Quote Originally Posted by cycloneworld View Post
I don't see how the team's competitiveness is based on fan expectation. I'm pretty sure talent and players determine that. I had very high expectations for this season and we aren't winning games...

How do expectations covert to wins? The only thing I can think of is donating and attending games. If you are mad about our season and that will cause you not to donate or attend any more games, then that is only hurting the university and JP's facility improvements.

That makes me think of a bigger question for everyone: How do we show our disappointment without hurting the university?

Personally, I'm disappointed but I will continue to donate and buy season tickets no matter how bad the team is. I just love Cyclone football.
I empathize with your sentiment of not wanting to hurt the program that we want to build. The one thing that sticks in the back of my mind is the dual role of recruiting and exposure. More Bowl appearances (especially wins), more televised games, more players in the NFL, and former assistant coaches continuing success. Granted the better job of recruiting the more exposure you get and the more exposure you have the better recruits you will get. I have to place that responsibility on the coaches (not just the head coach) and AD.

I will admit I think both recruiting and exposure are getting better. But It is still annoying the number of times I have to reiterate "No, it's Iowa State, I am a Cyclone!"

And I am not talking about just doing talent mining of the JUCO. If we have nothing to teach, nothing to experience, nothing but a stage. Our success will be short lived and won't be much success any way. Publicly, Privately, through the university or other channels. I think the expectation has to be raised and people held accountable. I want my 401K to perform too, but I can't afford to keep funding the same mediocre or poor performance.