"Pressure to stay at home" What and how?

[Phil]

Yeah, Phil, it kind of is both. But creepy in a good way just like our love of the UCONN Huskies. I am really glad you had the chance to experience a game in Happy Valley. BTW, how did you like the Blue Band?

The band was excellent. I was particularly impressed that they chose Tchaikovsky's Romeo & Juliet Overture as a halftime piece. One of my favorites, and not an easy piece.

 

[Phil]

Yeah, Phil, it kind of is both. But creepy in a good way just like our love of the UCONN Huskies.

I didn't miss the comparison, and frankly, that troubled me. I actually briefly considered quitting being a fan, it was that troubling. The moment passed, but I won't forget it.

 

[Icebear]

I didn't miss the comparison, and frankly, that troubled me. I actually briefly considered quitting being a fan, it was that troubling. The moment passed, but I won't forget it.

I was correct about the size of the State College borough it is 42,000 in 2012. The average game crowd is 2.5 times the borough population. People really can't conceive of the migration that means on game days in the fall and the acres upon acres of tailgating. I have parishioners, friends and neighbors who have made that journey for 40+ years.

 

[winlots]

Yes, this is the point I was going to make. Connecticut doesn't have the rich history of a strong football team, so I don't think we fully realize the state allegiance in many other states. The highly debated options are State U or U State. The thought of a Different State just isn't on the table.

My tailgating experience is probably less than just about anyone here, but having just spend Saturday, 8 am to 6pm at a tailgate party, ten hours of PSU fight songs, PSU flags, PSU bean bag games, PSU bumper stickers, PSU tablecloths, PSU jackets, PSU warmups, PSU hats, PSU tents (plus a brief break to go to a football game), I can see how someone growing up in that environment would be seen as a traitor to consider anything other than a state school. It was both intoxicating and creepy.

So, PHIL: don't you LIKE beanbags??? I mean, what is the problem??

(Great paragraph and strong point. Nifty ending as well, although I think I understand the "intoxicating" part a bit more clearly than the "creepy" part, having been to that same tailgating, though I didn't have a single sip either time). Glad you were able to sandwich (so to speak) in the game at least.

 

[winlots]

I was correct about the size of the State College borough it is 42,000 in 2012. The average game crowd is 2.5 times the borough population. People really can't conceive of the migration that means on game days in the fall and the acres upon acres of tailgating. I have parishioners, friends and neighbors who have made that journey for 40+ years.[/quote


Not to mention a bunch of two-lane county roads and cowpaths, which factor in to the overall experience.

 

[huskie joe]

All very good points of view. I would like to know what you think about Aja's decision to wait until spring. I respect her decision very much and her parents will be an important part of it, but it sounds like they will leave it up to her.

Do you think that maybe one of the reasons why she is waiting, is because she is going to play out of state (hopefully Uconn). If she accounces now that it might be a negatvie distraction for her this basketball season. The fans might get on her for leaving. But if she waits to the season is over and decides in the spring, the season will be over and she might receive less publicity?

 

[winlots]

HUSK: one of our colleagues had a post to that effect just a day or so ago. I tell you, it is hard for me to believe that this would be an issue - "fans" getting on her case if she announced for UCONN - at least not in a sustained fashion. But it is a very weird world we live in for sure.....more so by the day.

In any event, my sense of the Wilson family, from what I've been able to read, is that they are very serious, methodical, measured, and detailed about this process.....going thru it together as a family. I think that is probably more at play in the spring target than the fear of local reaction, but I guess only the family really knows.

As far as the "starting her own dynasty" kind of thing, vs. joining one, I think she'd miss out on the opportunity of a lifetime if she did not come to UCONN at this juncture: to play with Stewart, Lewis, Tuck, Jefferson, Chong, et al AND with the caliber of kids coming in WITH her, both as players but more importantly as people. (Also, you seldom go wrong when you experience something which will broaden your horizons.....some serious time in a different, and also wonderful, part of the country for someone who does not know the area. I love the south, but nice and important to taste other regional pleasures as well.)

 

[huskie joe]

HUSK: one of our colleagues had a post to that effect just a day or so ago. I tell you, it is hard for me to believe that this would be an issue - "fans" getting on her case if she announced for UCONN - at least not in a sustained fashion. But it is a very weird world we live in for sure.....more so by the day.

In any event, my sense of the Wilson family, from what I've been able to read, is that they are very serious, methodical, measured, and detailed about this process.....going thru it together as a family. I think that is probably more at play in the spring target than the fear of local reaction, but I guess only the family really knows.

As far as the "starting her own dynasty" kind of thing, vs. joining one, I think she'd miss out on the opportunity of a lifetime if she did not come to UCONN at this juncture: to play with Stewart, Lewis, Tuck, Jefferson, Chong, et al AND with the caliber of kids coming in WITH her, both as players but more importantly as people. (Also, you seldom go wrong when you experience something which will broaden your horizons.....some serious time in a different, and also wonderful, part of the country for someone who does not know the area. I love the south, but nice and important to taste other regional pleasures as well.)

 

[Phil]

So, PHIL: don't you LIKE beanbags??? I mean, what is the problem??

(Great paragraph and strong point. Nifty ending as well, although I think I understand the "intoxicating" part a bit more clearly than the "creepy" part, having been to that same tailgating, though I didn't have a single sip either time). Glad you were able to sandwich (so to speak) in the game at least.

Believe it or not, the dual meaning of "intoxicating" wasn't intentional.

 

[Phil]

All very good points of view. I would like to know what you think about Aja's decision to wait until spring. I respect her decision very much and her parents will be an important part of it, but it sounds like they will leave it up to her.

Do you think that maybe one of the reasons why she is waiting, is because she is going to play out of state (hopefully Uconn). If she accounces now that it might be a negatvie distraction for her this basketball season. The fans might get on her for leaving. But if she waits to the season is over and decides in the spring, the season will be over and she might receive less publicity?

That's an intriguing thought. I hope it is the case.

 

[huskie joe]

Thanks Winlot I did not see the similar post. All we can do is wait and hope she becomes part of some great upcoming teams!!

 

[Kibitzer]

Past history would indicate that that would not be true except for a few hyperventilating members.

Those "hyperventilating members" comprise the vast majority of regular Boneyard posters. Hell, if we weren't hyperventilating we wouldn't be here!

Want proof? Ge back a few days and read the, um, "discussions" about Saniya's jump/set shot or Vowel Guy's method of assimilating ratings of players from different sources.

And I won't touch how the welcome mat was pulled away from under the feet of Herbie or Ciarmonte.

 

[Icebear]

Kib, I was limiting my comment to the issue surrounding recruiting and overactions related to that. I think the regulars are relatively balanced when it comes to whom we get and whom we don't. There are always a few the sky is falling posts but all in all the reactions are nothing at all like many in the past in Knoxville.

You are correct we have our moments and weeks but usually not around kids when they choose another school.

 

[Kibitzer]

Kib, I was limiting my comment to the issue surrounding recruiting and overactions related to that. I think the regulars are relatively balanced when it comes to whom we get and whom we don't. There are always a few the sky is falling posts but all in all the reactions are nothing at all like many in the past in Knoxville.

You are correct we have our moments and weeks but usually not around kids when they choose another school.

Now. Open mouth. Insert index finger. Pull tongue from cheek. Aaaah!

 

[Ozzie Nelson]

Those "hyperventilating members" comprise the vast majority of regular Boneyard posters. Hell, if we weren't hyperventilating we wouldn't be here!

Want proof? Ge back a few days and read the, um, "discussions" about Saniya's jump/set shot or Vowel Guy's method of assimilating ratings of players from different sources.

And I won't touch how the welcome mat was pulled away from under the feet of Herbie or Ciarmonte.

You talking to me!!!

 

[UcMiami]

I would also point out that as hard as it is to believe, WBB does not have quite the following of big time college football or even big time men's college basketball. We can be pretty fanatical us converts, but ... there is a huge difference between the 80,000 that descend on PSU for a football game against any kind of opposition (including themselves for the spring game) and the 8,000 attending the game against the defending national champion Uconn, let alone the 3850 average for their first two games. And in HS the numbers generally are a lot smaller as are the gyms the games are played in. I think the exposure and therefor the crazy fan pressure for HS kids is much worse for football players than WBB players.

 

[Icebear]

We can be pretty fanatical us converts, but ... there is a huge difference between the 80,000 that descend on PSU for a football game against any kind of opposition (including themselves for the spring game)

People in Happy Valley would be devastated if only 80,000 showed up for a game.
There is 106,574 seating, many more still sitting outside tending the grills and watching the game on TV.

 

[Phil]

There were 96,000 announced Saturday, off a bit because it was against 1-8 Purdue. And some were tailgating and didn't even go to the game (one in our group I know).

 

[Icebear]

PSU - Michigan whiteout pic

Sound levels for crowd noise peaked at about 104 db.

 

[RadyLady]

never criticize a man (recruit) unless you have walked a mile in his/her shoes

 

[UcMiami]

People in Happy Valley would be devastated if only 80,000 showed up for a game.
There is 106,574 seating, many more still sitting outside tending the grills and watching the game on TV.

But you said Happy Valley environs had 40,000 residents and I assumed 50% would be at the game already so the descending is left to the 80,000 extras. (That is my story and I am sticking to it, as I never make mistakes.)

 

[Icebear]

But you said Happy Valley environs had 40,000 residents and I assumed 50% would be at the game already so the descending is left to the 80,000 extras. (That is my story and I am sticking to it, as I never make mistakes.)

Now that's white!

 

[Wally East]

Yes - but I think most of those reports are antidotal.

My apologies for not being able to let this pass but: "anecdotal."

 

[Icebear]

My apologies for not being able to less this pass but: "anecdotal."

They may well be antidotal. We don't want anyone doting on anyone. Plus we clearly had the antidote to Oregon's running game. ucMiami may have been playing with us. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

[Ozzie Nelson]

Is there evidence that(some/many) residents of SC are so passionate about WCBB that substantial pressure to remain local is being directed at Wilson? After all, many elite athletes matriculate out of state...just look at any top 25 DivI roster. Just wondering about the foundation(s) for the local pressure assumption.

As for “legacy”, she can’t do that alone.

 

[meyers7]

Is there evidence that(some/many) residents of SC are so passionate about WCBB that substantial pressure to remain local is being directed at Wilson? After all, many elite athletes matriculate out of state...just look at any top 25 DivI roster. Just wondering about the foundation(s) for the local pressure assumption.

Well local could (probably does) mean friends, relatives, coaches. Probably not necessarily pressure from Joe and Jane Schmoo as your walking through the mall.

 

[Ozzie Nelson]

Well local could (probably does) mean friends, relatives, coaches. Probably not necessarily pressure from Joe and Jane Schmoo as your walking through the mall.

I asked for evidence, not "could". I "could" just as easily say some friends and relatives and coaches suggest "How can you turn UCONN down?"...but I don't since I don't know.

 

[meyers7]

I asked for evidence, not "could". I "could" just as easily say some friends and relatives and coaches suggest "How can you turn UCONN down?"...but I don't since I don't know.

I was explaining to you, it's not necessarily the "residents". If (IF) it exists, it most likely comes from coaches, friends, teammates, relatives. So in essence you are probably looking for the wrong evidence. Or looking for evidence in the wrong place. Basically you are asking the wrong question to get at the information you are after.

 

[Ozzie Nelson]

I was explaining to you, it's not necessarily the "residents". If (IF) it exists, it most likely comes from coaches, friends, teammates, relatives. So in essence you are probably looking for the wrong evidence. Or looking for evidence in the wrong place. Basically you are asking the wrong question to get at the information you are after.

hahaha...wrong 3 times...BoneYard strikeout.

 

[meyers7]

hahaha...wrong 3 times...BoneYard strikeout.

Ok ozzie, nevermind.

Just trying to help you out.