Reading some of the comments made concerning the football season and staff, I have a question.
We as fans, have a lot of WANTS. How much are you willing to pay for it? Our season ticks are relatively inexpensive. the donation level to buy ticks is also--
So, how much are you willing to give ?
Exactly. I just commented in another thread that it's complicated moving financial resources around all of our athletic programs based on limited income. To expand on your racing terminology, cubic dollars are faster than cubic inches almost every day.
"We need to make a committment to football" has been a pretty popular phrase being used around here for a few months. I don't disagree, but it takes money and that money comes from us.
How big of a committment do we want to make?....and that's just rephrasing what you said, Egrizzard.
I'm not being holier than thou here either....the same statement applies to me as it does everyone else.
Would an extra $25 get them to block for our punter to be able to get off a kick? lol
I think you have a fair question and I think a lot of the answers will vary on personal preference. If the schedule had some more attractive games (lower tier BCS league games to start like Iowa State, Northwestern, Stanford, Arizona, Baylor, etc) this would help. The core will be there no matter what but the casual fan or would be fan will be easier to engage with more attractive games and the hope for success. I also think a more competitive product on the field (defensively for sure as the O is fine) would warrant more $$ as would some 5 year road map or plan that would show a serious commitment to a leage championship, top 25 stint as starters.
tigertommy Wrote:Would an extra $25 get them to block for our punter to be able to get off a kick? lol
It was more of the punter making a sidestep before punting rather than normal straight forward steps. Once he step into the kick, his punts were booming.
No, Tommy it wouldn't. and since this is a thread about solving problems and putting up both your MONEY and your mouth, you should probably not post on this subject. You seem willing to supply only one of the two.
formertiger Wrote:No, Tommy it wouldn't. and since this is a thread about solving problems and putting up both your MONEY and your mouth, you should probably not post on this subject. You seem willing to supply only one of the two.
Yep, the trip to New Orleans to root for the Tigers ended up running us about $500. Bourbon St gets expensive.
ACESFULL Wrote:I think you have a fair question and I think a lot of the answers will vary on personal preference. If the schedule had some more attractive games (lower tier BCS league games to start like Iowa State, Northwestern, Stanford, Arizona, Baylor, etc) this would help. The core will be there no matter what but the casual fan or would be fan will be easier to engage with more attractive games and the hope for success. I also think a more competitive product on the field (defensively for sure as the O is fine) would warrant more $$ as would some 5 year road map or plan that would show a serious commitment to a leage championship, top 25 stint as starters.
Teams with less money have been kicking our butts lately.
This argument gets weaker each day.
Let's beef up the schedule with some (non SEC) BCS teams, even if it means more 2-1 and 3-1 deals.
the other Greg Childers Wrote:ACESFULL Wrote:I think you have a fair question and I think a lot of the answers will vary on personal preference. If the schedule had some more attractive games (lower tier BCS league games to start like Iowa State, Northwestern, Stanford, Arizona, Baylor, etc) this would help. The core will be there no matter what but the casual fan or would be fan will be easier to engage with more attractive games and the hope for success. I also think a more competitive product on the field (defensively for sure as the O is fine) would warrant more $$ as would some 5 year road map or plan that would show a serious commitment to a leage championship, top 25 stint as starters.
Teams with less money have been kicking our butts lately.
This argument gets weaker each day.
Let's beef up the schedule with some (non SEC) BCS teams, even if it means more 2-1 and 3-1 deals.
Good points and its as if we are scared or afraid to play even a moderately difficult schedule and one has to wonder if the schedule wasn't build around the overall talent level on the team
tigertommy Wrote:formertiger Wrote:No, Tommy it wouldn't. and since this is a thread about solving problems and putting up both your MONEY and your mouth, you should probably not post on this subject. You seem willing to supply only one of the two.
Yep, the trip to New Orleans to root for the Tigers ended up running us about $500. Bourbon St gets expensive.
How much did you save by not allowing your wife to attend the game?
georgiatiger Wrote:tigertommy Wrote:formertiger Wrote:No, Tommy it wouldn't. and since this is a thread about solving problems and putting up both your MONEY and your mouth, you should probably not post on this subject. You seem willing to supply only one of the two.
Yep, the trip to New Orleans to root for the Tigers ended up running us about $500. Bourbon St gets expensive.
How much did you save by not allowing your wife to attend the game?
She got out of traction at Tulane medical before kickoff so she did go. I did forget to add the cost of table dances at the Barely Legal club so you can double that $500. lol
tigertommy Wrote:georgiatiger Wrote:tigertommy Wrote:formertiger Wrote:No, Tommy it wouldn't. and since this is a thread about solving problems and putting up both your MONEY and your mouth, you should probably not post on this subject. You seem willing to supply only one of the two.
Yep, the trip to New Orleans to root for the Tigers ended up running us about $500. Bourbon St gets expensive.
How much did you save by not allowing your wife to attend the game?
She got out of traction at Tulane medical before kickoff so she did go. I did forget to add the cost of table dances at the Barely Legal club so you can double that $500. lol
At least you've got your priorities straight.
This argument is getting really old. Yes, the program needs more funding. However, our current football budget is significantly higher than every Sunbelt team we lost to this year. Our defense was very possibly the worst in Div. 1A...how would a few extra dollars fix that? I expect significant improvement next year, or TW needs to move on.
and the argument really fails when you realize that TW was beating OM and not losing to every SunBelt team in the conference and having winning records and going to bowl games and signing recruits like DeAngelo, Avery, and Doucette just a few short years ago as well...it is plain and simple - recruiting was not what it should have been during the success of the three straight bowl appearances for whatever reason...
what are ya'll babbling about? I never made the money arguement--but MOST OF THE GRIPERS HERE have stated at one point or another that the administration needs to make a financial comittment to the program. Where do you think they will get the money? FROM US.
As for the scheduling---I don't believe that 3-1 set ups make good financial sense. Lets say we get 55k for a game against , oh heck--Texas. but, for three years ( yeah right) we go there.So, we get the gate attendance from 55 k once in 4 years. Yeah--But, we play Miss State every other year--we'll draw more gate on the average.
egrizzard Wrote:what are ya'll babbling about? I never made the money arguement--but MOST OF THE GRIPERS HERE have stated at one point or another that the administration needs to make a financial comittment to the program. Where do you think they will get the money? FROM US.
As for the scheduling---I don't believe that 3-1 set ups make good financial sense. Lets say we get 55k for a game against , oh heck--Texas. but, for three years ( yeah right) we go there.So, we get the gate attendance from 55 k once in 4 years. Yeah--But, we play Miss State every other year--we'll draw more gate on the average.
Let's say we get Notre Dame with a 3-1 deal. We play ALL FOUR GAMES on NBC, because of Notre Dame's television contract. That exposure goes a lot further than any perceived financial loss at the gate.
Plus, we need to drop all SEC teams from the schedule since they use Memphis as a prime recruiting territory. If we're going to schedule BCS teams that we have a chance at beating, let's play Duke, Minnesota, Syracuse, or Baylor since none of them recruit here. We could probably get home-and-home games with each of them.
the other Greg Childers Wrote:egrizzard Wrote:what are ya'll babbling about? I never made the money arguement--but MOST OF THE GRIPERS HERE have stated at one point or another that the administration needs to make a financial comittment to the program. Where do you think they will get the money? FROM US.
As for the scheduling---I don't believe that 3-1 set ups make good financial sense. Lets say we get 55k for a game against , oh heck--Texas. but, for three years ( yeah right) we go there.So, we get the gate attendance from 55 k once in 4 years. Yeah--But, we play Miss State every other year--we'll draw more gate on the average.
Let's say we get Notre Dame with a 3-1 deal. We play ALL FOUR GAMES on NBC, because of Notre Dame's television contract. That exposure goes a lot further than any perceived financial loss at the gate.
Plus, we need to drop all SEC teams from the schedule since they use Memphis as a prime recruiting territory. If we're going to schedule BCS teams that we have a chance at beating, let's play Duke, Minnesota, Syracuse, or Baylor since none of them recruit here. We could probably get home-and-home games with each of them.
You make a good point. I also think we should look to the big 12 to schedule some games. I think that is where we have the best chance of going if there is ever realignment. IMO the big east is a pipe dream. Too much competition with the Florida market. I would love to see us play a nebraska or a colorado or ou
Notre Dame--okay. But last time I looked, they turned us down for a 3-1. And the financial loss is not percieved, it is reality for a program that struggles with the dollar. When you have "fans" that buy ticks from the bowl and not the University, that is always gonna be a problem. I understand your desire to see some diff teams--but what that tells me is you may want to see the other teams. I feel we need to sell our program based on us, iregardless of who we play.
Also, my major sticking point here is that we would lose money as compared to a home and home with a local SEC school--as much as that sickens me. Those lower tier BCS teams you mention are not gonna play us if they percieve we could beat them, because they are allready fodder for the guns in their conf. They are gonna look for some SURE wins because they struggle to get bowl eligible year in and year out. While they still reap the rewards from their conf, their share is less when this happens and it is demoralizing for the fans.
egrizzard Wrote:Notre Dame--okay. But last time I looked, they turned us down for a 3-1. And the financial loss is not percieved, it is reality for a program that struggles with the dollar. When you have "fans" that buy ticks from the bowl and not the University, that is always gonna be a problem. I understand your desire to see some diff teams--but what that tells me is you may want to see the other teams. I feel we need to sell our program based on us, iregardless of who we play.
Also, my major sticking point here is that we would lose money as compared to a home and home with a local SEC school--as much as that sickens me. Those lower tier BCS teams you mention are not gonna play us if they percieve we could beat them, because they are allready fodder for the guns in their conf. They are gonna look for some SURE wins because they struggle to get bowl eligible year in and year out. While they still reap the rewards from their conf, their share is less when this happens and it is demoralizing for the fans.
The only SEC team that will play us right now home and home year after year is miss state. Ole Miss wont play us anymore and Tennessee is basically holding us hostage playing us when THEY feel like it. I know it sucks but we need to do something different. What weve been doing lately is not working fiancially
And 3 or 4 for 1's will? As for Miss State, we have to take what we can get.
Go ahead--make the schedule you wanna see and tell me the impact financialy. Lets change the season and just discuss non conf games--. We stand at 6-2, the known schedule---let er rip bro.
I'll ask my junior high coach how much it will cost to get him to come in and teach some of our players how to tackle.
egrizzard Wrote:And 3 or 4 for 1's will? As for Miss State, we have to take what we can get.
Go ahead--make the schedule you wanna see and tell me the impact financialy. Lets change the season and just discuss non conf games--. We stand at 6-2, the known schedule---let er rip bro.
It's exactly this kind of defeatist attitude that got us in this position.
Most of the teams in C-USA already play two or more BCS teams per year. When we're drawing 20,000 for ASU and MTSU, WE'RE LOSING MONEY!
We'd be better off scheduling BCS schools.
If we keep the attitude of "this is the best we can do" then we might as well drop the whole damn football program and focus all our money on basketball.
the other Greg Childers Wrote:egrizzard Wrote:And 3 or 4 for 1's will? As for Miss State, we have to take what we can get.
Go ahead--make the schedule you wanna see and tell me the impact financialy. Lets change the season and just discuss non conf games--. We stand at 6-2, the known schedule---let er rip bro.
It's exactly this kind of defeatist attitude that got us in this position.
Most of the teams in C-USA already play two or more BCS teams per year. When we're drawing 20,000 for ASU and MTSU, WE'RE LOSING MONEY!
We'd be better off scheduling BCS schools.
If we keep the attitude of "this is the best we can do" then we might as well drop the whole damn football program and focus all our money on basketball.
According to you, we did that for 40 years. It's only in the past 7 years that we've changed scheduling philosophy.
What did the previous 40 years get us?
How many top 25 rankings did the previous 40 years get us?
How many bowl games?
How much income?
When did we average more than we did in 03, 04, 05, etc?
How many fans got the thrill of going to NO to watch a bowl game over that 40 years?
How many CUSA championships did we win before we changed scheduling philosophy?
How many Liberty Bowl Alliance championships did we win before we changed scheduling philosophy?
And once again, I know how many bowls existed 20 years ago, I know what the record of our opponents is and what conference they are in and I know where CUSA ranks in power ratings. I problably know a lot about any other complaining about our current situation that you want to whine about.
You see, I've lived through worse times here. I was a Memphis fan before you were born and I'll be a fan long after you find another school to root for if you continue down this negative path. For the record, I'm not questioning whether you're a fan now or not, but eventually your continual negative comments will convince yourself to go somewhere else to cheer during football season.
I sat in the stands while Rey Dempsey was running the program into the ground, but kept on cheering. I sat in the stands while Rip Scherer ran the program into the ground, but I kept on cheering.
I'll be cheering long after Tommy West gets fired too.
As a graduate of the University of Memphis, I'll cheer for them until the day I die.
But unlike you, I won't settle for less. Unlike you, I want more than this crap.
the other Greg Childers Wrote:You can go to hell. ....
Wow, now we've gone from "We suck" this this mature comment.
oldtiger Wrote:the other Greg Childers Wrote:You can go to hell. ....
Wow, now we've gone from "We suck" this this mature comment.
Spare me your indignation. Your comment:
Quote:You see, I've lived through worse times here. I was a Memphis fan before you were born and I'll be a fan long after you find another school to root for if you continue down this negative path. For the record, I'm not questioning whether you're a fan now or not, but eventually your continual negative comments will convince yourself to go somewhere else to cheer during football season.
was nothing but elitist BS. You basically called me out as not being a fan, and ridiculously claimed you weren't.
You obviously know nothing about football. I don't know why I waste my time with you.
the other Greg Childers Wrote:oldtiger Wrote:the other Greg Childers Wrote:You can go to hell. ....
Wow, now we've gone from "We suck" this this mature comment.
Spare me your indignation. Your comment:
Quote:You see, I've lived through worse times here. I was a Memphis fan before you were born and I'll be a fan long after you find another school to root for if you continue down this negative path. For the record, I'm not questioning whether you're a fan now or not, but eventually your continual negative comments will convince yourself to go somewhere else to cheer during football season.
was nothing but elitist BS. You basically called me out as not being a fan, and ridiculously claimed you weren't.
You obviously know nothing about football. I don't know why I waste my time with you.
Nope, wasn't questioning if you were a fan. Not at all. I have no way of knowing who you cheer for. However when folks, no matter who they are, continually refuse to see ANY good that we've accomplished here and use "we suck" to define our football program, I will speak out. Period.
oldtiger Wrote:the other Greg Childers Wrote:oldtiger Wrote:the other Greg Childers Wrote:You can go to hell. ....
Wow, now we've gone from "We suck" this this mature comment.
Spare me your indignation. Your comment:
Quote:You see, I've lived through worse times here. I was a Memphis fan before you were born and I'll be a fan long after you find another school to root for if you continue down this negative path. For the record, I'm not questioning whether you're a fan now or not, but eventually your continual negative comments will convince yourself to go somewhere else to cheer during football season.
was nothing but elitist BS. You basically called me out as not being a fan, and ridiculously claimed you weren't.
You obviously know nothing about football. I don't know why I waste my time with you.
Nope, wasn't questioning if you were a fan. Not at all. I have no way of knowing who you cheer for. However when folks, no matter who they are, continually refuse to see ANY good that we've accomplished here and use "we suck" to define our football program, I will speak out. Period.
And when people rest on their laurels and claim "well, it's better than we had before" and claim that we're good when we're not, I will speak out.
Period.
oldtiger Wrote:the other Greg Childers Wrote:oldtiger Wrote:the other Greg Childers Wrote:You can go to hell. ....
Wow, now we've gone from "We suck" this this mature comment.
Spare me your indignation. Your comment:
Quote:You see, I've lived through worse times here. I was a Memphis fan before you were born and I'll be a fan long after you find another school to root for if you continue down this negative path. For the record, I'm not questioning whether you're a fan now or not, but eventually your continual negative comments will convince yourself to go somewhere else to cheer during football season.
was nothing but elitist BS. You basically called me out as not being a fan, and ridiculously claimed you weren't.
You obviously know nothing about football. I don't know why I waste my time with you.
Nope, wasn't questioning if you were a fan. Not at all. I have no way of knowing who you cheer for. However when folks, no matter who they are, continually refuse to see ANY good that we've accomplished here and use "we suck" to define our football program, I will speak out. Period.
You shouldn't mess with oldtiger. He makes me proud to be a Tiger's fan.
georgiatiger Wrote:oldtiger Wrote:the other Greg Childers Wrote:oldtiger Wrote:the other Greg Childers Wrote:You can go to hell. ....
Wow, now we've gone from "We suck" this this mature comment.
Spare me your indignation. Your comment:
Quote:You see, I've lived through worse times here. I was a Memphis fan before you were born and I'll be a fan long after you find another school to root for if you continue down this negative path. For the record, I'm not questioning whether you're a fan now or not, but eventually your continual negative comments will convince yourself to go somewhere else to cheer during football season.
was nothing but elitist BS. You basically called me out as not being a fan, and ridiculously claimed you weren't.
You obviously know nothing about football. I don't know why I waste my time with you.
Nope, wasn't questioning if you were a fan. Not at all. I have no way of knowing who you cheer for. However when folks, no matter who they are, continually refuse to see ANY good that we've accomplished here and use "we suck" to define our football program, I will speak out. Period.
You shouldn't mess with oldtiger. He makes me proud to be a Tiger's fan.
He had me fooled. I'd swear he has some orange under his blue sweater.
the other Greg Childers Wrote:georgiatiger Wrote:oldtiger Wrote:the other Greg Childers Wrote:oldtiger Wrote:the other Greg Childers Wrote:You can go to hell. ....
Wow, now we've gone from "We suck" this this mature comment.
Spare me your indignation. Your comment:
Quote:You see, I've lived through worse times here. I was a Memphis fan before you were born and I'll be a fan long after you find another school to root for if you continue down this negative path. For the record, I'm not questioning whether you're a fan now or not, but eventually your continual negative comments will convince yourself to go somewhere else to cheer during football season.
was nothing but elitist BS. You basically called me out as not being a fan, and ridiculously claimed you weren't.
You obviously know nothing about football. I don't know why I waste my time with you.
Nope, wasn't questioning if you were a fan. Not at all. I have no way of knowing who you cheer for. However when folks, no matter who they are, continually refuse to see ANY good that we've accomplished here and use "we suck" to define our football program, I will speak out. Period.
You shouldn't mess with oldtiger. He makes me proud to be a Tiger's fan.
He had me fooled. I'd swear he has some orange under his blue sweater.
A great guy and a diehard. That's all I have to offer.
georgiatiger Wrote:the other Greg Childers Wrote:georgiatiger Wrote:oldtiger Wrote:the other Greg Childers Wrote:oldtiger Wrote:the other Greg Childers Wrote:You can go to hell. ....
Wow, now we've gone from "We suck" this this mature comment.
Spare me your indignation. Your comment:
Quote:You see, I've lived through worse times here. I was a Memphis fan before you were born and I'll be a fan long after you find another school to root for if you continue down this negative path. For the record, I'm not questioning whether you're a fan now or not, but eventually your continual negative comments will convince yourself to go somewhere else to cheer during football season.
was nothing but elitist BS. You basically called me out as not being a fan, and ridiculously claimed you weren't.
You obviously know nothing about football. I don't know why I waste my time with you.
Nope, wasn't questioning if you were a fan. Not at all. I have no way of knowing who you cheer for. However when folks, no matter who they are, continually refuse to see ANY good that we've accomplished here and use "we suck" to define our football program, I will speak out. Period.
You shouldn't mess with oldtiger. He makes me proud to be a Tiger's fan.
He had me fooled. I'd swear he has some orange under his blue sweater.
A great guy and a diehard. That's all I have to offer.
I always figured diehards didn't settle for less. I guess we have different definitions.
the other Greg Childers Wrote:georgiatiger Wrote:the other Greg Childers Wrote:georgiatiger Wrote:oldtiger Wrote:the other Greg Childers Wrote:oldtiger Wrote:the other Greg Childers Wrote:You can go to hell. ....
Wow, now we've gone from "We suck" this this mature comment.
Spare me your indignation. Your comment:
Quote:You see, I've lived through worse times here. I was a Memphis fan before you were born and I'll be a fan long after you find another school to root for if you continue down this negative path. For the record, I'm not questioning whether you're a fan now or not, but eventually your continual negative comments will convince yourself to go somewhere else to cheer during football season.
was nothing but elitist BS. You basically called me out as not being a fan, and ridiculously claimed you weren't.
You obviously know nothing about football. I don't know why I waste my time with you.
Nope, wasn't questioning if you were a fan. Not at all. I have no way of knowing who you cheer for. However when folks, no matter who they are, continually refuse to see ANY good that we've accomplished here and use "we suck" to define our football program, I will speak out. Period.
You shouldn't mess with oldtiger. He makes me proud to be a Tiger's fan.
He had me fooled. I'd swear he has some orange under his blue sweater.
A great guy and a diehard. That's all I have to offer.
I always figured diehards didn't settle for less. I guess we have different definitions.
I don't think he does. We all want it all.
georgiatiger Wrote:the other Greg Childers Wrote:georgiatiger Wrote:the other Greg Childers Wrote:georgiatiger Wrote:oldtiger Wrote:the other Greg Childers Wrote:oldtiger Wrote:the other Greg Childers Wrote:You can go to hell. ....
Wow, now we've gone from "We suck" this this mature comment.
Spare me your indignation. Your comment:
Quote:You see, I've lived through worse times here. I was a Memphis fan before you were born and I'll be a fan long after you find another school to root for if you continue down this negative path. For the record, I'm not questioning whether you're a fan now or not, but eventually your continual negative comments will convince yourself to go somewhere else to cheer during football season.
was nothing but elitist BS. You basically called me out as not being a fan, and ridiculously claimed you weren't.
You obviously know nothing about football. I don't know why I waste my time with you.
Nope, wasn't questioning if you were a fan. Not at all. I have no way of knowing who you cheer for. However when folks, no matter who they are, continually refuse to see ANY good that we've accomplished here and use "we suck" to define our football program, I will speak out. Period.
You shouldn't mess with oldtiger. He makes me proud to be a Tiger's fan.
He had me fooled. I'd swear he has some orange under his blue sweater.
A great guy and a diehard. That's all I have to offer.
I always figured diehards didn't settle for less. I guess we have different definitions.
I don't think he does. We all want it all.
I'm not willing to wait another 30 years for signs of improvement.
georgiatiger Wrote:the other Greg Childers Wrote:georgiatiger Wrote:the other Greg Childers Wrote:georgiatiger Wrote:oldtiger Wrote:the other Greg Childers Wrote:oldtiger Wrote:the other Greg Childers Wrote:You can go to hell. ....
Wow, now we've gone from "We suck" this this mature comment.
Spare me your indignation. Your comment:
Quote:You see, I've lived through worse times here. I was a Memphis fan before you were born and I'll be a fan long after you find another school to root for if you continue down this negative path. For the record, I'm not questioning whether you're a fan now or not, but eventually your continual negative comments will convince yourself to go somewhere else to cheer during football season.
was nothing but elitist BS. You basically called me out as not being a fan, and ridiculously claimed you weren't.
You obviously know nothing about football. I don't know why I waste my time with you.
Nope, wasn't questioning if you were a fan. Not at all. I have no way of knowing who you cheer for. However when folks, no matter who they are, continually refuse to see ANY good that we've accomplished here and use "we suck" to define our football program, I will speak out. Period.
You shouldn't mess with oldtiger. He makes me proud to be a Tiger's fan.
He had me fooled. I'd swear he has some orange under his blue sweater.
A great guy and a diehard. That's all I have to offer.
I always figured diehards didn't settle for less. I guess we have different definitions.
I don't think he does. We all want it all.
Thanks GT. These threads will be on the miserable board tomorrow morning, so it really makes no difference. The "orange" comment was another nice touch to a disguisting thread.
For the record about wanting it all VS not....here is my comment earler in the "a word of caution" thread, it's pretty clear:
Quote:For all the happy clapper comments in this and other threads for months:
-We all know who we play and what their record is
-We all know what conference every one that beat us is in
-We all know where our defense is ranked
-We all know how many bowls exist today vs yesterday
But, we also understand:
-We've been to 4 bowls out of 5 years
-We've won as many bowls in the last 5 years than we won in our previous 80 years
-We won 3 and a half times more games this year than we won last year
-We won 5 of our last 7 games this year
-We broke tons of passing records this year
-We've had our only Heisman trophy candidate under our current coach
Just like everyone, we also want to:
-Climb the top 25, top 20, top 10 ladders
-Play in a BCS bowl
-Compete for a conference championship on a regular basis
-Win a conference championship
-Play for and win a national championship
-Obtain adminssion into the BCS or whatever championship/money classification is in the future
Happy clappers aren't dumb and they don't have their head in the sand. We're realists who happen to understand:
-Where we came from
-How hard it was to get where we are
-The hard work it's going to take to get to get to where we want to go.
We're not the enemy as a few would have you believe. Most of us have been around a long time, have scars from loss after loss and tear stains on our souls from heartbreak after heartbreak. We just happen to understand that we're lightyears ahead of where we were when a first down was an event, a win meant we tore down the goal posts, and a bowl happened every 32 years.
This isn't written to come across as arrogant or even hard headed; it's written only to address some accusations that have been brewing for months now. So, if the tone sounds harsh, it's only to address some pretty harsh accusations aimed at a group (and these are my words only) that truely loves this program as much or more than anyone calling for Tommy's head. We've just seen a ton of coaches come and go that couldn't do what Tommy's done.
Merry Christmas everyone.
Apparently, oldtiger is willing to wait another 30 years for signs of improvement.
the other Greg Childers Wrote:Apparently, oldtiger is willing to wait another 30 years for signs of improvement.
If it takes 30 years, I'll be here cheering.
oldtiger Wrote:the other Greg Childers Wrote:Apparently, oldtiger is willing to wait another 30 years for signs of improvement.
If it takes 30 years, I'll be here cheering.
BS. You'll be dead like the rest of us.
georgiatiger Wrote:oldtiger Wrote:the other Greg Childers Wrote:Apparently, oldtiger is willing to wait another 30 years for signs of improvement.
If it takes 30 years, I'll be here cheering.
BS. You'll be dead like the rest of us.
Maybe I didn't add that up exactly right.
georgiatiger Wrote:oldtiger Wrote:the other Greg Childers Wrote:Apparently, oldtiger is willing to wait another 30 years for signs of improvement.
If it takes 30 years, I'll be here cheering.
BS. You'll be dead like the rest of us.
Speak for yourself. I'll be here longer than that.
A lot of fans want things they are not willing to pay for themselves.
Threads like this do nothing but tear the fan base apart.
We are already divided into two basic camps - basketball supporters and all sports supporters. Then the football supporters are divided into miserables and happy clappers.
I guess my overall approach is simple. The football program at MEMPHIS will improve in direct correlation to the commitment made to it by the University Administration. The fan base can only do so much.
Oldtiger laid it out pretty well - everyone wants to see MEMPHIS win C-USA, crash the top 25, get into a BCS bowl game, and hopefully gain admittance to a BCS conference.
I find it amusing to see fans demanding conference championships and more winning before ANY facility improvements are made. The losses to the Sunbelt teams are frequently cited as prove positive MEMPHIS should be doing better with the existing facilities and financial support.
Yet Arkansas State and Middle Tennessee have their own stadiums on their campus. Florida Atlantic is moving forward with plans for the same.
So, if the goal of this football program is to beat those Sunbelt teams, then lets get cracking on the OCS initiative. Let's build a 30,000 seat stadium on campus and move forward.
If the goal, however, is to eventually move into a BCS conference, we need to collectively look at overall facility improvements to entice the recruits to play at MEMPHIS. We must remember MEMPHIS football is in a virtual "arms race" with not only existing BCS (SEC) teams in this area but also with other non-BCS schools like ECU, UTEP, TCU, UCF, and Marshall. The race to gain BCS admittance is on! MEMPHIS is behind most of those schools right now. Even Birmingham is building a domed football stadium for the UAB football program!! One needs only to look at the recent baseball facility commitment to see the immediate reaping made by Coach Rock with local metro area baseball recruits!
I agree the scheduling MUST improve but this argument is a moot point until 2011. The schedule is SET until then. And I wholeheartedly concur with those who desire a full cutting of the ties with the SEC. MEMPHIS will never get into the SEC, so it makes ZERO sense to schedule any games with that conference in any sport. The ONLY exceptions I can think of is a "made for TV" basketball game or football bowl game.
At the end of the day, we can either continue the petty bickering among ourselvesand this football program OR we can get off our collective asses and contribute to the solution. As fans, that means buying season tickets and being in the seats for the games. It means going to at least one road game a year. It means making the effort to go to the bowl game even though a major basketball game is the next day. It means joining and participating in the Highland Hundred. It means giving critical constructive analysis of the issues but not taking cheapshots and neverending attacks on the program. To those who can do it, it means giving $$$ to the TSF.
I was one of the fans who was lukewarm for years. I would attend games but find fault with what was happening. I was always smarter than the current coach. The players were never good enough. West's first two years were tough. The 4th and 27 loss in 2001 and then the 3-9 meltdown in 2002 almost did me in. I ALMOST QUIT. Then I realized this was MY ALMA MATER. Regardless of the coach in a given sport, I WANT MEMPHIS TO SUCCEED. What sense did it make to constantly hire and fire coaches if the commitment is not there? The merry-go-round of coaching hirings and firings had not done a damn thing for MEMPHIS since I started being a fan in 1974.
It is much easier to tear things down than to build them up. It is true for almost any human endeavor - building personal relationships, Fortune 500 companies, churches, and athletic programs. I quit being being so frucking destructive and focused on being more supportive.
My decision was rewarded - along with the football program and its fans - with that 2003 season.
This talk of firing a coach who has taken this program to four bowl games in five years is flat out STUPID. Get behind the program. If you truly want change, then be a real catalyst and help the rest of us get real results. Come join the Highland Hundred, meet the fans behind these screen names. Ask the coaches your pointed questions straight up to their face. Challenge them. The bottom line is we ALL want results; we all want this program to succeed. Join us now and be an ACTIVE part of the continuing evolution of TIGER football.
It is time to quit talking and start stalking.
oldtiger Wrote:the other Greg Childers Wrote:egrizzard Wrote:And 3 or 4 for 1's will? As for Miss State, we have to take what we can get.
Go ahead--make the schedule you wanna see and tell me the impact financialy. Lets change the season and just discuss non conf games--. We stand at 6-2, the known schedule---let er rip bro.
It's exactly this kind of defeatist attitude that got us in this position.
Most of the teams in C-USA already play two or more BCS teams per year. When we're drawing 20,000 for ASU and MTSU, WE'RE LOSING MONEY!
We'd be better off scheduling BCS schools.
If we keep the attitude of "this is the best we can do" then we might as well drop the whole damn football program and focus all our money on basketball.
According to you, we did that for 40 years. It's only in the past 7 years that we've changed scheduling philosophy.
What did the previous 40 years get us?
How many top 25 rankings did the previous 40 years get us?
How many bowl games?
How much income?
When did we average more than we did in 03, 04, 05, etc?
How many fans got the thrill of going to NO to watch a bowl game over that 40 years?
How many CUSA championships did we win before we changed scheduling philosophy?
How many Liberty Bowl Alliance championships did we win before we changed scheduling philosophy?
And once again, I know how many bowls existed 20 years ago, I know what the record of our opponents is and what conference they are in and I know where CUSA ranks in power ratings. I problably know a lot about any other complaining about our current situation that you want to whine about.
You see, I've lived through worse times here. I was a Memphis fan before you were born and I'll be a fan long after you find another school to root for if you continue down this negative path. For the record, I'm not questioning whether you're a fan now or not, but eventually your continual negative comments will convince yourself to go somewhere else to cheer during football season.
You may be right on the previous 40 years, but during that time we never has a wealth of bowls, and more quailty bowls tha pay over a million to get to, nor did we have the extensive media outlets that four ESPN networks, and a host of others offer. Im also not sure we have the right aggressive and visionary leadership durign that time as well. As Grizz said dontations are up to an all time high, we need to find a way to capitalize on this and if we keep schedules like we have the past two year it likely wont happen. Funny, the BB team built the program on a vision, aggressive leadership that went out and got what he needed and he built a MUCH harder scheduled while the team was not that good to entice recruits and build the expectations of the program. Others are doing the same in football in our own conference in EC and CFU and look at the early success they are having.
boss man Wrote:A lot of fans want things they are not willing to pay for themselves.
Threads like this do nothing but tear the fan base apart.
We are already divided into two basic camps - basketball supporters and all sports supporters. Then the football supporters are divided into miserables and happy clappers.
I guess my overall approach is simple. The football program at MEMPHIS will improve in direct correlation to the commitment made to it by the University Administration. The fan base can only do so much.
Oldtiger laid it out pretty well - everyone wants to see MEMPHIS win C-USA, crash the top 25, get into a BCS bowl game, and hopefully gain admittance to a BCS conference.
I find it amusing to see fans demanding conference championships and more winning before ANY facility improvements are made. The losses to the Sunbelt teams are frequently cited as prove positive MEMPHIS should be doing better with the existing facilities and financial support.
Yet Arkansas State and Middle Tennessee have their own stadiums on their campus. Florida Atlantic is moving forward with plans for the same.
So, if the goal of this football program is to beat those Sunbelt teams, then lets get cracking on the OCS initiative. Let's build a 30,000 seat stadium on campus and move forward.
If the goal, however, is to eventually move into a BCS conference, we need to collectively look at overall facility improvements to entice the recruits to play at MEMPHIS. We must remember MEMPHIS football is in a virtual "arms race" with not only existing BCS (SEC) teams in this area but also with other non-BCS schools like ECU, UTEP, TCU, UCF, and Marshall. The race to gain BCS admittance is on! MEMPHIS is behind most of those schools right now. Even Birmingham is building a domed football stadium for the UAB football program!! One needs only to look at the recent baseball facility commitment to see the immediate reaping made by Coach Rock with local metro area baseball recruits!
I agree the scheduling MUST improve but this argument is a moot point until 2011. The schedule is SET until then. And I wholeheartedly concur with those who desire a full cutting of the ties with the SEC. MEMPHIS will never get into the SEC, so it makes ZERO sense to schedule any games with that conference in any sport. The ONLY exceptions I can think of is a "made for TV" basketball game or football bowl game.
At the end of the day, we can either continue the petty bickering among ourselvesand this football program OR we can get off our collective asses and contribute to the solution. As fans, that means buying season tickets and being in the seats for the games. It means going to at least one road game a year. It means making the effort to go to the bowl game even though a major basketball game is the next day. It means joining and participating in the Highland Hundred. It means giving critical constructive analysis of the issues but not taking cheapshots and neverending attacks on the program. To those who can do it, it means giving $$$ to the TSF.
I was one of the fans who was lukewarm for years. I would attend games but find fault with what was happening. I was always smarter than the current coach. The players were never good enough. West's first two years were tough. The 4th and 27 loss in 2001 and then the 3-9 meltdown in 2002 almost did me in. I ALMOST QUIT. Then I realized this was MY ALMA MATER. Regardless of the coach in a given sport, I WANT MEMPHIS TO SUCCEED. What sense did it make to constantly hire and fire coaches if the commitment is not there? The merry-go-round of coaching hirings and firings had not done a damn thing for MEMPHIS since I started being a fan in 1974.
It is much easier to tear things down than to build them up. It is true for almost any human endeavor - building personal relationships, Fortune 500 companies, churches, and athletic programs. I quit being being so frucking destructive and focused on being more supportive.
My decision was rewarded - along with the football program and its fans - with that 2003 season.
This talk of firing a coach who has taken this program to four bowl games in five years is flat out STUPID. Get behind the program. If you truly want change, then be a real catalyst and help the rest of us get real results. Come join the Highland Hundred, meet the fans behind these screen names. Ask the coaches your pointed questions straight up to their face. Challenge them. The bottom line is we ALL want results; we all want this program to succeed. Join us now and be an ACTIVE part of the continuing evolution of TIGER football.
It is time to quit talking and start stalking.
USM didn't share your enthusiasm of not competing for a C-USA championship but making it to podunk bowls.
the other Greg Childers Wrote:You can go to hell. I sat in the stands while Rey Dempsey was running the program into the ground, but kept on cheering. I sat in the stands while Rip Scherer ran the program into the ground, but I kept on cheering.
I'll be cheering long after Tommy West gets fired too.
As a graduate of the University of Memphis, I'll cheer for them until the day I die.
But unlike you, I won't settle for less. Unlike you, I want more than this crap.
Dude, we are on the same wave length today, but I go back even further than Dempsey.
oldtiger Wrote:the other Greg Childers Wrote:Apparently, oldtiger is willing to wait another 30 years for signs of improvement.
If it takes 30 years, I'll be here cheering.
Somebody will have to wheel me in to one of those ADA spots, if it takes 30 years, but I'll still be watching.
tigertommy Wrote:boss man Wrote:A lot of fans want things they are not willing to pay for themselves.
Threads like this do nothing but tear the fan base apart.
We are already divided into two basic camps - basketball supporters and all sports supporters. Then the football supporters are divided into miserables and happy clappers.
I guess my overall approach is simple. The football program at MEMPHIS will improve in direct correlation to the commitment made to it by the University Administration. The fan base can only do so much.
Oldtiger laid it out pretty well - everyone wants to see MEMPHIS win C-USA, crash the top 25, get into a BCS bowl game, and hopefully gain admittance to a BCS conference.
I find it amusing to see fans demanding conference championships and more winning before ANY facility improvements are made. The losses to the Sunbelt teams are frequently cited as prove positive MEMPHIS should be doing better with the existing facilities and financial support.
Yet Arkansas State and Middle Tennessee have their own stadiums on their campus. Florida Atlantic is moving forward with plans for the same.
So, if the goal of this football program is to beat those Sunbelt teams, then lets get cracking on the OCS initiative. Let's build a 30,000 seat stadium on campus and move forward.
If the goal, however, is to eventually move into a BCS conference, we need to collectively look at overall facility improvements to entice the recruits to play at MEMPHIS. We must remember MEMPHIS football is in a virtual "arms race" with not only existing BCS (SEC) teams in this area but also with other non-BCS schools like ECU, UTEP, TCU, UCF, and Marshall. The race to gain BCS admittance is on! MEMPHIS is behind most of those schools right now. Even Birmingham is building a domed football stadium for the UAB football program!! One needs only to look at the recent baseball facility commitment to see the immediate reaping made by Coach Rock with local metro area baseball recruits!
I agree the scheduling MUST improve but this argument is a moot point until 2011. The schedule is SET until then. And I wholeheartedly concur with those who desire a full cutting of the ties with the SEC. MEMPHIS will never get into the SEC, so it makes ZERO sense to schedule any games with that conference in any sport. The ONLY exceptions I can think of is a "made for TV" basketball game or football bowl game.
At the end of the day, we can either continue the petty bickering among ourselvesand this football program OR we can get off our collective asses and contribute to the solution. As fans, that means buying season tickets and being in the seats for the games. It means going to at least one road game a year. It means making the effort to go to the bowl game even though a major basketball game is the next day. It means joining and participating in the Highland Hundred. It means giving critical constructive analysis of the issues but not taking cheapshots and neverending attacks on the program. To those who can do it, it means giving $$$ to the TSF.
I was one of the fans who was lukewarm for years. I would attend games but find fault with what was happening. I was always smarter than the current coach. The players were never good enough. West's first two years were tough. The 4th and 27 loss in 2001 and then the 3-9 meltdown in 2002 almost did me in. I ALMOST QUIT. Then I realized this was MY ALMA MATER. Regardless of the coach in a given sport, I WANT MEMPHIS TO SUCCEED. What sense did it make to constantly hire and fire coaches if the commitment is not there? The merry-go-round of coaching hirings and firings had not done a damn thing for MEMPHIS since I started being a fan in 1974.
It is much easier to tear things down than to build them up. It is true for almost any human endeavor - building personal relationships, Fortune 500 companies, churches, and athletic programs. I quit being being so frucking destructive and focused on being more supportive.
My decision was rewarded - along with the football program and its fans - with that 2003 season.
This talk of firing a coach who has taken this program to four bowl games in five years is flat out STUPID. Get behind the program. If you truly want change, then be a real catalyst and help the rest of us get real results. Come join the Highland Hundred, meet the fans behind these screen names. Ask the coaches your pointed questions straight up to their face. Challenge them. The bottom line is we ALL want results; we all want this program to succeed. Join us now and be an ACTIVE part of the continuing evolution of TIGER football.
It is time to quit talking and start stalking.
USM didn't share your enthusiasm of not competing for a C-USA championship but making it to podunk bowls.
That's a great point, and a point that needs to be considered. We have a lot more advantages than USM, and even while they were the best in the history of CUSA, they finally decided they needed more than what they were getting, especially regarding attendance ($$$) and making runs for BCS bowls, so they made the move. If you notice who they hired, you know what they were looking for.
Their leaders were smart enough to notice that the newbies in CUSA are quickly dominating the football championships, and drastic measures need to be made to get ahead of that curve, it's not enough to keep up. I hope we don't fall into the same warm fuzzy feeling with T West "taking" us to these powder puff bowl games. We need to win CUSA!
FAU, ASU, and MTSU don't have facilities as nice as ours but that didn't stop them from beating us.
That excuse is old and tired.
Greg, I am very insulted by your comments about me being defeatist. I am not in anyway selling the program short.I am one of the few that thinks TW is gonna put this together and we will win the East next year. I believe in the man and the things he stands for--I just do. If you don't, thats fine. Get back with me after next year and we will see if I feel the same way--and if we have a repeat of this years performance, I won't. I have concerns, I am not blind.
As for the scheduling comments you and many thers constantly make--it is tired, as you like to say. You never answer me or anyone else when I ask you where that will get you. I am not in anyway saying we will never beat those teams--but the odds will be stacked against us. And the financial losses taken from not being in the Liberty Bowl for 4 of those 5 games could be staggering. You go to playing 5 games in Memphis and it decreases gate revenue and accesibility for fans to get to the game. You also seem to forget that we have done what you suggest witht the schedule--we have played FSU, Bama, Miami, Mich St--so what?As has been asked to you--what did it get us.
The problem is pure and simple--talent usually wins games. Do we have enough, or can we get enough, talent to win?
BTW--Greg, your exchange with Old Tiger was beneath you. He wasn't trying to insult you and is a good fan.
Can't we all have a discussion without resorting to name calling and lines in the sand--
why did this get moved? Did I do something?