Thoughts

by Peter McSheisty on Oct 6, 2007 1:44 AM EDT Comment 7 comments

First off, if we didnt have Brohm, we would probably only win four games this year (still possible). I dont know where you place the blame but it has to start with the coaches. Now, Im not going to go into an endless diatribe about the coaching (we've already seen plenty of that and there is still more to come) but I believe in accountability and the buck stops there.

Now, lets get down to the shit. I could not be more disgusted with the fans. Ive never booed, but I defended the right to do so in certain situations, and plenty of those situations have arose this season. Booing the home team is prevalant in every sport on every level. Professional teams are constantly booed by their own fans. However, what is inexcusable is the fact that some of our fanbase think they can waltz into the game late, especially on national television. When I look into the stands five game minutes into the first quarter and see huge chunks of empty seats, it enrages me. But what pisses me off more? The fact that 10,000+ fans decided to leave with an entire quarter of football to be played. I was pissed during the Syracuse game, but was livid tonight.

I have been against the stadium expansion since it was first conceived because some of our fans are blinded by the BCS hype and Heisman candidates and dont support the team unconditionally. There is no way we should add another 20,000 seats because that is just more empty chairs for the TV cameras when bad times arrive. I cant tell you how embarrassed I was to be a fan and have to deal with the fact that some people poison the perception of our loyal fans and we are made out to be opportunists. Riding the success while dismissing our squad when times are tough. That is shameful.

Just imagine what our team would have been able to accomplish in the fourth quarter if all of Papa Johns would have been rocking and the team had all 40,000 encouraging them. The same goes for the Syracuse game. I hate being lumped in with all those disloyal assholes. I was told that the announcers made negative comments about our fans on multiple occasions. How embarassing.

The team is not playing well and Ill let every other talking-head, commentor, and blogger talk about that. But I am a fan. And as a fan, I was disgusted by the actions of other fans. I hope the people saying that booing is wrong were not the same people trying to beat traffic, leaving early. Because, I believe the latter is way more disrespecful and detrimental towards the team.

P.S. I think the poll option is abused sometimes on this blog, but I have to know what everyone thinks on this subject.

Poll

Whats Worse?

Booing the Home Team

14 votes

Showing Up Late/ Leaving Early

13 votes

27 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 7 comments

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Comments

I certainly defend your right to boo

I did in previous games- very vocally about Syracuse.

It's just as wrong to leave early -- I have NEVER left any game early in 40 yrs-- for the very reasons you noted.

I did not boo tonight-- because I came to the conclusion that it does hurt recruiting very badly, and it hurts the athletes,who are not making the $ million (like the guy on the sideline).

And, although common in pro sports, it's still really not viewed favorably at the college level, making us look bad in comments nationally.

I defend your right-- but hope you'll consider not doing so-- for those reasons.

by frankpos on Oct 6, 2007 2:15 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Stadium Expansion

I have never supported the stadium expansion. Fans have always arrived late and left early. I've never understood the "leaving to beat the traffic" concept because Louisville has no traffic.

What percentage of the upper bowl would have had seats filled in the 2H of Friday night? 0%? 5%? Why subject ourselves to all of these empty seats?

by Quinn1979 on Oct 6, 2007 9:52 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Traffic?!

Whenever I hear someone in Louisville talk about traffic, I want to go off into an Iverson-like rant.

"Traffic?! We're talking about traffic? Traffic? In Louisville? Traffic?!"

Fact is that Louisville is not that big of a city. You can pretty much get from anywhere to anywhere in 15 minutes. If it takes 30 minutes after the game, great! That just means more WHAS-time to listen to post-game comments.

If you really want to beat the traffic, you can stay at home.

by Phauz on Oct 6, 2007 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Booing vs. leaving

Hmmm. If you are a player or coach, what kind of fans would you want?

a) fans that are upset with losing, poor play, mental mistakes and lack of effort
b) fans that don't care or have given up

My take is that at least the booing fans CARE. And the fact that people are still in their seats says that they still believe.

Every big college football program has fans that boo the home team when they play like crap. I was watching LSU-South Carolina a couple weeks ago and LSU was physically dominating the game, although the score wasn't that lopsided. Speedster backup QB Perriloux (sp?) ran an option and had a wide-open pitch man that could have taken it 20 yards. Instead Perriloux kept the ball and got thrown for a 5 yard loss. Fan response? Loud booing. And why not - it was a bonehead play. A couple of plays later was the fake field goal for a TD and the place was rocking. Surpise! Passionate fans boo bad plays and year good ones.

Those UofL fans that come late and leave early remind me of 90% of Chicago Cubs fans - they don't really care about the game. Yes, it is fun to sit in the Wrigley Field bleachers and drink beer. Sure, it is fun to tailgate at PJCS. But you can't really call yourself a fan unless you care about the damn game. And, just like the Cubs, I think its tough to build a winning tradition with a fan base that is completely apathetic.

Conclusion: I am going to boo these fuckers until they approve, because I am a real fan. Kind of a weird policy I know - reminds me of "the beatings will continue until morale improves".

by Phauz on Oct 6, 2007 10:15 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Dead silence accomplishes the same thing

but I always like your thoughts including that last quote.

Your humor and Peter's are both a joy to read -- but unfortunately the circumstances don't lend themselves to much of that

by frankpos on Oct 6, 2007 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The product on the field leads to early exits

I always stay until the last second. I also do not boo a team I cheer for. But in consecutive games being down 17 with around 7 minutes to play and down 20 with around 9 minutes to play, is not going to lead to a victory even with 100,000 fans in the stadium.

The fan support was fantastic for most of the game, well beyond my expectations and I was proud to be a Cardinal fan. However, when the team falls behind with so little time the odds are completely stacked against them to win. The fans that left knew the game was decided (took 50+ miinutes to score 21, kinda hard to do the same in under 10). I stayed and cheered, but lets be honest, it would have taken a miracle to win either or the last two games because of their play in the first 3 quarters.

Also, the die-hard UK fans were shown pouring of the stadium on Thursday night only down two scores. Every team has fans that leave early. This doesn't make our fans worse than anyone else. Everyone came out in full force, was VERY vocal and supported the team. When fans get let down in three consecutive home games, early exits are going to happen. I'm not saying it is necessarily excusable, but definitely understandable.

by adamcards on Oct 6, 2007 1:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs