Replies: 19
| visibility 199
|
Paw Master [16838]
TigerPulse: 100%
50
Posts: 15105
Joined: 1999
|
Can’t believe I’m a grumpy old man at 53
Jul 1, 2022, 7:47 AM
|
|
But I am so tired of the flood of changes to my favorite spectator sport, all driven by the almighty dollar.
I like being in the ACC. I sometimes wish we had Maryland back. I know we have to scramble around and speculate about Clemson’s next big move, but it sucks. I loved when the ACC was small enough for us to play everyone every year and STILL have scheduling flexibility. I loved it when players signed with a school and played there for 3 or 4 years. And when coaches got hired, did a good job, and STAYED for their career. I like the regional pride associated with the “old” conferences, like the SWC, the Big East, and now the PAC. These conferences have no identity anymore. Players are free agents, coaches are free agents, and now programs are free agents.
I hate it that there is no loyalty anymore - among schools, coaches, players, even fan bases. When I was a kid, our players were almost like gods to me. I had the luxury of knowing that my heroes would always be Tigers. That world no longer exists.
Thank you to all of those players who chose Clemson, and who stayed for their collegiate careers. Thank you Clemson for recognizing potential in Dabo, taking a risk, and then recognizing his value once the risk paid off. And thank you Dabo for being “old school”- building a program and taking pride in it, seeming content to continue the work you have started, and for continuing to selectively recruit players who represent your values and Clemson’s values. Thank you for C J Spiller, Tajh Boyd, Christian Wilkins, Hunter Renfrow…
Now get off of my lawn!
|
|
|
|
All-TigerNet [11220]
TigerPulse: 100%
45
|
Re: Can’t believe I’m a grumpy old man at 53
Jul 1, 2022, 7:53 AM
|
|
Power grabs with no parity. I'm holding right now to see how this pans out.
|
|
|
|
|
TigerNet Elite [76162]
TigerPulse: 100%
60
Posts: 35329
Joined: 2003
|
Like many, you are remembering "the good old days" as being
Jul 1, 2022, 7:56 AM
|
|
a whole lot better than they actually were. I still remember the ACC being referred to humorously as "The White Meat League" of major college football, back when we had eight teams. So, this narrative of the ACC not getting much respect as a league in football is really nothing new.
|
|
|
|
|
Paw Master [16838]
TigerPulse: 100%
50
Posts: 15105
Joined: 1999
|
Fair enough, but my “good old days” only go back
Jul 1, 2022, 8:07 AM
|
|
to the late 70s. I don’t care what people think of the ACC…I just want Clemson to be successful. We won a championship in those days, and had shots at others.
|
|
|
|
|
TigerNet Elite [76162]
TigerPulse: 100%
60
Posts: 35329
Joined: 2003
|
Not to disparage what we accomplished in 1981, but people
Jul 1, 2022, 8:24 AM
|
|
also have a tendency to forget how things were voted back then. Being undefeated was a HUGE deal back then. Clemson started the season unranked, due to our mediocre record in 1980. As the various "Big Boys" fell by the wayside, losing a game here and there, we slowly rose up the rankings.
The first time the Tigers were ranked No.1 was actually the week AFTER the regular season concluded, as Pitt, the last other major unbeaten, who had been ranked No.1, had fallen in an upset to Penn State, in their last regular season game, by a huge score of 48-14. (We had previously been ranked No 2 behind them, in Weeks 9, 10, and 11.) Then, when we won our bowl game, and No 2, 3, and 4 all lost theirs, we were voted National Champions by the AP and UPI. But, we were NOT "Unanimous" champions. For instance, an organization called the NCF (National Championship Foundation) recognized Pitt as National Champion, their having bounced back to win the Sugar Bowl 24-20 over then No.2 Georgia.
|
|
|
|
|
Game Changer [2041]
TigerPulse: 96%
30
|
Re: Not to disparage what we accomplished in 1981, but people
Jul 3, 2022, 9:48 AM
|
|
Being undefeated is still a HUGE deal. Undefeated means a playoff spot, kind of a huge deal, don’t ya think?
|
|
|
|
|
Clemson Sports Icon [57121]
TigerPulse: 100%
58
Posts: 23499
Joined: 2011
|
|
|
|
|
Dynasty Maker [3280]
TigerPulse: 100%
33
|
|
|
|
|
CU Medallion [18360]
TigerPulse: 100%
51
Posts: 11807
Joined: 2001
|
Like a conference were you play each team each year in
Jul 1, 2022, 8:21 AM
|
|
football and each team twice in basketball EVERY YEAR. Liked it when players were at teams typically 4 years, especially in basketball. Looked forward to the guys bein back around the conference the next year to see what would happen.
|
|
|
|
|
Clemson Conqueror [12069]
TigerPulse: 100%
45
Posts: 12273
Joined: 2001
|
It's depressing to see what what's happening to the game we
Jul 1, 2022, 8:28 AM
|
|
love.
|
|
|
|
|
Clemson Icon [27577]
TigerPulse: 100%
53
Posts: 31953
Joined: 2003
|
Re: It's depressing to see what what's happening to the game we
Jul 1, 2022, 9:23 AM
|
|
I think we all agree with you. Sports just aren’t as much fun when they become a big business.
I remember, as a kid of about ten years old, that Ted Williams signed a contract with the Red Sox that paid him $100,000 per season . No one could believe that a guy could be paid that kind of money for playing ball! Today a star player makes that much every game!!!
|
|
|
|
|
TigerNet Icon [149377]
TigerPulse: 100%
67
Posts: 27375
Joined: 2012
|
Best post I've read in a while.***
Jul 2, 2022, 5:56 AM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All-TigerNet [5953]
TigerPulse: 100%
38
|
Re: Can’t believe I’m a grumpy old man at 53
Jul 2, 2022, 7:57 AM
|
|
I'm with you for the most part. I like the playoffs and the conference championship game. I hate the portal and NIL.
|
|
|
|
|
Orange Beast [6264]
TigerPulse: 100%
39
|
Re: Can’t believe I’m a grumpy old man at 53
Jul 2, 2022, 9:35 AM
|
|
I’m right there with you…at 41
|
|
|
|
|
Clemson Icon [27849]
TigerPulse: 100%
53
Posts: 21455
Joined: 2007
|
Re: Can’t believe I’m a grumpy old man at 53
Jul 2, 2022, 2:31 PM
|
|
Money is the ruination of many things. College football just happens to be the next in line. It will never be the same again.
|
|
|
|
|
110%er [7897]
TigerPulse: 100%
41
|
Re: Can’t believe I’m a grumpy old man at 53
Jul 2, 2022, 2:47 PM
|
|
I will be 55 next month & agree completely....In your mention about loyalty I instantly thought of the parable "There is no honor among thieves " ....I guess this is what happens as people age & the ways of their youth get changed...We are creatures of habit
|
|
|
|
|
Head Coach [940]
TigerPulse: 100%
23
|
Re: Can’t believe I’m a grumpy old man at 53
Jul 2, 2022, 3:03 PM
|
|
You’re not alone. College sports (predominantly Clemson) are all I watch anymore. I have a feeling that in the near future they’ll be where NASCAR and the NFL are and I just won’t care anymore.
|
|
|
|
|
Paw Warrior [4731]
TigerPulse: 100%
36
|
Re: Can’t believe I’m a grumpy old man at 53
Jul 2, 2022, 5:48 PM
|
|
I’m actually excited about the possibility of the new changes…but I agree about the old ACC except for Maryland. I liked playing Virginia and Duke every year. However, Maryland, it’s fans and College Park will forever suck. Them and NC State.
We also got to remember the ACC has screwed us several times(probation, tournament sites particularly baseball, etc. etc. …) and we are in this predicament because the ACC took too long to convince the decision makers that football drives the train. Too reactive to the importance of FB and not proactive enough.
I’m excited for our future……Clemson is very attractive and will land in a great spot
|
|
|
|
|
Clemson Sports Icon [57121]
TigerPulse: 100%
58
Posts: 23499
Joined: 2011
|
Re: Can’t believe I’m a grumpy old man at 53
Jul 2, 2022, 6:26 PM
|
|
I also miss those carefree Saturdays of tailgating with friends and watching the Tigers play. We never gave it a thought that players, coaches, and conferences could go away in an instant. This is not college football--this is football being played to make mega-rich corporations richer. I'm sorry that the students don't have the chance to enjoy it all as we did. No drama. Just fun.
|
|
|
|
|
CU Medallion [18953]
TigerPulse: 100%
51
Posts: 14690
Joined: 2010
|
+1 Old Grump
Jul 2, 2022, 6:34 PM
|
|
Adapt or die dsgriff®... evolution. The good news is, based on experience, you will continue to get more grumpy with each year! SocMan2, Class of 1984
|
|
|
|
Replies: 19
| visibility 199
|
|
|