Seems like the walkout worked against Temple this year when the entire stadium left at halftime of the "biggest" home game of the year.
Wow, there was an orchestrated walk out? What was it in protest of?
Students as a whole don't give a crap about the product on the field, and putting this ridiculous slate of opponents in front of them does nothing to build brand equity into the future.
If they don’t give a crap about the product on the field, then the slate of opponents is irrelevant. I personally don't buy that students don't give a crap about the product on the field, but having lived through the horror days of the early 80's - winning is a welcome change. As was mentioned when I ran into another alum in a store Sunday (I was wearing the colors and he stopped me), "we never would have been in championship game when I was there.".
I can already hear future alumni talking 7 years into the future when they move to Columbus, Cleveland, Chicago wearing their Scarlet and Gray jerseys...
"Yeah, I guess OU had a good team when I was in school but we never played any good home games so I kept following Ohio State like I did growing up. We lost all the big games on the road, so I never really cared whether we won or lost MAC Titles or Bowl Games. I mean, I wasn't going to miss the Bucks game to go watch OU play Idaho or Gardner Webb."
Pure conjecture. I could also hear alums say, “we were winning basketball and football games, went to bowl games and played in the NCAA tournament. It was a blast.”
Let’s also appreciate that 90%+ of alums that follow/will follow the Cats in the future are those that followed them while in school. Case in point, I was president of the Carzy Cats (the 80’s version of the O Zone). And while winning the DePaul game is a very, very fond memory, it has absolutely no impact on my enthusiasm for or backing of the Cats.
And who can blame them. Sure, we're at an interesting time in the history of Ohio Football, but it's still artificially inflated mediocrity as far as I presume.
Excellent word choice!
Gotta aim higher. Much higher.
I have never disagreed with this statement or sentiment. But I focus it with respect to the team, not the fan. For the good of the teams (basketball and football) I think we should be “moving up” as able. And we are. Our travel games will be winnable - I like that we are playing at Louisville in 2013. A team we could go in and beat (versus going to a Blacksburg). Same with Kentucky a year later. And Minnesota in 2015.
I’m not naive nor foolish enough (and neither are you) to think we will get a big time team (PSU, Ala, etc.) in to Athens. The next step, then, is to get the Louisville, Minnesota’s of the world to come to Athens. Better to ask now, because as we continue to improve, teams’ won’t want to venture here (in spite of a limited home field advantage). But now is the time to ask. Not when we were 5-6 and a win in Athens did the visitor no good, but when we are consistently competing for the conference championship, when a win against us looks good and, God forbid, a loss is not embarrassing.
Finally, I’m fine with playing a Championship Subdivision team. They need us, just as we need the PSU and Louisville’s. I’d would rather see us be more creative though in the schedule. Why not reach out to Butler, Richmond or Villanova instead of Gardner-Webb/S.E. Louisiana and offer a home and home in basketball as part of the package. Hell, I'd offer to play AT Villanova to get a home and home in basketball! Not so we can watch the Butler Bulldogs come in and play hoops against us, but because it would be good for the team and players. And let's continue to reach out to those with connections to Ohio for scheduling (e.g., Greg Ianni at Michigan State)
Okay, this post is waaayy to long! Sorry.
Last Edited: 12/7/2011 2:12:43 PM by cc-cat