That's it, I can't take this mediocrity anymore. After forty five years of crying, wishing, hoping, making excuses, listening to excuses, living on the edge emotionally I'm done, I'm out. This program is dead in the water, it's needs new leadership, across the board: Wilcox needs to go, recruiting needs a total overhaul, administration needs to take this sport seriously, drop to division II or drop the sport altogether, it needs serious money to compete. It's no longer fun to watch, read or listen to games. If the University, Lyons, Rivera and Wilcox aren't taking the program seriously, then neither will I! They don't care and now I don't care! I'm not attacking the players cause they are playing as hard as they can but the talent level of this team doesn't match the talent of middle of the road teams in D1 football, it's beyond obvious(at least to me)! Wilcox is a failure, time for him to go, let's see if Ron really runs the program or is he just another figurehead that oblivious to what's really going on!
I'm Done!
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53 Replies |
Last: 5 days ago by XBears2th
I get it. But as a former player and coach, I still support the players in spite of this and we have more games. Try rugby and water polo if you are leaving.
Bring back bottled beer and cigars at CMS. Should get us back in the Rose Bowl!
Next year, the money to hire players will level out somewhat for secondary and tertiary level organizations. Eyeballs MUST be captured for the success of the business model.
You're not done. You're a battered spouse like the rest of us. You'll take this golden bear back again and again. As long as you're alive, you live for the pain. There is no leaving this relationship,
I'm pretty close to bailing after 50 seasons as well. I can't take this anymore. To top last night off, I woke up to the Fox pregame show hyping Fernando as the Heisman front runner.
In the pre realignment era we could hide in our blue and gold enclave and gripe and wish and take small comfort eating Top Dogs on Saturdays (or Friday nights). But now, now this program will be forced to take football seriously by football itself. After nearly 50 years I am now taking pleasure in the prospect of seeing tge leadership (admins, influential alums and donor class) of our alma mater being dragged out of its ivory tower into the street fight that is winning college football. Find the money or not. Hire and embrace into Cal the proper brutish hard nosed football people that can win that street fight or not. The hiding is finally over, the free market will force a fair conclusion to this tragic little soap opera, truly change or end it. This is my consolation.
I Bear said:
That's it, I can't take this mediocrity anymore. After forty five years of crying, wishing, hoping, making excuses, listening to excuses, living on the edge emotionally I'm done, I'm out. This program is dead in the water, it's needs new leadership, across the board: Wilcox needs to go, recruiting needs a total overhaul, administration needs to take this sport seriously, drop to division II or drop the sport altogether, it needs serious money to compete. It's no longer fun to watch, read or listen to games. If the University, Lyons, Rivera and Wilcox aren't taking the program seriously, then neither will I! They don't care and now I don't care! I'm not attacking the players cause they are playing as hard as they can but the talent level of this team doesn't match the talent of middle of the road teams in D1 football, it's beyond obvious(at least to me)! Wilcox is a failure, time for him to go, let's see if Ron really runs the program or is he just another figurehead that oblivious to what's really going on!
It's time for Rivera and Lyons to put up or shut up. Riding a bicycle on the field game before a game is theater. It does not win games and will not keep the few good players we have (such as JKS) from jumping ship. Change must occur at the top. Wilcox is a proven 9-year loser. Knowlton and Christ were losers. If Riveral and Lyons do not do anything, then they will have chosen to be losers. What we witnessed last night was pathetic. I don't blame Mendoza, Endries, and others for leaving. They took the right action for their careers. And without a coaching change, more players will and should leave.
Fans turning their back on the program is the problem. When Cal loses, MORE fans need to show up!
-Ron this week probably.
-Ron this week probably.
72CalBear said:
I get it. But as a former player and coach, I still support the players in spite of this and we have more games. Try rugby and water polo if you are leaving.
This is the change that is happened.
When your high school friends go out and practice every day and put their body on the line for the school with no compensation, you root for them no matter what. If they lose they did the best they could for your school.
When paid NFL players get paid to practice and they don't perform, they didn't earn your entertainment dollar and they are open to question whether they are worth what they are paid and worthy of your support.
College started out like the first one, has moved closer and closer to the second one for decades and now all pretense is gone. They get paid less than the NFL because they are not nearly as good as the NFL. On average they get paid a lot more than players outside of college, like minor league baseball players, because watching guys running around in your College's laundry gives people more feelies than watching guys playing for the Wahoos. If you don't deliver those feelies, people question.
Players rightly wanted to be compensated. This is part of the deal. People are donating hard earned money to pay them. Amateur students get support no matter what. You want to be an employee, that is a different relationship.
upsetof86 said:
In the pre realignment era we could hide in our blue and gold enclave and gripe and wish and take small comfort eating Top Dogs on Saturdays (or Friday nights). But now, now this program will be forced to take football seriously by football itself. After nearly 50 years I am now taking pleasure in the prospect of seeing tge leadership (admins, influential alums and donor class) of our alma mater being dragged out of its ivory tower into the street fight that is winning college football. Find the money or not. Hire and embrace into Cal the proper brutish hard nosed football people that can win that street fight or not. The hiding is finally over, the free market will force a fair conclusion to this tragic little soap opera, truly change or end it. This is my consolation.
Cal fans always think there is a cliff. There is no cliff. The good teams leave the ACC. We stay with the rest. And Cal fans will say maybe there will be another realignment someday that we have to be ready for. There is no move to P2 or leave football decision coming.
See VA Tech. When you make the game fun to come to, they show up no matter what.
And before someone says that there is nothing else to do in Blacksburg, note that the population of the Bay area multiple times bigger. Getting 50K to show up shouldn't be this hard with cheaper tickets better GameDay. Spending a day in Berkeley with the best restaurants, great views, weather and a football game should be attractive to 50k in an area where we have 6+ million population.
And before someone says that there is nothing else to do in Blacksburg, note that the population of the Bay area multiple times bigger. Getting 50K to show up shouldn't be this hard with cheaper tickets better GameDay. Spending a day in Berkeley with the best restaurants, great views, weather and a football game should be attractive to 50k in an area where we have 6+ million population.
Econ141 said:
See VA Tech. When you make the game fun to come to, they show up no matter what.
And before someone says that there is nothing else to do in Blacksburg, note that the population of the Bay area multiple times bigger. Getting 50K to show up shouldn't be this hard with cheaper tickets better GameDay. Spending a day in Berkeley with the best restaurants, great views, weather and a football game should be attractive to 50k in an area where we have 6+ million population.
Louder rap djing would surely attract more of my neighbors out of the coziness of their multi million dollar homes.
Bobodeluxe said:
Next year, the money to hire players will level out somewhat for secondary and tertiary level organizations. Eyeballs MUST be captured for the success of the business model.
Successful business model? Just wait till private equity gets a hand in college football, Bobo. We'll be like one of those nursing homes in Iowa that got bought out by Cascade Capital Group. Even if a Michigan State or Texas Tech got invited to the Super League, they would be downsized if they failed to attract a return on equity investment. They're gonna get turned out like poor granny at Harmony House.
I Bear said:
That's it, I can't take this mediocrity anymore. After forty five years of crying, wishing, hoping, making excuses, listening to excuses, living on the edge emotionally I'm done, I'm out. This program is dead in the water, it's needs new leadership, across the board: Wilcox needs to go, recruiting needs a total overhaul, administration needs to take this sport seriously, drop to division II or drop the sport altogether, it needs serious money to compete. It's no longer fun to watch, read or listen to games. If the University, Lyons, Rivera and Wilcox aren't taking the program seriously, then neither will I! They don't care and now I don't care! I'm not attacking the players cause they are playing as hard as they can but the talent level of this team doesn't match the talent of middle of the road teams in D1 football, it's beyond obvious(at least to me)! Wilcox is a failure, time for him to go, let's see if Ron really runs the program or is he just another figurehead that oblivious to what's really going on!
The final stone for you and me as I'm quitting too, is that we brought in Rivera to be a GM and instead hes just like Wilcox. Rivera instead of changing thing has cemented our death. That said, basketballs here and last night i bought season tickets for the first time ever. I'm not giving up on Cal despite what Rivera and Wilcox do.
Again, we just basically lost to two below mediocre teams in a below mediocre conference. It doesn't get any worst unless you accept this as ok.
If Ron had any pride, he'd kidnap Wilcox and take him over seas somewhere.
philly1121 said:Bobodeluxe said:
Next year, the money to hire players will level out somewhat for secondary and tertiary level organizations. Eyeballs MUST be captured for the success of the business model.
Successful business model? Just wait till private equity gets a hand in college football, Bobo. We'll be like one of those nursing homes in Iowa that got bought out by Cascade Capital Group. Even if a Michigan State or Texas Tech got invited to the Super League, they would be downsized if they failed to attract a return on equity investment. They're gonna get turned out like poor granny at Harmony House.
Way back in the day, I had a high school buddy who bought a local nursing home, with his dad, where my mother was slowly dying. She was treated very well because 'friends", but most of the others? Not good. He flipped the home in less than two years, and cleared $1,000,000+. Business. Private equity is the same. Larger scale.
If Wilcox is still here by mid-December, this battered spouse is also out for good. Frankly, I should have been out long ago like every other friend or family member who was once a Cal football fan but stopped following sometime in the last decade of futility.
Bobodeluxe said:philly1121 said:Bobodeluxe said:
Next year, the money to hire players will level out somewhat for secondary and tertiary level organizations. Eyeballs MUST be captured for the success of the business model.
Successful business model? Just wait till private equity gets a hand in college football, Bobo. We'll be like one of those nursing homes in Iowa that got bought out by Cascade Capital Group. Even if a Michigan State or Texas Tech got invited to the Super League, they would be downsized if they failed to attract a return on equity investment. They're gonna get turned out like poor granny at Harmony House.
Way back in the day, I had a high school buddy who bought a local nursing home, with his dad, where my mother was slowly dying. She was treated very well because 'friends", but most of the others? Not good. He flipped the home in less than two years, and cleared $1,000,000+. Business. Private equity is the same. Larger scale.
A one to one sale is one thing. Buying up 20+ homes is something else. Private equity will, of course, winnow down the field as to they feel is most attractive to them and bring return on investment. As you say - business. Something we don't attract on a scale necessary. Doesn't everyone love the free market?
I say that every year and sadly, like a wet soaked puppy i keep supporting the Bears! One day Wilcox will leave ans hopefully we get a Cignetti outcome like IU... one can only hope.
I Bear said:
That's it, I can't take this mediocrity anymore. After forty five years of crying, wishing, hoping, making excuses, listening to excuses, living on the edge emotionally I'm done, I'm out. This program is dead in the water, it's needs new leadership, across the board: Wilcox needs to go, recruiting needs a total overhaul, administration needs to take this sport seriously, drop to division II or drop the sport altogether, it needs serious money to compete. It's no longer fun to watch, read or listen to games. If the University, Lyons, Rivera and Wilcox aren't taking the program seriously, then neither will I! They don't care and now I don't care! I'm not attacking the players cause they are playing as hard as they can but the talent level of this team doesn't match the talent of middle of the road teams in D1 football, it's beyond obvious(at least to me)! Wilcox is a failure, time for him to go, let's see if Ron really runs the program or is he just another figurehead that oblivious to what's really going on!
Y'all be back next week. See you then.
Roll on you Bears!
Econ141 said:
See VA Tech. When you make the game fun to come to, they show up no matter what.
And before someone says that there is nothing else to do in Blacksburg, note that the population of the Bay area multiple times bigger. Getting 50K to show up shouldn't be this hard with cheaper tickets better GameDay. Spending a day in Berkeley with the best restaurants, great views, weather and a football game should be attractive to 50k in an area where we have 6+ million population.
VT has an identity they built from becoming good from being bad.
VT also has had a 10 win season 10 years ago, and have a modern NCG game.
VT, otoh, suffers from the success itch that success brings, with a lot of anxiety and "this isn't good enough" feelings that Cal has developed since Tedford.
BearoutEast67 said:
Y'all be back next week. See you then.
I will always check in. I missed the first three quarters last night because Cal football has such a minor influence on my life now. I used to treat game days as all-in Cal days. Now I can't be bothered to remember schedules or times.
LunchTime said:BearoutEast67 said:
Y'all be back next week. See you then.
I will always check in. I missed the first three quarters last night because Cal football has such a minor influence on my life now. I used to treat game days as all-in Cal days. Now I can't be bothered to remember schedules or times.
I am always around but this in the first season in about 20 years where I totally sat out coming to home games (I missed almost none from 2006 to last year), not planning on coming back until I see something
bearsandgiants said:
You're not done. You're a battered spouse like the rest of us. You'll take this golden bear back again and again. As long as you're alive, you live for the pain. There is no leaving this relationship,
"You can check out but you never can leave."
I pity the fool who disparages bicycles!
Like golf carts being driven willy-nilly all over the field ISN'T theater?
Lighten up, bro!
Like golf carts being driven willy-nilly all over the field ISN'T theater?
Lighten up, bro!
I'm a 32-year season ticket holder and former donor who also tapped out this year. My reasons, in order of importance:
- Transfer portal
- Noise level/stadium experience
- Conference realignment
- NIL
- Players opting out of bowl games (if the players don't care, why should we?)
Go Bears forever, but it's been nice finding other ways to spend my Saturdays.
- Transfer portal
- Noise level/stadium experience
- Conference realignment
- NIL
- Players opting out of bowl games (if the players don't care, why should we?)
Go Bears forever, but it's been nice finding other ways to spend my Saturdays.
LunchTime said:BearoutEast67 said:
Y'all be back next week. See you then.
I will always check in. I missed the first three quarters last night because Cal football has such a minor influence on my life now. I used to treat game days as all-in Cal days. Now I can't be bothered to remember schedules or times.
Its so much easier now that I'm not taking this as seriously as I used to. If we win, I'll say, "wow, ok". We lose, I'm like, "well, that figures. Onwards."
RSFoldguy said:
I'm a 32-year season ticket holder and former donor who also tapped out this year. My reasons, in order of importance:
- Transfer portal
- Noise level/stadium experience
- Conference realignment
- NIL
- Players opting out of bowl games (if the players don't care, why should we?)
Go Bears forever, but it's been nice finding other ways to spend my Saturdays.
Interesting user name, RSF. As in Recreational Sports Facility, I presume? I was in the RSF when the Loma Prieta earthquake and Oakland Firestorms occurred. When Cal Adventures was located there.
I need to stay outta that place!
(I was also at the '91 Cal UW game the day before. What a game. What could have been. We saw the smoke from the fire that day when it started the day before the conflagration.)
Long-time suffering Cal fan & family. My father never got to see a return to the Rose Bowl . So I feel ya!
"Long-time suffering Cal fan & family. My father never got to see a return to the Rose Bowl . So I feel ya!"
sadly, this is a pretty big club. A lot of us have fathers who never saw the return…. I am pretty sure my son will be one of that number, hopefully not too soon.
sadly, this is a pretty big club. A lot of us have fathers who never saw the return…. I am pretty sure my son will be one of that number, hopefully not too soon.
philly1121 said:LunchTime said:BearoutEast67 said:
Y'all be back next week. See you then.
I will always check in. I missed the first three quarters last night because Cal football has such a minor influence on my life now. I used to treat game days as all-in Cal days. Now I can't be bothered to remember schedules or times.
Its so much easier now that I'm not taking this as seriously as I used to. If we win, I'll say, "wow, ok". We lose, I'm like, "well, that figures. Onwards."
Teach me your ways.
philly1121 said:LunchTime said:BearoutEast67 said:
Y'all be back next week. See you then.
I will always check in. I missed the first three quarters last night because Cal football has such a minor influence on my life now. I used to treat game days as all-in Cal days. Now I can't be bothered to remember schedules or times.
Its so much easier now that I'm not taking this as seriously as I used to. If we win, I'll say, "wow, ok". We lose, I'm like, "well, that figures. Onwards."
Yep
It's not something I am boasting about, but now my wife reminds me of games. My family discusses at my grandpa's birthday celebration in mid October "are we going to the big game?" Which is a shift from... "What are you bringing for the pregame?" Of the past.
We are going. My 105 (yes, that's right, and it's ok that from the above I doxxed my family ) year old grandfather is going. His freshman year was Cals last rose bowl win, we think. He's not sure if he was a Sr in HS or freshman.
It's not that I want it. It's just that it slips from a cornerstone of family tradition to an occasional curiosity. We're invested, just not day to day, and more to Cal than Cal football.
Sat in the "family section" as a kid. Remember my uncle saying "you cant cant coach homo" (definitely was saying holmoe! haha). We need a change!
BearlyCareAnymore said:upsetof86 said:
In the pre realignment era we could hide in our blue and gold enclave and gripe and wish and take small comfort eating Top Dogs on Saturdays (or Friday nights). But now, now this program will be forced to take football seriously by football itself. After nearly 50 years I am now taking pleasure in the prospect of seeing tge leadership (admins, influential alums and donor class) of our alma mater being dragged out of its ivory tower into the street fight that is winning college football. Find the money or not. Hire and embrace into Cal the proper brutish hard nosed football people that can win that street fight or not. The hiding is finally over, the free market will force a fair conclusion to this tragic little soap opera, truly change or end it. This is my consolation.
Cal fans always think there is a cliff. There is no cliff. The good teams leave the ACC. We stay with the rest. And Cal fans will say maybe there will be another realignment someday that we have to be ready for. There is no move to P2 or leave football decision coming.
And that is really sad. G5 football SUCKS. It has all the bad (TV networks dictate when and where), constant focus on top line revenue. Expenses that still are way high but now limited revenue so your AD is essentially forced to be a financial sink) and non of the good (1 team MIGHT make the CFP....might).
My own view is that a combination of the BigSky and Pac12 is actually viable. Mostly saturday games. Davis sells out 10K now almost every game. They only play saturday afternoon. Their band gets to play.
Your future means we play Wake Forest on Friday and Saturday nights. I have no emotional ties to Wake and never will.
Take care of your Chicken
"I'm done." "I'm quitting." "I'm out." "I'm not coming back."
Here's another take: I'm staying. I've been around for just about a half century, What's our record during that time? (Please don't ask AI.) I'm guessing it's around .500, maybe a bit below. Okay, that's frustrating, for sure, but I'm a Cal guy, I love football and I'm here to stay. If we end up succeeding at the top level, great. If we need to drop down a tier, that's unfortunate, but I'll still be here.
Is the poor football frustrating? Of course. Not sure it's at its nadir now, but maybe it's the accumulation of poor season after poor season that is getting to people.
Does the gameday experience need to be more "Cal", less "corporate"? Yes. We seem to be working on that.
Is the whole NIL thing distasteful a lot of the time? Yes, but it's the new reality. It needs to be massaged and refined. It's more than NIL: it's the constant money grab by all concerned.
When people make a definitive statement like they're "done", are they really saying they're frustrated, they need that frustration validated and they need a hug? That's what I suspect.
Maybe stay with our Golden Bears, but we all have choices. Imagine how cool it's going to be when we turn things around!
Here's another take: I'm staying. I've been around for just about a half century, What's our record during that time? (Please don't ask AI.) I'm guessing it's around .500, maybe a bit below. Okay, that's frustrating, for sure, but I'm a Cal guy, I love football and I'm here to stay. If we end up succeeding at the top level, great. If we need to drop down a tier, that's unfortunate, but I'll still be here.
Is the poor football frustrating? Of course. Not sure it's at its nadir now, but maybe it's the accumulation of poor season after poor season that is getting to people.
Does the gameday experience need to be more "Cal", less "corporate"? Yes. We seem to be working on that.
Is the whole NIL thing distasteful a lot of the time? Yes, but it's the new reality. It needs to be massaged and refined. It's more than NIL: it's the constant money grab by all concerned.
When people make a definitive statement like they're "done", are they really saying they're frustrated, they need that frustration validated and they need a hug? That's what I suspect.
Maybe stay with our Golden Bears, but we all have choices. Imagine how cool it's going to be when we turn things around!
LunchTime said:philly1121 said:LunchTime said:BearoutEast67 said:
Y'all be back next week. See you then.
I will always check in. I missed the first three quarters last night because Cal football has such a minor influence on my life now. I used to treat game days as all-in Cal days. Now I can't be bothered to remember schedules or times.
Its so much easier now that I'm not taking this as seriously as I used to. If we win, I'll say, "wow, ok". We lose, I'm like, "well, that figures. Onwards."
Yep
It's not something I am boasting about, but now my wife reminds me of games. My family discusses at my grandpa's birthday celebration in mid October "are we going to the big game?" Which is a shift from... "What are you bringing for the pregame?" Of the past.
We are going. My 105 (yes, that's right, and it's ok that from the above I doxxed my family ) year old grandfather is going. His freshman year was Cals last rose bowl win, we think. He's not sure if he was a Sr in HS or freshman.
It's not that I want it. It's just that it slips from a cornerstone of family tradition to an occasional curiosity. We're invested, just not day to day, and more to Cal than Cal football.
Similar stories. My cousin went to U$C. Sister went to UCLA. We would have some battles - lawn painting, sh*t talking, leaving answering machine (yes, answering machine) messages playing our fight songs. My Dad, who passed away in 2021, remembers playing Big C in 59 as a senior at Garfield High for the high school band. He wasn't a mega fan but he always wanted Cal to go back to the Rose Bowl.
Not sure there was an exact tipping point for me but if there was it was the 2013 season. Immediate family attended the Ohio State game. Was great seeing the Ohio State band but the vibe of the stadium was off. From there - with kids and other things, we found it difficult to come to games. Boys started playing comp soccer and I started coaching it. Different journey. Still love the school. Coaching and admin are woeful.
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