Topic: this group of people? and class---- never

[yogiherd]

Just when you think someone or thing could'nt get any lower ----
 

Hoppy's Commentary For Friday
 
Talkline Host Hoppy Kercheval


Question: According to a Mountaineer fan, what is the lifetime record of retiring Marshall Football Coach Bob Pruett?

Answer: 0-1

Bob Pruett did not beat West Virginia in his one attempt, but he certainly got under the skin of Mountaineer fans. That’s why Mountaineer fans should mourn the surprise retirement of Pruett. He added color, passion and emotion what makes college sports fun: Rivalry.

Pruett loved to tweak West Virginia fans. Pruett’s comments were frequently sprinkled with references to the Mountaineers, their schedule, the possibility of a series.

Nothing made the Marshall fans happier than Pruett’s swipes at the Gold and Blue. Nothing irritated Mountaineer fans more than Pruett’s obsession with West Virginia.

There are two kids of Mountaineer fans: The ones who say they root for Marshall when they’re not playing WVU. They are the liars. And the ones who hope Marshall looses whether it’s football or water polo. They’re the honest ones.

Fans loved to join in the raucous debate. Marshall fans pointed to their increasingly difficult schedule as evidence of parity with WVU. Mountaineer fans loved to point out how Marshall opted out of an earlier contract that would have produced several more games.

WVU fans were incensed when Marshall put a billboard in Morgantown with a picture of Pruett that said Marshall played for championships. More gasoline on the fire.

In the middle was Pruett, using his best hang-dog, good-ol’-boy manner to stir the pot.

His jibes were not just jokes. I sat next to him once at a banquet where he couldn’t stop talking about the possibility of playing WVU again. I remember thinking that he was obsessed by the rivalry.

But it was all great fun. WVU and Marshall in a football rivalry even though—except for once—they never played each other. Still, many a WVU fan would sit with a smug smile as they watched Coach Pruett pace the sidelines nervously during a Herd loss.

Definition of a Mountaineer fan’s perfect Saturday: A WVU win and a Marshall loss.

Now, Pruett is gone, taking retirement, spending more time with his family. He told me yesterday that he might even come to Mountaineer Field to see a football game. You just know Pruett would wear green.

You’d be welcome, coach. Just do all us Mountaineer fans a favor. Break out some of your best stuff will you, some of the greatest hits of your insults, innuendo, not-so-subtle references, outright slaps at WVU. You know, just for old time sake.

[carolinaherdfan]

I wrote an e-mail to Smock about this type of 19th Century predjudice, and I pointed out to him how differently this type of subject matter was handled in Carolina.  He e-mailed me back telling me he had received a lot of e-mails over his career, but he just didn't understand what I was talking about, he explained, "I've heard it all now," and asked me to return the e-mail with an explanation.  When you have to explain what is wrong with this type of journalism to your sports writer, you have a problem.  When you have sportscaster's on TV; calling the Coach of MU
names, you have a problem.  The Virginia fans loathe WVU fans.  ECU fans would rather give you a ball bat, and let you smack them over the head with it, than to go to Morgantown, and listen to their fans.  Everyone hates their fans, and press, and then WV sportcasters tell me they have heard it all now, and would like an explanation as to what I am talking about.  The sportcaster's bonus is directly geared to how good of a job they can do, to continue the brainwashing of fellow West Virginian's.  All I said was all Universities, and colleges get equal prestige, and support from the press.  If Clemson plays Furman, The Citadel, Wofford, etc., and loses, it is treated no differently here in the press than if someone would have lost to Georgia.  Each institution is given equal credence, and respect.  You can transfer your credits accumulated the first two years, to any College, or University in the state.  That includes community colleges.  Everyone is on a level playing field.  We don't have a Mecca, and everyone has to make a pilgramage.

GO THUNDERINGHERD!

 :mad:

[Olen]

CarolinaHerdFan:  I'm not sure if your post is in the correct thread or not, but if it is, I have to agree with Smock (for now) - I have no idea what specifics you are referring to.  

When you have to explain what is wrong with this type of journalism to your sports writer, you have a problem. When you have sportscaster's on TV; calling the Coach of MU names, you have a problem.  

I do not disagree with the assertion that a sportcaster needs to exercise professionalism in delivering the news, but I'm not sure how that relates to Kerchival and this piece, specifically.  At worst, Kerchival believed Pruett "obsessed" with the WVU-MU rivalry.  

Fill in the gaps for me, if you could.

[carolinaherdfan]

Olen, thanks for your post, and I may be in the wrong, but the point I am alluding to is BP, or anyone from the MU end, that says anything, or does anything that Mecca feel's is unacceptable is opened up by the press for close inspection to put it mildly, but anything that is said by anyone from Mecca is at best generally brushed aside by the media, or never mentioned at all.

GO THUNDERINGHERD!


 :mad:

[HerdZone]

1 I don't want to play WVU, we have bigger games on the horrizon now -- VA Tech, Miami FL, Wisconsin and so on

2 The only reason WVU and the Gov sees this game now as good, is because it's going to help WVU. The BE is no longer the BE anymore, so it needs subsidized with Marshall, it will give WVU a sell out. Where UConn, Syracuse, Cincy, USF will not.

3 The biggest reason of all-- I don't wanna be a reason for 1 of their "Couch Burnin'" celerations..........

[carolinaherdfan]

Yogi, this is a great post.  I just wish everyone knew the depth, and seriousness of the post.  If MU alumni, and friends don't step up from Southern West Virginia, Southeastern Ohio, and Eastern Kentucky we will not be able to withstand this onslaught.  Remember, everyone who has an ear, let him,or her, hear this, HELP MARSHALL NOW!  All alumni and FRIENDS; HELP US NOW!  YOU CAN JOIN THE BIG GREEN CLUB FOR $25.00 PER YEAR, OR LESS THAN .50 CENTS PER WEEK.

GO THUNDERINGHERD!



 :|

[carolinaherdfan]

The Mountaineer's are running scared.  Tell their fans that every time you come in contact with one.  Whether it be press, John Q. Public, or whomever, if they are truly a mountaineer fan they are scared.

GO THUNDERINGHERD!

 :|

[TomorrowHERD]

What say you Marcbuff?!?!?!?!?!

There are two kids of Mountaineer fans: The ones who say they root for Marshall when they’re not playing WVU. They are the liars. And the ones who hope Marshall looses whether it’s football or water polo. They’re the honest ones.

 :o

[HerdZone]

I say you are either a Herd fan or an Err fan, I don't see how you can "Split your Loyalities". Thats like me saying Im a "Steelers Fan" but I have season tickets in the "Cleveland Dawg Pound".  Its just not done.

[Anonymous]

I grew up in PA, and when Pitt didn't play Penn State, I rooted for PSU. It is more of a state pride thing than anything else. However, growing up a Pitt fan and going to MU, I dislike the Univ. of Southern PA as much as anyone else.

On another note, my best friend went to VA Tech, and he said that he has been to a Tech/WVU game in Blacksburg and Morganhole.  He said that they were harassed beyond belief in Morganhole and when WVU came to Blacksburg, WVU complained that Tech fans were impolite.  I can smell a couch burning all the way in Texas! What a bunch of hypocrites.

[carolinaherdfan]

WVU Mountaineer fans are the biggest whineers' in America!

My family is from Phil., PA., and everyone has disdain for their fans.

GO THUNDERINGHERD!

 :|

[HerdZone]

Tech fans have no room to talk, their fans were morons. I will never go back to Backsburg.

As far as bigger games though and not needing WVU, Marshall is fine. We have VA Tech, K-State, Wisconsin, Miami FL, and others. Seven eight years ago, Marshall could have used and even needed the game. Now we don't. If things stall again, I won't complain. I bet they move forward now. Pruett is gone.

[carolinaherdfan]

Mountaineer fans are whineer's, and you are correct we do not need, or want to play them any longer.

GO THUNDERINGHERD!

 :roll:

[marcbuff]

Tommorrow- I say Lets Go Herd/Lets Go Mountaineers- The writer made the statement to put emphasis on a point I beleive. Im not the ONLY person not eaten up with hate that roots for both either.
Herd Zone-Would you rather I quit donating to the Big Green, buying season tickets and throw away all my Marshall clothes?Im sure that would help MU to lose fans wouldn't it?
Some of you guys are so ate up with WVU, you actually beleive Mike Ferrell is a WVU Mole out to ruin MU. Im sure WVU planted him there as an undergrad, helped him get elected Student Body President and pulled strings to make him Marco so they could use him 30 years later right?  :o