Embarrassed in Every City I go

[zimmerdj]

I've been a fan since I was a child, studied at the university where a lot of my neighbors were players (A Spencer, Keglar, Gil Gardner, Avril, a lot of them). I was a student when GameDay came to town. The energy around WL was amazing back in those days, even if we weren't an elite program; the players played their hearts out and seldom did a casual fan say "wtf was that?" regarding a play call.

Fast forward to today. I travel the country for business, often wearing Purdue gear in my leisure time. Everywhere I go people will remark how it must be tough being a fan right now. "What happened? You used to at least be in the conversation in the Big Ten.... At least you have your academics still. Y'all have smart people coming out of there." Yeah, except our athletic Director and coaching staff. I've gotten to the point where I can't even watch. Literally. It affects my day too much. I'm 32 and would bet a lot of money my open field tackling is better than half our secondary, the OC wouldn't win a game of Madden, Hazell, from what I can tell, has no testicles and refuses to take accountability for how he's destroyed this program.

Purdue doesn't have the historic prestige to naturally draw 5 stars, nor the climate/campus atmosphere; which is fine. Modern facilities, a passionate coach and passionate fans can make up for that in some regard. Why doesn't Burke understand this? I'll continue to be a fan, but I have zero pride in saying I'm a Purdue University Football Fan.

In closing, I knew Hazell was a bad hire based on how he folds the bill of his hat. ( I had to re type "in closing" 3 times, as it autocorrected to "in losing"... Seriously)

 

[justin_w00]

I've been a fan since I was a child, studied at the university where a lot of my neighbors were players (A Spencer, Keglar, Gil Gardner, Avril, a lot of them). I was a student when GameDay came to town. The energy around WL was amazing back in those days, even if we weren't an elite program; the players played their hearts out and seldom did a casual fan say "wtf was that?" regarding a play call.

Fast forward to today. I travel the country for business, often wearing Purdue gear in my leisure time. Everywhere I go people will remark how it must be tough being a fan right now. "What happened? You used to at least be in the conversation in the Big Ten.... At least you have your academics still. Y'all have smart people coming out of there." Yeah, except our athletic Director and coaching staff. I've gotten to the point where I can't even watch. Literally. It affects my day too much. I'm 32 and would bet a lot of money my open field tackling is better than half our secondary, the OC wouldn't win a game of Madden, Hazell, from what I can tell, has no testicles and refuses to take accountability for how he's destroyed this program.

Purdue doesn't have the historic prestige to naturally draw 5 stars, nor the climate/campus atmosphere; which is fine. Modern facilities, a passionate coach and passionate fans can make up for that in some regard. Why doesn't Burke understand this? I'll continue to be a fan, but I have zero pride in saying I'm a Purdue University Football Fan.

In closing, I knew Hazell was a bad hire based on how he folds the bill of his hat. ( I had to re type "in closing" 3 times, as it autocorrected to "in losing"... Seriously)

I'm about the same age, 33, and also remember game day well. I now live outside Cleveland and wear my Purdue hat everywhere I go when not at the office.

With that said it's getting extremely frustrating to hearing over, and over, and over "What's gone wrong with your Boilermakers?" Even the Akron alums are starting to get jabs in.

 

[Boiler8285]

I've been a fan since I was a child, studied at the university where a lot of my neighbors were players (A Spencer, Keglar, Gil Gardner, Avril, a lot of them). I was a student when GameDay came to town. The energy around WL was amazing back in those days, even if we weren't an elite program; the players played their hearts out and seldom did a casual fan say "wtf was that?" regarding a play call.

Fast forward to today. I travel the country for business, often wearing Purdue gear in my leisure time. Everywhere I go people will remark how it must be tough being a fan right now. "What happened? You used to at least be in the conversation in the Big Ten.... At least you have your academics still. Y'all have smart people coming out of there." Yeah, except our athletic Director and coaching staff. I've gotten to the point where I can't even watch. Literally. It affects my day too much. I'm 32 and would bet a lot of money my open field tackling is better than half our secondary, the OC wouldn't win a game of Madden, Hazell, from what I can tell, has no testicles and refuses to take accountability for how he's destroyed this program.

Purdue doesn't have the historic prestige to naturally draw 5 stars, nor the climate/campus atmosphere; which is fine. Modern facilities, a passionate coach and passionate fans can make up for that in some regard. Why doesn't Burke understand this? I'll continue to be a fan, but I have zero pride in saying I'm a Purdue University Football Fan.

In closing, I knew Hazell was a bad hire based on how he folds the bill of his hat. ( I had to re type "in closing" 3 times, as it autocorrected to "in losing"... Seriously)

Dude - Be glad you are only traveling. I have to wake up everyday down here in SEC country and listen to folks call Purdue a girls school. They also recognize top to bottom the Big10 is pretty weak and we are the worst by far.

 

[PurdueClassof02]

I am a few years older than you and it really is disappointing to have the program be performing so poorly. I live in Scottsdale so I only see the games on TV, but now don't even bother watching as the games are just not entertaining. I think the Purdue football program is in real danger as society is changing quite a bit and college football will need to change. I used to love college football, but the NFL is simply a superior product. Better stadiums, quality of play and of course fantasy football.

There are a group of us who still tune in every now and then as we are nostalgic for the Brees years, but we are going to have possibly ten years of graduating classes that have been pushed to other forms of entertainment outside of Purdue football. Getting those fans to come back is going to be tough.

 

[BoilermakerD]

My three years there after getting my associates were brees' three years there. I can't imagine what it's like to be a student there who actually cares about football now...

 

[BoilerNGold013]

Honestly I don't which thread to choose to vent so it might as well be this one. I'm done. That was the saddest effort I have ever seen a Purdue football team put forth. No fight. No life. The defense looked like they were out there to just get some exercise and not get hurt.
My spirit was broken when the RB from Minn shoved over one of the Purdue tacklers with one arm. That was game set match for me. Spirit broken and stepped on. The offense took a huge step back. Probably b/c no one gives a f*** anymore which doesn't make sense. The whole team played with some fire in the first quarter. But after the Blough pick early in the second EVERYONE gave in. FREAKING EVERYONE. Terrible play calling. Terrible fight in the trenches. Terrible idk just Terrible EVERYTHING.

Im broken. Out of respect for the football program I always held back from mentioning when ball seasons started but I have no respect for most of the players now. Thank God real Boilermakers will take to the court in 33 days and honestly (no joke) I'm glad the volleyball team is playing tonight b/c at least I know I will see effort and smart players.

 

[Foolmeoncefan]

I've been a fan since I was a child, studied at the university where a lot of my neighbors were players (A Spencer, Keglar, Gil Gardner, Avril, a lot of them). I was a student when GameDay came to town. The energy around WL was amazing back in those days, even if we weren't an elite program; the players played their hearts out and seldom did a casual fan say "wtf was that?" regarding a play call.

Fast forward to today. I travel the country for business, often wearing Purdue gear in my leisure time. Everywhere I go people will remark how it must be tough being a fan right now. "What happened? You used to at least be in the conversation in the Big Ten.... At least you have your academics still. Y'all have smart people coming out of there." Yeah, except our athletic Director and coaching staff. I've gotten to the point where I can't even watch. Literally. It affects my day too much. I'm 32 and would bet a lot of money my open field tackling is better than half our secondary, the OC wouldn't win a game of Madden, Hazell, from what I can tell, has no testicles and refuses to take accountability for how he's destroyed this program.

Purdue doesn't have the historic prestige to naturally draw 5 stars, nor the climate/campus atmosphere; which is fine. Modern facilities, a passionate coach and passionate fans can make up for that in some regard. Why doesn't Burke understand this? I'll continue to be a fan, but I have zero pride in saying I'm a Purdue University Football Fan.

In closing, I knew Hazell was a bad hire based on how he folds the bill of his hat. ( I had to re type "in closing" 3 times, as it autocorrected to "in losing"... Seriously)

It is almost like Burke took a swig from a bottle at the end of Hope's last year and threw a dart at the dart board. The next day woke up with a hangover. He said won ten games at Kent State he is hired. Forget even Bowling Green's coach. Forget Texas AM coach. Both Purdue guys. Just go to Kent...money well spent. Its not just been bad under Hazell, it has been just nothing under Hazell. A total program disaster. At the end of this season it will be 36 games. 5 wins (2 against Indiana State a 1AA school, and just one of those a big ten school). The only Purdue fan laughing today is the one that bet heavily against Purdue covering the 3 point spread.

 

[BoilerBulldog]

I've been a fan since I was a child, studied at the university where a lot of my neighbors were players (A Spencer, Keglar, Gil Gardner, Avril, a lot of them). I was a student when GameDay came to town. The energy around WL was amazing back in those days, even if we weren't an elite program; the players played their hearts out and seldom did a casual fan say "wtf was that?" regarding a play call.

Fast forward to today. I travel the country for business, often wearing Purdue gear in my leisure time. Everywhere I go people will remark how it must be tough being a fan right now. "What happened? You used to at least be in the conversation in the Big Ten.... At least you have your academics still. Y'all have smart people coming out of there." Yeah, except our athletic Director and coaching staff. I've gotten to the point where I can't even watch. Literally. It affects my day too much. I'm 32 and would bet a lot of money my open field tackling is better than half our secondary, the OC wouldn't win a game of Madden, Hazell, from what I can tell, has no testicles and refuses to take accountability for how he's destroyed this program.

Purdue doesn't have the historic prestige to naturally draw 5 stars, nor the climate/campus atmosphere; which is fine. Modern facilities, a passionate coach and passionate fans can make up for that in some regard. Why doesn't Burke understand this? I'll continue to be a fan, but I have zero pride in saying I'm a Purdue University Football Fan.

In closing, I knew Hazell was a bad hire based on how he folds the bill of his hat. ( I had to re type "in closing" 3 times, as it autocorrected to "in losing"... Seriously)

Move up here to New England. At least no one cares about college football. I wear Purdue all the time and no one says a word.

 

[GemstateBoiler]

I'm in a city if the team has 2 or 3 losses it's the end of the world. I wish this was the situation here. This is bottom now. I can't even be my postive-self now. Even booze can't numb the ache. I'm below speechless.

 

[Foolmeoncefan]

I'm in a city if the team has 2 or 3 losses it's the end of the world. I wish this was the situation here. This is bottom now. I can't even be my postive-self now. Even booze can't numb the ache. I'm below speechless.

It is. I'm too speechless. I got to wonder if these coaches are getting side money to be this bad. Where is the visible effort to be better next week? Does anyone show intensity? Purdue has more talent than a lot of these teams we are losing to. This is 90% coaching 10% talent. The NFL all pro team couldn't make this offense work.

 

[zimmerdj]

I am a few years older than you and it really is disappointing to have the program be performing so poorly. I live in Scottsdale so I only see the games on TV, but now don't even bother watching as the games are just not entertaining. I think the Purdue football program is in real danger as society is changing quite a bit and college football will need to change. I used to love college football, but the NFL is simply a superior product. Better stadiums, quality of play and of course fantasy football.

There are a group of us who still tune in every now and then as we are nostalgic for the Brees years, but we are going to have possibly ten years of graduating classes that have been pushed to other forms of entertainment outside of Purdue football. Getting those fans to come back is going to be tough.

You are exactly right about the NFL being a far superior product. To me, this is the reason it's somewhat critical to keep the loyal fanbase around. It's the atmosphere that creates the next generation of fans; taking our kids to games and them falling in love with the vibe around Ross Aide, or any University for that matter. Michigan is a perfect example of a school taking the right approach. Before Harb even coached a game, Ann Arbor was back. The players love playing for him Bc it's obv he cares. The fanbase is behind him 100%. And there's no way you can convince me that Harb is even in the top 20 coaches in terms of xo's. He's a leader. And everyone is following.

I'm obv not at practice everyday, but it's easy to tell Hazell and is staff are not leaders; and they certainly are not masters at schematics. I watched the post game where Hazell repeatedly said "we're going to have to take a hard look at everything we're doing." My first suggestion would be to watch the game film against MSU. Remember that kid Markell Jones that beat the dog s**t out of one of the best D's in the country????? Maybe give him more than 6 touches the next week. I've been a part of this forum for a few years and have never said a word because I didn't want the players getting on here and seeing that I was part of bad mouthing the program. But seeing how I contribute financially (not significantly, but still) to the department I'm kind of fed up with some of their efforts. The one guy I hope reads this is Leroy Clark. If you get planted on your back in the open field on one play, maybe you shouldn't try to tackle a guy around the neck two plays later to end up on your back again... Helmet in the numbers is fine, but wrap the high thighs and a stiff arm has to push you straight down, still leaving plenty of leg to get a hold of. You're not Sean Taylor.