Yesterday I read an article on cnnsi.com by some guy named Staples. In it, he claims that a Tennessee Volunteer recruit backed away from his commitment because while visiting Neyland Stadium, the fans booed. They booed because the Vols were getting destroyed on the field, and have had a few frustrating seasons in a row. And according to this Staples guy, he was so taken aback that he decided to play somewhere else. Later in the same article, the author admits that this recruit overwhelmingly denies the booing had anything to do with his decision. OK, Mr. Staples, why is this kid's word not good enough for you? No person would EVER change their mind based on some boos. If a kid can't take some booing, he should be playing field hockey instead. So not only was this article totally overblown nonsense to begin with, the author decided to ignore the facts in order to support his theory.
The best part of the article is where Mr. Staples offers alternatives to booing that he finds much more reasonable in order to protect the fragile recruit's ego. He suggests that instead of booing, fans should just stay away. Empty seats supposedly would be easier on their little minds and hearts. Absolutely not. If I was a college recruit and I saw waves of empty seats, I would immediately want to play somewhere else. At least with booing, people care. Once the boos stop, and empty seats abound, real problems begin. I stopped booing at State games 2 years ago, at about the same time I realized NC State was never going to be what I wanted them to be. My expectations went kaput, my hopes died, and my boos turned into me not going to as many games. I guarantee recruits would rather see a full Carter-Finley with scattered boos, then scores of empty seats and shattered dreams.
Every few weeks, the issue of booing comes up, and it enrages me. Booing has been and always will be a part of sports. The fans that actually care and want to see progress will boo. The guy who goes to one game a season and can't name more than 1 player on the team is the one who gets upset when people boo. This is the guy who claps when State scores a touchdown to close their deficit to 54-10. Congratulations on scoring-we still lost.
Booing=Caring. Maybe if more athletics directors, coaches, and writers could grasp that simple equation, they would make positive changes instead of crying about people booing in the stands. Because silence is deafening.
2 comments:
Chicago Cub fans are the best. They support the team no matter what. Their team is awful for decades. They make the playoffs, they lose, they boo thunderously. The point, every fan base in the history of sports eventually boo when they aren't doing well.
Ps, Lob those State fans that cheer when they are losing are cheering b/c State is getting closer to covering the spread.
Booing is the best expression in the world. It should be implemented in all facets of life. Your steak at Outback doesn't taste good...start booing, student answers question in school, gets it wrong...teacher boos incessantly, your wife asks you to take out the trash...booooo. Obama doesn't like McCain's answer in a debate....cup his hands and booooo.
The people who don't like when you boo people at sports are the same people who believe everyone should get a "participant" ribbon or trophy. Wrong. 1st, 2nd or third or nothing.
PS....Booing at State games can hurt your throat
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