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I just wanted to clear the air a bit here while I had 5 minutes. After the battles on here with Ban for the past couple days and then listening to OPR yesterday, with Gary talking about supporting the team, liking the coaches and asking people to understand that they are trying as hard as they can, I got to thinking that there is really a disconnect or misunderstanding going on here.
There seems to be the opinion that if you complain about our coaches or direction of a program that you are being disloyal, jumping ship, a bandwagon fan etc. I'm here to say that I see it as exactly the opposite. It is OK to be angry! It is OK to expect and even demand more! In fact, I would argue that our administration and our die-hard fans should be happy that there is anger and discontent among the fan base. We should be happy that there is strong critiquing of where we are right now and a clamoring for change to right the ship. It isn't a sign of disloyalty but a sign of true passion for UNI. It's a sign that we have been here and we intend to be here and we want to see it improve.
The "fans" that don't care or simply dismiss where UNI is right now as 'just the way it goes' are in my opinion the ones most easily swayed to follow another state school or jump ship. I don't put either Ban or Gary into that category, by the way. Those that show apathy will find an easier reason to stop buying season tickets or supporting UNI than those who show anger, outrage and even demand something change / improve. An apathetic fan base is a shrinking fan base (see In. St., Bradley, Mo St.). I want passion. Passion for the good and also passion for the bad.
I for one am pissed, but it certainly doesn't mean I have stopped loving my Panthers, have given up on them or will jump ship to some other school or team. I haven't stopped supporting the young men or women out there pouring the hearts and souls into their sport. I haven't stopped hoping that somehow our coaches will turn it around and become all-world caliber coaches. I want and hope for that every single season and every game of every season.
But I also know that no one person is or should ever be above reproach and certainly no individual is above the program or institution. If there are changes that need to be made for the benefit of the program or UNI as a whole then it shouldn't be questioned whether said person is a "good guy", is "doing the best they can" or "wants to win more than anyone". All of those are most likely true. But I consider myself to be a pretty good guy, and I can do the best I can and I can want to win / succeed more than anyone but it doesn't mean I am the right or best person for every job or situation. Saying so or admitting that doesn't make me disloyal to myself, it is just reality. I'm not being disloyal, I'm being extremely loyal to my school and my program by demanding better for them no matter what individual that might affect. Are Farley, Jake, Schwab, Tanya, Bobbie, Jacobs or the other coaches disloyal when they bench a certain player for lack of performance or are they calling it out and making the necessary changes for the benefit of the program as a whole (regardless of how good a guy / gal, how bad they want to win or how hard that player is trying). Why as fans are we called disloyal when we would like nothing but the same, even if it involves a coach?
For all this I say, it is OK to be angry Panther fans. In fact, be angry, be disappointed, expect more. Just don't become apathetic and don't give up the passion. In fact, support more and be there through thick and thin. The winning feels so much better when you have been there during the tough times.
There seems to be the opinion that if you complain about our coaches or direction of a program that you are being disloyal, jumping ship, a bandwagon fan etc. I'm here to say that I see it as exactly the opposite. It is OK to be angry! It is OK to expect and even demand more! In fact, I would argue that our administration and our die-hard fans should be happy that there is anger and discontent among the fan base. We should be happy that there is strong critiquing of where we are right now and a clamoring for change to right the ship. It isn't a sign of disloyalty but a sign of true passion for UNI. It's a sign that we have been here and we intend to be here and we want to see it improve.
The "fans" that don't care or simply dismiss where UNI is right now as 'just the way it goes' are in my opinion the ones most easily swayed to follow another state school or jump ship. I don't put either Ban or Gary into that category, by the way. Those that show apathy will find an easier reason to stop buying season tickets or supporting UNI than those who show anger, outrage and even demand something change / improve. An apathetic fan base is a shrinking fan base (see In. St., Bradley, Mo St.). I want passion. Passion for the good and also passion for the bad.
I for one am pissed, but it certainly doesn't mean I have stopped loving my Panthers, have given up on them or will jump ship to some other school or team. I haven't stopped supporting the young men or women out there pouring the hearts and souls into their sport. I haven't stopped hoping that somehow our coaches will turn it around and become all-world caliber coaches. I want and hope for that every single season and every game of every season.
But I also know that no one person is or should ever be above reproach and certainly no individual is above the program or institution. If there are changes that need to be made for the benefit of the program or UNI as a whole then it shouldn't be questioned whether said person is a "good guy", is "doing the best they can" or "wants to win more than anyone". All of those are most likely true. But I consider myself to be a pretty good guy, and I can do the best I can and I can want to win / succeed more than anyone but it doesn't mean I am the right or best person for every job or situation. Saying so or admitting that doesn't make me disloyal to myself, it is just reality. I'm not being disloyal, I'm being extremely loyal to my school and my program by demanding better for them no matter what individual that might affect. Are Farley, Jake, Schwab, Tanya, Bobbie, Jacobs or the other coaches disloyal when they bench a certain player for lack of performance or are they calling it out and making the necessary changes for the benefit of the program as a whole (regardless of how good a guy / gal, how bad they want to win or how hard that player is trying). Why as fans are we called disloyal when we would like nothing but the same, even if it involves a coach?
For all this I say, it is OK to be angry Panther fans. In fact, be angry, be disappointed, expect more. Just don't become apathetic and don't give up the passion. In fact, support more and be there through thick and thin. The winning feels so much better when you have been there during the tough times.
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