There are two elephants in the room.
- When the University clearly and unapologetically demonstrates that it doesn't care about winning, as it did with the hiring of Wyking Jones under the clown we had as AD at the time, and several other times in the years since, in the eyes of many fans, the program dies. The trust and the hope are lost. I used to have 10 friends who truly cared about Cal men's basketball. I am the only one left, and I barely care about men's basketball anymore, and I'm not going to fake the feeling. Who knows if the feeling will return. Like a previous poster posted above, I have zero connection to this collection of players. And the University has sold out its traditions to Learfield in all aspects. Nothing will change until Knowlton is gone, and even then, I doubt much will improve. It's all simply too much about money these days.
- Who could have guessed: When you destroy 100 years of basketball tradition by breaking apart the Pac, it just might take a few years (or a few decades) for a game against NC State or Florida State to feel like some sort of compelling rivalry. To some, that will never happen.
You want to bring the energy back? Cal would have to do a few things it is not wiling to do, such as discounted or free seats to students; get rid of the stupid "sideline seat" chairs and return the fans (particularly the students) to the front row; restore the physical integrity of the student section; fire Learfield; emphasize the band and school traditions...etc. etc. All of these things have been discussed endlessly on this board. What's the point of discussing it further?
- On a side note, IMO, please keep the women's hoop posts on a different board. I understand you have good intentions trying to lure us to a game. Fact is, I bet every single one of us has attended women's hoops games in the past, and we've given the sport a fair shot. Frankly, I'd rather read a book or go for a hike than watch so many painfully missed layups and unathletic play. I know you women's hoop fans don't want to hear it, but I'm not afraid to say what so many believe.
- When the University clearly and unapologetically demonstrates that it doesn't care about winning, as it did with the hiring of Wyking Jones under the clown we had as AD at the time, and several other times in the years since, in the eyes of many fans, the program dies. The trust and the hope are lost. I used to have 10 friends who truly cared about Cal men's basketball. I am the only one left, and I barely care about men's basketball anymore, and I'm not going to fake the feeling. Who knows if the feeling will return. Like a previous poster posted above, I have zero connection to this collection of players. And the University has sold out its traditions to Learfield in all aspects. Nothing will change until Knowlton is gone, and even then, I doubt much will improve. It's all simply too much about money these days.
- Who could have guessed: When you destroy 100 years of basketball tradition by breaking apart the Pac, it just might take a few years (or a few decades) for a game against NC State or Florida State to feel like some sort of compelling rivalry. To some, that will never happen.
You want to bring the energy back? Cal would have to do a few things it is not wiling to do, such as discounted or free seats to students; get rid of the stupid "sideline seat" chairs and return the fans (particularly the students) to the front row; restore the physical integrity of the student section; fire Learfield; emphasize the band and school traditions...etc. etc. All of these things have been discussed endlessly on this board. What's the point of discussing it further?
- On a side note, IMO, please keep the women's hoop posts on a different board. I understand you have good intentions trying to lure us to a game. Fact is, I bet every single one of us has attended women's hoops games in the past, and we've given the sport a fair shot. Frankly, I'd rather read a book or go for a hike than watch so many painfully missed layups and unathletic play. I know you women's hoop fans don't want to hear it, but I'm not afraid to say what so many believe.
