Golfer
Well-Known Member
I'm not sure how Iowa's fan demographics break down, and if it is different than other teams. I suspect it is similar, but weighted with more fans who aren't alumni. In some ways similar to Southern schools in this regard.
I find the alumni and students to be the hardest on the current state of the program. At least it appears that way to me with nothing more than anecdotal evidence.
I also find the season ticket holder's level of criticism seems to decrease as the size of donation goes up. Just my casual observation here again.
I'd speculate the larger donors runs businesses, and treat the football team's success the same way they have treated down years in their business. They would have a a perspective with a long term view.
I'd also speculate that the larger donors have had at least some personal interaction with coaches, etc., and this makes harsh criticism more difficult.
Having said this, when you're a guy like me, and are willing to buy seasons tickets, donate to the Foundation, drive upwards of 7 hours to away games, etc. etc. ad infinitium (sic), it is difficult to not expect some sort of return on investment.
I'm torn right now. This is extremely difficult to watch, but I still am looking backward to see who got us here. I still hang on to the notion that the people in charge saw this coming, and did make proactive changes, albeit too late in my estimation.
If I look back, as I do in business, in the aggregate we're not that different than other football programs who have experienced change and down years. Some fairly name brand programs as well.
Logic tells me I have no choice in this matter. Logic also tells me I need to wait until 2014 to make a judgement based on any sort of factual evidence, with respect tot he recent change.
My emotions tell me there is no way, even in down years, we should ever lose games to teams that are comprised of freshman and sophomores.
I find the alumni and students to be the hardest on the current state of the program. At least it appears that way to me with nothing more than anecdotal evidence.
I also find the season ticket holder's level of criticism seems to decrease as the size of donation goes up. Just my casual observation here again.
I'd speculate the larger donors runs businesses, and treat the football team's success the same way they have treated down years in their business. They would have a a perspective with a long term view.
I'd also speculate that the larger donors have had at least some personal interaction with coaches, etc., and this makes harsh criticism more difficult.
Having said this, when you're a guy like me, and are willing to buy seasons tickets, donate to the Foundation, drive upwards of 7 hours to away games, etc. etc. ad infinitium (sic), it is difficult to not expect some sort of return on investment.
I'm torn right now. This is extremely difficult to watch, but I still am looking backward to see who got us here. I still hang on to the notion that the people in charge saw this coming, and did make proactive changes, albeit too late in my estimation.
If I look back, as I do in business, in the aggregate we're not that different than other football programs who have experienced change and down years. Some fairly name brand programs as well.
Logic tells me I have no choice in this matter. Logic also tells me I need to wait until 2014 to make a judgement based on any sort of factual evidence, with respect tot he recent change.
My emotions tell me there is no way, even in down years, we should ever lose games to teams that are comprised of freshman and sophomores.