The enemy is... us!

[Go Gophers Rah]

I am one of those who have been noting the negativism of the media towards the Gophers ever since Mason's Michigan collapse.

For all of the mean-spirited reporting by Ruesse and his ilk, however, I noted something this week.

This board - made up of proclaimed "fans" was much more negative this week than the print media. I can't speak to the radio media - because I don't listen to talk radio. But the print media has actually been fairly straight-forward on the Kansas thing and didn't take the sucker-punch most of us expected. Really, they didn't have to. The people responding to their online reports did all the dirty work.

If potential recruits do read this board or people's responses to online articles, why would they want to come here - would you???? If that's the case, then this board is doing harm to our Golden Gophers. That needs to stop.

This board was a collective freak-out this week. I can't imagine what many of these negative posters do when facing something difficult in their business or personal lives - do they start spewing nonsensical venom there too?

I am not a proponent of censorship. I like to participate in spirited debate of the issues with views from all sides. But it is so hard for me to read posts by people who obviously don't care whether they could be hurting the program with their words and fueling the overall negativism toward the program that has really been the root of its inability to transcend mediocrity.

Myself, I got sucked into the negativism toward the end of the season (this week included) and for that, I am sorry. The reason I am sorry is because I was not as down on the Gophers at the end of any game as much as I was when viewing this board later. I should not have allowed myself to absorb the negativism being vomited here.

My guess is that most of the ultra-negative posters on this board are those who either do not hold season tickets or have done so for less than a few years. For those fitting this desription, ask yourself what you have ever done to be a part of the solution? Nothing I would suspect.

If this board continues to be as negative (or more negative) toward the Gophers as the horrid media in this town, then I cannot continue to participate in it. I have noted that many long-time posters are no longer present here, so I'm guessing that they, too, have had enough with the negativism that now permeates the majority of posts/posters here.

Before typing something up for inclusion in this forum, please ask yourself, "how is my post going to help the program?" If it won't - then please keep it to yourself.

For those of you remaining that try to stay positive, I say "hats off to thee."

Rah Rah Rah for Ski-U-Mah. Yeahhhhhhh Gophers.
RAH!

 

[Ole]

I am one of those who have been noting the negativism of the media towards the Gophers ever since Mason's Michigan collapse.

For all of the mean-spirited reporting by Ruesse and his ilk, however, I noted something this week.

This board - made up of proclaimed "fans" was much more negative this week than the print media. I can't speak to the radio media - because I don't listen to talk radio. But the print media has actually been fairly straight-forward on the Kansas thing and didn't take the sucker-punch most of us expected. Really, they didn't have to. The people responding to their online reports did all the dirty work.

If potential recruits do read this board or people's responses to online articles, why would they want to come here - would you???? If that's the case, then this board is doing harm to our Golden Gophers. That needs to stop.

This board was a collective freak-out this week. I can't imagine what many of these negative posters do when facing something difficult in their business or personal lives - do they start spewing nonsensical venom there too?

I am not a proponent of censorship. I like to participate in spirited debate of the issues with views from all sides. But it is so hard for me to read posts by people who obviously don't care whether they could be hurting the program with their words and fueling the overall negativism toward the program that has really been the root of its inability to transcend mediocrity.

Myself, I got sucked into the negativism toward the end of the season (this week included) and for that, I am sorry. The reason I am sorry is because I was not as down on the Gophers at the end of any game as much as I was when viewing this board later. I should not have allowed myself to absorb the negativism being vomited here.

My guess is that most of the ultra-negative posters on this board are those who either do not hold season tickets or have done so for less than a few years. For those fitting this desription, ask yourself what you have ever done to be a part of the solution? Nothing I would suspect.

If this board continues to be as negative (or more negative) toward the Gophers as the horrid media in this town, then I cannot continue to participate in it. I have noted that many long-time posters are no longer present here, so I'm guessing that they, too, have had enough with the negativism that now permeates the majority of posts/posters here.

Before typing something up for inclusion in this forum, please ask yourself, "how is my post going to help the program?" If it won't - then please keep it to yourself.

For those of you remaining that try to stay positive, I say "hats off to thee."

Rah Rah Rah for Ski-U-Mah. Yeahhhhhhh Gophers.
RAH!

I'm guilty of this this week as well, I really didn't mean to be. I think this board is more bipolar than negative, many react to solid victories with elevated expectations and dreams of roses, and standard losses as end of the world, and who's fault is it? Player A, Player B, Coach A, fan section A. I don't think this is unique to this message board though.
Above all, I think perspective is key, a win or loss is very often just that regardless of circumstance. Take a step back, look around, and then post.

 

[tjgopher]

The thing with message boards (particularly our message boards) is that you have to remember it is a community here of about 200 people. For regulars like us we can get easily get fooled into thinking the tenor on this board is representative of the entire fan base. It isn't.

In fact, I bet if you polled the 29,000 season ticket holders fewer than half even know that the Brewster-Kansas story occurred.

It never ceases to amaze me how "out of touch" the general fan base is. Things we consider "universally known" on this board are almost never universally known within the masses.

So, while the board is melting down, "ma and pa" Gopher fan have no idea anything is happening nor do they even care.

They only know that "Tubby's team won last night" or that "kickoff has been switched to 11 am." They don't get into the details we get into here.

 

[Gold Rush]

I guess I try to be as fair as I can and try to keep an open mind and do not really have any agenda and I think most people on here are reasonable. If there are things that aren't rosy, I think it's everyone's right to speak up and sound off because that is what these message boards are all about. I would ask people to respect others opinions even if they are different and avoid getting into the petty name-calling - I think that makes for a much more enjoyable experience for everyone.

There are some very negative things going on right now and deserve to be talked about. I think 750 yards of total offense the last three games is alarming and there is no way you can spin that into being a positive. But there are good things, too such as the continued improvement by our defense and our good recruits that we are bringing in and there is still hope that Brewster can get that offense squared away and get the team moving in the right direction. I for one don't mind a good debate on here and I am always willing to change my mind if someone makes some good points. I know you guys on here are probably the same people that are cheering on the same team that I cheer for and that makes you all ok in my book.

 

[GophersInIowa]

For the most part, we're all big Gopher fans and all want the team to be successful. We may a difference in opinions on how we become successful, but that's what makes message boards like this fun.

However, there are a lot of "knee jerk reactions" on here, I think we've all been guilty of that at one time or another. That's why I decided awhile ago to stay away as much as possible during and immediately after a football or basketball game. Not that I don't want to be here, but like most fans, I get emotional and can say things without really thinking about it. I would guess a majority of the "we suck" or "we're going to the Rose Bowl!" comments are said during or right after the games.

 

[howeda7]

I'm no Brewster fan, but I was ready to move on to the Bowl Game and next season before this Kansas fiasco. I don't think anyone can be blamed for finding it upsetting, regardless of who iniated what, or whose fault it is. It was another mis-step for this program and damage was done.

However, it does appear the matter is over for the most part and that Brewster will be staying here for another year. So it is again time to move on and focus on the Bowl Game and next year, just with another dent in the program to try and fix.

 

[MaxyJR1]

It never ceases to amaze me how "out of touch" the general fan base is. Things we consider "universally known" on this board are almost never universally known within the masses.

QUOTE]

Most people go to the games as a diversion and entertainment. They are the majority and we are the small minority.

 

[Doc1001]

But sometimes

if changes need to be made and negativity gets the changes made--then negativity actually helps the program. Just as with kids---you cant always be positive. Sometimes things need to be straightened out.

 

[tjgopher]

It never ceases to amaze me how "out of touch" the general fan base is. Things we consider "universally known" on this board are almost never universally known within the masses.

QUOTE]

Most people go to the games as a diversion and entertainment. They are the majority and we are the small minority.

Indeed. That's why the point is that the tenor of this board is not the tenor of the entire fanbase. Almost never is. Things are never as bad as they seem. As I said, I doubt a majority of our fanbase was even aware of the Brewster-KU stuff. Meltdown here. General population - not so much. Same with Brewster's extension. We are all going crazy about it. But, in the grand scheme of things, it will get figured out and the general masses will only know that an extension was granted. They won't even know the hassles along the way.