Young Alum

[SHU2012]

I’ve read this board religiously since I began attending Seton Hall in 2008, but I have rarely posted (I don’t know if there are many people that do this, but nonetheless). Since there is a lull in the action, I figured this would be a good time to make a boring post about my feelings. I know there are a lot of older fans on this forum (and some younger ones too), so I figured I would put my fandom into perspective in an effort to talk some of the negative, older fans off a ledge. If I’m being honest, I’m also looking for the same thing in return from some of the longtime fans.

As I said, I became a diehard fan when I started attending Seton Hall in 2008. I’m a huge basketball fan that had no attachment to any other college team, so it was easy to fall in love with the team that represented my school. I’m by no means a long-suffering fan, but I do consider myself to be suffering 8 years into my stint. I wasn’t born yet in 1989. The idea that one of my favorite teams could have played in a national championship game is hard to comprehend. I have yet to see an NCAA tournament team. I’ve only experienced the postseason in the form of NIT games, my first of which was the infamous Texas Tech game which was seemingly played in front of 89 people. The only head coaches I have ever known are Bobby Gonzalez and Kevin Willard. I’ve seen a plethora of embarrassing incidents both off and on the court (you are all very aware of this, no need to rehash them). I’ve seen two seasons where the team seemingly collapsed, along with some other not so memorable seasons.

That being said, I don’t want to make it sound like it has all been bad. I’ve had the opportunity to attend many games which have included some great highs and some not so great lows. Regardless of the incidents and results, I’ve always come back wanting more. I’m always rooting for my team, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.

I guess where I’m concerned (or worried) is that there doesn’t seem to be a passionate group of fans that are my age. Sure there are always some diehard fans that are young and passionate, but even some of my buddies from school (more casual fans) seem to be less interested or growing apart from the team. I have no doubt that winning can cure all of this, but I’m wondering how much longer we can go without success before sustained winning becomes a pipe dream. I guess I’ve hit a rut where I’m not as hopeful as I once was. The stories and memories that many of the people on this board post make me yearn for the days when I will be able to create my own positive memories.

I guess the purpose of this post was two-fold. First, I’d love for some of the wiser posters on the board to tell me I’m being ridiculous and that I need to take a chill pill. I’m sure I’m not the only younger fan feeling this way (Although maybe I am, who knows) Second, I just wanted to put my time as a fan in perspective for some of the older posters who are feeling a bit down. Sure you have experienced the same things I have over the last 8 years, but atleast you have all those memories before that. I would kill for those. (Reading this back, I’m not sure I accomplished making anyone feel better)

Anyway, hopefully this will lead to some good discussion on a boring off day. If not, I apologize (I average a post every few years, you don’t have to worry about it).

 

[catholicman]

Thank you for your very thoughtful post. Once you get bitten by the bug of Seton Hall Pirate-fandom, it is almost impossible to recover! (You may be in for many years of suffering. LOL. Perhaps reading the Book of Job will prepare you for it all.)

All joking aside, you raise a great question about the Hall retaining its younger fans, especially after they leave school. I am not sure how this could be accomplished other than by consistently winning every year. But I suppose the alumni office could make home games the locus of their re-union activity and keep young grads informed of the games and all possible events surrounding them.

 

[Fordham_57]

Well, I've been a Pirate fan since 1947. A lot of great memories. My advise is to not pay attention to the naysers. Take each game and year as they come and enjoy thr ride. Frank

 

[buckfoston824]

Graduated in 2013.

I got hooked the first game I went to, Harvey hit a half court shot to beat St. Peters at the buzzer. Ugly game, but the excitement spawned my love for this program.

Every year seems to be a disappointment in some way or another, so at this point I have stopped caring so much about our coaches and aspirations and paid WAY more attention to the development of our young basketball players and their transformations into men that we as a university can be proud of to call our own - both on and off the court.

 

[Old_alum]

As my name betrays, I am at the opposite end of the time-continuum. That said, the glories of ages past are of little true consolation except for the cliché: ‘’better to be a has-been than a never-was’’.


As the other cliché indicates, neither really matters because ‘’success is a journey not a destination’’.


Seinfeld said that anyone who roots for a professional sports team is merely rooting for laundry. But college (like high school) is different. Like you I love the Pirates because they are sibling sons and daughters of alma mater, not because of their outstanding skills, wins or championships. Vince said that in competition ‘’winning is the only thing’’, but that’s not true. In sports winning is the only objective, but not the only goal. That said, winning sure makes things a lot more fun. And, after all, the reason most of us are here is to have a little fun. Yes there are valued relationships among fans that also matter very much. But even those feel better when we’re winning. The bottom line is that everything in life is GIGO: garbage in, garbage out. One gets out only what one puts into something.


The “professional-style” fans of greater New York & Philadelphia all have aspirations of world’s championships, and the play-for-pay guys they root for are movable pieces on the game board and all have a world championship as the primary goal. But as Seinfeld warned, the “pros” are just laundry --- even though the pro teams viscerally feel a lot like the ‘’old school ties’’ which feel a lot like tribe and family. Those visceral feelings mask subtle but real differences. That said, many of us have only one alma mater. And all the skills and wins and championships will not make a faux choice real if we try to switch. Every father wants his kids to excel, but if they don’t, he still would never trade them.


That said, the issue of inspiring the students and younger alums is not new but it is futile. I fear that if we are not smitten with intercollegiate sports as students, it is extremely unlikely we will be smitten once we graduate. But it is not just the wins but the battles with which one is smitten. Therefore we need to remove barriers. That is why an on-campus arena repeatedly sparks such heated debates. I have always counseled for alma mater to remove as many obstacles such as student ticket costs and bus transport as they can. If I were guru I’d open the upper deck at the Rock, but ONLY to high school and grade school groups – be they as diminutive as say 5 or 6. First they should create some “scarcity” value by opening only a section or two, to be expanded after these are consistently over-subscribed.


I can’t explain Fans but I know them when I see them.


We have them.

But just because we’re fans who should support our teams come hell-or-high-water, the coaches and admins are fair game, and frankly futility should be as readily apparent to our admins as it is to us fans. Five star skills might not yet be ours for the asking but playing smart should be available to all players of any talent ---- and winning does make this a lot more fun.

EDIT: Happy Thanksgiving to all the loyal readers! Especially to those die-hard fans who feel as if they are dying the hard way!

 

[Section112]

I'm thrilled that a young alum like you is hooked. We need more of you. Just remember each year is a new opportunity for both an ulcer or euphoria. I always root for the latter. Welcome to our world.

 

[TheBluePirate]

Dear 2012

Every year seems to be a disappointment in some way or another, so at this point I have stopped caring so much about our coaches and aspirations and paid WAY more attention to the development of our young basketball players and their transformations into men that we as a university can be proud of to call our own - both on and off the court.

Old Buckfoston (hey Buck - that name hurts me man, I'm from Boston LOL!), has one of the most outstanding compelling reasons to love (a) college BB (b) your alma mater's BB teams: development of young people - especially their transformation. This is thoroughly rewarding, much more rewarding than professional adult teams, in my book. I think of the two teams (MBB and WBB) as my most favorite teams in the whole world.

Just to pick out one example from MBB: consider Ish Sanogo - the player who either sat on the bench or was thrown into a starting role momentarily and ill-advisedly last year - a classic WTF situation, nobody having a possible clue about his capability (despite coach-speak). And this year, wow, he's a serious player.

To pick out another example from WBB: consider Tara Inman - the player who quietly worked hard, did not appear often, never took her own shot, and now we suddenly realize how much we're going to miss her - in her Junior year she was just beginning to show us what "lock down defense" really means.

Regardless of age, we love to see this growth. It is hopeful, inspiring, full of value and joy.

We take the ups and downs - the downs crash in upon us and drive us crazy - but the ups - the transformations are almost entirely what we remember, what builds our bonds of friendship across time.

We hope you feel welcome, that you raise your hand in Walsh or the Rock and find a way to introduce yourself and realize that even an old crusty duffer like me would treat you just like a peer in the conversation, and that it will be great fun for you as well. Just rambling around, hopefully you'll find that it's worth your time. One thing you might do is take a chance and go to a Pirate Blue or Booster Club event and say, hi, I'm SHU2012 - you'll never regret it, I'm sure!

 

[TheBluePirate]

And one other thing - when Old Alum speaks - everyone listens - what a treat it is to hear his thoughts.

 

[Pirate64]

"That said, the issue of inspiring the students and younger alums is not new but it is futile. I fear that if we are not smitten with intercollegiate sports as students, it is extremely unlikely we will be smitten once we graduate." Old Alum

This nails it. At the beginning of each season we have great freshmen enthusiasm for MBB.
If we had a winning program perhaps we could sustain it through their 4 years and beyond. But it's been a long time since the students had anything to cheer about and embed the feeling of loyalty.

From 1960-64 our teams were mediocre. No post season. BUT we were a small University then and we knew all the players ( Werkman, Chave. Sunkett, Dec, Slayton, etc). This personal bond sustained our interest- we'd go to the games win or lose. And we're still doing it.

Hang in there 2012 - better days ahead with people from your generation.

 

[GymRat]

Given the elquence of old alum I can only add that 47 seasons have been part of the joy of being a sports fan .a fan of shu..a fan source of many great friendships some sadly now gone. A sweet ray of sun thru the cold of a new York winter.

 

[jimmyd36]

I personally think the student section seems bigger and more engaged every year since I've been a season ticket holder (about 7 years). I have hope for the future as it seems like the school is doing something to get more kids to the games. I have two SHU interns this year and the freshman told me they refund part of your ticket price if you attend every game (something like this but not 100% the formula).

I was at the school from 92-98 (undergrad and grad school) so I'm no longer a "young" alumni but when it comes to alumni events (Many are One, the presidents donor events or even the Beefsteak) at 42 years old I feel like a kid walking around....There is a huge gap at the 30-45 year old donor level at SHU. Until 7 years ago I gave $0.00... but I won floor seats to a game (after seeing the auction listed on Piratecrew) and it was like a switch for me. I now donate, have 4 season tix and provide student athletes career workshops and advice. But from 96-07 nothing! So thanks Halldan!

As fans/season ticket holders I think posting pics on social media at the games and rotating our seats out to our old college buddies makes a big impact (I've sold 3 new season ticket holders myself this way). Also I've had a lot of success utilizing a luxury box once a season and getting a group of college buddies together to watch a game. It's not our responsibility to do the athletic department's job but every little bit helps (and the fire Willard crew can selfishly bring in dollars for a new coach!).

Bottom line we all love the school but lose track and get distracted after graduating. I do think a lot of young alumni are like me and with the right engagement, you can get brought back into the fold quickly. Let's all do what we can and Go Pirates!