Friday December 07, 2007
Friday E-Mail Bag
Friday E-Mail Bag
Each Friday I publish your comments and answer your questions. To submit a comment or questions please e-mail me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com.
Mickey,
What a week, huh.
To the Game Day thoughts - how 'bout utilizing the West Zone facilities, then you don't have to worry 'bout the weather ?
But the real shot in the arm for the positive Game Day experience has always been and always will be a quality basketball team that is winning. Guess what Mickey........we have that right here, right now.
I think this year's B'ball team can go the distance. It is not easy to win those 6 magical games in March....you've got to make the Big Dance first and these Tigers will do just that. Then, you've got to have great coaching, tremendous on the floor leadership, maturity, play makers, and some "luck".....dang gone it, I think we have all of this too.
January and February in Tigertown are going to be filled with some quality Game Day experiences and watch these Tigers in March !!
Dennis
Dennis,
I agree about having a great team being big but I want to take it to the next level. We have the 17th ranked team now but not the 17th best atmosphere or game day. We need to build on this now and take advantage of the momentum. We need to get people accustomed to getting to Clemson early and tailgate or get involved in the activities. Students are the key but I also want the upstate to get into Clemson basketball.
Mickey,
I agree strongly with the thoughts about getting students behind the benches again. I was at Clemson from 77-81 during some great years under Bill Foster. I stood in line for hours with Fosters Sixth Man Club for every game in order to get front row seats. We stood and cheered from start to finish, and so did all those that sat behind us. The atmosphere was often electric and we were known for having a great home atmosphere. This is not true now, and will not be until students are given better seats. Plus, it seems our fans, including the students, really need to be taught how to cheer in such a way as to impact the game. With the 6th man club we felt responsible for creating the atmosphere. It is critical to have a group of at least 50 students who take it upon themselves to generate enthusiasm throughout the game. The official "cheerleaders" do very little. It has to be wild and crazy students who are committed to creating the atmosphere. Bill Foster used to meet with us from time to time, and if he doesn't already, it would be great for Coach Purnell to recruit a group and do the same. Duke should not have a corner on the market for creativity and intimidation. Let's make Littlejohn a place that teams dread coming to once again!!
KUTIGER
KUTIGER,
The atmosphere inside Littlejohn will get better with the team’s continued improvement and the student’s involvement. But I was looking to get the overall game day experience. We need to get the overall experience of the entire day improved.
Mickey,
Before we can solve the problem of the gameday atmosphere at basketball games, we must correctly identify the problem. I think that over the past eight or nine years or so, the situation for student tickets, seating, parking, and tailgating at ALL athletic events has deteriorated at best,
not just basketball games. From requiring ids at football games and putting students in the upper decks, to building the batting cage behind right field - which was the best place, in my opinion, to watch a baseball game - to putting students in the endzones at basketball games. I don't
know who is to blame for all of this and whether or not it is Jon Seketa-or even if all of them are attributable to one person. Mickey, it is noble of you to try and build a great basketball
atmosphere, but I believe the powers that be are working against you. We are all running against the wind here, to quote Bob Seger. But good luck to you. Maybe you are just the person that is visible (or audible) enough to do the job!
Best
Chip
Chip,
First, Jon Seketa is a good soldier and has nothing to do with the problems. He has only been helpful in the situation. Clemson owes a big thank you to Seketa. I refuse to believe that it can’t be done though. I was in Littlejohn for some of the games in 1997. I remember the place rockin’ in the late 1980s. I was not there in 1980 but heard it was electric so I know it can be great when we have great teams. I just want to improve the overall game day experience to help get it over the top. Better atmosphere means better recruiting and better teams. I think we are closer now than ever and I think we need to take advantage in this opportunity. If we invest a little now then it could pay off in the future. I think 500 more people may come if they can get pictures and autographs from say James Davis and C.J. Spiller. Once they get here they would come back more in the future. I think we can do this.
Mickey,
I know this isn’t a huge thing, but I am a season basketball holder this year for the first time, as well as Season ticket holder for football. I have noticed recently that we no longer have Male Cheerleaders, or either they are hiding from Major events(Haven’t been at a single bball game). While, I don’t really care about looking at them compared to the ladies. I do kinda laugh at these little flags the girls run around with. I remember going to away games and bowls, and our Flags were always bigger than opponents, I specifically remember the Peach Bowl vs. Auburn, and Auburn’s little flags running around and laughing.
Are we going to get back to the Traditional Huge C L E M S O N Flags, or is this some new thing that I missed? b/c I am not a fan of it.
Let me know what you know or think,
Jim
Jim,
I noticed the smaller flags but I am not sure it is that big of a deal. I will check with the athletic department and hope to get you an answer.
Hello,
I am a 2003 Clemson grad and grew up in Ohio watching the Dayton Flyers basketball team. The atmosphere at UD is electric at all the games, no matter what the record of the team or night of the week. I was disappointed coming to Clemson, an ACC school, and not seeing as much enthusiasm. Granted, UD is in a metropolitan area and Clemson is not, and I think this contributes greatly to attendance. However, I think improvements could be made to the Clemson bball games.
I think we can improve the halftime shows. At UD, nearly every game has some halftime entertainment. I went to a game over Thanksgiving in which two unicyclists performed. I've also seen the Budlight Daredevils, cultural dancers, jump ropers, etc. I don't think the halftime show is what draws people to the games, but these events were much more entertaining than watching some random Clemson student play "Deal or No Deal" or the Tiger shooting baskets.
My suggestion is one that improves the halftime performance, but also fits into your plan of former players coming. Each year at UD, they have former players (Jim Paxson for example) come back and have one of those 3 point shooting contests. They host about 10 players who take turns shooting 5-6 balls from 5 spots on the 3-point line within a time limit, and the striped ball at the end of each spot is worth double. I'm not sure exactly how it works, but the number of baskets made equals some dollar amount which is donated to charity. Once a year, especially for a big ACC game, Clemson could host several former players to do this during halftime. Before or after the game, the fans could have a chance to chat with, take pictures with, or have the players sign autographs. This way, the focus is still on basketball, and we can remember the great players of Clemson's past. Maybe Horace Grant would come to shoot for charity, as well as watch Jerai play.
I hope this was helpful.
Thanks!
Julie
Julie,
Your e-mail was helpful. Anything that could the energy would be a step in the right direction. I think Clemson has had some entertaining halftime shows and remember some promotions similar to what you have described at Dayton. I think Chris Whitney did the 3-point shooting thing one time. I do think Horace will become more involved as Jerai continues to play. Obviously the teams’ success is most important aspect but the overall experience is also important. Thanks for your input.
Mickey,
I enjoyed your look at the "Winners and Losers" in the new Bowden contract. I for one was not a huge Bowden supporter, nor did I want to go and find a new football coach. I hate our three losses and how they happened just as much as anyone, but after seeing the entire season unfold - not just ours but all of college football - I somehow didn't feel so bad about our situation. It's interesting how those that really wanted (and still want) him gone, assume a new coach would bring us more wins and a championship to boot. It seems these fans have never contemplated the possibility that with a new coach we may actually lose more games, have less talented recruiting classes, and have more players in the news for reasons nobody desires. Let's not forget that more contributions to IPTAY (scholarship money) might be wasted with kids that never graduate. I don't know who we may have hired or who worthwhile would have wanted to come, but we all know Clemson would not be offering the REALLY big/insane bucks that many schools now pay the "top" coaches.
All things considered, I'm O.K. with Bowden being around at least a few more years. I do expect him and the staff to learn from their coaching mistakes of the past (we'll see) and I expect around 9 wins per year with an ACC Championship every now and then. Can we win a National Championship at Clemson? Of course we can, but I personally would like to hear Bowden talk about it more aggressively than he does. Hopefully the new contract gives him the added confidence to be bold and talk big, not just to the fans, but to big-time recruits who want to hear that.
I understand why you couldn't list them in your "Loser" category, but it seems appropriate that those fans who now continue to bad-mouth Bowden be labeled a "loser" as well. Not only did they not get what they wanted, but shame on them for not embracing reality and moving on. For any such losers I say, "If you can't get behind the team now - and I mean the WHOLE team - then please find another program to complain about."
Merry Christmas !
Bobby
Bobby,
Thanks for your e-mail. I think it is OK to talk about ACC titles and national titles. I also think they are closer now than they have been in a while. It seems to me that those Bowden detractors need to put it on the shelves for a while and just support the program.
Mickey -
Love the blog...read it everyday...thanks for doing it. First time e-mailer -
My thoughts are more just comments than questions...but, after reading the winners and losers portion of today's blog (The Score Card)...I would have one addition:
Losers:
#9. Clemson Football Fans - We have a head coach that negotiated a contract raise and extension based on another job offer rather than his accomplishments on the field. Has Bowden accomplished anything significant that would warrant a raise and extension? I'll admit that Bowden's record is good...but isn't good the enemy of great. Like the Parcells-built Dallas Cowboys team that Wade Phillips has taken to an 11-1 record, don't you believe that there's a coach out there that could take a Bowden-built 2008 Clemson team to the next level? What would Jim Grobe do with more talented players? Paul Johnson? Pat Hill? Chris Peterson? The list could go on. Additionally, I'm shocked by Clemson fans who say after Bowden's extension they'd rather have a good Clemson team that graduates players and who's players don't get in trouble than win a championship. When do these folks realize they don't have to choose between the two. We can have both...7,8,9 win season's aren't good enough.
Thanks
Oztrain
Oztrain,
Clemson had offered Bowden an extension before Arkansas became involved. Clemson wanted Bowden back and offered him a raise and an extension. He did get a bigger buyout because of the Arkansas flirtation but he was wanted by Clemson before that. It is OK to want to win and Clemson should not apologize for that. Chris Peterson would not come to Clemson. I am not sure Paul Johnson or Pat Hill would have been the answer. Jim Grobe may have taken it at least for a day.
Hello Mickey:
Monday and Tuesday were exciting times with all the rumors about Coach Bowden leaving for Arkansas and subsequent confirmation that he had accepted an extension to his contract with Clemson. I might add that fans can be grouped into either your Winners or Losers categories. I know the Discussion Board I participate in as had both vocal support and vocal opposition to Coach Bowden throughout the season, so you can imagine the level of chatter since the rumors about the Arkansas job on Monday.
I also agree that Clemson needs to lock Purnell into a longer commitment. He has made steady progress each season at Clemson. In fact, one might argue his progress has been far better than has Tommy Bowden's.
Kirk
Kirk,
I think Purnell has a tougher job so you can argue that he has done a better job. Clemson needs to find out what his concerns are and make sure he is completely happy with every aspect of his situation.
Mickey,
Best quote of the article was--I talked to one Clemson assistant last night and he said, “I would hate to see this thing end here. We have made so many in-roads and have so many great relationships with high school coaches in South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia. It would be a shame if it ended now.”
Which is exactly why we didn't need a coaching change, we have come too far to just pull up and change now. To me this would have brought us back to the Hatfield days, who would we have gotten to come here???? I also think TB will be thanking us in a few years for saving him from that Ar-Kansas job. My goodness what exactly do they think they should be entitled to??? More than 3 SEC West Titles???? Does TB actually think he would have last nine years at Ar-Kansas winning NO titles????
Bottom line you can mark me down as being pleased that TB is still our coach. Now let's beat Auburn, finish off a great recruiting class (AARC PLEASE GO AWAY!!!!) and begin to go after the ACC Title next year!!!
Steve
Steve,
Stability is a key and has been a strength of the program. I fully expect recruiting to finish strong and I think the 2008 Tigers should have high expectations.
Mickey,
Have you heard anything about new contracts for the assistant coaches? Do you know if Tommy was really pushing for that or was it just media friendly lip service? With all of the coaching turnover this year it's to be expected that some if not all of our assistants are going to be looked at and it would be nice for them to know they are being taken care of. We were lucky last year to only lose one and if these fellas aren't taken care us I'm afraid we won't be that lucky this year. Enjoying where you live and who you work with can only go so far, eventually money talks. That being said, I'd love nothing more then for someone to come get Rob "I'm the smartest man in the room" Spence, that way Dabo could get a much deserved promotion.
Love the blog, it's part of my daily routine,
Chris
Chris,
The assistants were a part of the original conversation before Arkansas called. Bowden and Phillips met on the subject before the final negotiations began. I think Spence is a good coordinator and deserves more credit than he gets. With that said, Dabo is a terrific coach and deserves every bit of consideration he gets.
Mickey,
Why did Terry Don Phillips feel like he needed to issue an apology on this billboard?? Exactly what mistake is he referring to??
Sonny
Sonny,
Clemson is nice. We are nice people. Just ask us. Heck, we even spend thousands of dollars putting up sportsmanship billboards all across the upstate. We host symposium on civility in sports. We have to be the nicest people ever.
Here is my stance:
1. Spurrier said it according to two players but he has denied saying it. Rick Stockstill was blamed for it but Stock told me he never said it. Moe Brown said on my recruiting show that Spurrier said it. Rodney Paulk has now said Spurrier did not say it. My point is that many times in the past Spurrier has said stuff like this. He said “Free Shoe University.” He said, “You can’t spell Citrus without UT.” He did tell Clemson fans to get used to it at the Kenny Chesney concert. I think it is fine and I think it is funny but he needs to be held accountable when he says it.
2. It was a private citizen who can do what he wants. This was none of Clemson’s business.
3. To send three e-mails on the subject is ridiculous. Don’t have anything else to worry about? Go meet with Purnell instead. We wasted time we could have been using to raise money for the West Zone.
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