Messages

61

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Guins vs. Coyotes

« on: November 03, 2014, 04:39:08 PM »

Bashing people because they follow one high school program or another isn't going to help the cause. High school football is big here. It always has been and that isn't likely to change. YSU isn't competing against the local high schools. There is room for prep football and college football in the Valley. One doesn't negate the other.  Similarly, YSU and Ohio State aren't in competition.

I honestly would be interested in your opinion as to what YSU needs to do to boost attendance - aside from win.
If they are in one of the toughest conferences, the will face some L's.

Winning, of course, is the main thing. It's the one thing that will make people want to be part of the program. That's why the 1990s teams were so popular. They gave the Valley something to be proud of and to rally around.

Another way is to have a dominating player, such as Steve McNair was at Alcorn State. A guy like that will draw crowds, but it doesn't last. When was the last time anyone thought about Alcorn State? YSU has had all sorts of good and great players, but the Penguins' best teams never had a McNair. They won with a team concept.

It always comes back to winning, doesn't it? The truth is, only sustained success will provide a significant boost, unless you're handing out $100 bills at the gate. There is no quick fix that will fill the stadium for the next home date. But even as I type that, I am reminded that I've seen people line up two hours in advance for our YSU ticket giveaway at the Canfield Fair. So some people really want to go to YSU football games. Is it just that they want to go for free? I think YSU football is still a bargain.

I will say this: I may not have a ready solution to the attendance problem, but I am absolutely sure that cutting off media access to practice isn't it. Aside from winning, getting to know players and coaches is the only other thing I can think of that will help. Well, how does that happen? It could be that a skilled interviewer who asks good questions and learns interesting, quirky things about people — and knows football — is just the sort of person who can help fans get to know the people in the program and generate the interest YSU says it craves.

But hey, what do I know? The fact is, you're the first person who asked what I thought. I do appreciate that.

62

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Guins vs. Coyotes

« on: November 02, 2014, 05:28:56 PM »

I don't think the valley has this large level of high school football attendance as they think. I know it's impossible for anyone to get correct figures, but Ursuline or mooney aren't getting over 5k at games at Stambaugh. No matter how much their fans shout or holler that they do, they don't. But that's a different story, for a different day.

No, there isn't any one school with enormous attendance. And yes, even when Mooney and Ursuline are at Stambaugh, the place looks empty. But each program in the Valley, especially those that win, draw their crowds.

63

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Guins vs. Coyotes

« on: November 02, 2014, 03:31:42 PM »

Bashing people because they follow one high school program or another isn't going to help the cause. High school football is big here. It always has been and that isn't likely to change. YSU isn't competing against the local high schools. There is room for prep football and college football in the Valley. One doesn't negate the other.

Similarly, YSU and Ohio State aren't in competition. What people forget is that during the 1990s, when YSU was winning titles, there was a huge level of OSU fatigue because the Buckeyes were busy underachieving. People knew OSU was as talented as any team in the country, but you could bet they'd lose a game or two they had no business losing. People got tired of it.

64

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Hunter Wells today!!!

« on: October 19, 2014, 10:44:15 PM »

That D3 qb played 10 yrs of professional Football in one form or other and probably a better QB than you think..I have said before that the YSU coaching staff in their opinion said this kid is special.  If that kid was 25 Lbs heavier he wouldnt be here..I watched the replay after attending the game ...the kid is a gunslinger.  Lets hope we can protect him and build the O to his strengths.  I watched our young line do a good job and we forget we are only starting 3 or 4 Seniors. We are not far from being good.

I saw Jim Ballard play in college. Not a stretch at all to think he could have played I-AA football. Had the size (6-3, 220) and arm strength. Passed for 12,000-plus yards more than 150 touchdowns.

65

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: The new coach: what credentials would you like to see?

« on: October 15, 2014, 11:35:20 PM »

That is almost a compliment! Thanks!

66

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: The new coach: what credentials would you like to see?

« on: October 15, 2014, 10:30:15 PM »

But I made popcorn. It's fun watching everyone question everyone else's fanhood.

Oh, the drama. Kind of like Steelers message boards late Sunday afternoon.

67

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: The new coach: what credentials would you like to see?

« on: October 15, 2014, 08:29:27 PM »

Good luck with that, penguinpower. That's about all I'm going to say.

He shouldn't attack Wick. I respect an appreciate his insight.  He can call me if he wishes.  I am willing to understand him.

Your earlier assessment was spot-on. ... Made the same offer multiple times. Never took me up on them. It's easier to hide behind email and a message board ID and take potshots from there.

68

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: The new coach: what credentials would you like to see?

« on: October 15, 2014, 08:12:21 PM »

Good luck with that, penguinpower. That's about all I'm going to say.

69

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: The new coach: what credentials would you like to see?

« on: October 15, 2014, 07:20:45 PM »

Can't we all just get along?

70

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: DB transfer from USF

« on: October 07, 2014, 09:30:54 AM »

@EdPuskas,

Have you or Joe heard anything from South Florida as to why they are holding up this transfer?

I have not. But Joe's looking into it.

71

General BS / Re: Vindy Coverage of YSU

« on: June 05, 2014, 02:01:37 PM »

That's so ironic, Alanis Morisette should have included it in her song.

72

General BS / Vindy Coverage of YSU

« on: June 04, 2014, 05:29:35 PM »

What, exactly, is a laughing stalk? Is that celery with a sense of humor? A funny creeper?

73

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: The Year in Review

« on: June 03, 2014, 07:01:11 PM »

Wick, don't drag us into your skunk match. And if you're going to critique someone's work, you ought to have the guts to do under your own name, not a pseudonym.

74

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Released players on Women's BB team wanted to stay

« on: April 14, 2014, 11:58:53 PM »

I disagree completely. And trust me, I'm a fan of media and subscribe to many news papers. Pete Mollica was the best writer this area has ever seen. No one was better at his job than he was. Look at all the coaches who felt he gave them fair coverage that attended his services. They all loved him, not because he was filling space in the paper, but because he was fair.

Ed knows my views on his sports section. He gets an email far too often from me regarding factually inaccurate statements his writers write. Honestly, I got tried of editing his writers work. I don't read much of it.

But like Valley Talk said, it would be interesting if the Vindy writers earn credibility and give both sides of the story. Saying coach Barnes was not available for comment is lazy. Pete would never end a story like that. He earned respect and would get an interview from the coach.

R.I.P. Pete, they don't make em like you anymore.

Loved Pete. Spent some of my best years in the business working the YSU football beat with him.

But this isn't about Pete. It's about your inability (refusal?) to read a story and comprehend what is written. Nowhere in that story does it say Barnes was unavailable. Here is what was written:

Barnes declined an interview request for this story. Through a YSU spokesman, he released this statement:

“Any time there are coaching changes, it’s common that some changes in personnel follow for various reasons, regardless of the school and sport. I’m proud of what we accomplished this past season, and I appreciate the effort that all of our student-athletes gave, whether they’ll be returning or not next season, in achieving a top-three finish in the Horizon League and a berth in the semifinals of the league tournament. We wish nothing but success for everyone who has been a part of the YSU women’s basketball program.”


Again, reading comprehension can be your friend.

75

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Released players on Women's BB team wanted to stay

« on: April 14, 2014, 03:09:08 PM »

It's one side of the story. Let's see if Scalzo gets the other side or if Barnes simply let's it go and moves forward.

You are 100% correct Valley. It is a very one sided piece. Thank you for pointing out that fact!

Reading comprehension seems to be an issue.