Trying to Stay Positive

[gmujim92]

Pablo, I respect your decision to not renew your season tix. However, certainly you can agree that there is a HUGE difference in the level of play between the CAA and A10. I myself didn't think that there would be that big of a separation, but having seen the athleticism and skill on display during our home conference games, I firmly believe we would be a top 3 team in the CAA this year. This team is adjusting and figuring out what it takes to win in the Atlantic 10.

You can chalk some losses up to Hewitt's coaching, or the lack of execution of our players, but I firmly believe that the team that lost last night to Saint Louis would beat Delaware and Towson in the same situation. This is why I'll be renewing.

The overall suckitude of the CAA is why I don't think we'd finish higher than about fourth or fifth this season. Our guys have established beyond a shadow of a doubt that they usually play to the level of the opponent.

They've actually performed better in conference than out, even if the results of the games don't show it.

Hewitt needs to figure out how to motivate these guys to play with focus and intensity against "lesser" opponents. It's just one needed area of improvement for next season.

 

[Raider_SPE]

How's this for positive thinking...

Here's a neat thing I learned recently that many here probably already know. If you donate $500 to the program, you get free season tickets near the court along with access to the gold room before the game and at half-time.

Ticket purchase required (see &) http://www.gomason.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=205073102&DB_OEM_ID=25200&DB_OEM_ID=25200

 

[Pablo]

Pablo, I respect your decision to not renew your season tix. However, certainly you can agree that there is a HUGE difference in the level of play between the CAA and A10. I myself didn't think that there would be that big of a separation, but having seen the athleticism and skill on display during our home conference games, I firmly believe we would be a top 3 team in the CAA this year. This team is adjusting and figuring out what it takes to win in the Atlantic 10.

You can chalk some losses up to Hewitt's coaching, or the lack of execution of our players, but I firmly believe that the team that lost last night to Saint Louis would beat Delaware and Towson in the same situation. This is why I'll be renewing.

Evidently, I was not clear in that I have not decided whether I will renew my season tickets for next season. However, if the AD offers season ticket holders the opportunity to renew for 2 more seasons at the current rate by making an advance deposit, I intend to decline.

Again, I'm trying to stay positive. But, why would I commit to a 5th season of the Coach Hewitt era?

 

[psyclone]

Evidently, I was not clear in that I have not decided whether I will renew my season tickets for next season. However, if the AD offers season ticket holders the opportunity to renew for 2 more seasons at the current rate by making an advance deposit, I intend to decline.

Again, I'm trying to stay positive. But, why would I commit to a 5th season of the Coach Hewitt era?

Maybe because you survived worse than this when we played against lower quality opponents? And access to hearing the great music; turning your back on the program is also turning your back on Doc Nix (unless you somehow enjoy going to watch the women's team lose just as regularly as the men's team does and in a way that is much, much harder to watch).

And you will be turning your back on all of us who look forward to your posts on updating the statistical milestones in the history of the program. We rely on you for institutional memory!

 

[mason2k1]

We're having an off year.
We're not in the CAA anymore, we're playing ranked teams on the reg, and we're finding creative ways to lose.

My childhood friend, and JMU Alumnus just text and told me he's never seen a team get the S end of the stick almost every game of the season, and that we've played some good damn games.

We were mediocre in the CAA last year, most of us wanting out..wanting to move up..
We did that, we're now in a more competitive league..

A little bit of luck and we would've had some big wins, and still probably been complaining about not winning more.

This season sucks, has gone worse then planned, we've had ZERO ZIPPY luck, and has been filled with plenty of drama..

but, I think the offseason sucks more.

 

[MasonFanatic]

I plan to renew, because I've had fun this season, in spite of the losses, and there's no way I'd quit on the program unless things got a lot worse than they are now. But I won't be upgrading my seats or donation like I had originally planned, either. It's hard to justify wanting to sit closer to a product that doesn't excite me as much as it used to do.

I think at this point we (fans and program) have to stay the course next season and hope that Hewitt either a) clearly turns things around or b) clearly proves that he is not the man for the job. I thought this season would be the breakout, and ... I'm still waiting.

I will take this season over being in third place in the woeful CAA.

 

[gmubrian]

I am positive, positive that most of our fan base deserves Paul Hewitt to be the coach.

 

[GMUSSTN]

I am positive, positive that most of our fan base deserves Paul Hewitt to be the coach.

Our fan base deserves a coach who is going to get us to the NCAA tournament and build our program into a consistent [at least conference] contender.

Paul Hewitt is not that coach.

 

[Leesburg Chankenstank III]

The only thing staying positive this year are the results of drug tests that Mason fans have taken to try to get through this horrible display of coaching and athletic administration.

 

[Masonfan3]

Our fan base deserves a coach who is going to get us to the NCAA tournament and build our program into a consistent [at least conference] contender.

Paul Hewitt is not that coach.

While you are right that we deserve a coach who will get us to the NCAA Tournament and build our program into a consistent contender; but its not the fan base that deserves that, its the players. The majority of our fan base is a joke and its pathetic that we can't even get 100 students to show up to a home game against a top 10 team. It was like this even during OCMs time here. I sat next to his wife a few times at games and I can't tell you how many times she expressed to me their displeasure with the lack of attendance at some of our bigger games (the most recent being the Hofstra and Drexel game in his last season). The attendance at our games is so inconsistent and games that you think will draw a big crowd (St. Louis and UMASS) there are hardly any fans and the students hardly ever show up. You want to know the easiest way to destroy a once proud program; stop showing up and supporting the players. I hear a lot of people on here talking about giving up their season tickets and stop donating to the PC; well go ahead and do that and you will see what happens to our program. I understand everyone's displeasure and I am right there with you, but the only way to make sure we don't turn into UNCW is to keep supporting the Student Athletes and the only way to do that is by showing up. Trust me, if attendance was good and donation levels were high and this coach continues to lose games; he won't be here much longer. But if everyone jumps ship and we stop going to games and contributing; what coach is going to want to come to a program that can't even fill 50% of their arena and is towards the bottom of the conference in funding?

 

[GMUSSTN]

While you are right that we deserve a coach who will get us to the NCAA Tournament and build our program into a consistent contender; but its not the fan base that deserves that, its the players. The majority of our fan base is a joke and its pathetic that we can't even get 100 students to show up to a home game against a top 10 team. It was like this even during OCMs time here. I sat next to his wife a few times at games and I can't tell you how many times she expressed to me their displeasure with the lack of attendance at some of our bigger games (the most recent being the Hofstra and Drexel game in his last season). The attendance at our games is so inconsistent and games that you think will draw a big crowd (St. Louis and UMASS) there are hardly any fans and the students hardly ever show up. You want to know the easiest way to destroy a once proud program; stop showing up and supporting the players. I hear a lot of people on here talking about giving up their season tickets and stop donating to the PC; well go ahead and do that and you will see what happens to our program. I understand everyone's displeasure and I am right there with you, but the only way to make sure we don't turn into UNCW is to keep supporting the Student Athletes and the only way to do that is by showing up. Trust me, if attendance was good and donation levels were high and this coach continues to lose games; he won't be here much longer. But if everyone jumps ship and we stop going to games and contributing; what coach is going to want to come to a program that can't even fill 50% of their arena and is towards the bottom of the conference in funding?

These boards have been over this 100 times. I don't blame people who want to cancel their season tickets based on the product they see on the floor. It's their money and it's completely reasonable. I also don't think someone is a bad fan or whatever because they want to cancel their seats because they don't like watching Hewitt's teams play basketball.

I'm not going to cancel my seats because I support George Mason Basketball and I like going to games. Can I be critical? Yes. If they're losing I have every right to be critical. I'm not just going to tow the party line and "rah rah rah" when we suck, like we do now.

Bring in a good coach and get some success and the people will come. It's not like in Richmond where vcu is basically the only game in town; here you're competing with teams in all 4 major professional sports as well as Maryland, Georgetown, and a handful of other teams. Why on earth would anyone want to bring their family to watch Mason lose when they can put away that money for a couple months and go to a Nats game?

Don't criticize other fans, criticize the product on the floor and the coach and the program around it. Not everyone is a blind homer, but everyone on here is a Mason fan. Sorry if you don't feel like they're "good enough" to be, but they are.

 

[GSII]

That's sort of a cop out. Shouldn't the AD take responsibility for the low booster support and poor team performance? That's why making the right hire is so important. I wouldn't cease my support now, but I can't say it would continue with what I see on the court past next year. When you make a good hire the support comes easy so I think it's fair the AD bust his a** regaining it when making a change. However, TOC seems to let the chips fall where they may. Doesn't fundraise much, prob doesn't care if you pull your support either.

 

[gmubrian]

Masonfan3, I understand what you are saying, but I could not disagree with you much more in regards to your comments on UNCW. That whole situation has to do with poor decisions made with regards to athletics up and down their administration. Anyone who thinks the fan base should keep doing everything they have been doing before the bad decisions were made, and keep quiet are just delusional. Things won't get better until their administration starts making better decisions. Their fans need to make sure they are aware of that. Their fan base needs to speak to their administration either by voicing their concerns, or voting with their feet (stop donating and stop coming).

 

[Walter]

Ticket purchase required (see &) http://www.gomason.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=205073102&DB_OEM_ID=25200&DB_OEM_ID=25200

I love Raider_SPE's avatar.

 

[99 Patriot]

What a necessary thread. I'm with MF3 on this. Our team is having it's first losing season in forever and people are running for the exits. And even in this awful year we beat a team who was once ranked 13 on the road and twice took a top 10 team to OT. Yes, I wish we were better and had a chance at postseason play, but I mostly wish that for BA, Sherrod and J2.

Next year I'll renew and I'll probably go up to Green Coat Level of Giving. I'll do this because my family enjoys the games, my accountant says I need to give at least that much to charity, we have a good group of kids to cheer for and my donation goes towards helping student athletes. Criminal or unethical behavior in the program would probably cause me to question my giving to the team, but a rough year or two on the court, nah, that doesn't get my blood boiling as much as it does to most people on here.

 

[Masonfan3]

These boards have been over this 100 times. I don't blame people who want to cancel their season tickets based on the product they see on the floor. It's their money and it's completely reasonable. I also don't think someone is a bad fan or whatever because they want to cancel their seats because they don't like watching Hewitt's teams play basketball.

I'm not going to cancel my seats because I support George Mason Basketball and I like going to games. Can I be critical? Yes. If they're losing I have every right to be critical. I'm not just going to tow the party line and "rah rah rah" when we suck, like we do now.

Bring in a good coach and get some success and the people will come. It's not like in Richmond where vcu is basically the only game in town; here you're competing with teams in all 4 major professional sports as well as Maryland, Georgetown, and a handful of other teams. Why on earth would anyone want to bring their family to watch Mason lose when they can put away that money for a couple months and go to a Nats game?

Don't criticize other fans, criticize the product on the floor and the coach and the program around it. Not everyone is a blind homer, but everyone on here is a Mason fan. Sorry if you don't feel like they're "good enough" to be, but they are.

I don't blame people for wanting to cancel their season tickets because losing is not fun but I am critical of people who think that cancelling their season tickets is going to somehow help the program. If people want to jump ship then go ahead; it is their money and they can do what they want with it but it's not going to help. I am also getting sick of hearing people say we have to compete with other teams in the area..what other game was going on Wednesday night when we were playing #10 St. Louis?
The point I was trying to make is that you said "our fan base deserves a good coach" but what fan base are you talking about? Because the majority of a our "fan base" are casual fans who only show up when we are winning. If that's the case, then every fan base in the country deserves a Coach K or a John Wooden. Now you and I and most of the people on this board (passionate Mason fans/supporters) deserve better from our coach/program but we are in the minority. And yes, you have every right to be critical of the program right now because losing sucks and I am very critical of this coach and what's going on in the Athletic Department and I have let them know that. There are ways to do that and there are ways not to. If you are a true Mason supporter/care about the program and want to see it succeed then giving up your tickets/stop donating just because you are upset is not the way to go about it because its only going to make things worse. We are not UNC or Kentucky; the only real selling point we have right now is our Final 4 from 8 years ago. You want a new coach; then show him why he should come to Mason.

 

[CHRISTOPHER JAMES JOLLAY]

That's sort of a cop out. Shouldn't the AD take responsibility for the low booster support and poor team performance? .

Is booster support low? Do you have any numbers on that?

I was under the impression that it is doing pretty well, for George Mason at least.

 

[GSII]

Did OCM come here bc he was impressed with our list of season ticket holders? I'm not sure any coach looks at that in much detail. Our selling points to a potential coach is the location and now the higher chance of an at large. The Final Four has been pissed away.

 

[GMUSSTN]

I don't blame people for wanting to cancel their season tickets because losing is not fun but I am critical of people who think that cancelling their season tickets is going to somehow help the program. If people want to jump ship then go ahead; it is their money and they can do what they want with it but it's not going to help. I am also getting sick of hearing people say we have to compete with other teams in the area..what other game was going on Wednesday night when we were playing #10 St. Louis?
The point I was trying to make is that you said "our fan base deserves a good coach" but what fan base are you talking about? Because the majority of a our "fan base" are casual fans who only show up when we are winning. If that's the case, then every fan base in the country deserves a Coach K or a John Wooden. Now you and I and most of the people on this board (passionate Mason fans/supporters) deserve better from our coach/program but we are in the minority. And yes, you have every right to be critical of the program right now because losing sucks and I am very critical of this coach and what's going on in the Athletic Department and I have let them know that. There are ways to do that and there are ways not to. If you are a true Mason supporter/care about the program and want to see it succeed then giving up your tickets/stop donating just because you are upset is not the way to go about it because its only going to make things worse. We are not UNC or Kentucky; the only real selling point we have right now is our Final 4 from 8 years ago. You want a new coach; then show him why he should come to Mason.

That game would have been packed if it were a battle for first place in the conference. At least more people would have shown up. Also a lot of the attendance we used to pull was from our local rivals. JMU games were always packed. We don't have that so much anymore with the new conference. We need to build the rivalries and hype and excitement around the games.

I get what you're saying, I just don't think our fan base sucks because we aren't packing the Pat Center to watch a team that's 2-10 in conference. MOST of our fans aren't like us--you gotta cut them some slack that they have better things to do in their lives than follow a losing basketball team. That doesn't mean they're "bad" they're just "different." The majority of every fan base is casual fans who show up when you're winning. Every team, every sport. That's how it works. It's us die hards who keep things going in the mean time.

 

[GSII]

Is booster support low? Do you have any numbers on that?

I don't know. Only saying an AD should work to re-build it if it declines bc of a bad hire.