Once again we are faced with the question of what response to take, if any, as loyal Rice fans.

I, for one, have long held the belief that our displeasure with the athletic direction at Rice deserves a more hardline reaction from our closest supporters.

Rather than silently supporting Rice and moving to include the Owl Club under Rice administrative control, or tacitly acquiescing in the numerous seemingly short-sighted and self-destructive actions we see, what are our alternatives?

Here are a few:

1) Letters and emails to BOD and President stating our displeasure and impatience with Rice's dysfunctional athletic philosophy and tactics- particularly in the major sports like football, and especially, more recently, men's basketball. We need to hear that Rice demands success in wins and losses or changes will be made.

2) Reduction, withholding, or redirection of financial support if certain quality standards are not met. I have often wished that an ad hoc group (like We Give A Hoot) were formed to hold contributions, conditional upon certain athletic goals being met. (not sure if NCAA allows this.)

3) Letters to the editor, advertisements, and/or public relations initiatives from the Rice fan standpoint articulating our loyalty to Rice and integrity, excellence, and athletic success at the highest levels of D1 sports.

Again, I am not sure what tactics we should take, but something needs to be done; and the most loyal and invested of Rice supporters should help by taking a key role to shape the outcome and attain the goal we all wish to achieve. [With over 16,000 hits on the Kazemi-related threads, there obviously is much concern about the current direction of Rice Athletics.]

Frustrated (again) Owl

(03-30-2013 02:33 PM)owlman70 Wrote:  ... a more hardline reaction from our closest supporters.

The Parliament is a fun hobby and all, but I tend to doubt that the Parliament membership really coincides with Rice's closest supporters, either in dollars or in influence. I suspect that most people on Parliament do not rank all that high in either category, and most people who rank high in either category are not on Parliament.

I agree with George. Until the money/sponsorship starts to dry up, there probably won't be much change.

I know I certainly don't have any influence.

Someone from Leebron's office reads the forum regularly. I would guess that by now Leebron knows how this is going over on here and what is being said.