Welcome to the new world of college athletics, Blue Hairs!

by **Mitch McConnell** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 9:59 pm

I'm going to take a crack at this but I think it's pretty close.

Most of the negative reaction (mrydel not included because apparently he seems to get it) to the CIT invitation is being sounded off by those who birth years preceeded 1960.

I understand tradition about a small number of bowl games -- maybe 15-18 -- and a NCAA basketball tournament that was 48 teams and a NIT tournament that 16 teams.

I understand that the postseason is reserved for those who truly deserve and worked to be there.

I'm all for tradition.

BUT THOSE DAYS ARE OVER!!

With the proliferation of the TV, satellite, and people who can find a way to make $$$$, there's going to be a market. There's going to be a chance to make a profit. And there's going to be more, more and more.

Why do you think the NCAA tournament added 4 more teams to the tournament this year? Well, the committee said it's a chance to get those bubble teams a chance to play their way into the Thursday-Friday games.

Ok, sounds good. But funny how that new brokered TV deal with TBS is getting started this year. So why wait for Thursday to get the tournament started? Get it going Tuesday. More ratings and the new ad rates are pretty nice too.

Heck the NCAA expanded the baseball field from 48 teams to 64 and added the super regionals about 8 years ago. Now, you're seeing those games on TV too.

Teams that probably shouldn't be in the postseason are going. And that's the way it is.

This is a new world of college athletics we're in. This isn't any startling revelation.

If you want to poor mouth SMU playing in a bowl game that you think isn't worthy of your respect or in a basketball tournament thats seems seedy, then save yourself the aggravation and just ignore it or don't go.

With attitudes like yours, less is more!

by **mustangbill67** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 11:06 pm

[quote="Mitch McConnell"]I'm going to take a crack at this but I think it's pretty close.

Most of the negative reaction (mrydel not included because apparently he seems to get it) to the CIT invitation is being sounded off by those who birth years preceeded 1960."

As usual you have no clue what you are talking about. BTW, i do not know what a fking blue hair is little man, but I would love to have you out in the wilderness with me sometime. I also understand you were not at any games this year so how do you even know who is actuallly supporting the team with their money, time and enthusiasm.

by **Junior** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 1:01 am

Who is saying anything bad about this opportunity? It seems that most people think it's a good opportunity for the team.

by **Junior** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 1:03 am

Nevermind, just got to that thread.

by **Mitch McConnell** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 9:34 am

Bill,
You should probably be ashamed of yourself for posting something like you did. BTW, I don't dislike you because I don't even know who you are. I'd buy you a beer.

My frustration is that the over 55 crowd appears to be stuck in good-ol' day syndrome and because 2011 doesn't have the same feel as 1971 because the postseason is different then it's all wrong.

Time to move on.

People know why I didn't come to any BB games in the regular season. Again, I find the "I'm a better fan than you are because I went to these games and you didn't" argument tiresome.

Hope to see you Wednesday at the CIT game.

by **mrydel** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 10:02 am

You are wrong on the age thing Mitch. The people that show for the games are the tried and true fans that have been there through it all. It is the spiked hair crowd that does not show. The games I attended probably had more over 50 than under 50 and that includes the students.

by **Mitch McConnell** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 10:05 am

mrydel wrote:You are wrong on the age thing Mitch. The people that show for the games are the tried and true fans that have been there through it all. It is the spiked hair crowd that does not show. The games I attended probably had more over 50 than under 50 and that includes the students.

I'm not doubting that part of it. Of course, they're the better fans. But given the small sampling of the negative responses about this CIT invitation appears to be coming from them. It's the below-50 crowd that appear to be more on board.

by **Charleston Pony** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 10:09 am

I'm over 55 and glad we are playing in this tournament...and if I had any hair, I doubt it would be blue

by **mrydel** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 10:13 am

Blue hair is the new gray hair.

by **mathman** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 11:01 am

I will be eligible for Medicare in September and I am delighted we are in the CIT. Going to see if I can get my two boys to go to the game with me on Wednesday. Long drive but it will be worth it.

by **mrydel** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 12:10 pm

Most of the under 30s do not know we have a basketball team.

by **MustangFan** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 1:20 pm

mrydel wrote:You are wrong on the age thing Mitch. The people that show for the games are the tried and true fans that have been there through it all. It is the spiked hair crowd that does not show. The games I attended probably had more over 50 than under 50 and that includes the students.

I was at every home game, as I have been for years. I would say the ages of the fans are spread pretty evenly. There's the over-50 set, the students who started showing up in January, and the middle agers seems well-represented and even the young parents who seem to be bringing a few more kids than in years past. Are they equal fourths? No, probably not. But casting the crowd as a gathering of senior citizens â€” especially by someone who openly admits to having gone to few games (or is it no games?) â€”seems, at best, like the on-line version of someone talking just to hear the sound of his own voice.

by **mr. pony** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 2:01 pm

Mitch McConnell wrote:
mrydel wrote:You are wrong on the age thing Mitch. The people that show for the games are the tried and true fans that have been there through it all. It is the spiked hair crowd that does not show. The games I attended probably had more over 50 than under 50 and that includes the students.

I'm not doubting that part of it. Of course, they're the better fans. But given the small sampling of the negative responses about this CIT invitation appears to be coming from them. It's the below-50 crowd that appear to be more on board.

They don't know any better?

by **One Trick Pony** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 4:28 pm

I just want to know why Bill wants to get Mitch out in the wilderness LOL

by **2ndandlong** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 4:34 pm

One Trick Pony wrote:I just want to know why Bill wants to get Mitch out in the wilderness LOL

I missed that the first time I read it. I had to reread just to figure out what you were talking about. For Mitch's sake, I hope Bill isn't from W VA.