NCAAbbs

This post may not be seen by all, because it will probably be deleted, but for those who do see it, it will be my last post on Blazertalk for some time.

I have been informed that my opinion of certain conference members are no longer welcomed on Blazertalk as it causes friction with that teams fans. It is apparently better to accept their superiority and welcome their arrogant attitudes on our board than to be a true rival and call them out when needed.

I joined Blazertalk almost 12,000 posts ago because I wanted a place that an out of towner could keep up and converse with other Blazer fans. I did not want a gathering place for CUSA fans and fans of other teams. We have CUSA talk for that. Blazertalk does not seem to be that forum anymore.

I have been told that my hatred for Memphis has caused friction with Tiger fans. I ask why should their not be friction with Tiger fans. They are a rival whether they call it one or not. I am sick of their condescension toward our fans, our board and our team. And I have always been one to speak my mind. Well, apparently my opinions are no longer welcomed on this board as they cause friction and disharmony with Memphis fans. So I leave.

I have given a lot of time and effort to this board and writing Today in Blazer History has been fun. If still invited, I may return in the fall with TIBH at basketball season, or I may retire it or find some other venue to publish it.

As for my posts on this board, however, I don't know how long my sabbattical will last. If my absense removes the Tiger fans as well, then it will be a good move. If my leaving makes Tiger fans and Blazer fans live harmoniously together, then I don't want to be a part of it anyway.

This post is not calling out moderators or for god's sake, attempting to violate the all holy AUP, it is simply to say goodbye for a while. I hope that I have done enough for this board that the moderators will see put to leave it posted and not delete it.

Everyone have a great summer.
Go Blazers.

Take the summer off and come back for football season. It would be a shame to see you go for good. A little friction IS a good thing.

Well this is a fine how do ya do.

How did we get to this place that an entertaining, knowledgable, passonate UAB fan can feel so alienated on a UAB board?

I do not share MB's hatred of Memphis, but I would say that Memphis fans get one heck of a lot more latitude on this board than a UAB fan would on theirs.

If we have successfully run him off, then we are poorer for it, not richer.

Smaug's $0.02.

Don't stay away too long.............a couple of days, maybe a week seem about right.

Come back, MB.
By the way, I hate Memphis State. While flying thru Memphis this week, I flipped off a MSU billboard, informed the Corky's restaurant that they stink compared to the Irondale Golden Rule and booed loudly when the gate announcer referenced the MSU championship appearance while making a boarding announcement.

Perhaps we should rename this sports forum the MemphisTigersTalk.

This is absolutely ridiculous!

MB, you deserve better and so do the other posters on this sports forum.

I rarely post here, but as a fellow UAB fan currently exiled in Memphis, I don't understand why his comments about Memphis Fans aren't given a bit more weight. Memphis fans are arrogant, somehow believing that they are the cream of the CUSA crop. And they are rude to anyone in Memphis who dares speak favorably of UAB, Southern Miss, Tulsa, or just about anyone else.

I'm saddened to see one of our most loyal fans treated this way to appease the fans of our rival. It would be one thing if he was being pushed off of the Memphis board, but to be unable to express his opinion on our board? Frankly, I don't much care if what is said here angers the Memphis fans. God knows they are not shy about saying nasty things about us on their board.

This is deplorable. It's just not right. MB is excessive at times, yes, and there are posts he's made that were over the line. Running him off Blazertalk is not the proper way to address the problem though.

Why is it that Memphis fans can come on our board and piss all over us and not get run off, but our fans can be banned for excessive fandom on our own damn board?

It stinks to high heaven Mods.

The following comes from the BlazerTalk AUP.

I guess this part of the AUP should be deleted.

Let me first say that I've been a member of many different forums concerning many different topics for quite a while now, and I really can't stand this type of thread. I've never understood the need to come in and let everyone know when, why, and how you are leaving the forum. It only seems a ploy to further divide the members that are posting and create more friction in the long run.

Let me also say, that I respect you MB. I've always enjoyed reading your posts and you are one of the ones on here who, when I'm scrolling through, I always stop to read your posts. You are a very knowledgable Blazer fan and I think it's a shame that you think you have to leave. I commend you on all of the hard work you have done to continually bring Blazer History posts. It's one of the highlights of this board.

A couple more things and I'll end this.

1) It's okay to have differing opinions about something without asking someone to quiet down. This year's game solidified the rivalry between UAB and Memphis. It's okay for fans to have a little good spirited banter back and forth. I don't like Memphis and I don't expect them to like me. However, that is me, and if you feel more hostile toward them, that's cool...if you feel more drawn to our "conference brethren" that's cool too. To make someone feel that they must leave because they don't fit a mold of what you think a Blazer fan must be, or how they should act toward other fans, or how they express their feelings on a public forum (made especially for Blazer fans, mind you) I think is wrong.

2) Having said the above, I'm also not really impressed by the, "I'm taking my toys and going home attitude" (not that anyone is trying to impress me). In the long run, it will accomplish nothing, other than creating a little more division and getting the rest of us involved in heated arguements as to whether someone should have been allowed to stay or leave, or who made them feel like they couldn't stick around, or why did they pout and leave. The rivalry will still be here when you come back, you will still feel the same way towards opposing fans, they will still feel the same way towards you, they will still be posting in here, you will still have to read their posts, etc. Nothing will change by you leaving for however long it may be.

Overall, I think it's sad that this has turned into Blazer fan vs. Blazer fan, because it's not okay for it to be Blazer fan vs. Memphis fan. The latter is part of what makes being a fan fun. Let's not take that away.

I wish both parties would reconsider.

I agree, THIS THREAD IS RIDICULOUS

This is really sad, and unwarranted by the mods on this board, if this is, indeed, what came about.

I have been abused by Memphis fans for the better part of three months. Both on their board, and on Blazertalk. So far, the mods on the Memphis board have told me to get the hell off -- when it was their fans doing the abusing for no good reason. Then, they bring the abuse over here, and all that happens to them is they get invited to lunch.

I understand MB's frustration. I feel it myself. I've been extremely close to leaving the entire NCAAbbs forum because of the abuse. This might just be what pushes me out the door myself.

This is Blazertalk. Not Memphis-bash-Blazers talk. If they, and their abusive behavior, are going to be welcome here, I really see little reason to stay.

I'm just trying to get to 9,999 posts before I call it quits.

I don't blame MB for taking a break on this board. I think it does us all some good to take a break from posting every now and then.

Do what you have to do MB and if you come back that is a good thing and if you don't then I understand you looking out for your best interest.

Enjoy the Spring and Summer break buddy.

Go UAB!

MB, if you offer words that some find hurtful, perhaps you can offer them in a better way. As my father used to tell us, "There are many ways to say "NO!!" than "NO,G__D___IT!!" If you feel you have been sensitive enough, then maybe they have the problem, not you. If agreement with your statements is needed by you to "validate" your opinion, then you may have a problem since many can't abide any POV by anyone different from themselves. I'm referring to those who make personal references (Name-calling) when disagreeing with what is said. Maybe a "chill-out pill" is a good prescription, not a sabbatical.

am i understanding correctly that OUR mods are the ones who asked MB to cut the anti-memphis posting? that's pretty ridiculous.

the memphis fans can post whatever they like on their board. so can troy, southern miss, alabama, etc. i don't read their boards, so it doesn't bother me. maybe the memphis fans should give it a try sometime.

My brothers, my sisters,

In the same way that I'm aware there are people who dress up in animal costumes for sex, or who enjoy eating dirt, I know the Memphis fans have their own message board. I have an equal non-interest in all three.

I come here to interact with my Blazer brothers and sisters, to learn of local gatherings, to find out about new recruits, newly scheduled games and so forth. New UAB recruits, and new UAB games. I have no more interest in learning that "*WE* get Tyreke Evans" than I do in new horse costumes with an open rear flank, or a new flavor of creek-bottom mud. When the Memphis fans speak in the Imperial WE on what was once our board, when they import their own in-jokes about pop tarts, then this is no longer a UAB Blazer message board.

I'm not angry. I'm not upset. I'm simply losing interest.

+1

How many of us would get away with a Drew-esque "Go Blazers" at the end of every post on the pussycat board? I think none.

So be it.

You were NOT told that but make up whatever makes you feels good about yourself.

It still is and always will be that place. Nothing has changed except your attitude.

This is not YOUR forum. All fans regardless of school affiliation are welcome provided they abide by the AUP. I will NOT restrict BlazerTalk to UAB fans only. Never have and never will.

Again, nothing has changed except the board has gotten bigger and you have grown grouchier.

Again, that is not what you were told unless someone else told you that. Again, make up whatever makes you sleep better at night,

Please let the moderators and administration run the board. There have been 3 Tiger posters banned from BlazerTalk. The others basically keep it on the smack board now. It does not help matters when a thread is on the main board and you take a shot at them knowing they will defend their school and the thread has to be moved to the smack board. It's called BAITING. You did it with them and you did it with Sax. I will not arbitrarily ban people because you do not like them. No one said your opinions are not welcome. You said that.

You have not been run off the board, you are leaving on your own accord. If you wish to post TIBH you are more than welcome.

You do whatever makes you feel good about yourself MB. I am not asking you to leave but I am not begging you to stay.

Thanks for the attitude. That part will not be missed.

We plan to.

That's the first thing you said that made any sense. Go Blazers!

I just think it a shame you have decided to turn yourself into a martyr .......

Since it may be interpreted that an admin or mod had something to do with this. I had nothing to do with it. So don't get your conspiracy theories a running.

I am of the opinion that threads like the Tyreke Evans one (with the covert intent to inflame) should have been moved (if not deleted) sooner than they were.

Many of the Memphis fans come here in sheep's clothing, but actually are here to "cause friction".

I'm getting kinda tired of it.

Someone break out the champagne.

If anyone has a complaint about a post, thread, poster etc. Please either direct it to me, one of the moderators in the form of a PM, or click the "report a post link"

dont let the door hit you in the ass on the way out

We should be able to disagree among ourselves, but we all have a common thread.
We are Blazers.
I feel like,
like someone me.
If we've allowed the radical element of memphis posters to drive a wedge between us, then what the H#LL do we have?

MB
you have to do what is best for you.
Whether you continue with us at BlazerTalk or you leave us, um posters will continue to stalk our board,
looking for any tid-bit to get their panties in a twist.
I don't know what, if anything, we can do about them other than ignore them.
um fans aren't going to wake up in the morning and automatically start acting as though they have any semblance of class.

my $0.02

Coming from someone who deleted his account twice, you should take some time off from the board Memphis Blazer.

Then next time I am in Memphis (probably about 4 weeks), we will go to dinner and drink like two Russian teenagers. It is there - you will learn that all is well and you can return and say how you feel like normal. This message board will return to normal and we will once again focus on UAB stuff because football season is around the corner!!! And hot cheerleaders will be cheering! And the band will be playing the UAB fight song! There won't be any gay-jorettes!

Seriously, don't be gone to long bro. As far as I am concerned, you are always welcome here. This is a message board of the people, for the people to talk about our beloved school, UAB.

PM anytime.

MB...i just want you to be happy man...you just seem to have all this hate inside you (it's just not good for you)..it may be that you just need some time away from the web...i really will miss having you around...aside from hating me and my school, you seem like an OK guy to me.

i end EVERY one of messages with a very simple...

Go Tigers!!!
Drew

i ALWAYS have...on EVERY board i vist.

that includes:

Memphis
Tennessee
Vandy
MTSU
Arky State
Louisville
Cincy
Ole Miss

*there are MANY more*

at least i'm man enough to sit here and tell you what my real name is, what i do, where i'm from, and who i root for.

Go Tigers!!!
Drew

I bet the guys at mt.org are having a field day with this

This seems pretty dumb, I really don't understand why this is such a big deal. I enjoy reading most of your posts MB (like most every Blazer fan's post) and hope you don't leave.

For those clicking the report a post for Drews comments above......

If you have a problem with what Drew posted you are going to have a tough time getting through life with skin that thin.......... There was not a damn thing wrong with what he posted.


I have posted Go Blazers on other boards. Get over it.

Memphis I agree with you on some points. There are some fans on here that think their opinion is the only opinion and no one else should have one.

THen they spin by saying if you do not agree with their opinion you are negative or not a true fan.

Do not let one conversation with a MOD run you from the board whether the situation is real or percived it still should not make you leave the humble community of your fellow blazers. WE are few but we are opinionated. I really enjoy your commentary and your loyalty to the Bartow family is commendable.

During the debacle of the hiring of our last football coach, I almost let some of the lemmings drive me off the board, but I thought why should I let people with ignorant insights run me from the board I love and enjoy? You should do the same.....stay and aggrivate them even more.

If that isn't egging someone on, then I don't know what is.

Apparently, you're wrong.

Why tell people to click Report a Post if you're just going to ignore it? I think it's been made pretty clear that a large number of people are sick of Drew's passive aggressive posting style.

For the love of all things just and holy, please let this go. The last thing I want - or need - to see is a Civil War amongst Blazer fans.

Also, just to put a couple of more things out there, I had nothing to do with MB's departure, although near the end I was beginning to wonder if everything was okay. Also, if any of you have a problem with the way the Admins and Mods police the board, please remember that we have a PM feature: use it.

Hope your sabbatical goes well. Take care.

The more I think about it.....

Are we supposed to be lining up in massive protest now, pleading "please, Memphis, PLEASE, don't leave, don't forsake us"?

I think not....as highly regarded as MB is, this board will go on with or without him. Granted, his insights are always reflective of his love for UAB, but if something like the Memphis fans "intrusion" on this board is going to drive him away, then anything would set him off in the future. Negative posts about CMD ? GONE. Negative posts about our attendance ? GONE. If this is the straw that breaks the camel's back, then maybe taking a long sabbatical is exactly what he needs at this time. Maybe it's best for us too.

no offense attalla but there should have been many more than that banned. The first to get it should've been drew and foosball as they constantly make back-handed comments towards UAB. They don't root for us. They don't like the blazers. They just like to screw with people on the board.

When Report a post is used a administrator or moderator must respond. There are NO posts ignored when that function is used sir. I myself responded to that particular report a post, I read it and in my judgment there was nothing wrong with what was posted. Had there been an inappropriate post or a perceived attack on a poster etc. I or any moderator would have taken appropriate steps to rectify the situation.
We have banned 4 Memphis posters for violations on BlazerTalk. There will likely be more. Crying wolf does not help. If there is a post that needs to be addressed, please point it out using the report a post.

Apparently, from the perspectives I'm reading, the parties involved here have reached an impasse.
I would hope that someone would be the bigger man and stoop. I would hope that one of our own wouldn't feel the need to excuse himself permanently. I can understand a break- I take short ones after some of the bad losses, but not the feeling or perception that MB has that he would be better off exiting stage left. Though I don't think that man has ever typed any non-sarcastic comment or reply to any post I've made, I have come to enjoy his personality and his dry wit. Most of all, I have enjoyed his TIBH posts. These are invaluable, and for our struggling fanbase, these provide some great and interesting information on the roots and history of our young basketball program.
MB, I hope you enjoy your breather. You and your contributions to this board will be missed, especially if you don't return. I don't think you need to go, but you do what you think (not feel) is right, and I'm sure you will.

I know why Memfis Drew comes on here and bashes UAB and its posters. He has a low self esteem about himself and he finds a since of pride in bullying over the internet. Atleast UAB fans do their bashing in person(urine throwing, pom pom bashing, and breaking Memfis players noses? Taggart? although that one wasnt true, it occurred in the game)

I think you all are taking an internet message board WAY too seriously.

yeah, but Homewood, i don't "bash UAB and its posters."

please find somewhere that i have openly insulted UAB, or launched a personal attack on anyone...once again, i didn't start this thread...MB did.

i don't bully anyone...i honestly do want MB to be happy...it seems like under all the Memphis hate he's a good guy...i even gave him a +2 a year or so ago.

look, i don't want to be responsible for a rift in this board...i'm just going to leave you guys alone for awhile...and that's sad because i like UAB, but i'll just stick to reading the board for awhile.



Go Tigers!!!
Drew

You're welcome on this board, IMHO. The terms of usage in no way say "No Memphis fans allowed", and if someone has a problem with the fact that you're on here, then they can simply choose not to read your posts. The point of the board is for discussion, and if that's why you're here, hey, go for it !!!! I've never had an issue with you coming on this board at any time, so you should feel like it's your right to come here and post. If others feel threatened by your presence, then they should just move on and ignore your posts. Otherwise, join in and have fun.

MB, keep your keyboard smoking and your UAB history research ongoing. You add a great deal to the board and I consider you to be one of my Buds. Hope to hear from you here again soon and to see you next time you come to a UAB game.

This entire thing is laughable. I believe I just lost a few FN brain cells reading all of this.

There are so few of us true UAB fans.. we got to all get along.

Good.

"when was UAB's last Final Four, MB? riiiight...now STFU and root for the Tigers...whoever those Tigers may be."

"UAB screwed up by having no control over their students and trying to have the team exit by the students...that's just dumb and EVERYONE of you know it...but you don't have to worry about it...we don't throw things, and UAB will have a clear exit right next to their bench...see, we actually know what we're doing."

"now back to the trailer with you good sir..."

Said poster was also a cheerleader in the "This is payback" thread that was split and deleted.

Come on Memphis Blazer, keep on trucking. I enjoy your posts.
Don't agree with most, example being (not verbatim) "I have seen many Memphis people removed from the FedEx Forum by police."
I would think there would be no Memphis threads for a while anyway.
When you come back, bare your teeth.
Love it.