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Good Afternoon Boilers from a WMU bronco

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Broncos18

Nov 29, 2016
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Good Afternoon All,

There has been speculation on both sides, Purdue and Western Michigan, on coach Fleck for the past week. I thought I would chime in on what is going on in Kalamazoo as I have a some insight into the program but not enough to be absolute positive. First of all, I graduated from WMU but also am very familiar with Purdue/West Lafayette as my entire family are current or past Boilers. I think the team and those in the program know he is leaving soon but honestly NO one knows yet besides a very few. If Purdue has had communication with him they have done so very respectfully and I commend that. Western is losing a lot of extremely good seniors but are also very young and talented, so they could certainly have a great team next year. We open up the season next year at USC and Michigan State, which I know PJ has stated he is very excited about the trip to LA.

For one, don't underestimate Kalamazoo as a college town and the Western Michigan football program. The facilities are pretty top notch for a MAC school and have been compared to some P5 programs, Waldo Stadium, yet only at 33k capacity, is an extremely nice stadium with an excellent location and very well maintained and lastly the game day atmosphere is very good...excellent tailgating turnout, three very popular campus bars surrounding Waldo stadium, just overall a really good game day atmosphere. The city of Kalamazoo is vibrant and the surrounding area (Grand Rapids, Lake Michigan, ect...) is first class.

I have enjoyed my time going to games at Purdue but always felt it was lacking so much that other Big Ten schools had that I have visited (Michigan State, Iowa, Wisconsin). Please tell me if I am incorrect but the tailgating seems lacking, there are no bars at all anywhere and the crowd never seems into the game? Its just has a really weird vibe for a Big Ten program. I am in no means mocking that I guess I'm just curious as to why that is??

I certainly think, like many realistic broncos, that PJ leaves soon after the MAC championship game. Whether that is for Purdue, Oregon or ND is yet to be seen. For one, If he does jump ship to Purdue I will be rooting for him and the Boilers from day one. Good Luck and Boiler Up !
 
Well I can't comment on Kalamazoo as a college town but it seems like a nice enough town in general and when I've been there (never for a football game) the campus looks pretty nice.

In regards to your impressions of Purdue, I won't pretend that the gameday experience is at the top of the Big Ten but when the team is good the experience is pretty good. The problem is that it has been awhile since we have been any good. Having attended during the early Tiller years and into the Brees era, I've seen some very exciting games there and some great atmospheres.

I don't know what is "lacking" about the tailgate scene. Never had any issues with it myself. Slayter is the best place in my opinion but there are others.

There are several bars but none are that close to the stadium. I don't know if that is what your problem is with the bar scene but it is what it is. Frankly, I've never really had much of a problem with that because if I'm near the stadium I'm at a tailgate anyway so the bar scene is irrelevant unless I'm there the night before or night after a game in which case I don't care about how close I am to the stadium.

I think your impressions of Purdue may be a bit skewed if you have only visited in the past 10 years or so. The support and atmosphere build as the quality of play goes up and lately we haven't had much to cheer about. I don't think we're unique in that regard. You put any fan base through a decade of disappointing results and support will start to decline.
 
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TC4THREE said:
Well I can't comment on Kalamazoo as a college town but it seems like a nice enough town in general and when I've been there (never for a football game) the campus looks pretty nice.

In regards to your impressions of Purdue, I won't pretend that the gameday experience is at the top of the Big Ten but when the team is good the experience is pretty good. The problem is that it has been awhile since we have been any good. Having attended during the early Tiller years and into the Brees era, I've seen some very exciting games there and some great atmospheres.

I don't know what is "lacking" about the tailgate scene. Never had any issues with it myself. Slayter is the best place in my opinion but there are others.

There are several bars but none are that close to the stadium. I don't know if that is what your problem is with the bar scene but it is what it is. Frankly, I've never really had much of a problem with that because if I'm near the stadium I'm at a tailgate anyway so the bar scene is irrelevant unless I'm there the night before or night after a game in which case I don't care about how close I am to the stadium.

I think your impressions of Purdue may be a bit skewed if you have only visited in the past 10 years or so. The support and atmosphere build as the quality of play goes up and lately we haven't had much to cheer about. I don't think we're unique in that regard. You put any fan base through a decade of disappointing results and support will start to decline.
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You are probably correct in my assessment. I never attended a game during the Tiller/Brees era and I'm sure the atmosphere would have been completely different. I have just always felt it has a completely different vibe to other Big Ten schools I have visited for games. That very well could be just my own personal opinion.

I have visited the bars at Purdue, and for as much as most are lacking (again my opinion) Harrys is INCREDIBLE. Awesome college bar !
 
Yeah, as TC said, when things are going good, it's a completely different animal. Even during Coletto it was far better than it is now, but that was because Mike Alstot gave us something to cheer for and some hope. The Hope/Hazell era, is about as low as it's ever been, so if you've only been to West Lafayette during that period, you've seen no where close to what it can and should be like. It's almost laughable at this point that there was even talk about adding an upper deck to the stadium during Tiller's tenure. Oh I miss those days. :(

Now I'm depressed and could really go for a drink, to bad I'm at work.
 
As far as concerns about Fleck coming from the MAC and the comparisons with Hazel. The two couldn't be MORE different. Fleck is a motivator, he has a fire inside of him to win and do it at the most competitive level. I do think it would take a couple years to see improvement in recruiting and results on the field but there is no doubt in my mind he would have Purdue competing for a BIG Ten West title within year 3. My main concern would be Purdue keeping Fleck, because if I'm being honest I would see his stay in West Lafayette very short, 3-4 years.
 
About the atmosphere.. As an outsider you have to understand how the Purdue fanbase has been systematically beat down for years to appreciate where we are currently at. Even with the inconsistency of the late Joe Tiller era (2005-2008), the mediocrity of the Danny Hope era (2009-2012), and the utter dysfunction of the Darrell Hazell era (2013-2016), we've had some borderline electric crowds for games as recent as the 2013 Notre Dame game. Purdue fans have shown "if you build it, they will come" but can only deal with misery for so long. If I'm PJ Fleck, I'm looking at the potential not the current state. That and the 8-figure guaranteed payday.
 
FirstDownB said:
About the atmosphere.. As an outsider you have to understand how the Purdue fanbase has been systematically beat down for years to appreciate where we are currently at. Even with the inconsistency of the late Joe Tiller era (2005-2008), the mediocrity of the Danny Hope era (2009-2012), and the utter dysfunction of the Darrell Hazell era (2013-2016), we've had some borderline electric crowds for games as recent as the 2013 Notre Dame game. Purdue fans have shown "if you build it, they will come" but can only deal with misery for so long. If I'm PJ Fleck, I'm looking at the potential not the current state. That and the 8-figure guaranteed payday.
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The Whisky-Purdue game in 2004 was as electric of a crowd as I have ever seen in the B1G (outside of UM-OSU). If Purdue could have retained their relevancy, the Purdue/Whisky series could have really turned in to something of a new rivalry....now, we just see how many rushing yards they can rack up. I think Melvin Gordon is still having dreams about his games against Purdue.
 
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The word around town is WMU boosters and the university are putting together a compensation package of 1.5-2 million( currently is the highest paid coach in the MAC by a long shot at 800,000/yr) a year for 2 years, all guaranteed to try to keep him for a little longer. Will that work in retaining him? I honestly don't think so but he certainly loves this place and his wife's family is from here, so who knows. Purdue could obviously out pay Western Michigan but I think the key is getting the job done quickly before some big boy jobs open up. If Oregon offers there is NO way he turns that down. Nike, the Facilities they have and Eugene as a college town is one of the best I have been to, that game day atmosphere is just electric ! If there is one thing Purdue has in its favor like you mentioned he loves rebuilding things.

When I was at WMU we had some pretty good football teams and went to three bowl games in five years but this is on a whole different level. If I had to put my money on a destination of where Fleck winds up its Oregon but I want to see him stay in the Midwest therefore I'm hoping for Purdue if he does leave.
 
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JohnnyDoeBoiler said:
The Whisky-Purdue game in 2004 was as electric of a crowd as I have ever seen in the B1G (outside of UM-OSU). If Purdue could have retained their relevancy, the Purdue/Whisky series could have really turned in to something of a new rivalry....now, we just see how many rushing yards they can rack up. I think Melvin Gordon is still having dreams about his games against Purdue.
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I do remember that game in 2004, Incredible game. I really loved some of Purdue's blue collar teams in those days.
 
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Overall, this assessment of the Purdue game day scene isn't too far off, but as others have said it certainly has a lot of ebb and flow according to the success of the program. I've had season tickets since 1999, so I've seen both ends of the spectrum.

For me personally, the tailgating on Slayer Hill is the only reason I've maintained my season tickets the last few years. It's a perfect spot for some fall tailgates and a lot of the loyal fans still gather there before games. Even when the on field product is hard to watch, you can at least count on some grilling and a few drinks on the hill!
 
Broncos18 said:
Good Afternoon All,

There has been speculation on both sides, Purdue and Western Michigan, on coach Fleck for the past week. I thought I would chime in on what is going on in Kalamazoo as I have a some insight into the program but not enough to be absolute positive. First of all, I graduated from WMU but also am very familiar with Purdue/West Lafayette as my entire family are current or past Boilers. I think the team and those in the program know he is leaving soon but honestly NO one knows yet besides a very few. If Purdue has had communication with him they have done so very respectfully and I commend that. Western is losing a lot of extremely good seniors but are also very young and talented, so they could certainly have a great team next year. We open up the season next year at USC and Michigan State, which I know PJ has stated he is very excited about the trip to LA.

For one, don't underestimate Kalamazoo as a college town and the Western Michigan football program. The facilities are pretty top notch for a MAC school and have been compared to some P5 programs, Waldo Stadium, yet only at 33k capacity, is an extremely nice stadium with an excellent location and very well maintained and lastly the game day atmosphere is very good...excellent tailgating turnout, three very popular campus bars surrounding Waldo stadium, just overall a really good game day atmosphere. The city of Kalamazoo is vibrant and the surrounding area (Grand Rapids, Lake Michigan, ect...) is first class.

I have enjoyed my time going to games at Purdue but always felt it was lacking so much that other Big Ten schools had that I have visited (Michigan State, Iowa, Wisconsin). Please tell me if I am incorrect but the tailgating seems lacking, there are no bars at all anywhere and the crowd never seems into the game? Its just has a really weird vibe for a Big Ten program. I am in no means mocking that I guess I'm just curious as to why that is??

I certainly think, like many realistic broncos, that PJ leaves soon after the MAC championship game. Whether that is for Purdue, Oregon or ND is yet to be seen. For one, If he does jump ship to Purdue I will be rooting for him and the Boilers from day one. Good Luck and Boiler Up !
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Just my opinion, Fleck or anyone else who is leaving their current program should not be allowed to coach in a bowl game.
 
Well I hate to break it to you but if WMU wins on Friday night in the MAC championship we are most likely going to be in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas on January 2nd and he will absolutely coach in that and should be allowed to do so. If Purdue tells him he cant that could honestly change his mind on the job. There is literally no difference in him starting as the Purdue coach on December 3rd or Jan 3rd, None and if you think there is please inform me of the difference. Just my opinion as well
 
Broncos18 said:
Well I hate to break it to you but if WMU wins on Friday night in the MAC championship we are most likely going to be in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas on January 2nd and he will absolutely coach in that and should be allowed to do so. If Purdue tells him he cant that could honestly change his mind on the job. There is literally no difference in him starting as the Purdue coach on December 3rd or Jan 3rd, None and if you think there is please inform me of the difference. Just my opinion as well
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No offense all purdue has to do is show the horrendous start the Hazell era started with. The big guys know that its important for the coach to start as early as possible. He has a huge job and if he wants to be successful he needs to get everything inline he needs to get all of his coaching staff together and start hitting the recruit trail. Having a good first year is really important for any coach, it sets the town and can affect future recruiting. Hiring a bad OC like we did the first time around killed the Hazell era.
 
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Broncos18 said:
Well I hate to break it to you but if WMU wins on Friday night in the MAC championship we are most likely going to be in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas on January 2nd and he will absolutely coach in that and should be allowed to do so. If Purdue tells him he cant that could honestly change his mind on the job. There is literally no difference in him starting as the Purdue coach on December 3rd or Jan 3rd, None and if you think there is please inform me of the difference. Just my opinion as well
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One reason-RECRUITING-NCAA has restrictions after the last day of Jan on campus and in-home visits. If we have to wait until early Jan for him to get settled and get staff hired & in place it limits the times/days he can recruit, Having said that though, I suspect Fleck will get more things done in 30 days than anyone else is capable of in 60........
 
boiler2288 said:
One reason-RECRUITING-NCAA has restrictions after the last day of Jan on campus and in-home visits. If we have to wait until early Jan for him to get settled and get staff hired & in place it limits the times/days he can recruit, Having said that though, I suspect Fleck will get more things done in 30 days than anyone else is capable of in 60........
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And building a staff.

Tom Herman isn't coaching his bowl game. Neither should Fleck.
 
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Dont want to raise false hopes or rumors but "FlightAware" web page shows a private jet departing Kalamazoo @ 5;10pm-arriving Purdue @ 5;37pm today? There cant be many jets flying from KZOO to PU very often?
 
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UNC-Wilmington is playing WMU in men's basketball tomorrow night. The plane is probably taking the team to Kalamazoo before it heads to Purdue to pick up the women's team.
 
Broncos18 said:
Well I hate to break it to you but if WMU wins on Friday night in the MAC championship we are most likely going to be in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas on January 2nd and he will absolutely coach in that and should be allowed to do so. If Purdue tells him he cant that could honestly change his mind on the job. There is literally no difference in him starting as the Purdue coach on December 3rd or Jan 3rd, None and if you think there is please inform me of the difference. Just my opinion as well
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See what Banshee said. Hazell lost a lot of time when he should have been recruiting.
 
boiler2288 said:
One reason-RECRUITING-NCAA has restrictions after the last day of Jan on campus and in-home visits. If we have to wait until early Jan for him to get settled and get staff hired & in place it limits the times/days he can recruit, Having said that though, I suspect Fleck will get more things done in 30 days than anyone else is capable of in 60........
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Fleck is not Superman. He is however the Tom Crean of MAC football.
 
Broncos18 said:
Well I hate to break it to you but if WMU wins on Friday night in the MAC championship we are most likely going to be in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas on January 2nd and he will absolutely coach in that and should be allowed to do so. If Purdue tells him he cant that could honestly change his mind on the job. There is literally no difference in him starting as the Purdue coach on December 3rd or Jan 3rd, None and if you think there is please inform me of the difference. Just my opinion as well
Click to expand...

I've been with you on most posts so far, you couldn't be more wrong here. There is an ENORMOUS difference not showing up until early January. We need talent and depth infusion asap, that means recruiting in Dec not ignoring it.
 
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Broncos18 said:
Good Afternoon All,

I have enjoyed my time going to games at Purdue but always felt it was lacking so much that other Big Ten schools had that I have visited (Michigan State, Iowa, Wisconsin). Please tell me if I am incorrect but the tailgating seems lacking, there are no bars at all anywhere and the crowd never seems into the game? Its just has a really weird vibe for a Big Ten program. I am in no means mocking that I guess I'm just curious as to why that is??


False on tailgating but spot on about any bars by our stadium & arena. The bars don't need to be knockout binge places but there's gotta be a place or two to hang out on game day.
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Broncos18 said:
I have enjoyed my time going to games at Purdue but always felt it was lacking so much that other Big Ten schools had that I have visited (Michigan State, Iowa, Wisconsin). Please tell me if I am incorrect but the tailgating seems lacking, there are no bars at all anywhere and the crowd never seems into the game? Its just has a really weird vibe for a Big Ten program. I am in no means mocking that I guess I'm just curious as to why that is??
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"Hey, don't mean to mock, but your school lacks so much compared to other Big Ten schools. I mean, it just SUCKS.. SO.. HARD compared to MSU, Iowa, Wisco, etc etc etc. Tailgating sucks, bars suck, crowds suck, and it's fukking weird.

Ya know, not trying to mock or anything bc like 2/7ths of my family went there...but.....hmm... And oh yeah, Kalamazoo is way better than your sucky city too. Boiler up!"


You're an asshole. Get fukked. I hope we take your precious coach and ruin his career forever.
 
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