Cajun Field: UL's Maggard wants 'Wow Effect' function

[ManAboutTown]

So are we arguing that the paying customer has no power to bring about change?

[CajunT]

A much better use of semantics. Although I'm not sure I'd always use the term "Constructive." In fact, I wouldn't use it that often....:-)

I define constructive criticism as raising specific questions without personal attacks and allowing examination and discussion by others. The message board provides the platform to have such discussions, reasonable or unreasonable. It is much better to have such discussions on a message board instead of some drunken fan screaming obscenities at players and coaches in the presence of children. If you didn’t feel message boards at times have some reasonable levels of constructive criticism why are you participating on one and challenging others post when you can host your own website?

[CajunT]

Absolutely correct. But let's call it what it is. It's relieving frustration. To call it "holding coaches accountable" makes it sound as though we have authority.

We do not.

Only one person holds the ultimate authority of holding coaches accountable and that is the athletic director. The only input that supporters have is collectively, putting financial pressure on the athletic director to eventually having to make the decision that a coach is costing the athletic program more in decreasing revenues, than what you the university is paying that coach. Collectively, supporters and fans can push for change financially. It's the only avenue that fans have some small way in "holding coaches accountable". You know that's what most people mean when they say the coach must be held accountable and so stop arguing semantics.

Ultimately Coach Hudspeth and Scott Farmer were held accountable through economic pressure from large supporters, lower RCAF donors and season ticket holders. If you don't believe it so, look at the decreasing number of RCAF members the last few years of Hudspeth's tenure and Farmer's multitude of poor decisions. Supporters can hold coaches accountable collectively, impacting the athletic program's financials. While no individual can do it, we've already seen accountability through financial pressure.

[talktomewillis]

I define constructive criticism as raising specific questions without personal attacks and allowing examination and discussion by others. The message board provides the platform to have such discussions, reasonable or unreasonable. It is much better to have such discussions on a message board instead of some drunken fan screaming obscenities at players and coaches in the presence of children. If you didn't feel message boards at times have some reasonable levels of constructive criticism why are you participating on one and challenging others post when you can host your own website?

I never said message boards don't ever have reasonable levels of constructive criticism.

But you'll have to admit we frequently get out of hand. There are some here who's next "constructive" (read: reasonable) criticism will be their first. And, while reasonable men may disagree, some here do not allow that without making things personal.

[CajunT]

I never said message boards don't ever have reasonable levels of constructive criticism.

But you'll have to admit we frequently get out of hand. There are some here who's next "constructive" (read: reasonable) criticism will be their first. And, while reasonable men may disagree, some here do not allow that without making things personal.

It can get out of hand, that is the downside of message boards. But Turbine , moderators and posters have policed it pretty well. Heck, we usually beat up on each other as much as we do coaches and administrators. As you know, that is the price we pay for free speech and opinion, as idiotic and personal as things get at times.

[Ragin9221]

All a message board is used for is to get a general feel of a situation, and come up with ideas that were never thought of. It is just a public forum where general fans can voice there opinion.

An AD, Coach, President, Fan, A LaTech fan can come here and see how some of the fans feel about a situation.

The final say belongs to the people in charge, and ideas that are brought forward can be great ideas, but we are all fans just voicing our opinions. So let them voice there opinions.

Our voices do matter! I guarantee that these threads have come up with ideas that the administration have never thought of that are great ideas, and have been put into practice.

We need to start worrying when the University stops caring how the fans feel, and don’t care what is said on these message boards, and are willing to not to think outside the box, and won’t listen to the fans of this Great University

[talktomewillis]

So are we arguing that the paying customer has no power to bring about change?

Of course not. The paying customers, if there are enough of them, can certainly bring about change. I wouldn't qualify our group as "enough of them," however.

[CajunRage]

Of course not. The paying customers, if there are enough of them, can certainly bring about change. I wouldn't qualify our group as "enough of them," however.

I know dozens of people that do not post but read this board. “Our group” is bigger than you think.

[ULvictory]

Of course not. The paying customers, if there are enough of them, can certainly bring about change. I wouldn't qualify our group as "enough of them," however.

This is definitely a place where one can get a good “vibe” of how fans feel with current events within the athletic programs of the university. I wouldn’t say that this is the end game of the fanbase, but it’s definitely a great substitute.

[ULvictory]

I never said message boards don't ever have reasonable levels of constructive criticism.

But you'll have to admit we frequently get out of hand. There are some here who's next "constructive" (read: reasonable) criticism will be their first. And, while reasonable men may disagree, some here do not allow that without making things personal.

Sometimes, we get our share of knuckleheads but for the most part, it’s not that bad. Sure, some of it gets out of line when it gets personal. But I would like to think that a lot of criticism that goes on here are usually rooted from legitimate concerns.

[talktomewillis]

Sometimes, we get our share of knuckleheads but for the most part, it’s not that bad. Sure, some of it gets out of line when it gets personal. But I would like to think that a lot of criticism that goes on here are usually rooted from legitimate concerns.

Most of the time, you are correct. Exceptions always exist.

[IHateLaState]

I'd love to know what "holding people accountable" means. Is that fussing on a message board? If you are holding a coach accountable does he get put on notice by the administration?

We all want excellence. No one wants mediocrity. But I'm not getting how we have the power to hold coaches accountable.

Athletic Directors and administrators do that. We just beech a lot.

Great post. Many on here like to use this "hold em accountable" and I too don't know what that means. We have to hold Robe "accountable".. what exactly does that mean... A bunch of message board posters ranting like they really are somebody? I actually hate the expression and prefer "results" to "accountability". This is a results business. Yes I am going to say it.... 20+ years of mostly big results buys you some down years. I don't know a thing about Talbot's abilities. i do know the results point to his no longer being around. But I leave that decision to Robe. I'm in the "Robe is here for how ever long he wants to be" camp but i can see if no changes are made and the results are not improved, an active and forward looking AD like Maggard will have a sit down. I don't think a message board full of "hold em accountable" ranters will force Maggard's hand. He is also in a results business and has no past ties... What a wonderful thing that is.

I say we trust the process and the people who manage the process.... Still this is fun and an ever morning before work distraction enjoying all the experts opine.