. Evidently you haven't noticed but the program has regressed (on all levels) severely since P took over. We won't get where we want to be (successful at a high level) in football by hoping (although per most recent commentary on the Towson game it appears that hoping is P's basic tactical strategy for improvement) to win a few more games. We need leadership, new leadership, positive leadership, leadership that is capable of teaching, leadership is can formulate a game plan and tweak it on the fly when that becomes necessary.

I am counting the days until P is gone. I will light a cuban cigar and wash it down with cognac. I may crack a bottle of champagne first. This will not be because I am rooting for failure for my alma mater's football team but rather because I am rooting for significant success for my alma mater's football program.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

maybe I'm missing some joke???

I believe you are missing more than merely a joke.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Here is a difference between you and I (and therefore, by extension I suppose others). I honestly don't care if Pasqualoni stays or goes, I just want to win, and I want clear stated goals as to what we are after in football, and I want to be able to measure progress toward such goals. None of that has anything to do with what the name of the head coach is.

Spackler, we both know that you are smarter than this so give me a friggin break. If there were any reason to believe that P could possibly do with this program what we (you, the rest of the posters here, most members of the alumni base, the entirety of the fan base along with me) I would be leading the cheers to continue throwing our support behind him. If you haven't been able to draw a very clear and concise picture of P as a head coach after twenty five games (against the weakest in conference schedule we've faced since we began conference play at this level and possibly the weakest non conference schedule over the past two seasons that we've faced since 2004) I really don't know what to say and I will wonder about how true your speeches (fro the old board) about leaving blood in the field when you played in the Yankee Conference really were.

I could care less if our head coach (assuming that the name is merely an unfortunate coincidence) is named Charles Manson, David Berkowitz, Ted Bundy or Osama Bin Laden as long as he is doing what is best for the program.

 

[cohenzone]

That's kind of silly example. I went to an NIT game that was so crowded it violated the fire code. Most teams at an elite level have lukewarm support for the NIT. UConn had many sellouts before Calhoun came to town. As far as football goes, the team was never really was never in-front so I don't see how the fans can be front runners.

The nit I'm referring to was a year we were a bubble team and got left out. I was at the first game and attendance was dismal. Front running can mean more than just being a champion. D1 football was a novelty and on top of that we had early success thanks to Orlovsky which sustained fan interest.

On top of that, UConns point policy yields misleading info on both loyalty and actual fannies in seats. My Rent and XL Center seats are great. It's clear how many are corporate seats by how many are empty on nice days and/ or some decent opponents. Corporate seats do not produce a loyal, hell or high water base if fans. In fact, the ticket policy discourages some very long time fans who can't afford the big prices and thus having ever worsening seats.

 

[Carl Spackler]

Spackler, we both know that you are smarter than this so give me a friggin break. If there were any reason to believe that P could possibly do with this program what we (you, the rest of the posters here, most members of the alumni base, the entirety of the fan base along with me) I would be leading the cheers to continue throwing our support behind him. If you haven't been able to draw a very clear and concise picture of P as a head coach after twenty five games (against the weakest in conference schedule we've faced since we began conference play at this level and possibly the weakest non conference schedule over the past two seasons that we've faced since 2004) I really don't know what to say and I will wonder about how true your speeches (fro the old board) about leaving blood in the field when you played in the Yankee Conference really were.

I could care less if our head coach (assuming that the name is merely an unfortunate coincidence) is named Charles Manson, David Berkowitz, Ted Bundy or Osama Bin Laden as long as he is doing what is best for the program.

I've got a very clear picture of what's happening, but I'm choosing to shut (ck up about it as I go forward, as I write around here, because I don't see anymore how complaining about it here, helps anything. In fact, I think it can actually hurt, to continue to do it. I'll be consistent in what I've written, about how I feel. It's week to week for me. We'll see how we do this Saturday. But I'm going to choose to STFU about it, afterwards, even in loss, and direct my energies in that respect elsewhere, if need be, because maybe I'm cuckoo, and maybe this is only wasted bandwidth and airtime that nobody pays attention to, but I don't see anymore how someone complaining about the coaching staff or someone proclaiming how much they dislike a coach, or an athletic director, helps anything. It's an old adage - ad hominem attacks on a subject matter are the crudest and most useless, IMNSHO. There are ways to be positive, and critique performance and evaluate people and activities, and there are ways to go about it negatively. I'm choosing to be positive. So you go ahead and keep your champagne chilled, and your humidor full as you await what you look for, and I'll continue to look forward to what I look forward to, and that's a win on Saturday night.

For the record, this entire process, of evaluating a coach, and facing the kinds of decisions this university athletic department needs to face around the football program, with a head coach in year 3 of a 5 year contract, is something that hasn't happened at any time since at least the 1970s and maybe longer. THe entire process of changing head coaches, and what it means to a football program - much like everything in UCONN football history over the past 3-4 decades now, is a few standard deviations away from the norm in college football.

The previous 3 coaches all left on their own, owning winning overall records in relatively long term positions, with the last two leaving after having reached high water marks. I don't know the circumstances of Tom Jackson's promotion to head coach in the 1970s to early 1980s, but have to go at least that far back, minimum, to find a scenario where a UCONN football coach may have been fired for poor performance. Jackson tendered a resignation, after a 6-5 season in 1993, after a particularly painful loss to Boston University and ironically after a season where we lost to Towson at home.

We were able to hire a young up and comer, that was able to generate quite a bit of success in a short time thereafter.

Winning is expected though, and we have a new athletic director, and we are in new territory. I am focused on beating Maryland.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

OK Spackler, we get it. You are the one true fan while those of us who aren't happy with the situation surrounding the football program are really UConn haters who want the program to fail so we can say "see, it failed".