I Think its officially over for the Hawks

[Gobblin]

Originally posted by sloehawk:

Originally posted by WWDMHawkeye:
Seriously?  

The landscape of college wrestling has completely changed over the last 20 years or so, thanks in large part to all of the fantastic coaches Gable has spread around the country.  Call it whatever you want, but "parity" is a pretty good descriptor, as wrestlers nationwide are now getting a quality of preparation and training that used to be pretty unique to Iowa.  The skill and conditioning levels are higher nationwide than ever before.  More programs are entering the national title conversation than ever before.  This stuff is obvious reality -- not an excuse.

I doubt many recruits use message boards as a primary factor in their decision, but if I were a parent of a highly coveted recruit, I'd sure as heck be checking out what the fans are saying online about their program to get a better understanding of the program, itself, if nothing else.  If I saw a bunch of hypercritical knuckleheads dominating the conversation on a given board, it would reflect negatively on that program, whether those fans were representative of the fan base at large or not.  

I think fans are too quick to dismiss concerns about talk on message boards by responding with stuff like, "If they can't take the heat, they have no business wrestling at Iowa."  Frankly, I think this is a cop-out by the fans.  There may be some truth in that sentiment, but you're kidding yourself if you think recruits and parents ignore message boards.  It's an Internet age we live in, folks -- people look online for just about EVERYTHING.  Why would we expect wrestling talk to be any different?  And you're kidding yourself if you don't believe a negative tone on a message board could negatively affect a kid's recruitment.  I'm not saying it always does or that it should, but it's foolish to just dismiss the possibility.  I think some fans just use that argument to give themselves license to say whatever stupid and over-the-top criticisms about wrestlers and coaches they choose to put out there.  If all of us imagined ourselves speaking directly to whoever is the subject of our post, we'd all be better off, and recruits and their families would have a more favorable impression of Iowa fans.  I don't see any possible downside to that solution.  Shoot -- that's what we should all be doing whether recruits and their families paid attention to this board or not.

This post was edited on 3/22 9:30 AM by WWDMHawkeye

(WDM, sorry for long post, and I agree with you for the most part FWIW, but you can't control what millions of people from all walks of like and intelligence levels say or do, you just can't, it's not realistic in the least. There is no eligibility form. You just deal with it, like everything else - of course you can "filter" what you say, and make it less "hurtful" to people, while still getting the point across, which I agree is good, but realistic? Not a chance.)

WDM, you know that I love your stuff here, you're as level headed as they come and have a long history as a Hawk Wrestling Fan (and I typically like what Gobblin brings as well, but he raised my ire thinking he was attacking me and stupid threads like this one are extended because of it - so I apologize to everyone for my part in having to sort thru that crap, including Gobblin). But, I think we are giving people far too little credit for having some common sense. For me it's that simple.

Of course anyone on the planet can visit this site, or any other. And unless they have some interest in wrestling, they'd have little reason to be here. So it stands to reason recruits, parents and current wrestlers or Coaches COULD drop by here at any time. I would hope they are not naive enough to think that every little thing is going to be puppies and rainbows. Real Life doesn't work that way, it never has and never will. I think we are doing a disservice to many of these fine folks by insinuating they aren't smart enough to sort thru the crap that inevitably will happen when groups of strangers from all walks of life exchange in banter relative to sports. Death, taxes, and petty arguments and stupid people on internet message boards are 100% guaranteed when you wake up in the morning (and yes I include myself in that group, from my "high horse" and all).

The only difference between this place and your local watering hole is it's in writing. This stuff has been going on since sports were invented.

And contrary to what Gobblin may believe, I have indeed been around many of the "greats" of this sport, many, many times over the years in all kinds of settings. It is what it is, doesn't make me "special" in the least, just happened because of peope I've known all my life. I am here to tell you with 100% certainty, they discuss this stuff just like us "mere mortals" do. They are after all just people, there is no God status, they just happened to be better at wrestling than most. They have earned my respect in that regard, but they are far less important than your Doctor is in the real world. And they know good or bad wrestling when they see it, and will comment on it just like every Tom, Dick and Harry. It absolutely works that way, and if you need more evidence of that, Jim Gibbons would tell you "No Shit".............

     I think anyone that listens to Mark Ironside on the radio would agree that he thinks just like a Fan, which he is, and his disappointment is evident at times, as well as the enthusiasm, though his delivery and commentary are "filtered" due to a combination of him and the FCC I would surmise.

I would add that "those people" (Coaches, parents and/or recruits), are no different than you and I or anyone else on the planet. They're just people. And if they and their offspring are involved in wrestling, there's a good chance they are good, hard working people, with working brains that realize you separate and process the good from the bad, just like you would in every situation you encounter in real life. 

This place has plenty of good information, from all kinds of people, and that's why it's frequented like no other. Inevitably people will disagree, and have differing opinion's on all things wrestling. There is nothing you or I or anyone can do to change that, IMO. And last but not least, it's the exact same thing everywhere you go, but more people come to this site than any other, I assume it's not always for the "train wrecks". There is frequently "good stuff" that happens here as well. I think people know that. Common sense isn't all that common, but it does exist.

No hard feelings Sloe. I generally enjoy what you contribute to this board and was never attacking you personally.

And I must say that I in know way think that I am "special". I'm a pimple on the ass to the people that matter in the program. I just get access to a lot of what they say and get to hear quite a few candid conversations and when I hear folks like those talking about the effect of our unrealistic fans and this board specifically, I take notice. It glared this weekend.

I went too far, but I was caught in the heat of the moment being disgusted what I was reading after it was brought to my attention by young member of our team that we hope to be a major contributor next season. I felt extremely embarrassed that he has to read some of that garbage.

Really looking forward to next season as I truly think we see an influx of a different overall attitude as a team.
Posted from Rivals Mobile

 

[sloehawk]

Originally posted by WWDMHawkeye:
I agree with just about everything you say there, sloe. My only disagreement is that there is something we can do -- all of us can think a little longer before we post and ask ourselves whether we'd feel comfortable stating our post verbally to the face of its subject. As I mentioned, I think this is something we should all be doing, whether this board has any effect on recruits, their parents, current Hawkeyes, etc.

No doubt that recruits and their families deserve the assumption that they're smart enough to sort the quality information from the nonsense. However, assuming that they're perfectly capable of mentally "separating the wheat from the chaff", that fact shouldn't keep each of us from doing our part to make this board the most hospitable place it can be.

Not for a second do I believe that we could or should be able to control what everyone says on this board -- I'm just suggesting that it would be a better place if each of us assumed some responsibility for keeping it that way.

Damn you, I was going to use the "wheat from the chaff" too, and forgot to. Kudos to you Sir.

 

[sloehawk]

Originally posted by Gobblin:

Originally posted by sloehawk:

Originally posted by WWDMHawkeye:
Seriously? Â

The landscape of college wrestling has completely changed over the last 20 years or so, thanks in large part to all of the fantastic coaches Gable has spread around the country. Â Call it whatever you want, but "parity" is a pretty good descriptor, as wrestlers nationwide are now getting a quality of preparation and training that used to be pretty unique to Iowa. Â The skill and conditioning levels are higher nationwide than ever before. Â More programs are entering the national title conversation than ever before. Â This stuff is obvious reality -- not an excuse.

I doubt many recruits use message boards as a primary factor in their decision, but if I were a parent of a highly coveted recruit, I'd sure as heck be checking out what the fans are saying online about their program to get a better understanding of the program, itself, if nothing else. Â If I saw a bunch of hypercritical knuckleheads dominating the conversation on a given board, it would reflect negatively on that program, whether those fans were representative of the fan base at large or not. Â

I think fans are too quick to dismiss concerns about talk on message boards by responding with stuff like, "If they can't take the heat, they have no business wrestling at Iowa." Â Frankly, I think this is a cop-out by the fans. Â There may be some truth in that sentiment, but you're kidding yourself if you think recruits and parents ignore message boards. Â It's an Internet age we live in, folks -- people look online for just about EVERYTHING. Â Why would we expect wrestling talk to be any different? Â And you're kidding yourself if you don't believe a negative tone on a message board could negatively affect a kid's recruitment. Â I'm not saying it always does or that it should, but it's foolish to just dismiss the possibility. Â I think some fans just use that argument to give themselves license to say whatever stupid and over-the-top criticisms about wrestlers and coaches they choose to put out there. Â If all of us imagined ourselves speaking directly to whoever is the subject of our post, we'd all be better off, and recruits and their families would have a more favorable impression of Iowa fans. Â I don't see any possible downside to that solution. Â Shoot -- that's what we should all be doing whether recruits and their families paid attention to this board or not.

This post was edited on 3/22 9:30 AM by WWDMHawkeye

(WDM, sorry for long post, and I agree with you for the most part FWIW, but you can't control what millions of people from all walks of like and intelligence levels say or do, you just can't, it's not realistic in the least. There is no eligibility form. You just deal with it, like everything else - of course you can "filter" what you say, and make it less "hurtful" to people, while still getting the point across, which I agree is good, but realistic? Not a chance.)

WDM, you know that I love your stuff here, you're as level headed as they come and have a long history as a Hawk Wrestling Fan (and I typically like what Gobblin brings as well, but he raised my ire thinking he was attacking me and stupid threads like this one are extended because of it - so I apologize to everyone for my part in having to sort thru that crap, including Gobblin). But, I think we are giving people far too little credit for having some common sense. For me it's that simple.

Of course anyone on the planet can visit this site, or any other. And unless they have some interest in wrestling, they'd have little reason to be here. So it stands to reason recruits, parents and current wrestlers or Coaches COULD drop by here at any time. I would hope they are not naive enough to think that every little thing is going to be puppies and rainbows. Real Life doesn't work that way, it never has and never will. I think we are doing a disservice to many of these fine folks by insinuating they aren't smart enough to sort thru the crap that inevitably will happen when groups of strangers from all walks of life exchange in banter relative to sports. Death, taxes, and petty arguments and stupid people on internet message boards are 100% guaranteed when you wake up in the morning (and yes I include myself in that group, from my "high horse" and all).

The only difference between this place and your local watering hole is it's in writing. This stuff has been going on since sports were invented.

And contrary to what Gobblin may believe, I have indeed been around many of the "greats" of this sport, many, many times over the years in all kinds of settings. It is what it is, doesn't make me "special" in the least, just happened because of peope I've known all my life. I am here to tell you with 100% certainty, they discuss this stuff just like us "mere mortals" do. They are after all just people, there is no God status, they just happened to be better at wrestling than most. They have earned my respect in that regard, but they are far less important than your Doctor is in the real world. And they know good or bad wrestling when they see it, and will comment on it just like every Tom, Dick and Harry. It absolutely works that way, and if you need more evidence of that, Jim Gibbons would tell you "No Shit".............

    I think anyone that listens to Mark Ironside on the radio would agree that he thinks just like a Fan, which he is, and his disappointment is evident at times, as well as the enthusiasm, though his delivery and commentary are "filtered" due to a combination of him and the FCC I would surmise.

I would add that "those people" (Coaches, parents and/or recruits), are no different than you and I or anyone else on the planet. They're just people. And if they and their offspring are involved in wrestling, there's a good chance they are good, hard working people, with working brains that realize you separate and process the good from the bad, just like you would in every situation you encounter in real life.Â

This place has plenty of good information, from all kinds of people, and that's why it's frequented like no other. Inevitably people will disagree, and have differing opinion's on all things wrestling. There is nothing you or I or anyone can do to change that, IMO. And last but not least, it's the exact same thing everywhere you go, but more people come to this site than any other, I assume it's not always for the "train wrecks". There is frequently "good stuff" that happens here as well. I think people know that. Common sense isn't all that common, but it does exist.

No hard feelings Sloe. I generally enjoy what you contribute to this board and was never attacking you personally.

And I must say that I in know way think that I am "special". I'm a pimple on the ass to the people that matter in the program. I just get access to a lot of what they say and get to hear quite a few candid conversations and when I hear folks like those talking about the effect of our unrealistic fans and this board specifically, I take notice. It glared this weekend.

I went too far, but I was caught in the heat of the moment being disgusted what I was reading after it was brought to my attention by young member of our team that we hope to be a major contributor next season. I felt extremely embarrassed that he has to read some of that garbage.

Really looking forward to next season as I truly think we see an influx of a different overall attitude as a team.
Posted from Rivals Mobile

Good to know Gobblin. Fair enough. Moving on.................... (the "heat of the moment" isn't just for the athletes! Ha!)

 

[WWDMHawkeye]

Originally posted by sloehawk:

Originally posted by WWDMHawkeye:
I agree with just about everything you say there, sloe. My only disagreement is that there is something we can do -- all of us can think a little longer before we post and ask ourselves whether we'd feel comfortable stating our post verbally to the face of its subject. As I mentioned, I think this is something we should all be doing, whether this board has any effect on recruits, their parents, current Hawkeyes, etc.

No doubt that recruits and their families deserve the assumption that they're smart enough to sort the quality information from the nonsense. However, assuming that they're perfectly capable of mentally "separating the wheat from the chaff", that fact shouldn't keep each of us from doing our part to make this board the most hospitable place it can be.

Not for a second do I believe that we could or should be able to control what everyone says on this board -- I'm just suggesting that it would be a better place if each of us assumed some responsibility for keeping it that way.

Damn you, I was going to use the "wheat from the chaff" too, and forgot to. Kudos to you Sir.

Right back atcha, sloe!

And I'm glad you and Gobblin are cool. You're both good eggs. Heck -- the vast majority of folks on this board are decent folks, I'm sure. Sometimes the heat of battle gets the best of us. We can all do better, and I hope we do.

It saddens me to think that kids in the program like the one Gobblin describes learn of thoughtless stuff posted on this board. Again, I'm not pretending that everything should be rainbows and lollipops all the time, but wouldn't it be cool if the guys in the program felt a predominating spirit of love from this board instead of criticism fueled by unrealistic expectations? It would be great knowing that the Hawks understand that Iowa fans have their back, even if just on a message board.

And Gobblin, I like the term "pimple on the ass. . ."! Very descriptive! That one might just stick!

 

[cidhawkeye]

Much better discussion fellas, kudos to you all.

 

[MVPFAN]

The main thing here is everyone loves the Hawks, most all lived through the glory days ands yes we got spoiled. I very much appreciate any kind of inside info or informed opinion I can get from people like Goblin, Spoons or whoever. I have been on here for more than 10 years and it is a great tool to talk about something we all like. I have not been perfect in all my time but I do try to filter some and think about what I say and I have admitted fault before. General discussion about the team and how people are doing is fine. The problem comes when people beat a damn dead horse about stuff, I can be a glass half empty kind of a guy and there are times I can't read some of this stuff. Not everyone is going to be what we want but that does not mean they need people to rip on them about not obtaining a very important goal in their lives. We have all failed to meet expectations before and we knew it, we did not need it pointed out in a nasty personal manner by a bunch of unnamed strangers. There are a number of people who post as regulars and then others who post once in a while and every big event there are a bunch I have never seen spouting off all kinds of crap. Nothing wrong with being a new poster, love to have new input but if your contributions are limited to showing up a couple times a year to rip on the team then I for one could do without you on here at all. Yes the PSU, Minny and even the fosu board which you have to use your name on have times they cross the line, does not make it right. I said it ealier this year and it is still the case, all the bitching and moaning in the world on here is not going to change a damn thing. The only good it does is allow the poster to vent. I say if your need to vent is going to be over the line find another avenue for it. Doing it here certainly does not help the team and really could only hurt it. No one is going to get better by being told how bad they suck all the time. Yes you can point out issues with the team and your opinion on how they can be fixed but that can be done without being nasty. Lets try to focus on what we need to win a title vs ripping people apart.

 

[WWDMHawkeye]

Amen, brotha!

 

[wasdt21]

Re: I Think its officially just starting for the hawkeyes


nm

 

[86_90]

This thread is classic!!! Spoiler alert: Everyone ends up friendly in the end, believe it or not.