What Makes a Winning Program? Part I

[CajunFun]

That's what I'm hearing. And that's what I'm hoping! A lot of signs are pointing towards a positive season. I agree with you that the crowd does have an impact on the players. Whether or not it should, it does. How's KP doing? Looking forward to seeing him rack up some pancakes (and I'm not talking about IHOP!). Are you going to the Fan Day on Sunday?

Geaux Cajuns!!!

Thanks, Mandy.

So basically, you guys are agreeing with me, right?

The reason money and seated butts are important, is because of the impact it has on the players' mindset.

So teamwork and the players' attitudes are #1. Because we have seen over and over, if a team can somehow generate the right attitude, without fine uniforms and fancy equipment, and without a big crowd, they beat teams that have the money, but not the mental; teams who have the appearances, but not the attitudes.

The team's attitude, teamwork, character, is #1. We need to insure that everything we do supports that. So what we can do, is insure that everything we do-- and say-- supports teamwork and the players' attitudes.

Which means it's not enough to give money & show up at games, if you have a "fair-weather fan" attitude. For those of you who whine after every loss, and after every disappointing season, you're hurting us.

That's the bottom line, the THP: your money and attendance aren't enough to offset your negativity.

[CajunFun]

Which comes first? Do someone's donations and attendance give them the right to whine?

Or does the negativity more than offset the money and the crowds?

You all know very much why I'm asking... who we do NOT want to become.

It's an important question. It's a question about who we are, what we value, and where we want to go.

[DestinCajun]

Which comes first? Do someone's donations and attendance give them the right to whine?

Or does the negativity more than offset the money and the crowds?

You all know very much why I'm asking... who we do NOT want to become.

It's an important question. It's a question about who we are, what we value, and where we want to go. _

I went with "A" and I'm sticking with "A" because it is how we can help build a foundation for success for athletes who select UL as their university. It's a first the horse and then the cart POV. That's the context in which I looked at the two (and the only two) options offered.

I don't see "donating, buying tickets and attending games" as any sort of right to just whine but, versus the folks who do none of those things, I do feel donors, buyers and game attendees are entitled to constructively criticize the administration and operation of our athletic program.

[ShowDog]

_ Which is more important for on-field success? _

It's a combination of a lot of things and they all have to be hitting on all cylinders. Financial support/fan support/great coaching/top-notch recruits/ someone who knows how to market our product/great facilities/and outside perception that we have a program to be emulated.

I don't think we have one of these segments to the degree it ought to be. IMOHO-I think we've let the best name in sports be undiscovered by the most pitiful marketing group in college athletics. More people know who Slippery Rock is than they know who we are.

[DrumRoll]

A desire to do what is required...

By the fans...

By the Administration...

By the staff...

By the players...

All of the effort and cohesiveness on the planet is not going to help someone armed with a toothpick to kill an elephant, so without the proper tools, you are lost...

Conversely, an F-18 is not going to be much use to a second grader in a dirt clod fight if he cannot fly it, so without the proper knowledge and know how, you are lost...

The one thing that a fan wakes up every morning and decides for himself, is what his or her attitude will be...

It does not matter what the question is about the program, rest assured, that attitude will be the reason...for the good and the bad!

[NOCajun]

A desire to do what is required...

By the fans...

By the Administration...

By the staff...

By the players...

All of the effort and cohesiveness on the planet is not going to help someone armed with a toothpick to kill an elephant, so without the proper tools, you are lost...

Conversely, an F-18 is not going to be much use to a second grader in a dirt clod fight if he cannot fly it, so without the proper knowledge and know how, you are lost...

The one thing that a fan wakes up every morning and decides for himself, is what his or her attitude will be...

It does not matter what the question is about the program, rest assured, that attitude will be the reason...for the good and the bad!

I can honestly say I think we see these very things happpening RIGHT NOW.

[CRAWFISH61]

They made an announcement that RCAF donations are up 75%. I don't know if that is in amount of money or in number of donations but that is awesome.

[NOCajun]

WINNING is the CURE!!