To: AD Pollard

[dinger]

why are you all yelling at JP? this was chiziks game. you all dont know what took place, what conversations those two men had. JP got Chiz to come in, do his thing, not breathe down his neck and give him space and thats what hes doing. this was a spring practice. it is not meant for promotional purposes. some schools use it that way and it is effective, but thats not its purpose. you need to back off of JP, especially when you arent even sure it was his decision.

bingo i have it...im going to start a thread bashing chizik for not promoting his own spring game more. what? ludicrous you say? my point exactly.

 

[ISUAlum2002]

Actually, the south end from the 20 yard line down was empty. I didn't have time to count the people, but it was better than last year by far. I would trust the 7,000 estimate, give or take a 1000.

That's odd. I was sitting at the 20 on the south end and there were plenty of people to the south of me.

 

[tube1]

Practice! Talking about practice!

Yeah, this quote was funny the first time I read it. However, when it's played for the third or fourth time, it just gets old. Sorry. Someoen must have peed in my cherios too.

 

[Dave19642006]

So since we are making a stink about all this, did we win or lose? what is our record now 0-1 or 1-0, basically drop it its just practice, NOT A GAME

 

[dinger]

but apparently its a practice that we missed a big opprotunity on

 

[ArathornClone]

That's odd. I was sitting at the 20 on the south end and there were plenty of people to the south of me.

I was one of the ones sitting south of the 20 near the south end zone. It was sparse but not empty.

 

[CYdTracked]

Wow, I didn't read through the pages of replies to this but to the original post:

This was just a damn spring game. We knew going into it that it was not going to be a typical game. My best way to describe it was a "glorified practice." I've always been more interested in the tailgating than the game at this event and I really did not expect to see anything spectacular and I got just what I wanted to see out of this.

You can't get excited about spring games or think that you'll see something that will give you a better idea of how this fall will go. Not everyone is on campus and with a new system you can't expect to be dazzled.

 

[Drive4cy]

I don't understand what "opportunity" was wasted? Was Chizik suppose to tell the defense to not try and let the offense open it up and hang 50 on the board to create buzz? I don't see the big marketing chance this weekend was. It was a practice open to the public, nothing more, nothing less. I'm almost glad JP didn't try to make a gimmick out of it.

 

[crawfy54]

Dear ISU0454,

We in here talkin about practice. We talkin about practice. Not a game. Not a game. Not a game. We talkin about practice. We not talkin about a game when it actually matters. We talkin about practice.

Regards,

Allen Iverson

lol nice...

 

[CYdTracked]

I'll leave it to Mr. Iverson to explain this: [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGDBR2L5kzI]YouTube - Iverson Practice![/ame]

 

[SlyCy]

IMO, Pollard was smart not to market the spring game. Marketing the spring game would be the worst waste of money. 7,000 people? Mostly local?

I guarantee that the Cyclone Tailgate Tour will bring in more of return of marketing money and generate excitement and season tickets than a spring game could ever bring.

Thanks Jamie for not wasting money on marketing the spring game

 

[Flag Guy]

<insert additional/repeated comment ripping the origonal post a new one>

Personally I had fun. I don't have 33 other games to compare it to but... it was about what I expected and I enjoyed being out with Cyclone fans, putting on some face paint, etc and getting a sneak peak at what to expect in the fall. I left excited for what is to come

 

[cycloneworld]

#1: Since typically only most of the diehards go to the spring "game"...I'm guessing most already have season tickets. So who are you marketing to?? Answer me that please.

#2: If you think we are going to run the shotgun draw in a normal game as many times as we did on Saturday, you are crazy.

#3: Do you think Chizik is going to risk teams getting even a peak at his new systems??

#4: Why risk any injuries?? Why?

I would like the original poster or anyone who agrees with him to please answer those questions.

 

[dmclone]

This same thing happens every year. You get all excited and then the team doesn't look that good during spring practice. I don't remember ever leaving the spring practice and being impressed. You just have to take it for what it is. I thought the attendance was good and the tailgating was excellent.

I wait to judge until 8/30.

On a side note, I would like to see something special done during these spring games. You probably have the most loyal fan base at those games. I don;t know what that would be but something would be nice.

 

[mj4cy]

Dear Mr. Pollard,

I just wanted to take the time to THANK you for allowing us to get a sneak peak at the school's football program. I fully know the football program does not revolve around ME and I'm lucky to be a part of it even if it is a small part. We couldn't ask for anything better than to get to watch football in the SPRING!

I appreciate how you don't market this game up as if it is a dog and pony show. We understand how it is more important for the team to treat this like a practice and to not let anything get to their heads. We recognize that you gave Coach Chizik complete authority of the program and he may choose to do whatever he wishes in his spring game. This is probably my 8th or 9th spring game and I still can't get over how much I ENJOY watching ISU football with GREAT seats for free.

We realize that only 7-8k fans come to the spring game and that we want to be fairly conservative to be safe from scouters, injuries and getting ahead of ourselves. While some people may THINK it was not intense over the weekend, anyone who heard the coahes know that this program is more serious than it has ever been.

Up until now and STILL, you have been ahead of your colleagues. You simply are NOT showing any signs of slowing down. You have big plans and I don't always understand them; but I definitely trust your judgement. I recognize that you're the AD and I am NOT. You make the marketing decisions and why should I interfere with your job. You don't come to class with me and tell me to pay attention or to do my homework. You've already surpassed single season ticket sales and are looking to break the record again this year. Why shouldn't we trust you. You have not made a bad coaching hire as far as we can tell.

All in all, THANK YOU! The spring game was simply amazing and I could have watched it for hours and hours. Can't wait for fall! GO CYCLONES!

-Mike

 

[everyyard]

Honestly, how do you really feel? Learn to be more efficient in your posts.

 

[mj4cy]

Honestly, how do you really feel? Learn to be more efficient in your posts.

who are you talking to? If you ask a question to someone, please quote them so we know who you're talking to. If you're talking to me, it's pretty clear how I feel.

 

[pcyclonatrist]

As a football fan, I would rather watch a game than a scrimmage/structured practice. Does that make me an idiot and/or a grump?

If Chizik changes his mind next year and decides to have a spring "game" ( like Nebraska and Texas do), is he going to be criticized for exposing our players to injury or exposing our playbook to hundreds of scouts?

454, who we will probably never hear from again, was over the top in his criticism. I'm guessing that Chizik had some good reasons for the format this year (probably new system and lack of depth). But let's not all pretend that we'd rather watch a glorified practice session than a real spring game.

 

[mark]

Cyclone world wrote:

#1: Since typically only most of the diehards go to the spring "game"...I'm guessing most already have season tickets. So who are you marketing to?? Answer me that please.

#2: If you think we are going to run the shotgun draw in a normal game as many times as we did on Saturday, you are crazy.

#3: Do you think Chizik is going to risk teams getting even a peak at his new systems??

#4: Why risk any injuries?? Why?

I would like the original poster or anyone who agrees with him to please answer those questions.
__________________


Sure I'll take a shot.

1). Die hards are what make programs what they are. Which would you rather have:

60,000 diehards or 7000? Ask Jamie ... I bet he will tell you what his answer would be. DUHHHHHHH! We need to grow our program not be satisfied with maintaining the status quo. Right now we are behindd and we have to catch up -- and quickly!

We will not compete with Nebraska and Iowa untill we have a fans base as dedicated as those teams. You can delude yourself with faulty logic and excuses all you want but we won't be able to build new faciltites -- pay for top notch coaches -- and get the publicity needed to be recognized as a top notch program until we have attendance like them. If you are a great player where do you want to play -- in front of 7000 fans or 25,000? In front of sellouts or half filled stadiums?

Both of these teams are great examples to benchmark ourselves against as we play them every year. If you don't think that attendance is important -- you have your head in the sand. Even if it it is for a spring game controlled scrimmage.

2). This is a silly question -- and the answer is with our offensive line this year --probably yes (unfortuantely).

3) New systems ... You think this all cloak and dagger stuff? State secrets??? Didn't our offensive soordinator say we were going to run an attack like LA tech?? Think there is any film on that out there anywhere?? Very immature thought process -- and frankly another lame excuse..


4). What makes you think you won't have injuries in a controlled scrimmage?? Did Todd Blythe play Saturday? No -- the reason being that we went hard and physical this year. You always risk injuries. This isn't the team dance squad it is football.

Bottom line is that you need commitment to make the advance to the next level. That starts with supporting the team -- even in a practice situation. Our fans have never consistiently stepped up. Either we do now or I guaranteee you Pollard is on his way to greener pastures.

I exhort you all to quit making excuses for unacceptable behavior about fan commitment ... OUR commitment. Because that is all you are offering is ..... excuses. We need to step up ALL the time not just on occasion.

 

[cycloneworld]

Sure I'll take a shot.

1). Die hards are what make programs what they are. Which would you rather have:

60,000 diehards or 7000? Ask Jamie ... I bet he will tell you what his answer would be. DUHHHHHHH! We need to grow our program not be satisfied with maintaining the status quo. Right now we are behindd and we have to catch up -- and quickly!

We will not compete with Nebraska and Iowa untill we have a fans base as dedicated as those teams. You can delude yourself with faulty logic and excuses all you want but we won't be able to build new faciltites -- pay for top notch coaches -- and get the publicity needed to be recognized as a top notch program until we have attendance like them. If you are a great player where do you want to play -- in front of 7000 fans or 25,000? In front of sellouts or half filled stadiums?

Both of these teams are great examples to benchmark ourselves against as we play them every year. If you don't think that attendance is important -- you have your head in the sand. Even if it it is for a spring game controlled scrimmage.

2). This is a silly question -- and the answer is with our offensive line this year --probably yes (unfortuantely).

3) New systems ... You think this all cloak and dagger stuff? State secrets??? Didn't our offensive soordinator say we were going to run an attack like LA tech?? Think there is any film on that out there anywhere?? Very immature thought process -- and frankly another lame excuse..


4). What makes you think you won't have injuries in a controlled scrimmage?? Did Todd Blythe play Saturday? No -- the reason being that we went hard and physical this year. You always risk injuries. This isn't the team dance squad it is football.

Bottom line is that you need commitment to make the advance to the next level. That starts with supporting the team -- even in a practice situation. Our fans have never consistiently stepped up. Either we do now or I guaranteee you Pollard is on his way to greener pastures.

I exhort you all to quit making excuses for unacceptable behavior about fan commitment ... OUR commitment. Because that is all you are offering is ..... excuses. We need to step up ALL the time not just on occasion.

Wow...just wow. Sorry about my "immature thought process"...but I call it a "realistic thought process".

#1: 60,000?? We can't even fit that many people into our stadium and you want that many for the spring game?! And don't quote me Nebraska/Texas attendance numbers...those are schools with multiple national championships. We will never get those kinds of numbers without winning several national titles.

Please name one time in the last 7 years that we have played to a "half filled stadium"? Tell me when was the last time there were 25,000 for a regular season game. We have now sold 32,000 season tickets IN APRIL. Therefore there will be no playing in "half filled stadiums" again this year. Get your facts straight please.

#2: Why is that a silly question. I think it's more than relevant.

#3: Yep, let's roll out our new offense so other teams can see our play calling. In a scrimmage...good call there.

#4: Sure, injuries are always a risk. Why play a full game where the chance of those injuries is greater?

I applaud you for actually responding because I didn't figure anyone would.