At UTA

[APPARJ]

People who criticize people for criticism are worse than those who bring up criticism in the first place.

It's okay to ask questions, especially when the team was on pace for their worst record in over 13 years. And I think those of us who were critical are glad the team is doing well now.

Smooches!

I saw a lot of people asking good questions in 13-14. Questions like “where should we place the For Sale sign in Woody’s yard?”

I kid, I kid.

But seriously, it’s fun to see people ride the wave of emotion vs trusting the process and then claim they were simply curious about the process after it starts working.

[APPARJ]

I think this post to WataugaMan from the first series back in Feb is pretty clear.

Not offended. Honestly don't care one bit. I was making a joke based on past history with people on this board. I will choose my evaluation time of this team on my own and others can choose to do whatever they want to. And I don't have to give a flying flip what they think and they don't have to give two s#%&s what I think. That's what makes this country great.

I have never once said people can't have an opinion or be critical. Just as stated, it's what makes the country great that we can all say whatever we want. And ain't that what a message board is for? My comment that got referenced was more about people being hypocritical than critical. And not just in baseball but most things on the board, especially over the past couple of years. We lose and posters come out of the woodwork to give us play by play comments. We win and it's crickets a lot of the time. If constant negativity does indeed give one a hunchback then there must be a lot of Quasimodo's running around out there in App State gear.

Understand, Moose. There’s only one type of criticism allowed: frantic! Off with their heads!

[WataugaMan]

If we were not allowed to be critical or speak up, our football schedule would still contain teams like west carolina, Mercer, Samford, etc. and we would be playing with home crowds of around 15K.

[APPARJ]

If we were not allowed to be critical or speak up, our football schedule would still contain teams like west carolina, Mercer, Samford, etc. and we would be playing with home crowds of around 15K.

I have to echo Moose here. Who in the world is saying people can’t be critical? This is a message board.

[TheMackAttack]

If we were not allowed to be critical or speak up, our football schedule would still contain teams like west carolina, Mercer, Samford, etc. and we would be playing with home crowds of around 15K.

I have to echo Moose here. Who in the world is saying people can’t be critical? This is a message board.

Nobody, it's a deliberate misinterpretation by people with no actual argument to stand on. I'm perfectly fine with constructive criticism but we don't do that here. We don't acknowledge our own faults as a fan base and how they affect the strength of our athletic programs. This message board has really absurd expectations for Smith and had them for Fox as well. Look at our history in basketball and baseball and tell me how exactly we can expect consistent postseason play? We pay lip service to it, but we don't fund the programs the way they need to be and we don't show up as a fan base to support the players. We get exactly what we deserve. If we want the programs to improve, we need to fully fund them all, pony up for facilities, and put butts in seats to support the athletes.

[WataugaMan]

Moose I've sent you a private message, please let me know if you've received it, thx.

[firemoose]

Moose I've sent you a private message, please let me know if you've received it, thx.

Nothing is showing in my in box. Check the outbox and see if it's showing a number and also look in sent messages to see if it's there. Sometimes they don't come through. Try sending it again and I'll let you know when I get it.

[T-Dog]

I have said that people are being attacked for being critical, not that their opinions are being silenced. Criticism and disloyalty are being seen in the same light.

And then when the team wins, there's a joy in shoving crow in the critical people's mouths to punish them for their apparent disloyalty that is unhealthy.

When your program hasn't won more than 20 games in a season for several seasons in a row, it's frustrating. When the program was on pace for its worst record in over a decade, it's worth asking questions. Through that, we got the news of the rash of injuries, which I appreciate.

One thing I've noticed in App programs is that in the process of rebuilding, which we've had to endure too much in the last few years due to decisions made 5-10 years ago, it sometimes doesn't work. It didn't work with softball as the coach lost the team along the way. It worked in football. It's still up in the air for both basketball programs. It worked in field hockey. It's starting to work in volleyball. It looks to be working in women's tennis. We're about to see it in track and field.

[APPARJ]

I have said that people are being attacked for being critical, not that their opinions are being silenced. Criticism and disloyalty are being seen in the same light.

And then when the team wins, there's a joy in shoving crow in the critical people's mouths to punish them for their apparent disloyalty that is unhealthy.

When your program hasn't won more than 20 games in a season for several seasons in a row, it's frustrating. When the program was on pace for its worst record in over a decade, it's worth asking questions. Through that, we got the news of the rash of injuries, which I appreciate.

One thing I've noticed in App programs is that in the process of rebuilding, which we've had to endure too much in the last few years due to decisions made 5-10 years ago, it sometimes doesn't work. It didn't work with softball as the coach lost the team along the way. It worked in football. It's still up in the air for both basketball programs. It worked in field hockey. It's starting to work in volleyball. It looks to be working in women's tennis. We're about to see it in track and field.

Criticism of a criticism isn't necessarily an attack. I believe it's foolish to suggest coaching changes in basketball or baseball for more than one reason. Is that an attack on those advocating for coaching changes?

Again, this is a message board.

[hapapp]

The basketball debate was more about whether to extend or not. Few, if any, I believe we're calling for Fox's dismissal. And, I don't recall anyone throwing in the towel on Smith. People have been frustrated and perhaps impatient with baseball this season but I think it a stretch to suggest folks were ready to run the coach out of town.

[WataugaMan]

Moose I've sent you a private message, please let me know if you've received it, thx.

Nothing is showing in my in box. Check the outbox and see if it's showing a number and also look in sent messages to see if it's there. Sometimes they don't come through. Try sending it again and I'll let you know when I get it.

Just checked and my message has simply disappeared. It's been a long day at work, getting late, etc., therefore, I'll send a fast reply to your PM here (short version):

I realize that you were not signaling me out, you were simply expressing a point. A point, may I add that I agree with, speak your mind and let things lay where they may. Therefore, we're good/cool.

You did not imply this, but, I never once asked for a coaching change or expressed unrealistic expectations. I just wanted us to be somewhat competitive and at the time we were not. Things have gotten better of late, just hope the momentum can be maintained.

I appreciate the points you brought up concerning some hidden issues (mainly recruiting) Coach Smith is dealing with. These issues along with the learning curve from coaching Div II to Div I should resolves themselves over time.

To close, once again, we're cool. And, here's to many sunny/happy days ahead. Take Care!

[Rekdiver]

Listen, for once I have faith in an AD making these decisions that I no longer feel the need to comment on coaches.
“In DG We Trust”