GMac: Message boards hurt recruiting . . .

**ISUFan22** · 01-21-2009, 01:01 PM

Originally Posted by CyValley

Like you, I am human. I do not have total recall. Like you, I subconciously filter and evaluate (and skew to match my mindset, no doubt) what I hear. And, as I've often admitted, I am far from the brightest bulb in the room.

Please, provide your interpretation of Greg's comments, that is, if you do not possess a verbatim transcript of them. Others here interested in the topic raised likely would appreciate varying viewpoints.

Have at it.

Very tough to give varying viewpoints when the "transcript" is filled with all the editorials, as I mentioned in my first post in the thread.

Clearly the intent was to steer this in a certain direction, otherwise the comments (at least during the recap part of the post) were unnecessary.

**cyclonenum1** · 01-21-2009, 01:02 PM

Originally Posted by CyValley

Greg was gracious and low-keyed with his response, but he went on at length, evidence that he considers message board sewage (my word) a serious hurdle for down athletics programs fighting to make a comeback.

The coach said he has broad shoulders (figuratively, in addition to literally) and he can take anything that is dished out and march on without a second thought about it. It hurts him, though, when his players are singled out for rash criticism, he said; he asked that fans use him rather than his players as a pincushion (my word).

Importantly, Greg said he does not read online forums (iirc, said he doesn't have time to do that), but he knows for a fact that the players and recruits -- products of the internet age and as nimble-fingered as anyone -- are all over the Web.

Greg said the unfounded, vile (my word) criticisms and fan defeatism found on internet fan forums hurts Iowa State recruiting. Greg did not ask fans to stop that behavior, he asked only that fans duly consider what they're writing before posting.

For a guy that claims to not be reading the online info out there he sure seems to have a good handle on the content. Very interesting.

**cybsball20** · 01-21-2009, 01:03 PM

Originally Posted by ISUFan22

Very tough to give varying viewpoints when the "transcript" is filled with all the editorials, as I mentioned in my first post in the thread.

Clearly the intent was to steer this in a certain direction, otherwise the comments (at least during the recap part of the post) were unnecessary.

Watch out, he'll put you on his list!

**ISUFan22** · 01-21-2009, 01:04 PM

Originally Posted by cybsball20

Watch out, he'll put you on his list!

**jahfg** · 01-21-2009, 01:05 PM

Originally Posted by cyclonenum1

For a guy that claims to not be reading the online info out there he sure seems to have a good handle on the content. Very interesting.

Not really

**cyclonenum1** · 01-21-2009, 01:07 PM

Originally Posted by mwitt

He was asked about negative fans on message boards. He said it doesn't help. That's common sense.

You know this just puts us on an even keel with every other program out there.

You must not ever look at the sites of other programs...and I'm not talking about just the poor programs but those that are having great success.

This place (Cyclonefanatic.com) is "romper room" compared to most other sites...and the sites of the "elite" programs are probably the worst in terms of negativity...and I'm talking about negativity over stuff that most Cyclone fans would give their first born for.

**mwitt** · 01-21-2009, 01:14 PM

Originally Posted by cyclonenum1

You know this just puts us on an even keel with every other program out there.

You must not ever look at the sites of other programs...and I'm not talking about just the poor programs but those that are having great success.

This place (Cyclonefanatic.com) is "romper room" compared to most other sites...and the sites of the "elite" programs are probably the worst in terms of negativity...and I'm talking about negativity over stuff that most Cyclone fans would give their first born for.

I'm confused as to what you're trying to do here. Are you trying to dispute what I said? All I said was that negativity among fans doesn't help. Who cares if fans of every base does that? It doesn't help them, either. Quit nitpicking.

**CRLCy** · 01-21-2009, 01:14 PM

Originally Posted by cyclonenum1

You know this just puts us on an even keel with every other program out there.

You must not ever look at the sites of other programs...and I'm not talking about just the poor programs but those that are having great success.

This place (Cyclonefanatic.com) is "romper room" compared to most other sites...and the sites of the "elite" programs are probably the worst in terms of negativity...and I'm talking about negativity over stuff that most Cyclone fans would give their first born for.

Maybe a romper room and maybe it happens everywhere...
what's the saying your parents said....
"just because everybody is doing it, it doesn't mean it's right"..

also - we have to have a positive outlook and something that is different about us, our attitude could be one of those things, but we often come off as bitter and unsupportive.. which isn't a good thing if athletes and parents are reading it.

I think we should work on that as a group. IMHO

**Cloned4Life** · 01-21-2009, 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by brianhos

Maybe GMAC should worry more about fielding a team that is competitive.

He is. He was asked a question, so he answered it.

When the caller asked him this question, what was he supposed to do? "Sorry, I will not answer your question on this Call-in-Show because I am worried about fielding a competitive team." ??

Would that have been an OK answer for you?

**psycln11** · 01-21-2009, 01:20 PM

Not sure if it's been said or not....I'm too lazy to check all 53 other posts.

Personally....I think it's a lack of winning that is hurting recruiting more than the message boards!

**Swanson10** · 01-21-2009, 01:20 PM

Originally Posted by clones_jer

As far as I can tell you've just bastardized Gregs answer to mean what you want it to mean.

Were you the caller???

I was about to ask this, but you beat me to it.

**wartknight** · 01-21-2009, 01:22 PM

What Gmac says is reality, but its a reality for every program out there that coaches have to learn to work through

**Clone_12** · 01-21-2009, 01:23 PM

A better idea for message boards would be that fans are asked to take a sports knowledge test before being allowed to post...you would still get criticism, but it would be a lot more rational than, "fire this guy, this guy sucks, we'd be undefeated if... etc..."...the people that weren't bright enough to pass the test could still read posts, but not be able to throw in their own 2cents...maybe a few people would even learn a thing or two.

**cyclonenum1** · 01-21-2009, 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by mwitt

I'm confused as to what you're trying to do here. Are you trying to dispute what I said? All I said was that negativity among fans doesn't help. Who cares if fans of every base does that? It doesn't help them, either. Quit nitpicking.

My point is simple...how can you claim that internet activity "hurts" our program when the fact is that this same type of internet activity (and often worse) is happening with all programs? Are we not all on the same footing in light of all programs having their fair share of this type of activity? If we were the only program that had negative posting, I would probably agree that it was hurting but that is not the case.

**The_Architect** · 01-21-2009, 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by Clone_12

A better idea for message boards would be that fans are asked to take a sports knowledge test before being allowed to post...you would still get criticism, but it would be a lot more rational than, "fire this guy, this guy sucks, we'd be undefeated if... etc..."...the people that weren't bright enough to pass the test could still read posts, but not be able to throw in their own 2cents...maybe a few people would even learn a thing or two.

No kidding, or be forced to post with your full name