Bobcat Nation...a good thing? Or bad?

Platinumcat · Post by **Platinumcat** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 5:11 pm

This topic cropped up on another thread (by a moderator going off topic I must say....although I won't say it too loudly as he helped me sell thundersticks last weekend!

). Anyway, I thought this could be an opportunity for us to discuss why
A) This is a good thing.
B) Why it could be viewed as a bad thing.
C) And what, we as a collective group, could do to change this image with the university.

Since I opened up the discussion, I'll sit back and read a few responses before posting my thoughts.

WalkOn79 · Post by **WalkOn79** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 5:15 pm

It's a good thing, so long as I don't get sideways with the Booster Board!! One of my brothers admitted that he reads almost daily to keep up with his family members. (Me and Barechest). He hasn't had the guts to post yet, but I think he's close.

Post by **kmax** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 5:17 pm

A mod on this board going off topic? Never happen.

As I mentioned in the theoretical off-topic post, I think the #1 positive is that it keeps MSU fans, alumni and boosters engaged, interested in and talking about Bobcat Athletics year round, not just during the season. As has also been mentioned, I have met alot of fans through here that I likely would not have met otherwise.

The biggest negative, again as mentioned, from the standpoint of the Athletic Dept. is that the anonymity of the internet allows alot of bashing of players, coaches, staff and programs with absolutely zero accountability.

Post by **kmax** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 5:18 pm

WalkOn79 wrote:One of my brothers admitted that he reads almost daily to keep up with his family members. (Me and Barechest).

Another positive, we bring families closer!

CPACAT · Post by **CPACAT** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 5:19 pm

I think it is a great thing as long as people take everything with a grain of salt. Pretty much everything here is pure opinion and those are like A$$holes, everyone has one.

While I don't always agree with what everyone posts it is fun to read and helps me get ready for the weekends games.

CARDIAC_CATS · Post by **CARDIAC_CATS** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 5:22 pm

kmax wrote:A mod on this board going off topic? Never happen.

As I mentioned in the theoretical off-topic post, I think the #1 positive is that it keeps MSU fans, alumni and boosters engaged, interested in and talking about Bobcat Athletics year round, not just during the season. As has also been mentioned, I have met alot of fans through here that I likely would not have met otherwise.

The biggest negative, again as mentioned, from the standpoint of the Athletic Dept. is that the anonymity of the internet allows alot of bashing of players, coaches, staff and programs with absolutely zero accountability.

I totally agree on both issues. However, is there a way we could maybe create a new link/section in Bnation where all coach/player talk is located? (I know this may make a lot more work for the moderators), but at least we could just say that in that forum that opinions are based on the people posting and to take them for face value only etc. Somehow stick that in its own 'TAGGED' section and label it .. ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK?

That would seem to me to keep all the negative stuff in one forum etc. And anyone entering would know that anyone can say anything about anyone (vindictive,venting you name it) and that it is probably not the MAJORITY opinion of Bobcat Nation etc.

Post by **rtb** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 5:23 pm

I will echo what kmax said in that I believe the level of interest from the fans, especially those outside of Bozeman can be partially attributed to this board. I think the level of interest in MSU has increased to some extent from this board.

While I understand from a coaches/athletic director's view that anyone can get on here and criticize your job and that isn't a good thing, I also think one of the issues is the rumors and mis-information that can be posted here. That has to be frustrating to know the real story and see rumors that are way off base get carried on here.

In terms of what can be done to improve the image, I don't know. I think us moderators would be wide open to ideas that would allow athletics to use the popularity of this board as a way to bring in more fans/boosters etc.

I am very excited to hear others thoughts!

WalkOn79 · Post by **WalkOn79** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 5:25 pm

kmax wrote:
The biggest negative, again as mentioned, from the standpoint of the Athletic Dept. is that the anonymity of the internet allows alot of bashing of players, coaches, staff and programs with absolutely zero accountability.

On that note. We should all be mindful that this is an open forum. We do have at least one mom of a player who is a regular poster. Not telling you which player, so BE CAREFUL what you say.

catsrback76 · Post by **catsrback76** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 6:08 pm

What do the internet and sports boards in particular contribute? They contribute information and dialogue. It stirs conversation and opinions that focus on teams of interest. EXPOSURE baby in an information world is what the Forum boards contribute.

In my opinion, for MSU to critique BNation for generating exposure and buzz is misinformed and oldskool. The internet bell has been rung and will not not unring itself. MSU has it's "offical" website where the school can post information as it sees fit. We who are alums, students, or fans in general congregate on the forum and raise the level of interest in MSU athletics in general. Who knows, someone might even try something crazy like buying 6000 Thundersticks to try and generate a higher fan experience at a football game. ( bone thrown to barechest --good job)

For MSU athletics to mention negative comments made annonymously on the Board as a reason to not like BNation is ridiculous. I would suspect that all the positive comments made on BNation about coaches and players are equally not appreciated simply because of the annonymity. Crazy. The assumption is that most comments made on the Forum are negative when in reality I would say that most posters are huge fans and positive commentators, even in criticism of games or plays. Nothing gets said on these boards that doesn't get said around the water cooler on Monday, or the bar on Saturday night.

... also, these boards promote world peace.

MAGOO · Post by **MAGOO** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 6:16 pm

... also, these boards promote world peace.

Boy, do they ever! I've really developed a taste for whirled peas in the last year of scanning BN.

torrybruce · Post by **torrybruce** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 6:17 pm

I would also venture to say that nothing gets said on BN that wouldn't be said not only in a bar or at the water cooler but also at a booster meeting or a meeting of the QBC. I will agree with kmax in that here it is faceless and could lead to some scrutiny of others. This is an open board for open discussion. I know I am fairly new to the board, but I would say that 90% of the discussion is geared towards the betterment of the fan base, THE CATS and MSU Athletics in general. Things that get out of hand or off topic are moderated fairly well by our great moderators (call me a brown noser if you wish I know it's coming

). That's my 12.37 cents...I'm 1/8th Canadian and with the exchange rate and after state sales tax that equals 2 cents.

Egg Salad · Post by **Egg Salad** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 6:35 pm

MAGOO wrote:
... also, these boards promote world peace.
Boy, do they ever! I've really developed a taste for whirled peas in the last year of scanning BN.

Dear God,

Please do not, under any circumstance, let me develop this sense of humor.

Love,
Egg Salad

To answer the original question, BN is good.

bcats · Post by **bcats** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 6:39 pm

I too am a fairly new user to bobcat nation and for anyone to think negatively of this website is just plane crazy. Opinions are merely opinions and when those of us post negatively about coaches we don't expect the Athletic department to jump on the band wagon. These people are public officials who should know that they are going to recieve public opinion both positive and negative. This website is great because of the constant information you can recieve from other fans. I live in Billings and would strugle to know anything more than what the Gazzette gives a reader. That isn't much. I wouldn't have any idea about what the basketball team is doing until they played there first game. BN gives us all a way to communicate and organize our efforts for the better of MSU. Since joining I have comminicated with people all over the state with different opinions that I would have no other way of doing so. I try to tell my friends to get on here and get involved because I believe a lot of good comes from people comminicating on this site. If administration doesn't like it that is too bad because I don't think we agree with everything they are doing either. If people want to know who I am my name is Byron Stulc and I am a Bobcat Fan. Does this change my opinion? Wait and see.

Post by **SonomaCat** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 6:51 pm

And another one comes out of the closet and drops the real name. I honestly didn't realize that was you, Byron. Good to see you here ... and to know that you've been here for awhile.

And I think he hits on an interesting point again that kmax brought up ... the anonymous stuff. I can see why the administration, and anyone else for that matter, could be pissy about some of the content on this or any other board.

This board is a great resource for exchanging opinions and getting information -- it is essentially a real time "letter to the editor" shop where people can express themselves and then defend their words against others who can pick apart their logic. I think that is great. The downside, though, is when people take advantage of the anonymous nature of the board to take shots at real people by name. Clearly, this isn't a good thing. If somebody want to criticize someone, they really shouldn't be afraid to be accountable for it. Too often, people can remain anonymous, but say things about someone else that is intentionally harmful to those people.

We try to moderate against that sort of thing, but from time to time something like that does happen, and it can be a bad thing.

In a perfect world, everyone on every board would proudly take credit for their words using their real names ... but until that world comes to pass, this venue seems to be about as close as we can come to a perfect answer.

GrizinWashington · Post by **GrizinWashington** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 7:14 pm

It's all good. Dropping cat smack on eGriz just isn't as much fun as it is over here!

spike · Post by **spike** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 9:05 pm

I also think this is a great forum (although I am new as far as postings) I have been following Cat VB for quite awhile. This forum helpls me stay in touch with the goings on whilst I am not able to be there in person. In reference to the Athletic Dept. and University being ticked about some (or maybe all) the opinions they should know which ones are of no consequence and which ones should make them sit up and say HMMMM! Whilst anonymity is maybe not the best it is still a viable option for those who will suffer backlash from their comments (and believe you me it exists). The fact that there is a reaction from the University and Athletic Dept. tells me how important this forum is. I am sure that if any posting needs accountability (by putting a name to it) it will happen if that person truly wants their opinions to be taken more seriously. This has been proven in the most recent past.

Swilly3224 · Post by **Swilly3224** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 9:09 pm

I think this board is a great thing for not only Bobcat Athletics, but Montana athletics as a whole

The Butcher · Post by **The Butcher** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 10:09 pm

I think Bobcat Nation is great! This is a place where friends can talk about Bobcat Athletics all week/year long. This is an internet chat room, where people can talk about the Bobcats and other teams throughout the country, and we get a chance to meet other fans that share our passion. This isn’t the Associated Press- the information passed here is opinions and rumors. We must take it for what it is worth, entertainment. People might take themselves entirely too serious, including myself, but we are all here because we love the Bobcats!

BobcatBulldog · Post by **BobcatBulldog** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 10:28 pm

I love the Nation

Alot of good Ideas have come out of this forum. I think we have some good things that will start to come out of this forum. There are alot of readers and if we can start to use our powers for good instead of evil "Fire Bailey" the university may even benifit from us. The univeristy needs to stop acting like we don't exist and start to figure out ways to use the BN as a tool. Overall I am glad its here and can't begin to think of the work I haven't done since I joined.

BobCatFan · Post by **BobCatFan** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 10:44 pm

Freedom of speech is a very precious right. Most of the people in this world do not have it. If the administration cannot take the heat that this group of supporters is dishing out, then maybe they are in the wrong business. No matter what you do in life, someone will not like your actions. This board only makes it easier to spread the word. Both good and bad. I think this board had an impact on Durham retiring last spring. I think this board had a say in hiring the new coach. My brother was a long time supporter of MSU. He wrote letters to MSU saying that he was refusing to give any more support to the University until the Cats beat the Griz. (pre-bobcatnation days) One letter does not mean a lot to a bureaucracy, but 100 voices out on the Internet does. This board will continue to influence MSU whether they like or not. As long as this board stays on the up and up. I think egriz has lots its creditability. MSU should learn how to use bobcatnation to their advantage.