Maybe its just me, a basketball fan first, but also someone who loves college football in general, and ODU football specifically, but it seems like the boards really light up with enthusiasm when basketball conversation begins. Don't get me wrong, there is no shortage of enthusiasm from me or the board for football, but it just seems different when hoops rolls around.
I think we are still a basketball school, and once the newness of football wears off, we will be passionate about football, but our 1st sport will always be basketball. The biggest reason for that, in my opinion, is that when we are at our best, we can compete with the big boys in basketball, that will never happen in Football. We will never play in a final four in football (probably not basketball either, but it is attainable enough to dream of), and over time, I think CUSA will lose its shine for us with it's lack of geographical rivalries. The difference with basketball, for me, is that we play a lot more non conference games, and the conference, and a conference title, do not play as big of a role in the overall experience.
That's my take, how do you see it?
I'm somewhat invested in this and still believe it to be a basketball school. HM claims that this became a football school years ago and I strongly disagree with his take on that one particular assessment.
A full athletics program finally, that no longer needs a label of limitation.[/align]
I definitely prefer a good basketball season to a good football season. A lot more games, lasts longer, and a couple of losses early doesn't kill your whole season. The experience of a football game is better, but let's face it, each game after the Middle Tennessee loss is only for pride. I just don't get as emotionally attached to football, though I am sure that will change if we ever get to the level of ECU or Marshall.
Basketball will always be #1 with me and mine. We did contribute back in the '80's to start football and are fully invested in it now but it will always lag behind hoops in our hearts. Beyond our longevity with hoops I think that there is something more personal about the game. You are closer to the action in a more intimate setting and see the players unadorned with pads and helmets and are able to see their faces reflect the good and bad in a game. But that's just me. There are no right or wrongs answers here, just opinions.
I think we are trying to become a FB school and its working fairly well for the most part. a few more seasons like this one though and FB could start to lose its luster a bit. however, as long as ODU keeps being a cool place to tailgate people will always show up.
as for me personally, I love the fact that we have a FB team, but just don't like the dynamics of college football compared to basketball. a team like ours can't lose more than one game in any season if we want to be relevant on a national stage and even that relevancy has a cap on it and always will.
I go to both games (season tix), I don't see how you can say the school is a basketball school first. The level of excitement interest from our fan base is far greater in football.
I think that's a great answer, Dancin'. For me, I love college basketball. It is my favorite sport. However, when it comes to describing ODU, I want us to be excellent across the board in everything we do athletically (obviously educationally, too). I'll admit that there's a certain part of me that as the season is winding down and games are being played that decide who makes the playoffs, misses I-AA. I hope the feeling passes in the next year or 2 as we improve.
I personally like basketball more. But the school, as a whole, seems to prefer football. Students show up for football, they're loud for football, while the student section, and general attendance at basketball games is a bit..... lackluster.
Definitely a football school, regardless of which you prefer. There hasn't been one home basketball game in 10 years that would've put 20K in the stands. Football does this in a weekly basis. My sports interests at ODU are like this:
1) Wrestling
2) Football
3) Baseball
4) Soccer
With a pretty wide margin between 2 & 3. Add hockey & boxing and we'll have all the combat sports covered.
Meh. I'm not leaning one way or the other. Love them both.
Its not a difference in the level of enthusiasm among the fans. It's a difference in the intelligence level of the posters.
With the marked exception of VCU, basketball-first fans tend to think and write more clearly than football-first fans!
(Kidding, of course, or at least mostly.)
Don't go to football myself. I do check on the scores on Saturdays and hope they win! I'm a Basketball guy all the way, been going since our HS basketball coach took the team to a game to see Dave Twardzick (sp). Basketball is a great way to get up with my buds on a Tuesday or whatever in January/Feb when not much is going on.
Rather not give up an entire Saturday during the most beautiful time of the year. But as Dancin says, can be no wrong anwser's .
When I was a student, and for awhile afterwards, I was a basketball fan, both men's and women's. I was a huge fan of Marianne Stanley and Paul Webb.
When Webb and Stanley left, and I moved away from the area, I lost interest in all things ODU.
Now I am interested in basketball again, the academic side of things and am active in the Alumni Association. Additionally, although I never wrestled, I came from arguably the greatest high school wrestling program in history. I am now following ODU wrestling as well.
I came back in 2008, and it was a direct result of football.
Not only do I believe that ODU is becoming/already-is a football school, it is football that will increase national visibility which in turn will enhance everything athletic and academic.
One's the wife, the other is the mistress.
I think we are a basketball school in terms of history, perception, and fan interaction. However, any future decisions about conference affiliation, athletic budgets, etc. will be based on football first.
(10-21-2014 01:11 PM)ODUBB35 Wrote: [ -> ]I think we are a basketball school in terms of history, perception, and fan interaction. However, any future decisions about conference affiliation, athletic budgets, etc. will be based on football first.
Thread winner.
Give me basketball any day of the year. Football is only more popular because of all of the festivities BEFORE the game. Take out the tailgate aspect and football interest drops significantly. There are a bunch of people who show up for tailgating as priority #1 and the games as priority #2.
Nothing beats Conference and NCAA tournament time in basketball. Nothing.
'78, if you get down for a dual this winter, look me up.
I was a casual ODU basketball fan, but was an immediate season ticket holder for football, so for me, personally, football is king. That said, I believe ODU will always be a solid basketball school, and I find myself truly looking forward to basketball this year. I think Monarch fans are lucky at this point in time to have increasingly competitive teams in both sports.