The main word in that title is: Risk. We are all risking our feelings being hurt when EMU loses to teams like Illinois State.

We don't always "know" who is going to win games. If we did, we would be gambling on games instead of being fans of teams. Don't only root for teams that win more often, unless you have had your life-long loyalties with Michigan, USC, LSU, etc., then that's a different story. I have my loyalties with EMU football, damn proud of it, too. Haven't been to a bowl game in 25 years and I'll still tell everybody back home & across the nation that I'm an Eastern Football fan, even when they are wearing their "Go Blue" shirts on. I'm risking all the heckling of the [let's be real, here] ****** program/tradition/etcetera we have & don't have in Ypsilanti, I'm fine with that. I'm risking the embarrassment of getting the "Oh, they're division 2, right?" comments as well. Fine by me.

Let's just remember that the Chicago Cubs haven't won a World Series since three digits ago. Terrible argument, but I need my silver lining somewhere.

Realistically, we can still win a bowl game & the Michigan MAC. Winning the MAC seems, eh, doubtful. (bring on the "pshh, yeah right"s, I'm risking the criticism here)

"AlexAlvarado, did you not see the game Saturday though? We lose to an FCS school!"
Yeah, no ****, I was there. Thanks for the reminder. I think I've accepted that one already. It happens to every school, get over it.

If everybody wants to be a bandwagon fan & jump back on when we start winning again, that's fine. Just don't come back on here and remind us reasons why we lose then say "UGH IS IT BASKETBALL SEASON YET?", just keep the basketball talks in the basketball-threaded discussions, please.

This is the time where the true die-hards and real football fans show their true colors, while everybody else watches some random ACC game on ESPN2.

Take this as my invitation to everybody prove that they are real Eastern football fans to stick this season out, and whenever we make it to that next bowl game (no matter how long it takes) you can say "I was with this team the whole time, through the bad times, the really ****** times, and now this bowl game"

Hope to see you all at Rynearson on October 6th.

When I'm at EMU football games, particularly toward the end of a season (I'm thinking, for example, of the 2010 Northern Illinois game that drew something like 700 people including the band and the teams -- and frankly, EMU's team was only there in body, not in spirit), I always feel like one of those hard-core fans in the movie "Major League". Some day this team is going to break through, and I'm going to be there to see it.

No concerns there, I'll be there for all the October home games. I'm working on bringing the kids this year to their first football game. My step daughter had a great time at her first EMU mens' basketball game. Its always a great idea to get the kids early to see the campus and get a taste of campus life.

Hopefully we get the ship turned around this season.

(09-10-2012 09:03 AM)AlexAlvarado Wrote:  The main word in that title is: Risk. We are all risking our feelings being hurt when EMU loses to teams like Illinois State.

We don't always "know" who is going to win games. If we did, we would be gambling on games instead of being fans of teams. Don't only root for teams that win more often, unless you have had your life-long loyalties with Michigan, USC, LSU, etc., then that's a different story. I have my loyalties with EMU football, damn proud of it, too. Haven't been to a bowl game in 25 years and I'll still tell everybody back home & across the nation that I'm an Eastern Football fan, even when they are wearing their "Go Blue" shirts on. I'm risking all the heckling of the [let's be real, here] ****** program/tradition/etcetera we have & don't have in Ypsilanti, I'm fine with that. I'm risking the embarrassment of getting the "Oh, they're division 2, right?" comments as well. Fine by me.

Let's just remember that the Chicago Cubs haven't won a World Series since three digits ago. Terrible argument, but I need my silver lining somewhere.

Realistically, we can still win a bowl game & the Michigan MAC. Winning the MAC seems, eh, doubtful. (bring on the "pshh, yeah right"s, I'm risking the criticism here)

"AlexAlvarado, did you not see the game Saturday though? We lose to an FCS school!"
Yeah, no ****, I was there. Thanks for the reminder. I think I've accepted that one already. It happens to every school, get over it.

If everybody wants to be a bandwagon fan & jump back on when we start winning again, that's fine. Just don't come back on here and remind us reasons why we lose then say "UGH IS IT BASKETBALL SEASON YET?", just keep the basketball talks in the basketball-threaded discussions, please.

This is the time where the true die-hards and real football fans show their true colors, while everybody else watches some random ACC game on ESPN2.

Take this as my invitation to everybody prove that they are real Eastern football fans to stick this season out, and whenever we make it to that next bowl game (no matter how long it takes) you can say "I was with this team the whole time, through the bad times, the really ****** times, and now this bowl game"

Hope to see you all at Rynearson on October 6th.

With all due respect, this thread could only be written by a college kid.

I've been intensely following EMU football for 20 years; come back to me when you have suffered through that.

Now is not the time to distinguish between "die hard" and "fair weather"; just the fact that I take the time to post here makes it clear which category I fall into.

Agreed, bovine. I obviously haven't been associated with the school for as long as many in here have, but it is safe to say we are all "die hards", considering the history of both the football and basketball programs.

I'm not throwing in the towel, but I won't blame anyone for being pessimistic, or even skipping a game or two if this keeps up. We all want EMU to do well, but you can only take so much punishment. Fans shouldn't be blamed for not watching a poor product, especially the long-suffering ones.

In the aftermath of Saturday's game, I was quite clearly heart broken. I said some things online and in person about "giving up" on this season, waiting for next year, etc.

I was obviously speaking from emotion. I will never abandon, give up, or be embarrassed by my school or my school's team. I have for to much devotion to this university. However, I think it's fair to have these emotional reactions to our team's success. Us diehards are so emotionally and mentally invested in the team, how could we not become so upset, frustrated, or lost on what we have seen this season? A true fan will stick through thick and thin. I don't think most of us will be going anywhere (in terms of support and loyalty).

With that said, I will continue to follow and support this team throughout the season. I hope the team knows that. And I hope they will continue working with all their might to improve and make the best of this season.

(09-10-2012 12:49 PM)holybovine Wrote:  

(09-10-2012 09:03 AM)AlexAlvarado Wrote:  The main word in that title is: Risk. We are all risking our feelings being hurt when EMU loses to teams like Illinois State.

We don't always "know" who is going to win games. If we did, we would be gambling on games instead of being fans of teams. Don't only root for teams that win more often, unless you have had your life-long loyalties with Michigan, USC, LSU, etc., then that's a different story. I have my loyalties with EMU football, damn proud of it, too. Haven't been to a bowl game in 25 years and I'll still tell everybody back home & across the nation that I'm an Eastern Football fan, even when they are wearing their "Go Blue" shirts on. I'm risking all the heckling of the [let's be real, here] ****** program/tradition/etcetera we have & don't have in Ypsilanti, I'm fine with that. I'm risking the embarrassment of getting the "Oh, they're division 2, right?" comments as well. Fine by me.

Let's just remember that the Chicago Cubs haven't won a World Series since three digits ago. Terrible argument, but I need my silver lining somewhere.

Realistically, we can still win a bowl game & the Michigan MAC. Winning the MAC seems, eh, doubtful. (bring on the "pshh, yeah right"s, I'm risking the criticism here)

"AlexAlvarado, did you not see the game Saturday though? We lose to an FCS school!"
Yeah, no ****, I was there. Thanks for the reminder. I think I've accepted that one already. It happens to every school, get over it.

If everybody wants to be a bandwagon fan & jump back on when we start winning again, that's fine. Just don't come back on here and remind us reasons why we lose then say "UGH IS IT BASKETBALL SEASON YET?", just keep the basketball talks in the basketball-threaded discussions, please.

This is the time where the true die-hards and real football fans show their true colors, while everybody else watches some random ACC game on ESPN2.

Take this as my invitation to everybody prove that they are real Eastern football fans to stick this season out, and whenever we make it to that next bowl game (no matter how long it takes) you can say "I was with this team the whole time, through the bad times, the really ****** times, and now this bowl game"

Hope to see you all at Rynearson on October 6th.

With all due respect, this thread could only be written by a college kid.

I've been intensely following EMU football for 20 years; come back to me when you have suffered through that.

Now is not the time to distinguish between "die hard" and "fair weather"; just the fact that I take the time to post here makes it clear which category I fall into.

No offense taken here at all. I'm only 20, and I recognize what you are saying here. I was thinking the same thing to myself as I was typing this out.

Only time will tell if I'm still wearing green & white and keep saying "Well, at least Central lost today", 10, 20, 30+ years down the road.

Nobody that keeps up with this board are "fair weather" fans, clearly, so maybe this thread was meant to be addressed to the ones who are on the fence about this whole 0-2 situation. I'd just hate to see nobody [students, especially] in the stands at Rynearson the rest of the season. That's probably the ultimate point I was trying to make here.

Needless to say, I didn't exactly enjoy making a 6 hour drive back up to Ypsilanti from Louisville for that game(especially considering the horrendous storms that I had to drive through). Plus, it was a long 6 hour drive back yesterday. I stand by the one comment that I made after that game, "This is the most embarrassed I have ever been to be an EMU Alum." It's sort of sad as well because the high school I'm teaching at is 4-0, have won three state championships and won a tough game on the road Friday Night that was a lot more entertaining than the game was saw Saturday. However, I digress..

I was right along with a lot of the thoughts that I read on this board sitting there at Rynearson with my dad and my uncle:
-> We won't win a game this year.
-> Pfft, maybe we should move down to FCS
-> Or even better, let's fill Rynearson Stadium with dirt and truly turn it into a demolition derby track.
-> This team was badly out coached.
-> I raved about the student section being filled and boldly declared, "Homecoming, you'll see three rows of students."

Considering all of the bad football that many of the alums have seen over the years(and what I've seen in the past 11), you almost just get this natural vibe of negativity. What we saw on Saturday was probably the biggest kick in the gut that this fan base has had in a while, especially considering all of the momentum from last year. That's where this whole thing stung. You had a good crowd of 8000 for EMU standards, you had a bit of a buzz in the air with the team, the marching band's uniforms, etc.. There was a sense of true excitement. Then the team goes out there and plays an awful first half and still finds a way to be ahead.. Then the team comes out as listless as I've ever seen in the second half and how the offense really showed a lack of care or effort. That's why this game left this fan base speechless. I thought the defense played as good as they possibly could have ultimately in the situations that they were thrown in. When your defense is on the field for 37 minutes and you see your offense do nothing... I'm surprised honestly they didn't give up more than they did. The defense did its job.

I'm in the same boat as a lot of this fan base now. This team now needs to prove to this fan base that they are willing to go out there and play the way we know that they are capable of playing. I don't blame anyone at all for their attitude. For all of the times as well that this fan base gets belittled by the rest of the MAC for its attendance, its performance, etc.. I'd argue that this base has some of the most loyal fans period and I don't think that's ultimately changed. Perhaps it isn't a large number but those on this board and those who have been showing up to the games at Rynearson, at the Convo, wherever.. deserve a hell of a lot of credit for being as loyal as they are to their university.

However, amen to this thread and the thoughts. I'm still going to rave about EMU to my students down here(probably conveniently neglecting this game) and ultimately in the long run, I'm still damn proud to be an EMU alum. We've hit rock bottom. I expect it to go up from here. It's still a long season fellows..

Lastly, let's temper the expectations for basketball as well. Seems like when we all get overly excited, things don't work too well. Aim low and reap the benefits of higher success.

End of rant.

(09-10-2012 06:30 PM)TheCrumbIsHere Wrote:  Needless to say, I didn't exactly enjoy making a 6 hour drive back up to Ypsilanti from Louisville for that game(especially considering the horrendous storms that I had to drive through). Plus, it was a long 6 hour drive back yesterday. I stand by the one comment that I made after that game, "This is the most embarrassed I have ever been to be an EMU Alum." It's sort of sad as well because the high school I'm teaching at is 4-0, have won three state championships and won a tough game on the road Friday Night that was a lot more entertaining than the game was saw Saturday. However, I digress..

I was right along with a lot of the thoughts that I read on this board sitting there at Rynearson with my dad and my uncle:
-> We won't win a game this year.
-> Pfft, maybe we should move down to FCS
-> Or even better, let's fill Rynearson Stadium with dirt and truly turn it into a demolition derby track.
-> This team was badly out coached.
-> I raved about the student section being filled and boldly declared, "Homecoming, you'll see three rows of students."

Considering all of the bad football that many of the alums have seen over the years(and what I've seen in the past 11), you almost just get this natural vibe of negativity. What we saw on Saturday was probably the biggest kick in the gut that this fan base has had in a while, especially considering all of the momentum from last year. That's where this whole thing stung. You had a good crowd of 8000 for EMU standards, you had a bit of a buzz in the air with the team, the marching band's uniforms, etc.. There was a sense of true excitement. Then the team goes out there and plays an awful first half and still finds a way to be ahead.. Then the team comes out as listless as I've ever seen in the second half and how the offense really showed a lack of care or effort. That's why this game left this fan base speechless. I thought the defense played as good as they possibly could have ultimately in the situations that they were thrown in. When your defense is on the field for 37 minutes and you see your offense do nothing... I'm surprised honestly they didn't give up more than they did. The defense did its job.

I'm in the same boat as a lot of this fan base now. This team now needs to prove to this fan base that they are willing to go out there and play the way we know that they are capable of playing. I don't blame anyone at all for their attitude. For all of the times as well that this fan base gets belittled by the rest of the MAC for its attendance, its performance, etc.. I'd argue that this base has some of the most loyal fans period and I don't think that's ultimately changed. Perhaps it isn't a large number but those on this board and those who have been showing up to the games at Rynearson, at the Convo, wherever.. deserve a hell of a lot of credit for being as loyal as they are to their university.

However, amen to this thread and the thoughts. I'm still going to rave about EMU to my students down here(probably conveniently neglecting this game) and ultimately in the long run, I'm still damn proud to be an EMU alum. We've hit rock bottom. I expect it to go up from here. It's still a long season fellows..

Lastly, let's temper the expectations for basketball as well. Seems like when we all get overly excited, things don't work too well. Aim low and reap the benefits of higher success.

End of rant.

I mostly agree with your post. But I do have an issue with your take on the defense.They were horrific. They were constantly pushed around, out of their lanes defensively, and generally bad in all aspects of the game.

The offense was equally inept.

The mere fact that EMU could only draw 8000 fans on a nice late summer day is proof enough that EMU is a FBS school in name only. We haven’t the interest or budget to be anything more than a FCS school. Illinois State had equal, if not, superior talent to EMU. This program is going nowhere with this staff. If EMU had any money I think the decision would already have been made.

Alas, impoverished EMU can only sit and wait out the next year-and-a-half while the corpse of English’s program continues to putrefy.

(09-10-2012 07:50 PM)wolverineeagle Wrote:  

(09-10-2012 06:30 PM)TheCrumbIsHere Wrote:  Needless to say, I didn't exactly enjoy making a 6 hour drive back up to Ypsilanti from Louisville for that game(especially considering the horrendous storms that I had to drive through). Plus, it was a long 6 hour drive back yesterday. I stand by the one comment that I made after that game, "This is the most embarrassed I have ever been to be an EMU Alum." It's sort of sad as well because the high school I'm teaching at is 4-0, have won three state championships and won a tough game on the road Friday Night that was a lot more entertaining than the game was saw Saturday. However, I digress..

I was right along with a lot of the thoughts that I read on this board sitting there at Rynearson with my dad and my uncle:
-> We won't win a game this year.
-> Pfft, maybe we should move down to FCS
-> Or even better, let's fill Rynearson Stadium with dirt and truly turn it into a demolition derby track.
-> This team was badly out coached.
-> I raved about the student section being filled and boldly declared, "Homecoming, you'll see three rows of students."

Considering all of the bad football that many of the alums have seen over the years(and what I've seen in the past 11), you almost just get this natural vibe of negativity. What we saw on Saturday was probably the biggest kick in the gut that this fan base has had in a while, especially considering all of the momentum from last year. That's where this whole thing stung. You had a good crowd of 8000 for EMU standards, you had a bit of a buzz in the air with the team, the marching band's uniforms, etc.. There was a sense of true excitement. Then the team goes out there and plays an awful first half and still finds a way to be ahead.. Then the team comes out as listless as I've ever seen in the second half and how the offense really showed a lack of care or effort. That's why this game left this fan base speechless. I thought the defense played as good as they possibly could have ultimately in the situations that they were thrown in. When your defense is on the field for 37 minutes and you see your offense do nothing... I'm surprised honestly they didn't give up more than they did. The defense did its job.

I'm in the same boat as a lot of this fan base now. This team now needs to prove to this fan base that they are willing to go out there and play the way we know that they are capable of playing. I don't blame anyone at all for their attitude. For all of the times as well that this fan base gets belittled by the rest of the MAC for its attendance, its performance, etc.. I'd argue that this base has some of the most loyal fans period and I don't think that's ultimately changed. Perhaps it isn't a large number but those on this board and those who have been showing up to the games at Rynearson, at the Convo, wherever.. deserve a hell of a lot of credit for being as loyal as they are to their university.

However, amen to this thread and the thoughts. I'm still going to rave about EMU to my students down here(probably conveniently neglecting this game) and ultimately in the long run, I'm still damn proud to be an EMU alum. We've hit rock bottom. I expect it to go up from here. It's still a long season fellows..

Lastly, let's temper the expectations for basketball as well. Seems like when we all get overly excited, things don't work too well. Aim low and reap the benefits of higher success.

End of rant.

I mostly agree with your post. But I do have an issue with your take on the defense.They were horrific. They were constantly pushed around, out of their lanes defensively, and generally bad in all aspects of the game.

The offense was equally inept.

The mere fact that EMU could only draw 8000 fans on a nice late summer day is proof enough that EMU is a FBS school in name only. We haven’t the interest or budget to be anything more than a FCS school. Illinois State had equal, if not, superior talent to EMU. This program is going nowhere with this staff. If EMU had any money I think the decision would already have been made.

Alas, impoverished EMU can only sit and wait out the next year-and-a-half while the corpse of English’s program continues to putrefy.

Wow, what did English do to you?

(09-10-2012 08:53 PM)NUPudge Wrote:  

(09-10-2012 07:50 PM)wolverineeagle Wrote:  

(09-10-2012 06:30 PM)TheCrumbIsHere Wrote:  Needless to say, I didn't exactly enjoy making a 6 hour drive back up to Ypsilanti from Louisville for that game(especially considering the horrendous storms that I had to drive through). Plus, it was a long 6 hour drive back yesterday. I stand by the one comment that I made after that game, "This is the most embarrassed I have ever been to be an EMU Alum." It's sort of sad as well because the high school I'm teaching at is 4-0, have won three state championships and won a tough game on the road Friday Night that was a lot more entertaining than the game was saw Saturday. However, I digress..

I was right along with a lot of the thoughts that I read on this board sitting there at Rynearson with my dad and my uncle:
-> We won't win a game this year.
-> Pfft, maybe we should move down to FCS
-> Or even better, let's fill Rynearson Stadium with dirt and truly turn it into a demolition derby track.
-> This team was badly out coached.
-> I raved about the student section being filled and boldly declared, "Homecoming, you'll see three rows of students."

Considering all of the bad football that many of the alums have seen over the years(and what I've seen in the past 11), you almost just get this natural vibe of negativity. What we saw on Saturday was probably the biggest kick in the gut that this fan base has had in a while, especially considering all of the momentum from last year. That's where this whole thing stung. You had a good crowd of 8000 for EMU standards, you had a bit of a buzz in the air with the team, the marching band's uniforms, etc.. There was a sense of true excitement. Then the team goes out there and plays an awful first half and still finds a way to be ahead.. Then the team comes out as listless as I've ever seen in the second half and how the offense really showed a lack of care or effort. That's why this game left this fan base speechless. I thought the defense played as good as they possibly could have ultimately in the situations that they were thrown in. When your defense is on the field for 37 minutes and you see your offense do nothing... I'm surprised honestly they didn't give up more than they did. The defense did its job.

I'm in the same boat as a lot of this fan base now. This team now needs to prove to this fan base that they are willing to go out there and play the way we know that they are capable of playing. I don't blame anyone at all for their attitude. For all of the times as well that this fan base gets belittled by the rest of the MAC for its attendance, its performance, etc.. I'd argue that this base has some of the most loyal fans period and I don't think that's ultimately changed. Perhaps it isn't a large number but those on this board and those who have been showing up to the games at Rynearson, at the Convo, wherever.. deserve a hell of a lot of credit for being as loyal as they are to their university.

However, amen to this thread and the thoughts. I'm still going to rave about EMU to my students down here(probably conveniently neglecting this game) and ultimately in the long run, I'm still damn proud to be an EMU alum. We've hit rock bottom. I expect it to go up from here. It's still a long season fellows..

Lastly, let's temper the expectations for basketball as well. Seems like when we all get overly excited, things don't work too well. Aim low and reap the benefits of higher success.

End of rant.

I mostly agree with your post. But I do have an issue with your take on the defense.They were horrific. They were constantly pushed around, out of their lanes defensively, and generally bad in all aspects of the game.

The offense was equally inept.

The mere fact that EMU could only draw 8000 fans on a nice late summer day is proof enough that EMU is a FBS school in name only. We haven’t the interest or budget to be anything more than a FCS school. Illinois State had equal, if not, superior talent to EMU. This program is going nowhere with this staff. If EMU had any money I think the decision would already have been made.

Alas, impoverished EMU can only sit and wait out the next year-and-a-half while the corpse of English’s program continues to putrefy.

Wow, what did English do to you?

Appy St., most likely.

(09-10-2012 10:42 PM)holybovine Wrote:  

(09-10-2012 08:53 PM)NUPudge Wrote:  

(09-10-2012 07:50 PM)wolverineeagle Wrote:  

(09-10-2012 06:30 PM)TheCrumbIsHere Wrote:  Needless to say, I didn't exactly enjoy making a 6 hour drive back up to Ypsilanti from Louisville for that game(especially considering the horrendous storms that I had to drive through). Plus, it was a long 6 hour drive back yesterday. I stand by the one comment that I made after that game, "This is the most embarrassed I have ever been to be an EMU Alum." It's sort of sad as well because the high school I'm teaching at is 4-0, have won three state championships and won a tough game on the road Friday Night that was a lot more entertaining than the game was saw Saturday. However, I digress..

I was right along with a lot of the thoughts that I read on this board sitting there at Rynearson with my dad and my uncle:
-> We won't win a game this year.
-> Pfft, maybe we should move down to FCS
-> Or even better, let's fill Rynearson Stadium with dirt and truly turn it into a demolition derby track.
-> This team was badly out coached.
-> I raved about the student section being filled and boldly declared, "Homecoming, you'll see three rows of students."

Considering all of the bad football that many of the alums have seen over the years(and what I've seen in the past 11), you almost just get this natural vibe of negativity. What we saw on Saturday was probably the biggest kick in the gut that this fan base has had in a while, especially considering all of the momentum from last year. That's where this whole thing stung. You had a good crowd of 8000 for EMU standards, you had a bit of a buzz in the air with the team, the marching band's uniforms, etc.. There was a sense of true excitement. Then the team goes out there and plays an awful first half and still finds a way to be ahead.. Then the team comes out as listless as I've ever seen in the second half and how the offense really showed a lack of care or effort. That's why this game left this fan base speechless. I thought the defense played as good as they possibly could have ultimately in the situations that they were thrown in. When your defense is on the field for 37 minutes and you see your offense do nothing... I'm surprised honestly they didn't give up more than they did. The defense did its job.

I'm in the same boat as a lot of this fan base now. This team now needs to prove to this fan base that they are willing to go out there and play the way we know that they are capable of playing. I don't blame anyone at all for their attitude. For all of the times as well that this fan base gets belittled by the rest of the MAC for its attendance, its performance, etc.. I'd argue that this base has some of the most loyal fans period and I don't think that's ultimately changed. Perhaps it isn't a large number but those on this board and those who have been showing up to the games at Rynearson, at the Convo, wherever.. deserve a hell of a lot of credit for being as loyal as they are to their university.

However, amen to this thread and the thoughts. I'm still going to rave about EMU to my students down here(probably conveniently neglecting this game) and ultimately in the long run, I'm still damn proud to be an EMU alum. We've hit rock bottom. I expect it to go up from here. It's still a long season fellows..

Lastly, let's temper the expectations for basketball as well. Seems like when we all get overly excited, things don't work too well. Aim low and reap the benefits of higher success.

End of rant.

I mostly agree with your post. But I do have an issue with your take on the defense.They were horrific. They were constantly pushed around, out of their lanes defensively, and generally bad in all aspects of the game.

The offense was equally inept.

The mere fact that EMU could only draw 8000 fans on a nice late summer day is proof enough that EMU is a FBS school in name only. We haven’t the interest or budget to be anything more than a FCS school. Illinois State had equal, if not, superior talent to EMU. This program is going nowhere with this staff. If EMU had any money I think the decision would already have been made.

Alas, impoverished EMU can only sit and wait out the next year-and-a-half while the corpse of English’s program continues to putrefy.

Wow, what did English do to you?

Appy St., most likely.

Count Illinois State as well. I am equally disgusted at both performances.

(09-11-2012 12:53 PM)wolverineeagle Wrote:  

(09-10-2012 10:42 PM)holybovine Wrote:  

(09-10-2012 08:53 PM)NUPudge Wrote:  

(09-10-2012 07:50 PM)wolverineeagle Wrote:  

(09-10-2012 06:30 PM)TheCrumbIsHere Wrote:  Needless to say, I didn't exactly enjoy making a 6 hour drive back up to Ypsilanti from Louisville for that game(especially considering the horrendous storms that I had to drive through). Plus, it was a long 6 hour drive back yesterday. I stand by the one comment that I made after that game, "This is the most embarrassed I have ever been to be an EMU Alum." It's sort of sad as well because the high school I'm teaching at is 4-0, have won three state championships and won a tough game on the road Friday Night that was a lot more entertaining than the game was saw Saturday. However, I digress..

I was right along with a lot of the thoughts that I read on this board sitting there at Rynearson with my dad and my uncle:
-> We won't win a game this year.
-> Pfft, maybe we should move down to FCS
-> Or even better, let's fill Rynearson Stadium with dirt and truly turn it into a demolition derby track.
-> This team was badly out coached.
-> I raved about the student section being filled and boldly declared, "Homecoming, you'll see three rows of students."

Considering all of the bad football that many of the alums have seen over the years(and what I've seen in the past 11), you almost just get this natural vibe of negativity. What we saw on Saturday was probably the biggest kick in the gut that this fan base has had in a while, especially considering all of the momentum from last year. That's where this whole thing stung. You had a good crowd of 8000 for EMU standards, you had a bit of a buzz in the air with the team, the marching band's uniforms, etc.. There was a sense of true excitement. Then the team goes out there and plays an awful first half and still finds a way to be ahead.. Then the team comes out as listless as I've ever seen in the second half and how the offense really showed a lack of care or effort. That's why this game left this fan base speechless. I thought the defense played as good as they possibly could have ultimately in the situations that they were thrown in. When your defense is on the field for 37 minutes and you see your offense do nothing... I'm surprised honestly they didn't give up more than they did. The defense did its job.

I'm in the same boat as a lot of this fan base now. This team now needs to prove to this fan base that they are willing to go out there and play the way we know that they are capable of playing. I don't blame anyone at all for their attitude. For all of the times as well that this fan base gets belittled by the rest of the MAC for its attendance, its performance, etc.. I'd argue that this base has some of the most loyal fans period and I don't think that's ultimately changed. Perhaps it isn't a large number but those on this board and those who have been showing up to the games at Rynearson, at the Convo, wherever.. deserve a hell of a lot of credit for being as loyal as they are to their university.

However, amen to this thread and the thoughts. I'm still going to rave about EMU to my students down here(probably conveniently neglecting this game) and ultimately in the long run, I'm still damn proud to be an EMU alum. We've hit rock bottom. I expect it to go up from here. It's still a long season fellows..

Lastly, let's temper the expectations for basketball as well. Seems like when we all get overly excited, things don't work too well. Aim low and reap the benefits of higher success.

End of rant.

I mostly agree with your post. But I do have an issue with your take on the defense.They were horrific. They were constantly pushed around, out of their lanes defensively, and generally bad in all aspects of the game.

The offense was equally inept.

The mere fact that EMU could only draw 8000 fans on a nice late summer day is proof enough that EMU is a FBS school in name only. We haven’t the interest or budget to be anything more than a FCS school. Illinois State had equal, if not, superior talent to EMU. This program is going nowhere with this staff. If EMU had any money I think the decision would already have been made.

Alas, impoverished EMU can only sit and wait out the next year-and-a-half while the corpse of English’s program continues to putrefy.

Wow, what did English do to you?

Appy St., most likely.

Count Illinois State as well. I am equally disgusted at both performances.

I'm tired of the ignorant comments regarding attendance. ANY program that has experienced the lack of success over a 20+ year period would have attendance issues. I'm told that during portions of the 1960s a cannon could have been fired throughout the Michigan Stadium stands and not hit anyone, back when Michigan football was less than successful. Two decades of losing, regardless of the conference, would have a clear and deep impact on the fan base. Unfortunately, EMU is the poster boy for this cause-effect attendance issue. Being six miles from U-M only makes it worse....

MAC schools appear to have a ceiling in terms of potential attendance, so expectations of 30,000 per game, regardless of the opponent, are unrealistic. I'll quote Al Davis and say "Just Win Baby" and attendance will follow.

(09-11-2012 03:24 PM)Huron Boy Wrote:  

(09-11-2012 12:53 PM)wolverineeagle Wrote:  

(09-10-2012 10:42 PM)holybovine Wrote:  

(09-10-2012 08:53 PM)NUPudge Wrote:  

(09-10-2012 07:50 PM)wolverineeagle Wrote:  I mostly agree with your post. But I do have an issue with your take on the defense.They were horrific. They were constantly pushed around, out of their lanes defensively, and generally bad in all aspects of the game.

The offense was equally inept.

The mere fact that EMU could only draw 8000 fans on a nice late summer day is proof enough that EMU is a FBS school in name only. We haven’t the interest or budget to be anything more than a FCS school. Illinois State had equal, if not, superior talent to EMU. This program is going nowhere with this staff. If EMU had any money I think the decision would already have been made.

Alas, impoverished EMU can only sit and wait out the next year-and-a-half while the corpse of English’s program continues to putrefy.

Wow, what did English do to you?

Appy St., most likely.

Count Illinois State as well. I am equally disgusted at both performances.

I'm tired of the ignorant comments regarding attendance. ANY program that has experienced the lack of success over a 20+ year period would have attendance issues. I'm told that during portions of the 1960s a cannon could have been fired throughout the Michigan Stadium stands and not hit anyone, back when Michigan football was less than successful. Two decades of losing, regardless of the conference, would have a clear and deep impact on the fan base. Unfortunately, EMU is the poster boy for this cause-effect attendance issue. Being six miles from U-M only makes it worse....

MAC schools appear to have a ceiling in terms of potential attendance, so expectations of 30,000 per game, regardless of the opponent, are unrealistic. I'll quote Al Davis and say "Just Win Baby" and attendance will follow.

(09-11-2012 09:17 PM)Huron 61 Wrote:  

(09-11-2012 03:24 PM)Huron Boy Wrote:  

(09-11-2012 12:53 PM)wolverineeagle Wrote:  

(09-10-2012 10:42 PM)holybovine Wrote:  

(09-10-2012 08:53 PM)NUPudge Wrote:  Wow, what did English do to you?

Appy St., most likely.

Count Illinois State as well. I am equally disgusted at both performances.

I'm tired of the ignorant comments regarding attendance. ANY program that has experienced the lack of success over a 20+ year period would have attendance issues. I'm told that during portions of the 1960s a cannon could have been fired throughout the Michigan Stadium stands and not hit anyone, back when Michigan football was less than successful. Two decades of losing, regardless of the conference, would have a clear and deep impact on the fan base. Unfortunately, EMU is the poster boy for this cause-effect attendance issue. Being six miles from U-M only makes it worse....

MAC schools appear to have a ceiling in terms of potential attendance, so expectations of 30,000 per game, regardless of the opponent, are unrealistic. I'll quote Al Davis and say "Just Win Baby" and attendance will follow.

I am one of those oldsters that remember when Michigan had all kinds of trouble getting buts in the seats. I believe they were Bump Elliott's teams that kept the fans away. I personally bought a ticket for $1.00 to see them play Navy. I was able to sit on the edge of the crowd, which was the 35 yard line. The place was deserted.