The older we get, the harder it is to deal with change.
by usaf_irish (2024-04-18 12:22:41)

In reply to: On the question of whether it has to be this way…  posted by FL_Irish

Post Reply Return to Rock's House

Much of the criticism seems to come from the older alumni who want things to be like they were in the 80s when they were students and college athletics were simpler. Now I won’t engage in the back and forth about that because everyone is entitled to their opinions about the state of college athletics and nobody is really going to change their minds on the subject.

Now, there is an undercurrent of “this isn’t what Notre Dame should be about” to the argument as well. That’s also a legitimate concern. But here’s my take on that argument. To this point, Notre Dame’s athletic alumni have been overwhelmingly positive ambassadors for the university. There haven’t been any Ja Morant, Antonio Brown, or Ray Lewis types that represent the school in a negative manner. Our athletes continue to absorb the greater lessons being taught to them and take those lessons into their post college lives and live those lessons. As long as that continues to be the case, than you won’t hear me gripe about a billion dollar football facility or a fat NIL deal.

Now the day that our athletes start behaving in a manner that embarrasses the University, than I’ll be the first one in line to bitch and complain.

Just my thoughts.

Ahem, Cierre Wood (for one). Queue up. *
by Grace91  (2024-04-18 21:32:56)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

Prince Shembo *
by jt  (2024-04-19 11:14:41)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

What a crock of airhead bullshit *
by ACross  (2024-04-18 20:45:22)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

You would do well to sit this one out. That's as politely as
by Grace91  (2024-04-18 17:39:45)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

I can put it.
There's nothing wrong with what the OP posted. *
by Em_525  (2024-04-18 20:01:55)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

Thank you. *
by usaf_irish  (2024-04-19 05:52:33)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

Obviously I disagree. I am not inclined to explain why,
by Grace91  (2024-04-18 20:15:20)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

primarily as I am trying to be polite. If you or others do not see what might be objectionable, then so be it. To each his or her own.

Edit to add - and, I have picked up another ignore. There are some real thin skins on this site. I know that I am nowhere near everyone's cup of tea, but stand up and argue your point. Take your lumps when and if you are wrong. Blocking things that make you feel icky is no way to go through life. I get it in certain cases. Maybe I'm just Mr. Icky. But good grief, if my posts in this thread are ignore-worthy, people are going to have a hell of a hard time dealing with life.
The problem with your response to the OP was that it's
by Em_525  (2024-04-20 16:58:57)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

unnecessarily condescending, and comes off as if you're some kind of gatekeeper; you're not.

I know exactly what portion of the OP's response you took offense to, and I, nor my family took any offense to it. (Nearly my entire family graduated from Notre Dame)
It was intentionally blunt as usaf's post was itself
by Grace91  (2024-04-20 17:29:14)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

condescending to "older" alums (I'm old-ish, maybe I qualify as an older alum, but I still feel like I'm not, even if I am). Condescending? Perhaps. Blunt? Absolutely, and intentionally so. USAF and I sorted things out, so all is well. I'll reply the same way every time that I believe someone shows up being a jerk, building and knocking down straw men, and so on. Does that make me a jerk as well? Probably. I'm comfortable with that. If you feel that it is an attempt at gatekeeping, I'm sorry. That's not my intent, and I have no desire to play board cop. But I will call a spade a spade, and will make no apologies for doing so.


It also presumed, incorrectly, to know what I might hope for Notre Dame. Much as you are doing here. So yes, I do think that there were many things wrong with usaf's post, and in yours to which I am replying. Unless I am misunderstanding you, and I don't think that I am, given your comment about your family's alum status, you believe that I had a problem with usaf's non-alum status. If you believe that is "exactly what portion of OP's response you took offense to", you would be wrong. I will say the same to you as I did to him. Kindly refrain from presuming to know what I think. If you want to know, just ask.

That's why I bluntly but politely asked him to can it. I am happy to debate back and forth, but do it based on what I say, not what you think that I believe.

If I am misinterpreting your post, my apologies, and my request that you clarify.

Please read my other responses in various threads, particularly to usaf and jt. I don't think that lack of alumni status means that someone's opinion is not valid or should not be heard. I _do_ think that alumni have a different understanding of ND that non-alumni. Just as I with my friends and siblings who attended different institutions - they understand them better than I do and have a different attachment to and influence with their alma maters than I.


Finally, have a good day and a nice weekend.