attractive to me about our program is that unlike some programs, our coaches and A.D. were always accessible, and there was a family feeling. You could attend practices, get to know the players, and coaches and feel a real part of the program.

I really hate to see that change. Are we beginning to get so big that we send the message that we really don't need the average fan. If Warren Stephens had wanted to attend the practices this week, would he have been told he couldn't come? I'm not picking on Warren, but just using that as an example. Would Coach Rip be turned away? Somehow I doubt it.

Sure. I enjoy watching the practices. But forget me. When you tell fans like MJS, PTJR, and YNOCPIRP, who have supported this program with their time and money for over 20 years that they can't come out and watch a practice, that doesn't seem like the sort of fan relations we need. Some of you have mentioned many times how difficult it has been building a fan base here, and to send that kind of message to your core group, IMO, is a big mistake.

Will I continue to support the program? Of course. Will I go back to practices if and when they are opened up. Probably not for awhile. You'll just have to depend on the coaches to furnish you updates until I feel comfortable being there, which I don't at this time. Part of the fun in attending was being able to furnish you a look at what was going on, and how the players looked from a laymen's viewpoint. But so be it. I'm not getting a divorce from the program, but I do feel like I'm somewhat separated at this time.

I can understand your frustration, even though I don't have an opportunity to attend practices. Of course, UALR has such a vast legion of diehard fans that we can afford to ignore them. Of course.

I wouldn't worry too much about it, Doc. For someone who has worked so hard to present a fan-friendly, community friendly image as Coach Sheilds (or Coach Peterson, for that matter) has, it would not make sense that he would wish to go in the opposite direction. I feel pretty comfortable giving Coach Sheilds the benefit of the doubt on this one.

(10-22-2009 10:18 AM)outsideualr Wrote:  attractive to me about our program is that unlike some programs, our coaches and A.D. were always accessible, and there was a family feeling. You could attend practices, get to know the players, and coaches and feel a real part of the program.

I really hate to see that change. Are we beginning to get so big that we send the message that we really don't need the average fan. If Warren Stephens had wanted to attend the practices this week, would he have been told he couldn't come? I'm not picking on Warren, but just using that as an example. Would Coach Rip be turned away? Somehow I doubt it.

Sure. I enjoy watching the practices. But forget me. When you tell fans like MJS, PTJR, and YNOCPIRP, who have supported this program with their time and money for over 20 years that they can't come out and watch a practice, that doesn't seem like the sort of fan relations we need. Some of you have mentioned many times how difficult it has been building a fan base here, and to send that kind of message to your core group, IMO, is a big mistake.

Will I continue to support the program? Of course. Will I go back to practices if and when they are opened up. Probably not for awhile. You'll just have to depend on the coaches to furnish you updates until I feel comfortable being there, which I don't at this time. Part of the fun in attending was being able to furnish you a look at what was going on, and how the players looked from a laymen's viewpoint. But so be it. I'm not getting a divorce from the program, but I do feel like I'm somewhat separated at this time.

Doc, you like to attend practices, and I don't blame you for being frustrated on that account, but I can also understand the need for closing some practices occasionally. But, Steve doesn't do that often, and when he does, I support him in doing so. We all know that Steve goes above and beyond the call of duty to be fan friendly, and I don't believe that we'd never find a more fan friendly coach. I don't always agree with him, but he's a true competitor, and one hell of a nice guy. I doubt that there's a coach in the game who doesn't close practices on occasion.

(10-22-2009 04:11 PM)LRTrojan Wrote:  

(10-22-2009 10:18 AM)outsideualr Wrote:  attractive to me about our program is that unlike some programs, our coaches and A.D. were always accessible, and there was a family feeling. You could attend practices, get to know the players, and coaches and feel a real part of the program.

I really hate to see that change. Are we beginning to get so big that we send the message that we really don't need the average fan. If Warren Stephens had wanted to attend the practices this week, would he have been told he couldn't come? I'm not picking on Warren, but just using that as an example. Would Coach Rip be turned away? Somehow I doubt it.

Sure. I enjoy watching the practices. But forget me. When you tell fans like MJS, PTJR, and YNOCPIRP, who have supported this program with their time and money for over 20 years that they can't come out and watch a practice, that doesn't seem like the sort of fan relations we need. Some of you have mentioned many times how difficult it has been building a fan base here, and to send that kind of message to your core group, IMO, is a big mistake.

Will I continue to support the program? Of course. Will I go back to practices if and when they are opened up. Probably not for awhile. You'll just have to depend on the coaches to furnish you updates until I feel comfortable being there, which I don't at this time. Part of the fun in attending was being able to furnish you a look at what was going on, and how the players looked from a laymen's viewpoint. But so be it. I'm not getting a divorce from the program, but I do feel like I'm somewhat separated at this time.

Doc, you like to attend practices, and I don't blame you for being frustrated on that account, but I can also understand the need for closing some practices occasionally. But, Steve doesn't do that often, and when he does, I support him in doing so. We all know that Steve goes above and beyond the call of duty to be fan friendly, and I don't believe that we'd never find a more fan friendly coach. I don't always agree with him, but he's a true competitor, and one hell of a nice guy. I doubt that there's a coach in the game who doesn't close practices on occasion.

You're right about two things. Steve is a great guy, and he absolutely has the right to close practices. I stated that in an earlier post. But when all was said and done, to whom did he close it? Jeff was there, so it wasn't closed to the press. Billy Gillispie was there, so it wasn't closed to friends. And we really don't know who else might have been there. Hell, the entire girls volleyball team might have been there, for all I know. (that was a little humor thrown in for UALRgirl).

I'm really not upset about a closed practice. But to me, a closed practice is exactly that. Closed to everyone but coaches and players. So who was it actually closed to? The 2500 fans who have never attended a practice and probably never will? I'm normally the only fan there probably 98% of the time when I am there. Occasionally MJS drops in. So logic dictates that the closed practice is, in fact, only closed to MJS and me. Well I must admit, MJS and I are in a very exclusive group this week. I'm sure Steve had the most noble intentions of practicing without any interference. So on behalf of MJS and any other loyal fan who has been at practices along with me, I apologize to the coaching staff if we have interfered in a negative manner with practices in any way on the occasions we have been there which caused the practices this week to be semi-closed. I'm done. The horse is dead. Call the dog food company!