Poll: Can message boards play a factor into a potential recruit coming to Iowa State?

[dbronco7sc]

Re: Poll: Can message boards play a factor into a potential recruit coming to Iowa St

Can we also get yes or no polls with the following questions?

Can a coach's won-loss record have an influence on a recruit's decision?

Can a coach's inability to retain players, including starters, have an influence on a recruit's decision?

Can a coach's inability to win in his conference over a 4-year period influence a recruit's decision?

I don't think anybody debates any of those points. Furthermore... I don't think anybody debates that those play a bigger factor in a recruits decision.
If you open those polls, I bet you'd get 100% votes for yes with the exception of smart@$$e$.

However, those are things that we as message board posters cannot control. We can control what we say, and the manner in which we say it, however.

 

[jbhtexas]

Re: Poll: Can message boards play a factor into a potential recruit coming to Iowa St

I tried to be as fair as possible... but I can admit I have bias. Please let me know how I can word it to be more fair and I will make whatever change I can.

Too late at this point...

CAN negative message board posting play a factor in a recruits decision? Yes, it CAN. CAN the plane I'm taking on my next trip crash? Yes it CAN. The question is not one of can, but rather one of does. And if it does, is it statistically significant?

I think that the effect of message board posting on a recruit's decision is insignificant and virtually non-existent, but if I honestly answered your poll question, I would have to answer YES. I know the plane CAN crash, but if I thought there was any reasonable likelihood of that happening, I wouldn't get on it.

 

[Cyclonepride]

Re: Poll: Can message boards play a factor into a potential recruit coming to Iowa St

My answer (guess) would be yes, to a limited extent. Every site surely has their knuckleheads, so I'll bet it evens out, unless the recruit reads posts that are specifically deriding to the recruit themselves.

 

[clones26]

Re: Poll: Can message boards play a factor into a potential recruit coming to Iowa St

i surprised at the amount of people on here who think their opinion really matters... you really think that a recruit would look on here and say, "Wow Bigbunsforhuns2000 has a point, I dont like cold weather/organized student chants/etc." Nope, if they do they have issues with others making there decisions, like AAU coaches.

 

[kilgore_trout]

Re: Poll: Can message boards play a factor into a potential recruit coming to Iowa St

The phrasing of your question is biased towards a "Yes" response.

A better question would have been, "In your opinion, do message boards..."

 

[Spam]

Re: Poll: Can message boards play a factor into a potential recruit coming to Iowa St

It might matter. But that doesn't mean we must lie and say things are all well and rosy with ISU basketball (or whatever sport), when they clearly are not. I have no problem with current basketball recruits knowing about the crap they are getting into.

Same way as I have no problem with football recruits knowing about the fantastic opportunity that awaits them.

 

[dbronco7sc]

Re: Poll: Can message boards play a factor into a potential recruit coming to Iowa St

For the record... I do not believe this site should be shut down, nor should fans be censored and lie about the current state of our program. I just want everyone to be aware that some people think think it does affect recruits... and that maybe we should think about what we say before we say it.

Would a fair follow up poll be:

"Do you think the contents of this message board has ever played a factor in a recruit considering or committing to Iowa State?"
Options:
Yes
No

I would be most interested in a poll asking, "Do you think this message board has ever been a negative factor in a recruit's decision to 'conisder' or 'commit to' Iowa State's mens basketball program?"

As that is what I think is the root of this debate. But I don't know if I can word that one without any bias either way.

 

[peachy]

Re: Poll: Can message boards play a factor into a potential recruit coming to Iowa St

Here is a question....
Can a negative message board have a positive influence on a recruit? If I am a big time recruit, I want to play for passionate fans. Fans that are not happy with a 4-12 conference record every year. I want fans that care deeply about the program and the players, not fans that are OK with mediocrity. I want fans that are aiming for conference championships every year, not hoping we get into the CBI tournament.

If a recruit decides not to come to ISU after reading some silly message board, do we really want them here anyway? I want players that can fight through adversity, and rise above it. I want hard nosed players that are dedicated to the program, not players that leave when ever the road gets rocky. IMO, we have had far to many players like the latter. (Who quits a basketball team in the middle of a season to play some pro ball overseas? Seriously, who does that?)

Finally, you think CF is negative? What about Fogg Allen Fieldhouse? Or Iba Arena? Do you think the fans there compliment our players? "Nice shot, DG! You really created for yourself well!" No way, those fans are calling names and yelling things not suitable for sensitive ears. If a recruit can't handle some fans griping about a underacheiving coach who has not had a winning record in 4 years, how will they react when we are down 10 to KU? You think Fizer backed down at the Fogg? No, he wanted the ball at the end of the game, and he made the game-winning shot.

The whole idea of message boards scaring away recruits is laughable.

 

[ozone]

Re: Poll: Can message boards play a factor into a potential recruit coming to Iowa St

Here's an idea for another poll:

Do you believe the results of this poll in anyway reflect reality?

 

[kilgore_trout]

Re: Poll: Can message boards play a factor into a potential recruit coming to Iowa St

Closer - drop the word "ever" and use the present tense (is not has). You should also add a "undecided/no opinion" option.

"Do you think the content of this message board is a factor when a recruit considers Iowa State?"

Yes - major factor
Yes - minor factor
No
Undecided / Not sure

For the record... I do not believe this site should be shut down, nor should fans be censored and lie about the current state of our program. I just want everyone to be aware that some people think think it does affect recruits... and that maybe we should think about what we say before we say it.

Would a fair follow up poll be:

"Do you think the contents of this message board has ever played a factor in a recruit considering or committing to Iowa State?"
Options:
Yes
No

I would be most interested in a poll asking, "Do you think this message board has ever been a negative factor in a recruit's decision to 'conisder' or 'commit to' Iowa State's mens basketball program?"

As that is what I think is the root of this debate. But I don't know if I can word that one without any bias either way.

 

[dbronco7sc]

Re: Poll: Can message boards play a factor into a potential recruit coming to Iowa St

Here's an idea for another poll:

Do you believe the results of this poll in anyway reflect reality?

I never claimed that the results of this poll reflect what's happening. I just posted it to see if I was truly in the vast minority as it appeared... in which case I would have stopped voicing my belief on this matter (it's been brought up every few months).

However, knowing what everyone else thinks in a graphical manner, maybe people will realize that not everyone shares the same opinion. Clearly there are two opinions here and neither side is what I would call the 'vast majority'.

 

[alarson]

Re: Poll: Can message boards play a factor into a potential recruit coming to Iowa St

I never claimed that the results of this poll reflect what's happening. I just posted it to see if I was truly in the vast minority as it appeared... in which case I would have stopped voicing my belief on this matter (it's been brought up every few months).

However, knowing what everyone else thinks in a graphical manner, maybe people will realize that not everyone shares the same opinion. Clearly there are two opinions here and neither side is what I would call the 'vast majority'.

The problem is that you set up a false black and white situation.

Believing it can have a minuscule effect isnt the same as believing it has an effect we need to be worrying about.

 

[dbronco7sc]

Re: Poll: Can message boards play a factor into a potential recruit coming to Iowa St

Closer - drop the word "ever" and use the present tense (is not has). You should also add a "undecided/no opinion" option.

"Do you think the content of this message board is a factor when a recruit considers Iowa State?"

Yes - major factor
Yes - minor factor
No
Undecided / Not sure

The downside to this is that 'is a factor' implies 'always'... As if there were a check list of pros and cons on a recruits list and CF is one of them that he MUST evaluate. I personally, think that for many recruits... there is 0 effect. But for some recruits... they research via the web and take what they read here at CF to heart. Hence the reason I chose past tense... if it's has ever had an effect up to this point.

The problem is that you set up a false black and white situation.

Believing it can have a minuscule effect isnt the same as believing it has an effect we need to be worrying about.

Looking at polls from the past... generally it is missing some options... so I tried to grind it down to a question that will always be one of two answers with little room for debate as to which answer means what, and everybody either has an opinion one way, the other, or doesn't care.

I am looking into a follow up poll that can be more accurate, and answer what people really want to know, that has less bias. See my suggestion a few posts back and let me know how to better word it.



What I'm trying to get with the follow up poll is if anybody thinks there has ever been a situation where the messageboard factor (regardless of how miniscule) has made a difference in us landing a recruit or not. Whether it be the recruit decides to not even talk with coaches/visit ISU based on what they read here when they might have visited and committed had they not read something... or if it's later in the process and it's the final tipping point between two programs who are even after weighing all other points first.

 

[geburgess]

Re: Poll: Can message boards play a factor into a potential recruit coming to Iowa St

I know I checked it before I was recruited here

 

[kilgore_trout]

Re: Poll: Can message boards play a factor into a potential recruit coming to Iowa St

Since you are clearly pushing an agenda, why bother changing it at all?

The downside to this is that 'is a factor' implies 'always'... As if there were a check list of pros and cons on a recruits list and CF is one of them that he MUST evaluate. I personally, think that for many recruits... there is 0 effect. But for some recruits... they research via the web and take what they read here at CF to heart. Hence the reason I chose past tense... if it's has ever had an effect up to this point.



Looking at polls from the past... generally it is missing some options... so I tried to grind it down to a question that will always be one of two answers with little room for debate as to which answer means what, and everybody either has an opinion one way, the other, or doesn't care.

I am looking into a follow up poll that can be more accurate, and answer what people really want to know, that has less bias. See my suggestion a few posts back and let me know how to better word it.



What I'm trying to get with the follow up poll is if anybody thinks there has ever been a situation where the messageboard factor (regardless of how miniscule) has made a difference in us landing a recruit or not. Whether it be the recruit decides to not even talk with coaches/visit ISU based on what they read here when they might have visited and committed had they not read something... or if it's later in the process and it's the final tipping point between two programs who are even after weighing all other points first.

 

[dbronco7sc]

Re: Poll: Can message boards play a factor into a potential recruit coming to Iowa St

Since you are clearly pushing an agenda, why bother changing it at all?

I've admitted to having my own opinion on the subject (aka bias). But I have no agenda for this poll. I want accurate results... not suggested results that I can use simply to strenghthen my point of view.

I do not wish to use the wording of the poll to 'trick' people into choosing the answer that makes my side appear to be more supported. I want to know what everyone actually feels on the subject. "Do peope *think* we may have lost out on a recruit ever because of what's been said on this board ('ever' referring to from the beginning of it's existence... up to this point in time).

I also do not wish to make this board out to be a negative only... as I also feel that what gets posted can be a factor in a recruit choosing to actually commit to Iowa State (or at least consider Iowa State and officially visit when they may not have otherwise).

 

[ajk4st8]

Re: Poll: Can message boards play a factor into a potential recruit coming to Iowa St

Absolutely this site plays a factor. It is crazy to think it doesn't when many recruits and their families have said it does.

BUT...

Most every school has a site like this so it isn't exactly an unfair advantage.

 

[marothisu]

Re: Poll: Can message boards play a factor into a potential recruit coming to Iowa St

This has been discussed many times. Some strongly feel that what we say on this message board can negatively or positively affect a potential recruit. Some strongly feel that recruits are smart enough to take such comments with a grain of salt. I'm cursious to see the percentages of fans who feel each way.

What is your opinion?

Answer yes if you believe it can play some sort of factor in coming to Iowa State.

Answer no if you beleive it does not play a factor at all in coming to Iowa State.

Depends on the person being recruited. Some might be affected and others might not be.

 

[jbhtexas]

Re: Poll: Can message boards play a factor into a potential recruit coming to Iowa St

What I'm trying to get with the follow up poll is if anybody thinks there has ever been a situation where the messageboard factor (regardless of how miniscule) has made a difference in us landing a recruit or not.

Why does it matter so much to you whether people think such a thing has happened? 99% of the people could think that such a situation has occurred, but that doesn't mean that it has.

 

[cyfan964]

Re: Poll: Can message boards play a factor into a potential recruit coming to Iowa St

I am blown away this is a 1/3 - 2/3 ratio currently. If a player doesn't come here because of something he read on a message board, frankly, I don't want him here anyway. If you are going to let the course of your life be decided by a what a bunch of losers, myself included, sitting in front of computers think than you have some serious life issues that are going to come out later.

Hey maybe that's why Mac can't keep players here... maybe the message boards do matter.