I'm just as disappointed with our fans

**San Francisco Cy** · 11-25-2008, 10:34 AM

Originally Posted by CycloneErik

They're both bad. They were game-ending sorts of fouls that shouldn't happen. The point is that people do these things, life goes on, and he needs to learn from it, just like the rest of us.

And again, he's probably being about a million times harder on himself than all the experts on here that probably haven't played anything more competitive than Intramural basketball in college in the past 10+ years...

**CycloneErik** · 11-25-2008, 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by AnkenyCy24

And again, he's probably being about a million times harder on himself than all the experts on here that probably haven't played anything more competitive than Intramural basketball in college in the past 10+ years...

To be fair, I did have some pretty competitive March Madness games on the old XBox. North Carolina A&T found some 7'3" dude that won Player of the Year once or twice, and he just gave me fits!

He sure isn't happy about losing. These things come at different speeds for different people. He'll learn.

**isufbcurt** · 11-25-2008, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by AnkenyCy24

And again, he's probably being about a million times harder on himself than all the experts on here that probably haven't played anything more competitive than Intramural basketball in college in the past 10+ years...

AMEN WELL SAID and 1,000,000 Kudos to you!!

**Aclone** · 11-25-2008, 10:45 AM

Originally Posted by erikbj

For the amount of money that people are donating to ISU every year, they expect a little return on their money.

I had to go back to this argument, I hadn't really thought about it before.

Just curious, everyone. Do you always expect immediate return on your investment?

If you buy real estate, do you expect it to appreciate enough to double in value in the next year or two? When you buy stock, especially stock you buy low, is it supposed to start paying dividends the next day?

Or are you all day traders, out only for immediate gratification? Unfortunately, that doesn't translate well to building a football program.

**Landshark** · 11-25-2008, 11:03 AM

Originally Posted by cy2win

I keep hearing the donation issue come up over and over. This is a lifetime commitment if you are a true fan of Iowa State. Does this mean we accept poor performance? NO!!! However, what keeps me awake at night is the thought of being forced out of the Big 12 (Arkansas wants in the B12 in the worst way because they feel they can compete better in the B12 than the SEC) and joining a conference that would include all the Dakota schools, Minnesota State (yes there is one now), Montana schools, Idaho schools, etc, etc.....hopefully you catch my drift.

The choice is yours. Personally, I enjoy the opportunity of going to Boulder and Kyle field and am willing to keep supporting my school ('85 grad) through the tough times. I will not be supporting my school if I have to be going to BF Montana.

go cyclones!!!!

I'll keep donating, but I would like some results to up my donation every year. I'll donate more next year, but $ is tight and no way will I up it in 2010 if I see no hope in MBB, that's all I want this season is hope.

I'll still go games this year, just get tickets at the game. The past several years a buddy of mine always got 2 season tickets and I payed him the games I went to, usually 10+. He only got one this season because of Pella closing down in March.

**BryceC** · 11-25-2008, 11:15 AM

I don't look at my NCC donation as an investment. I look at it as a donation, same as I do with like church money. If my pastor has an off day I don't think, he needs to step up the messages or I'm pulling the cord.

**sunset** · 11-25-2008, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by Aclone

I had to go back to this argument, I hadn't really thought about it before.

Just curious, everyone. Do you always expect immediate return on your investment?

If you buy real estate, do you expect it to appreciate enough to double in value in the next year or two? When you buy stock, especially stock you buy low, is it supposed to start paying dividends the next day?

Or are you all day traders, out only for immediate gratification? Unfortunately, that doesn't translate well to building a football program.

What about the people that have been donating/investing for years. At what point should they expect a return?

**cy2win** · 11-25-2008, 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by Landshark

I'll keep donating, but I would like some results to up my donation every year. I'll donate more next year, but $ is tight and no way will I up it in 2010 if I see no hope in MBB, that's all I want this season is hope.

I'll still go games this year, just get tickets at the game. The past several years a buddy of mine always got 2 season tickets and I payed him the games I went to, usually 10+. He only got one this season because of Pella closing down in March.

Exactly. Everyone has to do what they can. Some are able to donate more, if any, than others given one's current situation. What I don't like to hear is the all or nothing attitude from our fans. 'If we don't make this level of success, I am gone.' Just keep supporting the program in some form, even by just attending games at the least (including volleyball and gymnastics - good bang for your buck events)

I like to think our program now (with Jamie) has a reasonable understanding of what is acceptable and what is not. I want to think it lies somewhere between pulling a K-State and allowing another McCarney length tenure.

Loyal Sons forever true - Live it every day (just keep an athletic cup handy though)

**Tornado man** · 11-25-2008, 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by BryceC

I don't look at my NCC donation as an investment. I look at it as a donation, same as I do with like church money. If my pastor has an off day I don't think, he needs to step up the messages or I'm pulling the cord.

That's fine, but that's not how Pollard frames it to us. His mantra has always been for fans to step up to the plate with donations and season tix purchases for ISU to be athletically competitive in the conference. He's the one who equates finances/revenue with increased competitive success.

**BryceC** · 11-25-2008, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by Tornado man

That's fine, but that's not how Pollard frames it to us. His mantra has always been for fans to step up to the plate with donations and season tix purchases for ISU to be athletically competitive in the conference. He's the one who equates finances/revenue with increased competitive success.

That is a good point.

**San Francisco Cy** · 11-25-2008, 11:42 AM

Originally Posted by sunset

What about the people that have been donating/investing for years. At what point should they expect a return?

Nobody is forcing anybody to do anything. It's your money, and if you don't feel it's worth the investment, then don't invest...

**cybsball20** · 11-25-2008, 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by Tornado man

That's fine, but that's not how Pollard frames it to us. His mantra has always been for fans to step up to the plate with donations and season tix purchases for ISU to be athletically competitive in the conference. He's the one who equates finances/revenue with increased competitive success.

Yes, but anyone that expects that to be an instant change is fooling themselves. This money needs to go into upgrading and updating facilities and staff, once those are COMPLETED then maybe people can complain. As it is now, not enough people have stepped up...

**Tornado man** · 11-25-2008, 11:45 AM

Originally Posted by BryceC

That is a good point.

And BTW, I am of the same thinking as you - I will always donate and increase as I can afford to, regardless of the record.
Regarding the OP and fans who are always "positive" about the program: the friends of mine, at least, who fit this profile aren't members of the NNC and buy a ticket here or there, but never season tix. In other words, they do the Cyclone program very little good.

**Ficklone02** · 11-25-2008, 11:59 AM

Originally Posted by cybsball20

Yes, but anyone that expects that to be an instant change is fooling themselves. This money needs to go into upgrading and updating facilities and staff, once those are COMPLETED then maybe people can complain. As it is now, not enough people have stepped up...

True. But will the updates we are able to fund ever be enough? I'm guessing the folks who have been "investing" since the '70's are wondering if they will ever see a return on their dollar.

Personally, I struggle with the idea that an athletic department really needs my donation more than the many struggling people in this country.

**LindenCy** · 11-25-2008, 12:13 PM

I thought about this for a bit this morning, and by this I mean the "investment" we make in our team. For a second I was upset that I bought season tickets because the team lost in such a horrible way, but then I thought, I want to see the games and support our team because I like our team and I like Iowa State. Even if we always lose. I don't make it to many games, but I can let others use the tickets and go.

Of course we should be upset when we lose, and last night I was pretty upset, but maybe thinking of athletics as an "investment" isn't the best idea. Supporting our team is what matters, unless the money being given is being mismanaged by the athletic department or university.

I want to win bad, but I care more that we have quality human beings on our teams and in our administration. Those students hopefully will graduate and make something of their lives. I would rather a student succeed in the classroom and learn something from their experience than win a bunch of games for us and end up a wash out. I understand winning is not mutually exclusive to character, but when we support our team, we support the latter as well as the former. We support character building as well as entertainment.