Now that signing day has passed, let's address something that is very ugly in this process, and brings the worse out of fan bases. I am so sick and tired of reading posts, seeing, and hearing so much negativity aimed at other programs, coaches, and fan bases. In this case, how nasty, ugly, and disrespectful GRIZ, EWU, and CAT fan bases get with each other. Why do us fans create this kind of negative atmosphere? Fans have very little control over most of the other nasty things associated with college athletics. We do have control of our own attitudes. Do fans not realize or see, our attitudes make things look even worse for college athletics?
I may be the minority here. The fact is, I take pride in the state of Montana and all our colleges. Believe it or not, I also take pride in the Big Sky conference, despite how disappointed and upset I get at some of the other programs and powers to be. Every signing day, I am happy and excited for every recruit given opportunity to play college football and get an education. I am excited for every program/school to have an opportunity to shape society's next generation of leaders in every industry.
I enjoy getting to know these recruits as soon as we hear of their interest in the GRIZ. I enjoy the process of following these recruits in hopes for the GRIZ to win them over. I get disappointed in losing out to our competition for some recruits. The more information we get to read about these recruits, the happier I am and the more excited I get. I love the challenge of trying to project which recruits may become all time greats, which recruits will be gems, which recruits will wash out. I enjoy these guys going from recruits to players, to family, and experiencing the rollercoaster of life with them ( perfect examples are Jordan Johnson and Ellis Henderson). The GRIZ fans are terrific in taking these players in and treat them like family in adverse times. It is what makes GRIZ NATION so special. I also take pride in how welcomed other fan bases feel when they visit Missoula and the game day experience we provide them.
GRIZ NATION is special and rare. We are among the best fan bases in college athletics regardless of level. With all that said, we need to be the fan base that takes things even higher and make college athletics better for everyone. Can we collectively work on eliminating as much negativity and volatility as possible? Rather than ragging on Coach Ash, the CATS, EWU, etc can we welcome the challenge of competing against our rivals, and wish them all the best of success, other than when they play the GRIZ?
Can we give a little more thought to what we say and write regarding our competition, coaches, programs, and universities? It is truly amazing the ugliness and nastiness that recruiting bring out of fan bases. Can we focus on the positives each recruit and class bring to the GRIZ? Can we please stop the bashing, name calling, negativity, and volatility aimed toward other fans, programs, and schools? I am downright disappointed and upset at some of the crap being slung at Coach Ash over his comments. Ditto that to the crap some of us feed to EWU fans. Yes, some fans of every base earn what they get. Aim what you have at that particular fan or fans, not at everyone and everything involving other programs and fan bases.
Seriously, how many of you would tolerate some of the things being said if those things were aimed at you, your family, or anything you find important in your life? We can be proud of our recruiting class every year without tearing down our competition and insulting them. Fact is, we have no F'n clue how any recruiting class or recruit will be until after their time has played out. Isn't it easier to keep our comments to what the GRIZ did verses what telling others how badly they did? For example, I am happy and proud in the improvement the GRIZ staff made this recruiting season with instate recruiting (which I am).
As much as I love the GRIZ, and want us to be the best, I don't wish no ill will toward our competition. I want every recruit to succeed on and off the field that has the opportunity, regardless who they play for. The only times I will not be rooting for them will be every time they play against the GRIZ. Come on GRIZ and Big Sky Conference fans, let's raise the bar in being fans, and get rid of all the hatred and negativity we create as fans!