The image above will be available for you to wear at the Harvard game this Saturday in button form.
This is thanks to the efforts of concerned alumni, led by Rich Forzani '66, who joins me in calling for a complete house cleaning in the Columbia athletic department.
While this blog allows us to blow off steam, and we know the athletic department employees read it and the comments section religiously, this kind of public display is deeply needed to affect change.
Because this is about a lot more than a button.
Rich will be distributing them from the upper parking lot overlooking the baseball field and near where the Homecoming tent was, by the fence. He's asking for $5 per button to help raise money for ads to be placed in Columbia College Today and the New York Times calling for Dr. Murphy, Coach Mangurian and the entire key department staff to be replaced.
This public showing of displeasure is beyond due and should actually make an impact on those who brush off the Internet.
Please make sure you go and show your support by getting this button at the game and nobody should rest until we get this done.
67 comments:
Awesome! It's about time!!! Let's stop nickel and dime-ing the process... How much to put a full page ad in the Spec and one in the sports section of the Times? DO NOT post any drafts of the letters, we trust you Jake! Well, maybe run it by Ted Gregory and the rest of the Nathan's Hotel Dog Committee. It may give them a sense of worth.
Needs to be done just before the Brown game. I'm in for $100. Just tell me where and when to mail the check...
Great idea guys!!!
Pas. I will be out of town this week, so when you receive my check, please send me a pin. I'll put a SASE in there as well. Thx!
Great idea. Too bad that the parents of the current players will not be able to wear them.
Get your lawyers ready, Jake. Under "Tailgating Policy," political signage may not be displayed without prior approval of Columbia Athletics.
http://www.gocolumbialions.com/pdf9/2531913.pdf
Rich Forzani '66
I have an initial run of 50 buttons. Happy to get as many more as needed.
Shoot me a SASE & 5$ to:
above
413 Banta Ave
Garfield NJ 07026
I'll have the extras, if requested, in time for the final home game.
Rich Forzani '66C
Interesting comment re political signage. If we run into any issues, we'll take it outside the main entrance.
BTW; please note nothing is specified re names or institutions on the button. And it is arguable whether this is a political issue. But point taken.
Also, would they really want to escalate this? Because that's exactly what will happen. (see May, 1968)
there were plenty of political buttons being worn throughout the season at the tailgates last year (both Obama and Romney) that were allowed at the tailgates. Buttons are not "signage." Now, if you want to hang a banner that's another issue.
Great idea. This moron PM needs to go now...send a button to Kraft.
This is a sticker button, right? buttons with pins are so 70s.
Are u kidding me???? You guys are making buttons now? I mean what the hell? Have the professionalism to set up a meeting and not embarass your university this way publicly? What type of message does that send to the players walking out pre game who will undoubtedly see thos3 displayed?
Two years ago I wrote to consult Bob Kraft about the coach. He is the greatest talent in America for recognizing coaching. His hires; Bill Parcells, Pete Carroll, and Bill Belechick. All Hall of Fame coaches. He has the most successful football program in America over the last 18 years. Oh yes, the field does have his name on it.
Secondly, I also recommended we bring in a POSITIVE coach to rebuild the program. Tell them they can do it. Enough of the physical punishment of Wilson and the mental games of PM. Someone to build them up never to tear them down. That is how the program turns around.
Why did they have to go public with the suspensions? Those kids names are on the internet forever and impede their job prospects. That was mean and thoughtless. Shame on that action!
I think we are all in agreement with your wanting to consult Bob Kraft, I felt the same last year. There must be an Alum who has a connection to him.
If being suspended on a football team impedes job prospects then this world is pathetic. If I was denied a job knowingly because of something meaningless like that I would cut one right on the spot in whoever's office.
These buttons would be neither "political" nor "signage."
I agree with those who say CU needs a president who supports football or else nothing will happen. The president needs to fix this because no one else will. Murphy is not going to fire herself. Bollinger is not the guy. He made an
insincere remark about disliking "a culture of losing" when pressed about football when he took over about a dozen years ago. Nothing since. He couldn't care less.
The last CU president who supported football was Dwight D. Eisenhower but he left after a year to become president of the United States. And that's precisely when Lion football went downhill and stayed there.
Maybe Ike is available for a return to CU.
This a classless... Even for this blog.
Rich Forzani 66C
I personally sign every comment I make, here and elsewhere. Always have.
Folks, let's all understand something. We totally support the team and the kids out there breaking their butts. I did the same myself, with Bill Campbell as my frosh coach. This isn't against them; it's FOR them.
We have an admin that has completely abdicated the concept of an Athletic Dept, since the '50s. Murphy and Bollinger aren't the architects of this, just the latest culprits. We must pass the message that Athletics is a mission, NOT a sinecure, and rid Columbia of the do-nothing easily-satisfied non-competitive drones that have been sucking at Alma Mater's tit. Drones will always exist. But we do not have to tolerate them here. And unfortunately, the buzzing is at the highest levels.
Rich Forzani '66C
"Are u kidding me???? You guys are making buttons now? I mean what the hell? Have the professionalism to set up a meeting and not embarass your university this way publicly? What type of message does that send to the players walking out pre game who will undoubtedly see those displayed?"
Well, dear commenter, "professionalism"?? Really?? What do you even understand about the process and the politics? What do you understand or know about the countless letters sent to top people in the recent past that have gone unanswered? How damn naive are you?
I assume most of you out there are familiar with the monolith which is our Alma Mater, and the fact that, unless confronted with an uncomfortable and publicized scenario, she will ignore any adverse comments as she proceeds in her pre-determined,stumbling, ponderous arc and momentum.
Or, put less intellectually, we have lazy ineffective people in charge who aren't being held accountable, but who are judged on political acceptance and fund-raising results rather than true accomplishments.
Well said
This is absolutely sad. How can you say you support the team when your classless actions will be seen by those "breaking their butts" before they enter the field? Or from the sidelines after each play?
You think Murphy will see your tacky $5 buttons from her box? Not a chance. Will she care? Even less of a chance.
Look, as a parent I am pleading with those partaking - do not embarrass the kids. To see such hurtful actions by ADULTS breaks my heart.
You can have your opinions of the AD, you can write all you want on the blog. But do not show up and make these kids look like fools. Demand change, stand up for what you believe, but do it in ways more effective then purchasing cheap buttons to be displayed with "pride".
I am sure I will be attacked for my stance, but I cannot sit here and let you humiliate these kids. How do you think recruits will see your actions? You want the program to be better but yet you are not exactly representing a brighter future.
As far as "process and the politics"....since WHEN has any college football fan base worn BUTTONS to a game and seen ANY CHANGE?!
NAME ONE TIME. And we are naive??
Please rethink. Please come up with a more intelligent and intellectual way to demand change that won't make us look like we aren't supporting our current and future players.
Agreed, buttons are not going to do anything but make us look like a bunch of morons. No need to resort to buttons just because your letters and meetings were denied by the trolls. You all have a CU education - use your energies towards something more effective!
Honestly, do the players recruited by Pete really see this coaching staff with the same enthusiasm they did when they arrived? You always have to look to brighter days but this season speaks for itself. It is downright ugly so how can morale slip further by a grass roots campaign that wants positive change?
If there are CU players past or present who believe in this administration and the coaching staff then by all means embrace the sinking ship. Real change is required. Nothing short of a complete purge of the dead wood is acceptable.
I don't see how people wearing the buttons could be construed as insulting, denigrating or hurtful to the players.
Also not sure, though, how impactful this kind of small gesture can really be.
It's a "public display of displeasure"... that will look poorly towards the players working hard to change the outcome on the field. The seniors have 2 home games left - DO YOU REALLY WANT THEM TO REMEMBER THEIR FANS THIS WAY? Do they deserve this?
Now I am asking that you do not attack me, do not call me naive, and don't claim I am apart of the administration (that excuse is getting old). I want to see change AS MUCH AS YOU DO in the department. But PLEASE do not make the rest of us look foolish. I, personally, do not want to be the first fan base to attempt such ridiculousness. Look at SEC schools? Even tacky Alabama fans haven't attempted wearing buttons. It's never gotten a staff fired, and the powers (bollinger, kraft, etc) won't be in attendance to see your tiny little political protest (hence just further hurting the players).
Jake, please don't promote this. We all know it will be squashed by the trolls as soon as you get on university property - and seriously hurt the seniors pride (among the rest of us). Come up with a better plan. This isn't it!
Are you guys pledging a sorority? Or wearing proof that you voted tomorrow? Kiss me I'm Irish?
Call me crazy, but that's the only time I've seen people wear plastic buttons.
Most of the seniors will be in the stands since Pete is going with his guys everywhere possible. One of many reasons why he is a loser and has single handedly dismantled the program.
Even more of a reason not to wear them! If you want change then go back to the drawing board. Or back to Protests 101.
I'll wear two buttons...1-to get rid of these two
The second, to announce Columbia's IVY league champions!
Great job guys!!! I can't wait to see the full page ads!!! Count me in!!!
Wait, I'm confused about this plan. You are purchasing buttons (for an estimated $50 dollars for 50 according to affordablebuttons.com) to buy 1 add in a newspaper? What is the ad going to say? New AD Wanted?
This is getting embarrassing....
A message to the players from a parent of a player.
My son has played this game since he was 7 years old. The love that once was for one of the most popular games in the world has been methodically chiseled away and replaced with bitter resentment and regret.
Players, on Saturday, try your best to remember that the moment you step on the field it is about you, the players, and the game that you all at some point in your lives loved unconditionally. It should be readily apparent that all you have is each other. Between now and Saturday ask each other when and how did you fall in love with this game. Reflect on those moments and carry them on to the field with you.
As for the coaches, staff, and administraors we parents have entrusted you with the lives of our young men. You have the resources and the means to fix the problem no matter how insurmountable it may seem. Please open your eyes and look around you. Every day the news is filled with tragedy and despair resulting from young men who make bad decisions. You have an opportunity to teach these young men how to address diversity, conflict, and strife in a manner that is consistent with the values you established early in the formulation of this program. The lives and futures of these young men are in your hands. How you handle the remainder of this season will affect them the rest of their lives. It is my hope and prayer that out of the ashes will emerge a spark that will ignite the same love and dedication these men have had for the game all these years that exists in you. Please fix this now.
Players - Go Lions!
Agreed with above! And I think we ALL (as fans and parents alike) have an opportunity to teach these young men how to address diversity, conflict, and strife in a manner that is consistent with the values WE established. Let's ALL show our support for the players on Saturday - and leave the rest outside of the 60 minutes our boys are on the field!
I just looked at affordablebuttons. Please stop and think. No one wears buttons. Get volume large stickers, watch how people slap them on everything they are wearing, places on campus, etc. That is guerrilla marketing.
Find someone who can make banner ads and start populating them everywhere you can that picks up hits. Use meta tags and garner support through mail distributions (tap a resource in the alumni groups).
Hit them where it hurts - direct correspondence with donors.
I'll do my part on LinkedIn.
i find it hard to believe that the buttons can do any more damage than what has already been done by Pete and the Vulcan.
to the parents, one of the greatest ways to swing administrators to reconsider or think about their actions is if you speak to them. You pay the tuition, you have entrusted your children with these leaders, and i use that word because i am trying to stay positive.
the game is the game; one's love for the game should not change based upon the record. yes, it makes it less enjoyable at times, but if you really love the game, you love it just to play it and that is all that anybody has ever said it will be.
Pete Carroll is not going to a Hall of Fame. Canton is strictly for pro guys, and South Bend is strictly for college guys. He won't qualify for either (unless he really goes on a run with the Seahawks).
An open message to all Columbia football fans: in the name of decency and respect please come out in droves and scream your heads off in support of our guys when they take the field and sit next to some parents and let them know that you stand with them and their sons. Put it on the line by your presence. Let them feel good about themselves and after 60 minutes let them be able to,walk off the field feeling as if we have their backs. It is about them, not their coach or the AD.
oldlion, do you still expect fans to "scream their heads off" when it's 50-0 on Saturday?
Old lion. I hope they're listening. Thank you .
A Players Parent
PS. Cheering really motivates these guys
I will be there cheering them as long as they play hard. They have earned it.
Our freshman team can't beat Harvard's frosh let alone their varsity. As I mentioned before, Murphy( Harvard Coach) despises Mangoofball and will absolutely run it up on him again. You cant tell 2nd and 3rd stringers to take the foot off the pedal. Everyone on the roster gets a chance to play against us! Buckle up cupcakes, this one will be very ugly.
can you add something to the "button" below the "headline" that states something to the effect that the boys need our help? or support the players? This so that the parents would feel this wasn't an attack on there boys as we know but some are perceiving it this way...just a thought.
Rich Forzani '66C
That's why they call it a free country.
1)The button surcharge is to pay for more buttons, and subsidize ads. We are also getting direct contributions for ads.
2) This won't humiliate our players. They won't even see them. And we certainly intend to support them. I mean, why do you think we go to the games? This is about the kids, not against them. They deserve better.
3) This also goes far beyond the football program. Our athletic performance in general is the worst in the League, from 1957.
4) This is a small start, a "grass roots" as mentioned earlier. Besides sniping on the internet and via notes to CU, this is the FIRST and ONLY proactive measure taken. If antyone out there has better ideas, they are welcomed. In the meantime, Light a candle rather than curse the darkness.
When you see people with these buttons this week, know that they care and that they love CU sports.
Any recruits commited yet? All this conflict will perpetuate the recruiting problems of the past.
On the road guys needed.
Evaluations made via seeing film of selected plays does not lead to the best recruiting outcomes.
Alabama coaches watch every play (4 years) of potential recruits. Can't argue with their success.
GP
Any coach will succeed if we can recruit 25 top prospects every year.
Many great HS players with acceptable, but not great test scores,
never consider the IL. My son's response to the recruiter's ? of "how would you like to play for Yale", was "I'm not smart enough for Yale".
Now IL starter and making good grades. 1,000s like him are available.
I think I'll pass on the button idea. It strikes me as unnecessarily divisive.
But I also promise to remain at Saturday's game no matter how excruciating it may be to watch. I have to because, well, I also have basketball tickets for Saturday night's home opener. (And despite what a few clearly, maybe even derangedly, malign posters have intimated, we have a good basketball team and an excellent men's coach and at least an apparently very qualified new women's coach.)
There sure doesn't seem much love here for Coach Mangurian. I don't know the guy and I think, given the talent he started the season with, it's not for me to fully assess his coaching abilities. (Nor what he's like as a person; there were far more opportunities to have an actual exchange with the very nice Norries Wilson.) But I do still like and respect Dianne Murphy, and I wish there wasn't so much ancillary animus directed her way. To the point, I still believe, of unjustifiable excess. Ditto about Bill Campbell, more or less.
Jake, I think you may have blown it with this one. In any event, I hope you're prepared, along with Forzani, to fully reap the whirlwind. Include me out from helping further the folly, however. And don't imagine yourself, even vaguely, a bona fide "kingmaker" on this one.
Jake or anyone else who might be in the know: Is Dianne (or Bollinger) showing any cracks in her support of PM at this point? I suppose PM could be saying he has to install his system first and the team needs to go backward before it can move forward but the totality of the losses this year are historic. Anyone in their right mind would have to be at least privately wondering if this hiring was a colossal mistake? Are they still steadfast that this was a needed transformation in order to take two bigger steps forward down the road?
For that matter, what does Coach Campbell think at this point? I think some of you are misguided about blaming coach C for all of this because I know he cares about the program and I think (I think) he is a big enough person to admit he made a mistake if/when he has reached that point.
guys, buttons aren't going to make an impact, dollars do. When season ticket sales decline and donations dry up that's when people take notice.
As for the comments about liking and respecting Murphy; why? Because she wears her Star Trek outfits and shows self gratifying enthusiasm? Because she puts herself front and center when a team does well, patting herself on the back, even though she doesn't support those teams financially and the coaches can't stand her? Most of our programs are succeeding in spite or her and those she is hands on with, Football and Women's Basketball, well, the records speak for themselves.
Have you ever dealt personally with Dr. Murphy? If you had, you might understand the idea of liking and respecting her. (The "Star Trek outfits" reference is cute but utterly non-germane - you want a "stylish" AD, go see if Heidi Klum wants the job.)
As for ticket revenues proving an influencing factor, I doubt it very much. Every Ivy football team's "gate" is in obvious decline (I know, it's somewhat different at some, not all, Ivies for basketball), and what Columbia makes per (non-televised) game probably does little more than pay for security guards and groundskeepers. Donations are a different issue, okay. But really, too, withholding donations until "we" get a football coach we're satisfied with, that seems excessively petty, Especially for such an obviously struggling program as ours which can use every dime.( Even if only to buy out the current coaching staff's contracts.)
To everyone saying that buttons and, in general, calling for a house cleaning are affronts to the players, or show a lack of support for the players, take a step back for a few seconds. This is precisely how we should be supporting our players. Would you prefer we let these kids flounder for 4 years? Waste away in an athletic department which shows indifference and ineffectiveness? Grow up. The greatest form of support would be to usher in a new regime with a proven record and hire coaches who can motivate the current players and attract talented freshmen. Jake has been calling a spade a spade for while on this blog now. We either stem the bleeding or wait another 2 years for this "system" to work, by the end of which the players themselves may have already staged a walk out on this clown. His attitude has caused many talented kids to quit, and a number of very talented seniors/juniors to spend what should be their years to shine on the bench. I mean, the guy can't even settle on a quarterback. Take it from a current Columbia athlete: Diane Murphy is a disaster. The sports she has next to no hand in (Men's XC for example) are winning left and right, and the sports she tries to work her magic on (BBall M/W, Football) have looked and continue to look, at best, mediocre. Is this even a debate?
It would be a mistake of epic proportions if Pete's contract required a buyout. He needs to be held accountable for the damage he has caused. His fat ego is laughable. He thinks he is a man of prestige in the football coaching community but the fact is he is a complete and total jerk of a human being and an even worse coach. The abomination of his hiring is on Murphy. Both are required to resign immediately . The push to get them purged will escalate beyond this blog to the highest levels. Get out and get out now. That's the legacy they left at CU. Nobody wants them except those with jobs dependent on being their toady.
Dont forget Campbell! He pushed this candidate.
Rich Forzani '66C
It's apparent that the majority of commenters are for a change. Please know that I respect those that are not.
I want to clarify a few personal points, and at the same time acknowledge that this whole site is Jake's.I'm just a guest with an opinion.
First of all, I have no issue with Bill C. I played for him and he is a great individual. His accomplishments in business and contributions to CU are astounding. I believe he has many more issues to contend with besides the AD, so I don't bundle him into this mess. Plus, he isn't getting paid for his services like others are.
PM?? I'm not familiar enough with the details there. As far as I'm concerned, he's responsible for 25% of the current team, so maybe he should go or maybe get another year. I defer to greater minds.
I am truly concerned with strategic issues, not just a specific coach. Our entire AD group has major problems, and the overall record speaks for itself. That is where change must happen.
Let's put something else to bed.
Besides Jake and me, no one else chooses to own up to their posts. That's OK, but when I see something like
"Jake, I think you may have blown it with this one. In any event, I hope you're prepared, along with Forzani, to fully reap the whirlwind. Include me out from helping further the folly, however. And don't imagine yourself, even vaguely, a bona fide "kingmaker" on this one."
.....I have to laugh.
A) who wants to be a "Kingmaker"?
I just want someone gone, along with minions.
B) Tell me, Anonymous Gasbag, what whirlwind should I fear??
Here's a tip: come to the game and get a button from me. I'll be the guy doing the whirlwind reaping by the fence.
Some of us bitch; some of us do something. I believe in deeds, not words. If anyone has better ideas, let's hear them.
PS...check me out on Wikipedia "Columbia riots". I've been sticking up for my school since before most of you were born.
I am Al's Wingman. Hear me roar.
Hey buddy I am not naive. Actually am a professional coach with 2 championship rings and several trips to the FCS playoffs. Doubt you can say the same. Nuff said!
DO YOU WANT A JOB. LOL
See above for someone trying to establish credibility for himself by citing his name in a Wikipedia article. I actually laughed out loud from my office at the Columbia Athletic Department from that one. With that type of sourcework you could get a job at this blog!
I think I missed might have missed the original post, which game are yall planning on bringing the guillotine to again?
Rich Forzani '66C
This above is absolutely the best validation I or anyone looking for change could hope for. Check this moron out!!!
"See above for someone trying to establish credibility ..by citing his name in a Wikipedia article. I actually laughed out loud from my office at the Columbia Athletic Department.."
So, you incognizant tool,unless this is a classic red herring (which would be funny), I thank you for a great post. Keep 'em coming. You just hung yourself and the rest of your AD sycophantic do-nothings from the lamp post. I'll look for your Wiki citation under "dork"
Best regards, Rich
True enough what Forzani said about supposed AD member. If in fact that poster is from the Athletic Dept., the buttons are just the beginning.
This blog is embarrassing... Smear campaign buttons... Really!? You all are so blind that you can't see that these posts will set back this team for another 20 years. No recruit in their right mind and no coach worth anything will want to come here after reading this blog! Who could possibly want this abuse? A better way to help Columbia is go on other teams blogs and act like this... At least the recruits might think it's a normal thing instead of a Columbia thing.
Good luck with you're smear campaign!
Wow Rich, consider yourself trolled. Regardless of the incompetence in the CU Athletic Department, I doubt any of them are ceremoniously outing themselves in the comment section of this blog--especially in response to this nonsense. Get over yourself.
(side note: so we're scratching the guillotine and now hanging people from lamp posts? got it.)
In all seriousness, the vitriol in here is mind-boggling. Sometimes I wonder: maybe if you guys had been this angry and aggressive in your playing days the football program wouldn't be in this situation...
I love how single minded people are. As soon as someone gives a response that doesn't meet the status quo, he's a troll in the athletic department. I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but I am not. Please confirm ip address to Texas.
This once informative blog took a nose dive and turning itself into the TMZ of Ivy League Football... Very depressing.
I'M AS MAD AS HELL"
Rich Forzani '66C
Hi, y'all
I must confess I am bemused by the lack of logic as well as the pettiness of a small number of folks here. Not that I'm losing sleep.
For the record, I myself alluded to the dubious source of the "AD" post a couple of notes back, so I really don't how I was trolled. Ditto the guillotine comment, which I never made.
If the few of you who are offended by my comments will care to take a breath and look at them calmly, you'll see that all I've done is make a case for change based solely on empirical data and logic. Won/Lost records going back 9 years and lack of titles are not emotional, they are indicative of institutional failure. If you don't agree, let's have your stats and see which ones make more sense. I'm an open minded guy and I believe the rest of us here are as well.
In the meantime, I don't apologize for the Wiki reference either. I've been standing up to bullying and stupidity for a lot longer than since '68
Peace and Love,
Rich
Hey rich why not ask the players how they feel about the buttons? I know back when I played scholarship ball in the fcs, if I had seen an alumni wearing a button liked that I probably would have gone nuts!
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