frivolity

December 09, 2012, 09:15:32 AM kyyote - Use the board. 

[NineteenRabbit]

Unlike neolithic man the modern sports fan, particularly those who follow college sports, believe that winning the game is the only thing to be desired or applauded in a team--denizens of the stone age knew that thing to be survival, but they didn't play football.

Nowadays the UTEP Miner football team is withstanding spring drills, and every Miner fan is watching to see how they "look" and speculating on how many wins they might accrue and which teams on the sched. might become victims; which speculation is, of course, a frivolous way to spend time: they'll win a few. Which ones doesn't matter. Though I must say when the Miners beat Mississippi in the Sun Bowl Stadium when I was a freshman at UTEP it produced a glow that warms my memory of that game considerably, even after all these years. But a win is just that--it's just that I'd rather beat Oklahoma than say Stony Brook, but I wouldn't rather lose to Stony Brook than Oklahoma. Ponder that.

Aside from the besnotted Aggies, I don't much care who else we beat. I don't hear much excited talk coming out of spring drills, so I'd guess this isn't going to be a breakout year. We've got some guys coming back under the same quarterback so I imagine we'll do a little better than last year, but not much. Still, hope springs eternal within the orange breast, and if the team survives Oklahoma I and neolithic man will scratch under our arms and grunt with approbation.

V  

 

 

  
  

[zyxwvutsru]

what he said.

[Art Vandelay]

The schedule doesn't allow for this team to win many games.  Stull and Co. put funds ahead of W's, when in reality it's the W's that drive up funds; short sighted thinking to schedule OU. 

[MondoMiner]

The schedule doesn't allow for this team to win many games.  Stull and Co. put funds ahead of W's, when in reality it's the W's that drive up funds; short sighted thinking to schedule OU. 

I don't get how people are upset that we scheduled a major college football program AT HOME.  People didn't seem to bat an eye at the scheduling of Wisconsin and Mississippi St. ON THE ROAD, but we're upset that we get the big boys on our own turf.  Having OU come here brings SO MANY benefits.  It will fill up the Sun Bowl, double season ticket sales, increase concession sales, and gives us a snowball's chance of being competitive in the game (at least for a half).

I'd much rather see us lose to Oklahoma than beat Stony Brook in overtime.  If we're going to bitch about bodybag game scheduling, complain about traveling to Wisconsin and Mississippi. 

[dude_miner]

What he said.

[liebestraum]

"What?" he said.

lieb

[Minern]

What Z said, I think.

[dude_miner]

"What?" he said.

lieb

"How" he said?

[Dawgma]

Marquis de Sade?

[dude_miner]

I wonder, are the fans bitching and complaining about Stull scheduling OU the same fans who bitch and complain when he schedules Texas Southern instead?

[paydirtpetetatt7]

I love Sade!!!

[ronstr300]

what dont you guys see? the OU game was scheduled after we already KNEW about the other TWO money games. one money game...sure...2...thats pushing it...but now a 3rd?? sure, this one is here, and yes, there are HUGE benifits to this game money wise.
the concern is simply this....we have 6 losing seasons in a flipping row. we WANT a winning season desperately. we have already conceeded 2 road loses for money, and now a 3rd loss already locked up. we will be VERY hard pressed to get eligible for a bowl game. ( i hear they are thinking of changing it to a winning record not 6 wins)

while the bottom line is profit margin for the university, isnt our ultimate goal to win games? sorry fellas, but just because we make serious bank mainly because of this one home game doesnt translate into a winning program (see the Texas home game)

bad decision by bob, but hey...what can we do about it now?...nada...

[kyyote]

Maybe we owe a thank you to those who boycotted the team the last season or two for giving us the chance to see OU in the Sun Bowl.  I'll enjoy it.

[TrooperJoe]

What Ky said!

[ronstr300]

I dont think anyone on here boycotted the team the last season or 2...or 3...the folks that didnt show up were the others that dont frequent the message boards. most folks on here and digs vent...but afterall, isnt that our right as a fan?

whatever....anyone with football knowledge knows we have little to no chance of a winning record. but bob will make bottom line. a good CEO he is. anyone really think he cares if we win or not? its ALL about bottom line. just consider all the decisions he has made (that you can think of) and i bet you can see money as to the reason. winning would be a bonus...

anywho...i heard season tickets went on sale already. mine havent come in the mail yet...wtf???

[kyyote]

I don't think anyone on here boycotted the team the last season or 2...or 3...the folks that didn't show up were the others that don't frequent the message boards. most folks on here and digs vent...but afterall, isn't that our right as a fan?

whatever....anyone with football knowledge knows we have little to no chance of a winning record. but bob will make bottom line. a good CEO he is. anyone really think he cares if we win or not? its ALL about bottom line. just consider all the decisions he has made (that you can think of) and i bet you can see money as to the reason. winning would be a bonus...

anywho...i heard season tickets went on sale already. mine haven't come in the mail yet...wtf???

Maybe not those who post regularly, but surely the talk of boycotting wasn't just completely bullshit.  If they talk was here, then the same things were said out in the everyday world.  It has an effect. The general attitude as voiced on message boards is both an indicator of attitudes and also where attitudes are formed.  There are many who read, but don't post.  As for it being a right to bitch, sure it is.  You have the right to tell your wife she looks like shit and her food tastes the same.  But, it may not be the smart thing to do.

If the team doesn't make enough money to pay, then there is no team.  No team means no losses.  It also means no wins.  So, yes, his first priority is to pay the bills.  If he has an easier time paying the bills, because ticket sales are covering the bills there is no need for the body bag games.  

I don't mind having OU here.  It is a win win situation as I see it.  If we lose, many can stick their chests out and be proud of their pick of the winner, and most will say it was expected or at least it was no surprise.  If we win?  It's huge.  I'll say it right here, right now.  This isn't the OU of the past, nor is this the UTEP of the past.  Plus, this team is almost entirely Texas kids.  Not El Paso, West Texas kids, but deep in the heart of Texas kids.  And they are going to get their chance against OU.  Most of these guys spent their football childhoods dreaming about playing against OU.  I think this one might just surprise.

I have spent years on here voicing my amazement with those whose loyalty is based on wins and losses.  UTEP is my school, El Paso's school.  Loyalty to the team should be based on that, not how many games the team won.  Sure, if your team isn't winning you aren't having as much fun as the guy who's team is winning.  But, you play to play, and you are a fan because those who are playing are playing for you.  And they are young men getting an education.  They deserve to be supported because of that, not because they are guaranteed to win.

btw, when doing spell check I altered your quote, accidently.  Sorry.

[zyxwvutsru]

I, for one, did not renew my season tickets last year for FB. I do not plan on buying them this season either.

Am I boycotting? Maybe a little bit. However, my main reason was that I could no longer justify the expense, both monetary and time, to sitting in the Sun Bowl for four hours to see us not even be competitive (my opinion). 

Enjoy the seat Ky.  I will see you at MBB/WBB in the fall.

[kyyote]

Thank you.  I will.  Win or lose.  I'll do more than enjoy it if the Miners beat OU, though.  Will see you at bb games.

[ronstr300]

I actually agree with most of your post.

while a lot of US (me included) talked about not renewing, that discussion was mainly last year. This, after 6 straight losing seasons. is our loyalty based on wins, of course not. lets not over react here. just because some are fed up with losing with no change in sight, doesnt mean we still dont love our miners. yanno, i have had season tickets for-flippin-ever. i have endured a shitload of loses. i have seen coaches canned after 4 year...5 years...when they werent WINNING. my silly ass was still in the stands because i truly believed that the administration was trying to win. (we had lots of fun too) i do believe the other coaches were recruiting Texas hard (as well as Cali), their kids were getting an education, and i am fairly certain they wanted to win desperately too.
so what's the difference? folks like price. win or lose, people like him.

stull IS doing the right thing as a boss. he is making sure his department ends in the black, not red. 3 money games this year means a losing season again, but it also means he turns a profit and can let Price go into retirement without having to buy him out. he will draw in a ton of season ticket sales because of OU.

Landry Jones is a Heisman candidate. OU is supposed to be one of the top 5 teams in the country, and he will want to put up big numbers early to get attention. UTEP has 6 straight losing seasons going into this season. our running game is questionable, we hardly even know the names of any recievers (meaning no  experience), and Lamaison focuses on edwards WAY too much and a good team will shut that down quickly. we havent had anything resembling a defense in years. can our O-line block me? who knows....result...62-20  

i've seen CMP at many hoops games with the grandkids...he sure looks old...i see zero fire in him. still, a nice old coot....i would love going to a cookout with him and talk football...that would be fun...

[Art Vandelay]

The schedule doesn't allow for this team to win many games.  Stull and Co. put funds ahead of W's, when in reality it's the W's that drive up funds; short sighted thinking to schedule OU. 

I don't get how people are upset that we scheduled a major college football program AT HOME.  People didn't seem to bat an eye at the scheduling of Wisconsin and Mississippi St. ON THE ROAD, but we're upset that we get the big boys on our own turf.  Having OU come here brings SO MANY benefits.  It will fill up the Sun Bowl, double season ticket sales, increase concession sales, and gives us a snowball's chance of being competitive in the game (at least for a half).

I'd much rather see us lose to Oklahoma than beat Stony Brook in overtime.  If we're going to bitch about bodybag game scheduling, complain about traveling to Wisconsin and Mississippi. 

I'm not bitching about OU, I just don't like having to play 3 body bag games in one season. It's been almost 50 years since this program has had a playoff victory--take note of that. 

[NineteenRabbit]

Poor old Nun--a voice crying in the wilderness. But what about poor old Noah? We are told he preached with great passion for five hundred years and never made a convert. Pissed God off so bad he drowned every human being on the face of the earth except Noah and his family.

Here's my prediction. The Miners will beat the puddin' out of the Oklahoma sooners...if it rains on the game. Hey, stranger things have happened: one time I found a ten dollar bill in a can of tuna fish.

V------------------[Tell 'em Charley sentcha]   

[zyxwvutsru]

Poor old Nun--a voice crying in the wilderness. But what about poor old Noah? We are told he preached with great passion for five hundred years and never made a convert. Pissed God off so bad he drowned every human being on the face of the earth except Noah and his family.

Here's my prediction. The Miners will beat the puddin' out of the Oklahoma sooners...if it rains on the game. Hey, stranger things have happened: one time I found a ten dollar bill in a can of tuna fish.

V------------------[Tell 'em Charley sentcha]   

Its my party and I'll cry if I want to. 

 

[Dawgma]

You would cry too if it happened to you!

[Spelunkeragain]

Nice Leslie Gore reference.  I'm impressed!

[Maniac]

I think it's great we scheduled them. Of course I came to this realization after I got past the fact that we're going to get destroyed.

I had to roll my eyes at the fact that UTEP has put up billboards advertising that game alone (saw this on Facebook) . I'm not sure why that bugs me, but it does.

[USAFminersfan]

Does the billboard read "Hey come have a great time watching your miners get their asses kicked in the best body bag game of the year!"?

Funny how the advertising department will shell out the money to (basically) hype the other team.....