[LUconn]

Am I the only one who read through all of the posts? Faith without works is dead much like Caring about the team/wishing they would do well is not supporting the team. The fact is, I read that after 1 game he said "screw these guys" while others stopped paying attention. How does that not rub anybody else the wrong way? How can we expect excellence/perfection from our team when we, as fans, frankly suck. Can anybody deny the importance of fan support in building a program?





Also we have Winthrop and Coastal fans posting here and they couldn't care less how well we do so don't get upset if I don't find that as evidence that some of our posters do care.

[Hold My Own]

anyone who loses interest after the first game, then I honestly wish they'd lose interest from here on out...I dont want to be jumping up and down on right after we stormed the court b/c we won the Big South and the person I hug b/c I'm so happy is someone who "lost interest" when times were bad, I want it to be someone that continued their support regardless of what they thought about our leader...I'd be fine with the only way you found out we won is b/c you turned on SportsCenter and saw them announcing the first people in the big dance (BS tourny is one of the first to be done)

Everyone knows my feelings on Baseball, but you will continue to see me at every game and be just as happy if we win it all this year...the bitterness some of you have is just simply childlike

It's seems like LU owes you something, and for some reason people feel like if they attended LU or pay their tithes then their voice is the only one that matters...whether it was you or not, i'd hate to be bunched in with the idiots that called for RD's head after the first loss of the year, and unfortunately for you your negativity is what puts you in the group

[MDIVIVVY]

Okay

1. "a sickening distaste or dislike" - yep that's accurate. I hate our team being the butt of jokes, especially among the students. I hate (yes I said hate and whatever that implies from WEBSTER) that we are mocked because our team can't at least put a decent product on the floor. Literally, I AM SICK OF SEEING OUR TEAMS FAIL MORE TIMES THAN NOT.

2. Actually, disloyal is more a pot shot at myself. I was trying to be honest, not pretend that I was loyal this season. I wish that I would get some credit for that instead of trying to pretend. Last year and the year before I was closer to loyal, but I honestly can't classify myself that way. This is not to say that I root for other teams (Well, the Wolverines), but that I did not show the support that would classify me as being a loyal fan. Honestly, I would be ashamed of this statement if loyal to this team actually meant something to me. It doesn't (guess my time on this board will be short lived, just waiting for a polite email). Am I proud when they do something good. Yeah, give credit where credit is due. With that said, I will feel a great deal more passionate for a Michigan game than I will a Liberty game. Just because they're the greatest "Christian Team" doesn't mean that they're a great team. It just means you've set the bar low for excellence. (Um, isn't TCU or Baylor still considered Christian.... if they are, than in no way does LU match up)

3. I predicted the men's team to do better than than the girl's - disillusioned

In my seven years here, never have the Men's basketball or football team been expected to do ANYTHING. It's hard to be loyal to something like that. Be loyal to me school you say? Then give me something to be loyal to. Something worthwhile I can invest some hope in because that is part of loyalty, hoping that the team gets better. No they don't have to win the championship every year or be the next Winthrop, but they can at least make things interesting from year to year. Something for me to invest my hope into!

[LUconn]

Well now we know where you stand.

[MDIVIVVY]

Well, least I'm not faking it like some people do!!!

And can anyone give me a reason why I should invest hope into these teams? Especially after looking like a fool by promoting it to all of the seminary the past 2 seasons (not this one, the two before it)

Is it me or do I keep making more enemies every time I open my mouth?

[TDDance234]

The fact of the matter is we're talking about sports. Not life. Nobody had to try and win your support over. If you don't like the way the direction of our athletic progams are going, there are 325something programs out there that would love to have you on the bandwagon.

Simply by stating our disgust for a program of players, that worked their butts off this season, isn't going to improve anything. Coach Dunton offered anybody a lunch-trip for anybody that would like to discuss philosophy with him. Take him up on it. If your sick of seeing how our teams fail, then go root for another team. College teams aren't here to "win you over" but they exist to give student athletes a means of education. There were thousands of fans before you and will be after you.

Sitting on a forum, bashing the team and the school isn't going to do a thing except make matters worse.

[MDIVIVVY]

apparently if it isn't a good opinion glowing with positive things than I guess I shouldn't post. Wow, has this board changed since I posted on the other one.

[TDDance234]

apparently if it isn't a good opinion glowing with positive things than I guess I shouldn't post. Wow, has this board changed since I posted on the other one.

Nobody said anything about not posting things negatively, but instead of doom and gloom and complaining to those that have no say over our athletics, act to those who do. Like I said, Coach D offered up a lunch-trip for anyone who doubted and wanted to talk to him about the program. I'm sure the offer would still stand.

[MDIVIVVY]

Maybe I have been coming at this too strongly and deserve the "strong" responses in return. If in anyway I slammed anyone I'm sorry. I guess the root of this is that I want our school to be good, but it never seems to come. Least not with consistency in men's fb or bb. I love watching those sports. C'mon TD. Tell me you weren't at least frustrated with being blown out by 40 by Winthrop. Didn't you at least get a little frustrated and wondered, "why can't we play better?" I mean we just beat them on our floor. We should at least be somewhat competitive. Losing by 15 wouldn't be so bad, but 40 points. Would talking to Duton help at all? No, I don't know how to run a basketball team, but does that mean that I should lose my opnion. And the why are you complaining to us about it instead of Duton response. Because maybe I need to see what you guys see. Maybe I need some hope restored and am looking to you guys to show me why YOU are so loyal. Complaining doesn't change anything, I agree. But I don't want to complain. I don't want to be the one that rants.

Help me out guys

[Stevev]

MDIVIWY, you are right about the changing opinions on this board from its early days. Probably has something to do with connections or the people that run or dominate this board. For instance we get all over Karcher when he losses but it is okay for Coach Dunton to loose. Where is the fairness on this board. In my opinion both mens hoops and footall are equally bad. Everyone should be intitled to his or her opinion whether they be positive or negative, just don't resort to profanity. Being honest and upfront is the only way to express one's opinions and I should not have to resort to "sugercoating a bad situation" when the honest truth is it is just that (A bad situation).

[BJWilliams]

Honestly, I was more than a little embarrassed at the men's basketball season. I mean the losses (especially the last one to Winthrop in the tournament) made me want to put a bag over my head.

I am very hopeful for the football season with all the changes both on the football staff and on the administrative staff, but that still will not change the fact that we have absolutely S***** ever since I first landed on the mountain 4 years ago. Now the 2004 Big South Championship for the basketball team and being a part of the Women's basketball team's domination over the last few years, and then watching them go to teh Sweet 16 last year made my heart swell with pride. Seeing something like what happened this year just made me say to myself, "what gives?" I mean I am more than ready to lead the call for change if things aren't better REAL quick. Now I am willing to give the benefit of the doubt, but Im not afraid to be right at the front of the line, pitchfork in hand if things aren't better

[TDDance234]

I don't think it's a bad thing to be frustrated, surely nobody was happy at the outcome of this season in MBB.

For me it comes down to these are students, that I walk by everyday, that are busting their butts (not for a payday) but for an education. What kind of attitude does that show them when they come on this board (which I know they do, even some of their parents) and see "doom and gloom" and "I've given up on them"? It does nothing but harm. The whole point of Liberty is to glorify God, and while it's not a sin to be frustrated or even voice your frustration, but to encourage them and stand behind them because THAT'S what makes me want to play harder as I'm sure it does all the athletes here at Liberty. I've never heard anyone say they were excited to play because the students/alumni/fans have given up on them.

For me I'm loyal because this is a place where I'm going to spend 4 years of my life, being trained in the gospel. I believe in what Liberty stands for. The more we support our teams and the more other people seeing the way we support our teams, the more they are impacted in their decisions to attend Liberty. During the HPU/LU WBB game, there were more CFAWers excited and painted than regular students. If the current students/alumni can't even support our teams, who's going to? Sure, some of our athletic programs stink now but to quit and give up will only lose support for them rather than building them up to compete again.

[LUconn]

MDIVIWY, you are right about the changing opinions on this board from its early days. Probably has something to do with connections or the people that run or dominate this board. For instance we get all over Karcher when he losses but it is okay for Coach Dunton to loose. Where is the fairness on this board. In my opinion both mens hoops and footall are equally bad. Everyone should be intitled to his or her opinion whether they be positive or negative, just don't resort to profanity. Being honest and upfront is the only way to express one's opinions and I should not have to resort to "sugercoating a bad situation" when the honest truth is it is just that (A bad situation).

Oh my goodness. Many people have told you many times that the 2 situations are completely different. This is Dunton's 4th year, and other than this year, we've had nothing but success. Karcher was here for like 20 years and had nothing but failure or mediocrity at best. If you can't see the difference in the 2 situations than I really can't help you.


Nobody is telling you to wear your LU glasses all the time. I critisize the team all the time. I like different lineups, I think recruiting was a little weak 2 years ago and now we're paying the price etc. But you know what, I paid to go see some games, and the other I watched on TV and the away ones, I listened on the radio. Sometimes I had to turn it off because it was ugly. But to completely turn your back on a bunch of college kids who are playing their hearts out no matter what the score to try and represent your alma mater, I have to question whether you even have a pair of LU glasses.

[Stevev]

I would think just by the fact that LU being a Christian school and so forth that the frustration thing would be magnified in LU's poor performance in football and mens hoops. I would hate to think that Christian athletic programs should be subject to or should be labeled as pushovers when compared to state universities due to fact that we are in fact Christian. It is like us versus the rest of the world.

[Stevev]

Getting back to what LUconn said maybe I am taking more of a short term look at both programs. It could be a little unfair now that you brought it up. But it is hard to accept the fact that we are this bad in both of our money sports.

[Stevev]

Probably me.

Correct that: Definately me

[Hold My Own]

MIDDDDEEEVVVVYYYYY or whatever the name is:

Well, I'm just glad to know you are no longer talking about basketball....

I say that b/c you made the statement "I'm sick of seeing us fail more times then not" and that hasn't been the case....but don't worry the Football team has made a turnaround and will be better and will no longer "fail more times then not" so just hang in there and don't sip some of that "Hater-ade" some people up on the mountain still drink like clock work, and it's not a big secret who they are either

Coach Dunton offered anybody a lunch-trip for anybody that would like to discuss philosophy with him. Take him up on it. .

I'm sure he'll be taking him up on that.... ...I respect the opinions of those who have taken him up on that but still question the programs direction...

Sportscritic: I highly doubt he was discussing you, b/c I for one continue to see you at game after game regardless of how our season is going and regardless of how you feel the direction of the program....just hang in there it'll all be a distant memory


Last note: I dont know how to explain it but it seems like not only some people on this board but just some Liberty fans in general feel like LU owes them something and their voice will get things done....I can promise you even if the 3-5 out of the 100+ registered members feel like RD should be fired and you yelled at the top of your lungs JF really wont care! He unlike most of you are not connected to the past and is able to disconnect the strings that some of you are still tied to like a belt...he also doesnt forget the success RD has brought this program in his first 4 years....also LU doesnt owe any of us anything no matter how big you think you are or how important you are in your church WE OWE LU for everything it's given thousands of college kids & this city throughout the years, but one thing I CAN promise you is that the heads at LU are sick and tired of the separation b/t some sports and if your opinion catches wind and you are employed at LU then look out...

[thesportscritic]

Probably me.

Correct that: Definately me

tell it like it is stevev

[thesportscritic]

But you're not loyal, and that's the problem. Everything I've read from you in this forum suggests that you are not loyal. Hoping good things for the team is not being loyal.

I'm disappointed too. There are things I would have done different if I were coach. But monday morning arm chair quarterbacking is a far cry away from being a gametime coach. We were not good this year and all of the excuses in the world don't make it any better. But if you can't even give the team your support, which is what they need at the very least, than you might as well be cheering on some other program in the Big South.

Who are you talk to? Me?

[Stevev]

Me again

[thesportscritic]

Me again

gotcha

[D Edcil]

Am I the only one who read through all of the posts? Faith without works is dead much like Caring about the team/wishing they would do well is not supporting the team. The fact is, I read that after 1 game he said "screw these guys" while others stopped paying attention. How does that not rub anybody else the wrong way? How can we expect excellence/perfection from our team when we, as fans, frankly suck. Can anybody deny the importance of fan support in building a program?

What does being a fan have to do with the product on the court? I don't think there are very many jump shots made b/c my body paint is just right. We can and SHOULD expect excellence from our teams b/c that is what they are there for. I am not denying the importance of fan support, but I contend it is not vital. Was UT men's basketball program full of rabid support until this year? What about mid major's like Gonzaga? Coastal did not have all that great of fan support. Oh sure it is impressive, and flat out fun to have an arena full of crazy fans cheering their team on, but that isn't going to happen if it is an inferior product on the floor. You sort of run into a Catch 22. What comes first, a successful program or rabid fan support? More often then not, a successful program. I did try to give some constructive advice, if we had bad apples, then get rid of them immediately, not after the season. Do you know how much respect that would garner from the student body? There are a great number who already feel athletes get away with whatever they want on campus. If RD were to boot someone, no matter how talented, it would have resonated with the student body and gone a long way. I am not saying that kicking off the whole team is a great way to gain success, but IMHO, it was a better way to handle these "discipline" problems w/out making excuses.

DISCLAIMER : Beware of spelling errors.





Also we have Winthrop and Coastal fans posting here and they couldn't care less how well we do so don't get upset if I don't find that as evidence that some of our posters do care.

[Hold My Own]

MIDDDDEEEVVVVYYYYY or whatever the name is:

Well, I'm just glad to know you are no longer talking about basketball....

I say that b/c you made the statement "I'm sick of seeing us fail more times then not" and that hasn't been the case....but don't worry the Football team has made a turnaround and will be better and will no longer "fail more times then not" so just hang in there and don't sip some of that "Hater-ade" some people up on the mountain still drink like clock work, and it's not a big secret who they are either

Coach Dunton offered anybody a lunch-trip for anybody that would like to discuss philosophy with him. Take him up on it. .

I'm sure he'll be taking him up on that.... ...I respect the opinions of those who have taken him up on that but still question the programs direction...

Sportscritic: I highly doubt he was discussing you, b/c I for one continue to see you at game after game regardless of how our season is going and regardless of how you feel the direction of the program....just hang in there it'll all be a distant memory


Last note: I dont know how to explain it but it seems like not only some people on this board but just some Liberty fans in general feel like LU owes them something and their voice will get things done....I can promise you even if the 3-5 out of the 100+ registered members feel like RD should be fired and you yelled at the top of your lungs JF really wont care! He unlike most of you are not connected to the past and is able to disconnect the strings that some of you are still tied to like a belt...he also doesnt forget the success RD has brought this program in his first 4 years....also LU doesnt owe any of us anything no matter how big you think you are or how important you are in your church WE OWE LU for everything it's given thousands of college kids & this city throughout the years, but one thing I CAN promise you is that the heads at LU are sick and tired of the separation b/t some sports and if your opinion catches wind and you are employed at LU then look out...

me again, didnt want this over looked

[D Edcil]

I am not important, but judging by the scales I may be big!!!
JF has never cared what internal critics say. That is his strength and weakness. What JF CAN NOT stand is to be embarrassed (spelling) and losing money. JF ALWAYS goes where the money is and IF, not saying he will, the losing continues he is in trouble. Now if the $$$$ dries up, the wins won't save him!! (See: Former Football Coaches)

[Hold My Own]

I am not important, but judging by the scales I may be big!!!
JF has never cared what internal critics say. That is his strength and weakness. What JF CAN NOT stand is to be embarrassed (spelling) and losing money. JF ALWAYS goes where the money is and IF, not saying he will, the losing continues he is in trouble. Now if the $$$$ dries up, the wins won't save him!! (See: Former Football Coaches)

WE AGREE!

But really, football is the best example...do you see how much time they were given? and some of you (not sure about you edcil) still feel like if you yell loud enough he'll do something....that's funny! He's well aware of our past 3 years and that will go a long way, i.e. much longer than football ever did simply from the record aspect alone...I'm tellin you, for every top 2 year he's allowed a losing season so some of you better pace yourself

and let's not even get into how much $$$ our football program has lost in the last 5 years although I must say most Football programs do lose money some just WAY more than others....ehh ummm