Nancy here, the female half of the TrueFan creation team. I'm guessing most people are surprised to see a girl's name on here, and that most women who are directed to this site wouldn't consider posting a comment to declare themselves a TrueFan. Ladies, allow me the opportunity to convince you otherwise.
If you live in Arkansas or follow the Hogs at all, and you have not been under a rock for the last several months, you know that there has been an absurdly enormous amount of negativity surrounding the Razorback athletic program recently, most of it stemming from team "supporters" and the media. You may ask why you should care, if you're not a big Razorback fan. Here's why:
The things that have been said and done under the guise of "seeking the truth" or "trying to educate the Hogs fans" have many times been unethical and hate-filled. Rumors have been spread like wildfire, at the cost of the personal lives of our student athletes, coaches and administrators. What was once the most unifying hobby in our state, following the Razorbacks, has now become a witch hunt. It has become the accepted norm for the media and even private citizens to announce the newest gossip as fact, and unfortunately people are accepting the stories at face value, without holding anyone accountable when they turn out to be false.
I believe that this ridiculous behavior has been allowed to get out of hand because of the bully factor. Simply put, no one has stood up and said it's not okay to act like this. More importantly, though, no one has offered an alternative for how REAL Hogs fans should act. Thus, RealFans was born. If you sign this blog--with your real name or a screen name, whatever you're comfortable with--you are showing the bullies that there are people (we think LOTS of people) that believe in the principles of loyalty and respect and integrity, and who refuse to let others think for them. Even if you aren't a sports fan, don't you agree that those are worthy traits?
The University of Arkansas
7 comments:
Most of the negativity surrounding the Razorback athletic program has been warranted. Frank Broyles has done a pathetic job in leading & running the administration and fans are sick of it. The real problem is that the Hog nation is clearly divided. Many of the hog haters don't realize that they are doing more harm than good when the feed off the negativity created by false rumors. It's a fact that recruits read message boards and it's possible that all of the negativity could affect their decision to be a Razorback. If fans don't like the direction the program is going they can make much more of an impact if the choose to not to donate money and buy season tickets for athletic events. That will cause the needed changes to occur in the athletic program.
Okay, Anonymous, let's avoid the generalities. Please cite specific examples of Frank's "pathetic job in leading and running the administration." When you say changes are needed, what kind do you mean? Why? What results would they achieve? I'm not saying you're wrong, I just would like to know the facts that back up your statement. Also, be careful when speaking for fans--I'm a fan, and I am anything but sick of our program.
I couldn't agree more with the last part of your statement--if you don't like it, just don't buy tickets.
Nancy B. '98 '01
It is my humble belief that a "TrueFan" is someone who shares a vested interest in the welfare and direction of the program. More specifically, I believe a true fan can exist without supporting the decisions made by those who lead the men's athletics department. If the choices by the decision-makers appear to render a negligible or detrimental effect to the stability, integrity, or image of the program and the student-athletes that give it life, then supporters have a right -- and responsibility -- to question those in leadership positions. Although many loyal followers enjoyed the sporting seasons this academic year had to offer, they were left with more disappointment concerning the events transpiring in the front office than those on the field of play. Although there are those that will always find fault in the head football coach and the current men's athletics director, many fans simply feel like the program is more concerned about self-preservation and serving self-interests then supporting the Razorback faithful. Right or wrong, for better or worse, it could be advisable that a more collaborative, concentrated effort could be made by both the athletics and the university administration to build rapport -- and trust -- with all those who share a devotion to Arkansas athletics. "TrueFans" in a defined sense, and otherwise.
If I could somehow emote giving Randall a high-five, I would! I am a dyed in the wool Razorback fan from birth, lucky enough to even remember when we beat UNC at Pine Bluff in one of our greatest games ever (and I was only about 4 at the time). However, in true American democratic form, sometimes leadership and authority must be questioned. And sometimes that questioning leads to changes.
I agree that many fans have acted deplorably. Pissing and moaning and rumor-mongering will only bring about more of the same. But constructive criticism is always helpful. My personal opinion: I believe Coach Nutt, though a good coach and deserving of many accolades, has gotten too big for his britches, and Broyles has allowed him to run amok. I think he and Broyles only hired Malzahn to get the Springdale players. If Nutt wants to call all the shots (which is completely his prerogative if that's how he wants to run things) then he never should have made this bargain. Another problem is that the Springdale parents only exacerbated a tense situation. Did they miss the part in Freshmen Orientation that their kids are responsible for themselves now? I think the fact that Broyles entertained their little meetings was a bad idea, though he may not have had much of a choice. And don't even get me started on the psycho physical therapist from Little Rock and Mrs. Nutt's lack of good judgement.
There's a lot of blame to go around, and I think what's dividing the fans so much is that NO ONE seems to be taking any responsibility for it. The one group I feel the worst for are the players. This is tarnishing what should be one of their greatest seasons ever, and hopefully will only be better next year.
Melanie '99, '01
Although I'm admittedly not the biggest sports fan out there, I am a diehard Razorback through and through. I cheer when we win and I'm sad when we lose. I'm not physically present for every second of every game, but I care about what happens and I'm always proud of our teams. The least that we can offer the students who pour their hearts and souls into their respective sports and who work really hard to give us what we want is our undying support.
This recent surge of what I would consider ridiculous mud-slinging does nothing to create change, in fact, just the opposite, it creates hostility toward a program filled with history and tradition. Fortunately we live in a place where each of us has the right, and I believe the duty, to express our opinions; however,is it too much to ask for those who wish to express that opinion to back up what they say before they go spreading rumors about subjects that they got third hand from someone who didn't know what they were talking about to begin with? Questioning the competency of the athletic program administrators has its place and can (as others have said) be a good thing when done in an appropriate manner. Unfortunatly, that is not what has happened in this case.
I would hope that the Razorbacks would be known across the country for fans that are supportive and well-behaved and frankly I'm embarrassed to consider what others must think about Razorback fans in general. If only they could know the true Razorback spirit, the one that gets chills when it's time to "call those HOGS" or who never screams louder than when we earn that next "Arkansas Razorback first down" or who gets butterflies in the pit of his stomach when the car tops the hill on 540 and can just see the top of the stadium on game day. That's the fan that I am and the fan that I know so many others to be. That is a TrueFan.
Just in case this blog is being read by any of our athletic department administrators, coaches, or student-athletes, I for one want you to know that I am behind you all the way. I have to believe that you know a little bit more about what you do than I ever will, since afterall you're in your position for a reason. I won't ask you to come do my job and I won't pretend to know how to do yours. Thank you for all that you do to entertain us and go HOGS!
Autumn '00 '02
Where do you want to start Nancy?
How about wiith Frank Broyles good friend, Ted Harrod, who sparked a lengthy lengthy NCAA investigation. W/O Frank Broyles friendship to Mr. Harrod there are no NCAA infractions. Perhaps Frank needs to make better friends? Since that time there have been several other PR blunders adding to the mix. How about the Springdale saga? The b-ball coach hiring process? A committee should have been hired in the 1st place, but Frank chose not to have one until it turned into a PR mess. Some our confident we've hired the right guy now, but they said the same thing with Heath and he was a failure.
The football program hasn't finished in the Top 10 since 1982. We've never won a title in the SEC, never played in a BSC Bowl either. Who's to blame? Broyles? Nutt? A combination of both? Or is there where you compare the Nutt era to the Ford era and say "Do you remember what it was like under Ford?" Let me tell you something - The Danny Ford era was arguably the most pathetic our football program has ever been. It was a disgrace. Can we PLEASE start comparing our program to that of it's greatness in the 60's and 70's and 80's when we actually competed year in and year out nationally with the best football programs in the America. Is that so difficult to ask? Or is that when we say in Rick Schaeffer's mumbling words "Well, we're Arkansas".
In my role as a teacher I am used to correcting writing mistakes. I correct mistakes both in grammar and in content. We'll stick with content as it is most important. The grammar errors sould be evident to everyone. (BSC bowls?)The Harrod NCAA affair was overblown. The ex-Mrs. Harrod has admitted in court that she invented much of what she reported to the NCAA. While she was ordered in court to take back her earlier testimony, the NCAA refused to take back any of their sanctions. Next, let's speak of the hiring process of coaches. Frank Broyles is the AD. (Despite the fact that you obviously do not like him for some reason.) As the AD, he has the authority to hire those who are to work for him. (Imagine the top administrator at your workplace not having the power to hire or fire.) Third, what exactly is the "Springdale saga", and what could anyone have done to prevent it. The only option that I see is that the U of
A could have given each Springdale coach, player, and parent involved their own way regardless of the results. (There is leadership!) Fourth, let's give Pelphrey a chance to actually coach a game before we label him as a failure. Fifth, did you miss last football season or something? We won ten games for the first time since (in your word) the "greatness" of the 80's.
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