A Must Read

[Mr Janny]

How you view this all depends on what side of the table you sit on. It's easy for you to say "NO production, NO money." It's easy for JP to say NO money, NO production. The circle never ends....Until we win again. But how long is this going to take if all sides disagree. Nobody's right, if everybody's wrong...

You're probably right, but it speaks to a bigger problem. Something is wrong with the world today. I don't know what it is. Something's wrong with our eyes. We're seeing things in a different way, and God knows it ain't his.

 

[VeloClone]

How you view this all depends on what side of the table you sit on. It's easy for you to say "NO production, NO money." It's easy for JP to say NO money, NO production. The circle never ends....Until we win again. But how long is this going to take if all sides disagree. Nobody's right, if everybody's wrong...

Valid point, but I think Jamie's point was you never have given a dime and you lambast me, the coach and worst of all the players. I think that is a big difference from a donor saying I will stop giving until I see a change.

I know, I know, he may have been on Dad's dime, be a corporate big wig, etc. I'm not saying there might not be more to the petulant original email's author's situation.

 

[CIVILCY]

"Not focusing on" and "being a disrespectful ********" are two different things. The more I'm thinking about this, the more embarrassed I'd be if a representative of our university wrote that to a fan -- even if that fan wrote a ridiculous letter.

Can you or someone else please point out what is so disrespectful? I see an email that tells a guy its great that he's a fan, but he does nothing of note to help the program.

 

[Tre4ISU]

I sort of want to call in but I don't know if I want to give them that satisfaction.

 

[Dryburn]

I disagree with them because Pollard does not and should not focus on the people casually watching or typing away on a keyboard on a message board. The people who consistently give money and buy tickets are the ones that pay his salary and are the ones that financially support the program.

Shouldn't JP "focus" on all fans? This guy is a fan of ISU. He may not be a donor, but since when is ISU in a position to turn off any fans? Does ISU have such a dirth of fans that Jamie can risk offending ANY potential fan, just because the guy is not a season-ticket holder or donor? This guy is a potential season-ticket purchaser, or future donor.......wouldn't it be smarter on JP's part to cultivate that potential rather than totally turn the guy off to the program?

To me this was extremely unprofessional, and arrogant on JP's part. He checks some lists and comes to the conclusion the guy is not a donor or season-ticket holder. Fine. So that somehow makes him less of a fan? What does ISU have more of...fans who are season-ticket holders or donors, or just fans period? Truth is, JP had no idea what level of support this man (or his family or company) may have given in the past. Yet, he has the balls to tell him that his email should be embarrassing to him?

This is disappointing to me if JP indeed wrote this response. What is even more disappointing though is the reaction of so many on here supporting JP putting down a fellow Cyclone fan, and potential season-ticket buyer or future donor. What if in the next 20 years, this guy becomes a millionaire, or his kids do? Do you think donations will be forthcoming from him then?

I worked for the University for years. In my position, I had to deal with disgruntled patrons on a daily basis. I know that if I ever treated any of those patrons in the manner that JP treated this Cyclone fan, I would not have had my job for long. JP should have been a lot smarter than to respond in this way. There is always a chance something like this will end up being publicized...as it is now. Does anyone believe this is putting ISU or ISU Athletics in a good light? Come on people......THINK!

For all of you supporting JP on this......keep this in mind......if you are not a donor, or season-ticket holder, the way JP thinks of the man who wrote the email, is exactly the same way he thinks of you.

 

[VeloClone]

I sort of want to call in but I don't know if I want to give them that satisfaction.

Be strong! That is exactly what they hoped for when they posted the link here.:no:

 

[CykoAGR]

JP effed up BIG TIME.

There is no way that this ends well.

 

[khess83]

Yeah they are hoping for a lot of play out of this. Talk radio thrives off of hot button items. Matt sounds more whiney about how he couldn't afford Sox tickets growing up than he sounds made about this email.

 

[Tre4ISU]

Shouldn't JP "focus" on all fans? This guy is a fan of ISU. He may not be a donor, but since when is ISU in a position to turn off any fans? Does ISU have such a dirth of fans that Jamie can risk offending ANY potential fan, just because the guy is not a season-ticket holder or donor? This guy is a potential season-ticket purchaser, or future donor.......wouldn't it be smarter on JP's part to cultivate that potential rather than totally turn the guy off to the program?

To me this was extremely unprofessional, and arrogant on JP's part. He checks some lists and comes to the conclusion the guy is not a donor or season-ticket holder. Fine. So that somehow makes him less of a fan? What does ISU have more of...fans who are season-ticket holders or donors, or just fans period? Truth is, JP had no idea what level of support this man (or his family or company) may have given in the past. Yet, he has the balls to tell him that his email should be embarrassing to him?

This is disappointing to me if JP indeed wrote this response. What is even more disappointing though is the reaction of so many on here supporting JP putting down a fellow Cyclone fan, and potential season-ticket buyer or future donor. What if in the next 20 years, this guy becomes a millionaire, or his kids do? Do you think donations will be forthcoming from him then?

I worked for the University for years. In my position, I had to deal with disgruntled patrons on a daily basis. I know that if I ever treated any of those patrons in the manner that JP treated this Cyclone fan, I would not have had my job for long.

For all of you supporting JP on this......keep this in mind......if you are not a donor, or season-ticket holder, the way JP thinks of the man who wrote the email, is exactly the same way he thinks of you.

I do have a problem with the "embarrassing" comment. I just think the ones who buy tickets and do donate are the ones that make this thing go. I understand the potential relationship and that is a way that I haven't looked at it before.

The other thing. Some fans have been doing almost the same thing JP said in this email. They say "No winning, no money." Jamie says "No money, no change in opinion because of you." I have no idea if he is being honest on the direction of his emails. I doubt it but I do think he has had less negative than positive. He will do what the money says.

Here's how I look at it. I am a pretty big Michigan fan. I donate no money to them and buy no tickets. I consider myself a fan. However, I do not expect them to listen to my opinion if given. Why would they? What is the incentive.

 

[VeloClone]

Shouldn't JP "focus" on all fans? This guy is a fan of ISU. He may not be a donor, but since when is ISU in a position to turn off any fans? Does ISU have such a dirth of fans that Jamie can risk offending ANY potential fan, just because the guy is not a season-ticket holder or donor? This guy is a potential season-ticket purchaser, or future donor.......wouldn't it be smarter on JP's part to cultivate that potential rather than totally turn the guy off to the program?

To me this was extremely unprofessional, and arrogant on JP's part. He checks some lists and comes to the conclusion guy is not a donor or season-ticket holder. Fine. So that somehow makes him less of a fan? What does ISU have more of...fans who are season-ticket holders or donors, or just fans period? Truth is, JP had no idea what level of support this man (or his family or company) may have given in the past. Yet, he has the balls to tell him that his email should be embarrassing to him?

This is disappointing to me if JP indeed wrote this response. What is even more disappointing though is the reaction of so many on here supporting JP putting down a fellow Cyclone fan, and potential season-ticket buyer or future donor. What if in the next 20 years, this guy becomes a millionaire, or his kids do? Do you think donations will be forthcoming from him then?

I worked for the University for years. In my position, I had to deal with disgruntled patrons on a daily basis. I know that if I ever treated any of those patrons in the manner that JP treated this Cyclone fan, I would not have had my job for long.

For all of you supporting JP on this......keep this in mind......if you are not a donor, or season-ticket holder, the way JP thinks of the man who wrote the email, is exactly the same way he thinks of you.[/QUOTE]

I don't believe that is true. Don't you think that the tenor of the original email contributes to what JP thinks of the author? I'm sure when I emailed JP he looked up that I have only purchased cheap season tickets without a donation for the last few years but he still treated me as though my opinions mattered. It was not one of those "I'll take it under advisement" responses, either. I was honestly impressed.

I am confident if the email was negative yet respectful there would have been a much different response.

I am not going to comment further on the response the email did get.

 

[snowcraig2.0]

I really hope JP didn't write this.

 

[benjay]

"Not focusing on" and "being a disrespectful ********" are two different things. The more I'm thinking about this, the more embarrassed I'd be if a representative of our university wrote that to a fan -- even if that fan wrote a ridiculous letter.

Actually it's pretty damn funny. A-hole fan got what he deserved, curious onlookers are amused. This is win/win.

 

[LonoClone]

JP effed up BIG TIME.

There is no way that this ends well.

not a chance. 2 weeks from now, nobody will care. There is no clear cut evidence of impropriety. Bad judgement? Possibly. But nothing that is going to get the man fired or even reprimanded.

 

[CykoAGR]

Shouldn't JP "focus" on all fans? This guy is a fan of ISU. He may not be a donor, but since when is ISU in a position to turn off any fans? Does ISU have such a dirth of fans that Jamie can risk offending ANY potential fan, just because the guy is not a season-ticket holder or donor? This guy is a potential season-ticket purchaser, or future donor.......wouldn't it be smarter on JP's part to cultivate that potential rather than totally turn the guy off to the program?

To me this was extremely unprofessional, and arrogant on JP's part. He checks some lists and comes to the conclusion the guy is not a donor or season-ticket holder. Fine. So that somehow makes him less of a fan? What does ISU have more of...fans who are season-ticket holders or donors, or just fans period? Truth is, JP had no idea what level of support this man (or his family or company) may have given in the past. Yet, he has the balls to tell him that his email should be embarrassing to him?

This is disappointing to me if JP indeed wrote this response. What is even more disappointing though is the reaction of so many on here supporting JP putting down a fellow Cyclone fan, and potential season-ticket buyer or future donor. What if in the next 20 years, this guy becomes a millionaire, or his kids do? Do you think donations will be forthcoming from him then?

I worked for the University for years. In my position, I had to deal with disgruntled patrons on a daily basis. I know that if I ever treated any of those patrons in the manner that JP treated this Cyclone fan, I would not have had my job for long.

For all of you supporting JP on this......keep this in mind......if you are not a donor, or season-ticket holder, the way JP thinks of the man who wrote the email, is exactly the same way he thinks of you.[/QUOTE]

This is dead on. If any of you are business owners who you say the same thing to a potential customer? There is no justification for JP's response. He can feel this way but don't send this out in a traceable format jeez how DUMB.

 

[d4nim4l]

Jesus Matt. Way to conveniently not read the parts in the first e-mail about the players and coaches getting ripped but read everything Pollard said.

The kid was asking for Pollard to go off and he got it. Heck his whole point might have been to get this to come out publically.

Alas, Pollard has bigger fish to fry.

And as they are talking about it now, taxes have a small impact on our atheltic department. 5%ish I believe. So taxpayers =/= donors.

 

[Tre4ISU]

After reading the e-mail again, I have even more reason to argue. The are misrepresenting what the e-mail actually said. He DID NOT say he was not a fan. He said that instead of doing what he is doing he should be looking to take action. That is not saying he is not a fan.

 

[Tre4ISU]

Jesus Matt. Way to conveniently not read the parts in the first e-mail about the players and coaches getting ripped but read everything Pollard said.

The kid was asking for Pollard to go off and he got it. Heck his whole point might have been to get this to come out publically.

Alas, Pollard has bigger fish to fry.

And as they are talking about it now, taxes have a small impact on our atheltic department. 5%ish I believe. So taxpayers =/= donors.

You are 100% correct.

 

[CykoAGR]

not a chance. 2 weeks from now, nobody will care. There is no clear cut evidence of impropriety. Bad judgement? Possibly. But nothing that is going to get the man fired or even reprimanded.

I'm not saying that he will be or even should be fired. Up to this point I have agreed with most of what JP has done. Awesome as far as improvements to facilities etc and will make us competitive.

I wil garauntee that Matt Rainey and his family will remember, I know that I would if I were him. And I know that a lot of other fans in Matts position will also feel the same but then again to JP and most of you on this board who feel that this response was a good idea people like him dont matter anyway. RIGHT??

 

[PGreen ISU '92]

You need the mindset as an AD like you would any other business -- if you're not a current customer you're a future customer. You need to treat everyone the same.

 

[benjay]

This is dead on. If any of you are business owners who you say the same thing to a potential customer? There is no justification for JP's response. He can feel this way but don't send this out in a traceable format jeez how DUMB.

Sometimes you've got to put people in their place, including customers. This guy deserved it for such a poorly crafted complaint.