As our football season comes to a close, the usual tension has returned over the quality of Al Groh's coaching. In my four years here, I've noticed a certain quality in most Virginia sports fans: selective memory. We are quick to ask for Groh's head after two losses but quick to shake his hand after four wins. We curse him for losing to Wyoming and praise him for taking us to nine wins in the same season. The fact of the matter is that our football program is simply inconsistent. And so are Virginia fans.
Sadly, Virginia will never be a powerhouse in football. We don't have the history, and we don't have the fan base. Every time I go to a football game, I look around me with disappointment. There are literally empty seats everywhere, and most fans seem more concerned with wearing sundresses or ties than supporting our team. Do we like to win? Sure. But do we really care about our team? No.
The same can be said for basketball. Today's season opener was exciting, especially for fans who wanted to see what our team will be like without Singletary. But JPJ was probably half empty. The fans that were there were louder than usual, but the atmosphere at our home games is hardly intimidating.
Virginia fans just need to keep one thing in mind when complaining about the mediocrity of our major sports teams: We have beaten FSU in football and Duke in basketball. We have also lost to Duke in football and Appalachian State in basketball. There will always be highs and lows, but our fan base must be consistent. There is nothing worse than a fair-weather fan. So stop complaining and get out and support your Hoos.
Sadly, Virginia will never be a powerhouse in football. We don't have the history, and we don't have the fan base. Every time I go to a football game, I look around me with disappointment. There are literally empty seats everywhere, and most fans seem more concerned with wearing sundresses or ties than supporting our team. Do we like to win? Sure. But do we really care about our team? No.
The same can be said for basketball. Today's season opener was exciting, especially for fans who wanted to see what our team will be like without Singletary. But JPJ was probably half empty. The fans that were there were louder than usual, but the atmosphere at our home games is hardly intimidating.
Virginia fans just need to keep one thing in mind when complaining about the mediocrity of our major sports teams: We have beaten FSU in football and Duke in basketball. We have also lost to Duke in football and Appalachian State in basketball. There will always be highs and lows, but our fan base must be consistent. There is nothing worse than a fair-weather fan. So stop complaining and get out and support your Hoos.
What has remained true for 4 seasons of Virginia football:
1) Impotent offense. When we beat FSU they beat us in every stat category except the score. When we won all of our games last year they were by the closest margins, in comeback victories. Exciting games, but not expressions of our offensive power.
2) Groh. Not just Groh the head coach, but Groh the offensive coordinator. We've never had a powerful offense, and Al refuses to replace his son. We've clung to moderate success on the coattails of good defensive players.
3) Let's not forget our perennial problems with the law. Mr. Brooks? Great linebacker... inexplicably excused from the team. I don't have the time (memory or desire to research) all the others, but it is just telling that the ESPN's Virginia football team is headlined with stories of Mr. Jackson's stealing spree. And Lalich's dismissal. Recruiting and shaping leaders might also be a job of a coach...
Anonymous
December 9, 2008 at 1:09 PMLet´s keep the faith on the team.
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Anonymous
December 17, 2008 at 11:13 AMonly two posts so far?
Anonymous
January 21, 2009 at 5:52 PM