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Replies: 33
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Orange Beast [6194]
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Why I stopped going to games
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Feb 6, 2025, 10:38 AM
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Sorry so long:
Many of you know me. Spent 47 years as an executive in Broadcast Media. 2-time cancer survivor. CU Tennis recruit (blew knee out in camp and never played a match.) Longtime high-level IPTAY member and up until my first cancer surgery, missed only 4 home games in 18 years. And one of those people who allowed Clemson sports to become way too important in my life.
In 2017, health and other reasons caused me to start missing a few games here and there. I'd give my tickets away to friends and watch from the couch. Often times with an IV in my arm (see pic.) When it became clear I wouldn't be able to attend the games at the level my heart desired, we decided to continue to support IPTAY, but at slightly lower level. I found a friend who buys my tix and parking each year, while I go to 1 or 2 games from tickets I find online or from friends.
Here's the point; my health is better but because of the product on the field, I choose not to go very often. You see, when I was forced to sit at home, we were dominating. Football was fun. NFL talent everywhere. There was no doubt we had a chance to win every time we took the field. But now? Not the case. To me, the value ratio of on-field performance vs atmosphere has always been about 50/50. So 50% of the value of being there has been missing. The experience OFF the field is still second to none. But 50% of my reason for being there dwindled away.
I say all that to say this; I can't be the only one. I have several business associates who were giving at the highest level but they backed way off. The school and IPTAY went after them like a fugitive...begging them and bribing them (legally of course) to re-up their giving. I even got a few calls and "gifts," and I'm 3 levels under them. There had to be hundreds, if not thousands, of other fans who reacted similarly. And now that we're seeing some improvement, I wonder how many of them will start giving at a higher level again. Because of retirement and medical bills, I can't justify it. But it will be fun to watch the level of IPTAY giving start moving in the right direction again because we're back to matching the level of off-field experience, with the ON-field experience. I pray I'm right. And maybe by 2026, that 50% of lost value will be back and I'll reclaim my tickets and start attending a few more games - Lord and health willing.
Go Tigers.
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Orange Beast [6194]
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oops... picture for OP
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Feb 6, 2025, 10:39 AM
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meant to include this in my original post
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Paw Master [16400]
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Weird post. Thats a lot of writing to declare oneself a
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Feb 6, 2025, 11:36 AM
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Fair weather fan.
Pretty crazy to be a multi-decade devotee of Clemson, and yet claim that our post-championshipS run performance is so bad that you can’t get interested in the team until they start playing better. Still won the ACC 3 of the last 5 years. Still 5th overall in the country in wins over the past five years, still way better than we ever did during Bowden or West years. But for some reason, unworthy of your support.
Hey…I don’t get to games much either. But it’s not because Clemson football is ONLY “winning the conference and going to the playoffs”.
Did I misunderstand this post? Seems odd to me.
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Ultimate Clemson Legend [99825]
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Eye-opening pic RU4GOD2 ..
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Feb 6, 2025, 11:44 AM
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Since shows a Tiger Fan 110% All-In while also trying to save his life!
Saying, says it all~
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Game Changer [1755]
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Re: Weird post. Thats a lot of writing to declare oneself a
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Feb 6, 2025, 11:52 AM
[ in reply to Weird post. Thats a lot of writing to declare oneself a ] |
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We could explain it for you, but we can’t understand it for you. The former would take too long, and the latter is made impossible due to you embracing a single aspect negatively and ignoring the rest.
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Paw Master [16400]
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Dont cop out just because you dont like my response.
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Feb 6, 2025, 12:38 PM
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What part of his point did I skip over?
1) he’s a long time devoted fan
2) health issues forced a reduction in attendance
3) now that he’s healthy again, the team isn’t good enough for him to support at similar levels
How is that not EXACTLY what he said?
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Game Changer [1755]
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Re: Dont cop out just because you dont like my response.
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Feb 6, 2025, 12:42 PM
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You never mentioned his health. You only addressed your own point 1.
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Paw Master [16400]
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That wasn't the point of his post. Don't take my word for it...
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Feb 6, 2025, 2:18 PM
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Let's see what he says the point is...
"Here's the point; my health is better but because of the product on the field, I choose not to go very often. You see, when I was forced to sit at home, we were dominating. Football was fun. NFL talent everywhere. There was no doubt we had a chance to win every time we took the field. But now? Not the case. To me, the value ratio of on-field performance vs atmosphere has always been about 50/50. So 50% of the value of being there has been missing. The experience OFF the field is still second to none. But 50% of my reason for being there dwindled away."
Hmmm...sounds like that was the point. So...I commented on the point of his post, instead of...as you seem to insist I do...commenting on some of the background he offers.
So again, he really enjoyed Clemson football when it was winning national championships, but for ACC Championships and playoff appearances, he'll find other things to do.
THIS...is not good enough performance on the field for him:
https://betiq.teamrankings.com/college-football/betting-trends/win-loss-records/?season=since-2020
And it wasn't cost that drove this decision, or the changes in the sport, or other priorities. It was...and remember, this was the POINT..."50% of the value [on-field performance] of being there has been missing."
And again...everyone does for them. Heaven knows I have no right to demand anyone else achieve a certain level of "fandom", but don't attack me just because I correctly read his post, correctly identified it as being a declaration of being a fair weather fan (losing interest when the team isn't winning enough is the definition of fair weather fan) and offering my opinion that it is an odd thing to post about, and that perhaps a team with top 5 number of wins and top 7 winning percentage since 2020 being not good enough is quite a high bar given the teams he has watched (West and Bowden) before that.
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Orange Immortal [66677]
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Re: That wasn't the point of his post. Don't take my word for it...
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Feb 6, 2025, 3:16 PM
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Just admit you’re wrong, and say I’m sorry.
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Paw Master [16400]
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I can't. I just don't see it. Explain it, please.***
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Feb 6, 2025, 3:34 PM
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Ring of Honor [22649]
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Re: Dont cop out just because you dont like my response.
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Feb 6, 2025, 2:41 PM
[ in reply to Dont cop out just because you dont like my response. ] |
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“Because of retirement and medical bills, I can't justify it.”
If it isn’t as much fun for you as it used to be and other life priorities have taken precedence, what he stated seems easily understandable to me.
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Paw Master [16400]
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Completely understandable. I gave up on my tickets without any of the
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Feb 6, 2025, 2:57 PM
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things he has gone through. But I never said it was because 50% of the value just isn't there...that 50% being on-field performance...when we have been a top ten winning program with multiple conference championships (4 of 6 since our last national championship) and playoff appearances (3 out of 6 seasons since our last national championship). You guys feel compelled to defend his decision. Don't. Not on my account. I have no problem with anyone making a decision to take their energy away from a hobby for any reason. It just seemed like a strange thing to declare like that, and it seems like a very high bar. If he'd missed 4 games in 18 seasons before his health issues in 2017, then he saw 7-6 2008, 6-7 2010, 2004 6-5, 7-6 2002. God help him, he might have seen 1998's performance. He accepted that mediocrity but the current non-National Champions level is not worth his time.
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Ring of Honor [22649]
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Re: Completely understandable. I gave up on my tickets without any of the
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Feb 6, 2025, 4:46 PM
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Pretty sure he hasn’t stopped being a fan and bet he is still in front of his TV like a lot of us. I don’t know how old you are but a lot of us over time lose a little passion and energy for some things we used to highly value, and like a lot of things in life, what once was a blast has now taken a lower priority to more important things.
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Rival Killer [2728]
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Re: Dont cop out just because you dont like my response.
Feb 6, 2025, 8:42 PM
[ in reply to Dont cop out just because you dont like my response. ] |
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No, you said back them we were a better product and going to the games made sense. Since, in your mind, the product isn't as good, you are as interested in going. That was accurately defined as a fair weather fan. I think if you look it up in the dictionary, your picture may be there. Has nothing to do with your health.
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Tiger Spirit [9594]
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Orange Beast [6471]
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Re: Weird post. Thats a lot of writing to declare oneself a
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Feb 6, 2025, 3:01 PM
[ in reply to Weird post. Thats a lot of writing to declare oneself a ] |
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You misunderstood the post. The OP is stating what a lot of long time IPTAY members are feeling. Keep in mind these booster have sat through some pretty ugly football through the years so this has nothing to do with being a fair weathered fan.
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Paw Master [16400]
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Cool. Explain it to me. He really enjoyed Clemson football when we were
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Feb 6, 2025, 3:34 PM
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winning national championships but does not like it now, when we are NOT winning national championships...just top ten amount of wins, ACC championships more often than not and playoff appearances half the time...he doesn't enjoy it as much and it's not worth it.
How is that not EXACTLY what he said?
I didn't say many fans don't agree or do agree with him. I said his post is a declaration of being a fan that thought Clemson football was fun during the NC run but is just not worth it now that we don't win NCs. How did I misinterpret that and if I didn't, what do we call that?
I think you all want to focus on the fact that he had medical issues. But HE didn't want to focus on that. That was just background information. Or...if I'm wrong, the post reads weird to me...it probably should have not gone into how he's not happy about the product on the field anymore and not going to games much.
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Ultimate Tiger [33278]
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Ultimate Tiger [33278]
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Orange Immortal [66677]
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Paw Master [16400]
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Very possibly. Explain it to me, please.***
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Feb 6, 2025, 3:35 PM
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Orange Beast [6194]
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Swarley?
Feb 6, 2025, 6:40 PM
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Never heard of her.
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CU Medallion [20035]
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From personal experience ... So a man turns 50 or 60 yrs old
Feb 6, 2025, 8:31 PM
[ in reply to Very possibly. Explain it to me, please.*** ] |
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Swarley said: Very possibly. Explain it to me, please.
His 29 year old daughter has graduated from a GA university where her h.s. best friend attended. They roomed together for 4 years, and married their college sweethearts in late 20's. She likes the fun & the tailgate but could care less about the games. My 25 year old son was accepted to Clemson bridge program but enrolled in an SEC school (not SCu). He attends a few Tiger home & road games with good old dad every year. He likes football. Wife of 36 years, is a UGA grad and is great. She loves the town of Clemson and attending tailgates with friends. She's interested in who wins or loses but not in the mechanics of the game.
Most of my life, since 1979 frosh year & 1984 Clemson graduation, I've been a hard core Tiger fan. Lots of home games, some away games, bowl games, ACC championship games, thousands of hours of TV, YouTube, TigerNet, and other. Only Clemson Tiger in the Savannah QB Club (est. 1946).
A few months ago, docs discovered some eye troubles and tumors in my brain. Between travel to Mayo Clinic-Rochester, MRI scans, diagnostics, radiation, and recovery, you ask yourself some questions. What are your priorities? What do your kids and wife care about as adults? Are your will and financials in order? Do you have some family members and friends who have experienced some health issues and challenging times? Do they need a friend? Are you there for them? Are there some charities (e.g Tunnels to Towers, Smile Train, St. Judes, orphanages, etc.) that are worthy of a few of your dollars to help some families & kids who can't fully help themselves?
So I'm saying, I get why the Tigers are a lower priority for RU4GOD2 and some other great Tigers who are aging like all of us ... and while I agree with Dabo "the fun's in the winning", I also now attend Tiger games for the long-time friendships but value the games and winning are what bring us together. I like your posts Swarley and go Tigers!
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Head Coach [936]
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Campus Hero [13768]
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Re: Why I stopped going to games
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Feb 6, 2025, 11:57 AM
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I’m with you 100%. Every time Iptay asked why my donations dropped I told them: nepotism hires. Clean the cupboard, restock with what got us to the hilltop and my donations will return. It’s not the first I used this tactic. Ken Hatfield, Tommy Bowden, and Tommy Weat dried up my donations and I made it know as to why. When dollars dry up administration listens.
As far as health and age affecting attendance I am also there. I spent time in the hospital several times last year and was sedated during a couple of ballgames. Thankfully I am in full remission but it has changed my priorities. I’ve sold parking passes and tickets for third year in a row now. The energy it takes to setup my small tent city is overwhelming and expenditures are insane. I could be driving a really nice sports car for what I’ve spent the previous five years.
Yes, I have returned my donation (above Iptay req’s) level to prior seasons. I have considered pulling funds in protest of Brownell. That is TBD. He’s bought himself a bit more time.
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Top TigerNet [32561]
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Re: Why I stopped going to games
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Feb 6, 2025, 11:57 AM
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Game Changer [1794]
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Re: Why I stopped going to games
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Feb 6, 2025, 11:58 AM
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Yes. You are right on target. I have never been large donor, but the product has been average.
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Playmaker [357]
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Re: Why I stopped going to games
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Feb 6, 2025, 12:00 PM
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Why I quit going??? $$$$
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All-Pro [776]
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Ultimate Tiger [33278]
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Fair weather fans have been around since sports
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Feb 6, 2025, 12:38 PM
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Started and they will always be.
It's the circle of life.
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Offensive Star [342]
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Re: Why I stopped going to games
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Feb 6, 2025, 12:50 PM
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Band wagoner huh?
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Paw Master [16363]
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Re: Why I stopped going to games
Feb 6, 2025, 8:59 PM
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OP is a lousy fan. Good riddance.
I wonder how the OP reacts to his own kids when they fail to measure up? Does he quit on his kids for failure to produce at a level he respects?
How does the OP react to his own health? Did he fail to take good enough care of himself to stay among the health cohort of Americans? Did he quit on himself when his health failed? Did he accept he had not done enough right to stay healthy? or do his genes just suck? Most of us stay healthy. What the F is wrong with the OP? Did he say, "It's not my fault my health sucks, I just got a bad roll of the dice?
There is a tendency among most people to accept their own shortcomings and then to ##### when their favorite college football team is only in the top ten winningest teams in America.
Stay home OP. We do not need or want your sickly, only cheer for the Tigers when they are the best of the best sorts of fans. You reflect badly on yourself in your post.
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Gridiron Giant [15256]
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Re: Why I stopped going to games
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Feb 6, 2025, 9:14 PM
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I've read all the post on this thread and now, I have a headache. Good grief.
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Clemson Icon [25999]
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Re: Why I stopped going to games
Feb 6, 2025, 11:43 PM
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Ditto here ZeeGantt®, and I didn’t even read all the posts. Holy cow!
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