BHF Membership Project - 3 Letters

[Roscoe Pound]

I think it might be a worthwhile effort if  we together wrote 3 letters to the coaching staff  and copies to T.O. that will ultimately be delivered by an official of this site. I think this will give us an opportunity to capture ideas and views and contribute as fans in a positive way.  One letter to offense, one letter to defense, one letter to special teams.

I see these letters  being written in similar format containing agreed upon topic points. As an example maybe a 3 or 4 paragraph letter containing, 1) player leadership, 2) observation on depth of roster/ player development, 3) past season's production.  

If we can develop sincere outline and then fill it in with content from our ideas I think we could demonstrate some positive influence. Now will this create some magical change, no, it may provide some insight outside of the media pounding that seems to speak as a proxy for the fan base.

This requires effort on our part. If members want to do this, I think the place to begin is to establish the outline of the letter, to organize what we want to cover.

[RedSnapper]

Very cool idea.  Hope I get time to participate.  But if I don't, I hope others do.  May not have any influence, but it would be a cool project to put together.

[wisker]

Personally I think this is a rather presumptuous endeavor.   At least that's how I'd receive such a letter.   But if it does, in fact, happen ... I suggest you don't forget to include congratulations and applause for all the good things husker football brought to the table in 2011 as well.

P.S. After re-reading the post ... I do like the spirit of the third paragraph.  I can support this. 

[husker-stv]

Good idea because I think it might be somewhat cathartic for the membership here; especially those with high frustration, but, if I were one of the coaches, I would laugh at the notion of even spending 2 minutes of my time reading it.  Please don't take offense to that - just put yourself in the coaches shoes - would you really even bother reading a message board - much less a letter written directly to you by a message boards members?  Not happening.

[Red Ghost]

Good idea because I think it might be somewhat cathartic for the membership here; especially those with high frustration, but, if I were one of the coaches, I would laugh at the notion of even spending 2 minutes of my time reading it.  Please don't take offense to that - just put yourself in the coaches shoes - would you really even bother reading a message board - much less a letter written directly to you by a message boards members?  Not happening.

I agree that the impact of this would probably be only internal to the board's psyche with no tangible benefit to the program itself.  I would rather we put together a program of ideas for how we can tangibly impact the program positively.  Unfortunately we can't get involved with recruits or anything like that, but are there other possibilities?  Here are just some ideas off the top of my head.....I realize some of them are probably stupid so please just consider this a brainstorming attempt.  I am sure others can come up with better or more realistic ideas.

1)  Encourage each other to donate to the program, within each person's financial means.  Maybe have a thread indicating what each of us gave up (e.g., a $20 delivered pizza) in order to save the money to donate to the program.

2)  Are there volunteer opportunities?  I know that Solly has indicated he used to be chairman of the players' alumni committee or some such thing.  There may be other opportunities that are more modest....do they need volunteers (for non-coaching tasks, obviously) at the summer football camps, for example?

3)  A ticket swap to provide unused tickets to former players who do not have them.  On a personal note, I live way out of state and am not able to get back for very many games.  I sell my unused tickets to a former player (I sell them at face value...he is successful so he can afford them) because I know that true-blue Husker fans will then be sitting in my seats.  My seats are right on the 50 yard line so I could make some good money off of them if I wanted to, but I have no interest in selling them to twits who don't really care and who won't cheer, or worse yet to fans of the opposing team.

4)  I read where another fan site is starting a charity to help out former players who have fallen on hard times.  Is there something similar that we could do?

5)  Encourage BHF members to sign up for players' Facebook or Twitter accounts and provide positive encouragement as well as thanks for their hard work.

6)  Have a thread where we post photos of recruits coming in for visits so that we can recognize them and give them a shout out if we see them in person.  I am always surprised when recruits say that they were recognized and addressed by name everywhere they go.  How do our fans know who they are?  Someone must be posting this information somewhere....not everyone is a Rivals or Scout junkie.

7)  This may be a really stupid question, but does the athletic department use volunteer tutors for athletes?  If so, I bet we have at least a few members with the necessary credentials and knowledge to provide some help.

8.  Does the athletic department use locally sourced food for the training table?  If so, maybe we have some farmers on our site who could see what is needed and determine if they can provide it.  (I don't think that the Beef Club still actually supplies beef to the training table does it?  If it does, then look into joining it if you raise cattle)

9)  Maybe start a fund to provide a post-graduate scholarship to an ex-player.

10)  For BHF members who own business, see if you can provide summer jobs to athletes.

Just some ideas off the top of my head.  If you think these are stupid ideas, or if the entire concept is stupid, feel free to say so.  You won't hurt my feelings.  

[Capn Krunch]

Sounds like a rather large endeavor. Why not just have OhioHusker and BigRedMax co-author a letter and send that in?

[MadRat]

Tutors have to be available to athletes and regular students alike.  You cannot tutor only athletes or it's an NCAA violation.

Summer jobs are a sticky situation.  You can provide them jobs BUT they have to compete for them like non-athletes and you cannot show them favoritism (such as lending them cars, giving bonuses, etc) that can be construed as bonus pay.  If you pay them excessively it can cost the athlete their eligibility.

[Sexy Leather]

I thought about writing a letter to Bo Pelini after the bowl loss, but decided against it simply because I sincerely doubt I could say anything that Bo didn't.

However, if I were to type such a letter here are the essential bullet points I would cover:

* The offense should probably start shopping on overstock.com for Pride.  I hear there's a buy one get two free sale going on.
* The LBs (excluding #4) might need a dictionary so they can learn the definitions of physical and blitz.
* Each player should take a good long look in the mirror and decide if he really wants to have that red N on his helmet.
* The DL seriously needs to stop the ridiculously soft patty-caking with the OL and start getting after the QB.
* For every dropped pass, false start and missed tackle the entire offending corps doesn't get to eat dinner.
* The entire team needs to learn the difference between aggressive and stupid.
* Vocal leadership, player driven accountability and self-policing are as bereft on this team as water is in the desert.
* Need to find players with mental toughness.

I'm sure there are more, but those are the points off the top of my head.

 

[BubbliciousRed]

I would add a few things about dealing with the media.  (Shocker!)

Actually, I love Bo's fire and I love when he attacks idiots with pens asking asinine questions. 

But what I would say is, "You expect your players to give full 110% effort to their jobs, on and off the field.  Dealing with the media is part of your job.  Lead by example." 

[Capn Krunch]

I would add a few things about dealing with the media.  (Shocker!)

Actually, I love Bo's fire and I love when he attacks idiots with pens asking asinine questions. 

But what I would say is, "You expect your players to give full 110% effort to their jobs, on and off the field.  Dealing with the media is part of your job.  Lead by example." 

What do you mean? Like, "I know you came here to catch footballs, but you have to downfield block too. Only I can cut corners!"

[Roscoe Pound]

Good idea because I think it might be somewhat cathartic for the membership here; especially those with high frustration, but, if I were one of the coaches, I would laugh at the notion of even spending 2 minutes of my time reading it.  Please don't take offense to that - just put yourself in the coaches shoes - would you really even bother reading a message board - much less a letter written directly to you by a message boards members?  Not happening.

I have written letters to NU coaches and have received hand written responses ...

[Roscoe Pound]

Good idea because I think it might be somewhat cathartic for the membership here; especially those with high frustration, but, if I were one of the coaches, I would laugh at the notion of even spending 2 minutes of my time reading it.  Please don't take offense to that - just put yourself in the coaches shoes - would you really even bother reading a message board - much less a letter written directly to you by a message boards members?  Not happening.

I agree that the impact of this would probably be only internal to the board's psyche with no tangible benefit to the program itself.  I would rather we put together a program of ideas for how we can tangibly impact the program positively.  Unfortunately we can't get involved with recruits or anything like that, but are there other possibilities?  Here are just some ideas off the top of my head.....I realize some of them are probably stupid so please just consider this a brainstorming attempt.  I am sure others can come up with better or more realistic ideas.

1)  Encourage each other to donate to the program, within each person's financial means.  Maybe have a thread indicating what each of us gave up (e.g., a $20 delivered pizza) in order to save the money to donate to the program.

2)  Are there volunteer opportunities?  I know that Solly has indicated he used to be chairman of the players' alumni committee or some such thing.  There may be other opportunities that are more modest....do they need volunteers (for non-coaching tasks, obviously) at the summer football camps, for example?

3)  A ticket swap to provide unused tickets to former players who do not have them.  On a personal note, I live way out of state and am not able to get back for very many games.  I sell my unused tickets to a former player (I sell them at face value...he is successful so he can afford them) because I know that true-blue Husker fans will then be sitting in my seats.  My seats are right on the 50 yard line so I could make some good money off of them if I wanted to, but I have no interest in selling them to twits who don't really care and who won't cheer, or worse yet to fans of the opposing team.

4)  I read where another fan site is starting a charity to help out former players who have fallen on hard times.  Is there something similar that we could do?

5)  Encourage BHF members to sign up for players' Facebook or Twitter accounts and provide positive encouragement as well as thanks for their hard work.

6)  Have a thread where we post photos of recruits coming in for visits so that we can recognize them and give them a shout out if we see them in person.  I am always surprised when recruits say that they were recognized and addressed by name everywhere they go.  How do our fans know who they are?  Someone must be posting this information somewhere....not everyone is a Rivals or Scout junkie.

7)  This may be a really stupid question, but does the athletic department use volunteer tutors for athletes?  If so, I bet we have at least a few members with the necessary credentials and knowledge to provide some help.

8.  Does the athletic department use locally sourced food for the training table?  If so, maybe we have some farmers on our site who could see what is needed and determine if they can provide it.  (I don't think that the Beef Club still actually supplies beef to the training table does it?  If it does, then look into joining it if you raise cattle)

9)  Maybe start a fund to provide a post-graduate scholarship to an ex-player.

10)  For BHF members who own business, see if you can provide summer jobs to athletes.

Just some ideas off the top of my head.  If you think these are stupid ideas, or if the entire concept is stupid, feel free to say so.  You won't hurt my feelings.  

I think this is another great idea of how to get involved. For this specific project the need is to focus on getting a basic outline of a 3 - 4 paragraph letter.

[_husker_]

I have written letters to NU coaches and have received hand written responses ...

From an officer of the Court, perhaps?

 

[Roscoe Pound]

I thought about writing a letter to Bo Pelini after the bowl loss, but decided against it simply because I sincerely doubt I could say anything that Bo didn't.

However, if I were to type such a letter here are the essential bullet points I would cover:

* The offense should probably start shopping on overstock.com for Pride.  I hear there's a buy one get two free sale going on.
* The LBs (excluding #4) might need a dictionary so they can learn the definitions of physical and blitz.
* Each player should take a good long look in the mirror and decide if he really wants to have that red N on his helmet.
* The DL seriously needs to stop the ridiculously soft patty-caking with the OL and start getting after the QB.
* For every dropped pass, false start and missed tackle the entire offending corps doesn't get to eat dinner.
* The entire team needs to learn the difference between aggressive and stupid.
* Vocal leadership, player driven accountability and self-policing are as bereft on this team as water is in the desert.
* Need to find players with mental toughness.

I'm sure there are more, but those are the points off the top of my head.

 

I would add a few things about dealing with the media.  (Shocker!)

Actually, I love Bo's fire and I love when he attacks idiots with pens asking asinine questions. 

But what I would say is, "You expect your players to give full 110% effort to their jobs, on and off the field.  Dealing with the media is part of your job.  Lead by example." 

Here is what I am hearing so this point for this outline...

1. Team / player leadership as it relates to commitment and performance
2. Coaching staff / fan relations by communication through the media.

[OhioHusker43065]

Sounds like a rather large endeavor. Why not just have OhioHusker and BigRedMax co-author a letter and send that in?

I'd prefer to send them a couple of kegs, let them blow one out, not drive of course, and get ready for Spring Ball.  Good beer mind you as well.  Perhaps some booze, and maybe a few "dancers".  And I'd send Pelini a fluffy puppy.