Texas Tech Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt: "Did we have knowledge of it? No. Heavens, no."
by Seth C on Aug 18, 2011 7:01 AM CDT
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PrintMuch thanks to FilemanG and London Raider for last night's FanShot (this is a partial interview and has quotes from folks other than Hocutt) of LAJ's Don Williams and David Just interview with Texas Tech Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt in regards to Yahoo! Sports' Charles Robinson story on Nevin Shapiro, the rogue Miami University booster who has alleged that he made thousands of illegal benefits to players. On one hand, you wish that there had been different or follow-up questions, but on the other hand I applaud them for asking the questions and getting an interview. The long story is that Hocutt had no knowledge of what Nevin Shapiro was doing outside of the realm of what Hocutt had dealt with Shapiro from an athletic director and donor relationship. Like everything else that I try to do here, you have to make up your own mind on this one. Here's a few quotes:
Q: Was there ever any idea that what was going on with strip clubs and nightclubs and taking kids, did anybody at the university, anyone in administration, know that was going on?
Hocutt: Being an open investigation, I probably shouldn’t say more. I want to be cordial and be as cooperative as I can. ... Those are questions that will have to be looked into and explored. Did we have knowledge of it? No. Heavens, no.
And I think the big question for Texas Tech fans was whether or not Hocutt brought up this situation during his interview process:
Q: To what extent, if any, did any of this come up during your hiring conversations with Tech?
Hocutt: There was really no conversation that came up. ... If you listen to Dr. (Mark) Emmert today, they started their investigation approximately five months ago, end of March 2011. I was introduced as AD at Texas Tech on March 2. So there was not an active investigation during the time between us notifying the NCAA of what we were hearing and, really, last Thursday.
Hocutt is right. NCAA President Mark Emmert did say yesterday that the NCAA has been investigating for the past five months:
While many are hearing about this case for the first time, the NCAA has been investigating the matter for five months.
So at the end of the day either you believe him or you don't. Ultimately, Hocutt says that he found out Shapiro's actions yesterday at 5:00 p.m.#
Q: At what point in the timeline, though, did you become aware he was operating outside the boundaries, so to speak.
Hocutt: Yesterday, about 5 o’clock when I read the story.
Q: So all those allegations in there were new to you?
Hocutt: Uh-huh. (Yes).
I don't know what to tell you. It seems disingenuous to think that Hocutt didn't know anything about Shapiro's alleged player benefits. Anything. And this is where it gets tough for me. I've said it before and I'll say it again. The one thing that helps me sleep at night is that I know that no matter who is in charge at Texas Tech, that will not always be the case. Things change. People quit or resign or move on to another position. There is one thing that remains constant, which is that Texas Tech is my university. I may not agree with what happens in the administration or coaching decisions on the field, but that doesn't mean that I don't love Texas Tech any less.
There is a reason why I will never achieve oldschoolraider's item #2 in his FanPost "Ten for Tubs":
2) Please hire Seth to be your press secretary...he will help you avoid landmines
I don't like typing this, but I think that Texas Tech views what I do here at DTN differently than how you all view DTN. And you really don't have to look any further (yes, I'm stealing a bit) than to view the front pages of the other two websites that cover Texas Tech as of this morning:
RedRaiderSports.com:
RaiderPower.com:
The only mention of the Miami story is on a embedded FoxSports video that most likely wasn't promulgated by the RP.com site proprietor. This doesn't mean that it's not being discussed on their respective forums, but I'm guessing that there is a reason why it's not on the front page for both websites. This is a huge story and has incredible possible implications for Texas Tech if it turns out that Hocutt knew, or should have disclosed to Texas Tech what was happening at Miami. And to be clear. I understand why RRS.com and RP.com doesn't post this sort of stuff on the front page. If they lose their access or their jobs, then they most likely lose quite a bit. This is their livelihood and I believe that the proprietors of both websites are employed by Texas Tech in some form or fashion. They have families to feed and careers to think about.
But the problem that I have is that I think that DTN is labeled a bit as a renegade because we're not afraid to talk about it or discuss what's wrong with the athletic department rather than discussing what's right with the athletic department. I don't think you'll find a more passionate group of fans that care about their university moreso than what we have at DTN. Sometimes questioning things can have a positive outcome. It doesn't mean that we don't love our school, it means that we want our university to be the absolute best.
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Unquestioned cheerleading of any institution is PR, not Journalism
People who keep their leaders’ feet to the fire to make sure they are doing what is best for the institution are known in the media world as journalists. Does anybody think Woodward & Bernstien hated The United States of America because they uncovered a lot of criminal activity in the executive branch? I think they were doing exactly what a reporter is supposed to do. Afflict the comfortable & comfort the afflicted. Be the voice of those who don’t have to depend on the parent institution to feed their families. This is exactly what the LAJ should be doing, not just about Tech athletics but about the university, the city & county government and any major Lubbock institution. But it always seems to be the Dallas Morning News that breaks the great scandals stories out of Lubbock (ex Lubbock DA Travis Ware taking cash payments from cocaine dealers & flashing an uzi at the DMN reporter who came to interview him – that one was a classic). Anyway keep up the good work Seth. Double T Nation is what Journalism with a capital J is supposed to look like.
2011 Season - No excuses. Just win!
Yes, I do think there were people that thought that Woodward and Bernstein....
hated the USA. I’m sure some thought they were nothing short of traitors. There have always been unsophisticated absolute thinkers.
However, the world in which we live, where wedge issues are promulgated through agenda driven press (e.g.. cable news), seems to promote polar “you’re either with us or against us” thought. Nuance is often described as “wishy -washy”
Burke’s Fourth Estate is long dead.
Kudos to Seth for disseminating information as it comes, good or bad. Then giving us all platform to discuss further and develop our own independent…critically developed…opinions.
That’s why I come here.
A College Football blog should include critical thinking
That’s the one ability that a university education is supposed to give you.
2011 Season - No excuses. Just win!
This site, from my perspective, has become exceedingly negative in almost every regard in the last two years. We try to claim to be “above the fray” of the nasty internet chatter. And when it comes to talking about other schools, we tend to keep it fairly mild and even infrequent.
When it comes to talking about Texas Tech, however, this board reads like any Longhorn or Aggie board talking about Texas Tech. I don’ think it’s because “we care a lot,” I think it’s because people like to bitch and for some reason, it’s become cool to paint Tech and our administration in a negative light whenever the opportunity arises. And we’re really, really good at it on DTN.
Sure, it’s good to be critical when it’s necessary. And in year’s past, this site did a great job of breaking down the good AND the bad with equal vigor. But look at the threads on the right navigation pane on the home page…what are they about? What would you guess the percentage of encouraging or positive comments are versus critical and harsh? Seems like some people, in a weird way, are hoping for a bucket of fail from Tuberville and the team. Unspoken, but the undercurrent is there.
The overall tone of DTN has become one of if you don’t think Tech’s leadership is a farce; and the coach is a dolt; and the athletic department is drowning, then you are an idiot. That’s why this site is viewed differently. We’ve taken criticism of our own to a whole ’nother level. We certainly could never be accused of circling the wagons to protect our Tech family on DTN. At all.
One formerly very active DTN contributor’s perspective…
Tech92: Passionately holding a minority opinion on a very divisive subject ain't easy.
I’ve enjoyed your passion and been interested in your perspective. I think it adds greatly to the discussion. Sometimes I agree with you and some times I don’t. Recently I’m getting it handed to me because I think Beebe is not so much the cause of his issues, as much as a victim of his circumstance. But it’ not personal toward me, the person. Fact is Beebe makes defending Beebe very hard and sometimes I have to shake my head because I can see exactly why he gets hung out to dry.
I find your position regarding Tech admin similar – but the Tech admin is a much more personal issue because the folks here do love Tech and if someone here believes that the admin is an embarrassment to the university, they are defending the university by making it clear that those folks don’t represent Tech. It’s all opinion and I know you don’t agree, but it’s more a reflection of love for the institution than you think.
Tubs, if the Leach/Admin thing had never happened – heck if Leach himself had never happened and he was just the next coach – would be treated the same as he is now. I know that DTN wasn’t around when Leach was 1st hired – but new coaches always get the business from a certain subsection of fans no matter what. But lump that in with the Leach fiasco, the perception by many that the admin behaved poorly, and then throw in that Auburn is under the microscope and it over laps with Tubs era there, and then this thing at Miami…. people aren’t just making this stuff up in order to play make believe. We’ve had some things worthy of discussion and not all of it is inherently rosy for Tech. I think the discussion are appropriate and unfortunately they carry over at times into other conversations because of the passion.
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Harvey "Big Daddy" Pollitt: "What's that smell in this room? Didn't you notice it, Brick? Didn't you notice a powerful and obnoxious odor of mendacity in this room?"
I would add, that I think given a little more time things will be back to normal, providing that nothing else significant is dropped in our laps.
Let’s face it, we’ve had a lot to deal with that isn’t normal. DTN’s aren’t making any of this up, but they don’t shy away from discussing things at face value when they do come up. I just think we’ve had to have reached our quota of abnormally touchy events for a while. (I say this though, knowing that the Hocutt thing hasn’t play out and who knows what’s documented)
Anyhow, hang in there and don’t stop contributing if you can find a way. We lose value here if all sides aren’t thrown out for any given topic.
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Harvey "Big Daddy" Pollitt: "What's that smell in this room? Didn't you notice it, Brick? Didn't you notice a powerful and obnoxious odor of mendacity in this room?"
by Dunka on Aug 18, 2011 8:15 AM CDT up reply actions 5 recs
I fully endorse this.
Go Raiders . . .
Double-T Nation
by Seth C on Aug 18, 2011 8:17 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
This is certainly true, I also think that DTN is more critical than other websites and I also think that there are some on DTN that want to see failure more than success (I think the comments and various FanPosts and FanShots are indicative of this). It’s tough to balance this and I still try to write about what happens on the field or on the court as much as humanly possible. It’s a tough thing for me to personally handle. I want what is best for Texas Tech and I try hard not to be too critical with the hopes that DTN can be a place where all different folks can talk about what’s happening with the athletic department.
Go Raiders . . .
Double-T Nation
I should also add that I don’t want to have my head in the sand either. Again, it’s tough for me personally.
Go Raiders . . .
Double-T Nation
Funny you mention sand
Driving to work I kept thinking of the idea that its the sand that makes the pearl shine. Without some abrasive viewpoints & pressure why would anybody at Tech ever try to make things better? It’s so much easier to go along to get along.
2011 Season - No excuses. Just win!
just give it time Tech92
the red raider faithful will come around when tubs starts winning games. and he will win games. Fans in general are a fickle bunch. We get pissed and call for people to get fired when we lose a couple of games, and when we win a couple of game we have the best coaches/admin out there. I know this because I’m one of them. Is there a AAA for fans?
"Hunt together, Kill together"
by I bleed Red and Black on Aug 18, 2011 8:25 AM CDT up reply actions
A little harsh 92
Firstly, the stories on the right are mainly about the Aggie conference realignment debacle, followed by the Miami story/Hocutt connection. Those are the two biggest stories of the past week or so.
I think, overall, the view on Tuberville is 50/50, but trending in his favor. If you break that down, most of the comments in his favor relate to his recruiting. Most of the comments that are critical are based on Tuberville’s coaching from last year. DTNers on the whole seem to like the job he is doing as an ambassador for the school. Actually, when the news on the scandals broke at Auburn, the comments were muted here.
We’ve also had very little if any commentary about Tuberville’s and Gillispie’s participation in Jim Donnan’s and the AAU guy’s respective ponzi schemes. (All three of our new hires seem to all have been afflicted by the Ponzi scheme bug in some form or another – a mere coincidence, but notable nonetheless).
As for Gillispie, he hasn’t coached a game yet, and has completely overhauled the roster. We don’t have a clue what next season will be like. We discussed his past indiscretions prior to coming on board, but on the whole most DTNers believed he deserved a second shot and are excited about what he can deliver.
On the baseball front, for those of us who follow the team regularly (as I know you do), most DTNers remain supportive of Spencer in spite of the team’s disappointing season.
As for the athletic director, Hocutt had near universal support from the DTN crew when he was hired, a rarity for our species, but true all the same. This current news comes as a shock to all of us, and we’re asking questions. The vast majority of the comments have been pretty fair so far, and to be honest, skepticism seems the more appropriate response at this time. Why would we circle the wagon for a guy who has been part of the Tech family for three months?
As the rest of the administration, Myers, who was universally disliked by the DTNers – a sentiment not unique to DTN, is gone. There is antipathy on DTN for Hance and many of the regents for what many believe are justified reasons and that probably won’t change soon. Bailey is Bailey for most of us here.
Since there are no games, and since practices are closed to the media (which is fine by me), there is not much else to talk about.
On the topic of wagons, I think we’d all circle the wagons for Tech in a heartbeat, but for some folks here that circle might not include certain members of the administration.
Equating love for Tech with love for certain people at Texas Tech is a flawed assertion. As you know better than most, everyone’s true colors come out in the game threads, where passion and support for Texas Tech is 100% (unless those game threads happen to relate to a Pat Knight-coached basketball team – afterall we’re human).
Finally, if you take a gander at the barometer on the left, DTN fan confidence is running at a high level.
Overall, I’d say the tone here is critical yet supportive. Seth’s even handedness keeps most people here from jumping off a cliff, when things get crazy. I would not characterize the Hocutt incident as one of those cases – yet.
I agree with you on one point – you won’t find too many pollyannas on here. There’s enough of that on the other sites.
"This time it's different."
by LondonRaider on Aug 18, 2011 8:29 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Amen;
I would add that the reasn this board is both Negative and Supportive is because first we have the greatest leader in the nation in Mr. Seth. He allows us to lean over the cliff, but catches us everytime we are about to go over. Thanks for that.
Now, I am all things Texas Tech. Today, SARR and I are meeting to have a pre game Tech Happy Hour. I wil be wearing my red and black. The problem is that we have PRIDE. None of us like it when our leaders embarass us. Bailey and Hance and The University make us look bad.
I am sick and tired of reading about how secrets. I find it very hard to believe that Shortstop did not know. He play on words is enough to make me think he new. And if he did, and he did not reveal it to the University, then send him on his way.
In other words, anwer the damn questions truthfully and honestly. That is all we ask, and if you can’t do that, WE DON’T NEED YOUR KIND otherwise.
"I feel sorry for the guys," Tech head coach Tommy Tuberville said. "They fought hard tonight. We didn't look good on offense or defense at times, and at times we looked pretty good. It's just, I don't know. Weird game.
Hang in there my friend- Tech92
You and I typcally agree on most fronts and appreciate your being here. I tend to think Tech experiences so much drama in the off season that results in strong opinions and frustration at times. I myself kind of use the DTN as a form of therapy for my football obsession. I think the majority of negativity will settle once the realignment fiasco concludes. Also, a solid year of football which shows consistency and signs of winning would definitely help. I suspect this season will serve as positive reinforcement of better days to come. We are inching toward being a real force in this conference and it may not be so visibe to some but we are close.
"You've got to find your inner pirate" - Mike Leach
"We started too late" - Neal Brown
I can certainly understand the sentiments, but I think if you look at the individual major topics, you’ll see it’s not quite as bad as that.
Most of the negativity has revolved around three singular topics: Mike Leach, Realignment, Pat Knight, and Gerald Myers.
The Leach negativity has spun off into bitching about the administration, about anyone named James, about Myers, about Tuberville, and about Bob Knight. Is some of that unwarranted? Probably. However, whether Leach deserved to be fired or not (an entirely different topic for a different thread), the way it was handled was horrendous. The only person that I listed above that should probably get less grief is Tuberville. That situation wasn’t his doing, he just had the unpleasant job of cleaning up after it. He’s made several mistakes along the way, but he’s also done some things right, and he probably doesn’t get enough credit for those things.
On that particular note, the “Ten for Tubs” thread yesterday was mostly just fun for me. Pretty much every one of the points made have some validity for why Tuberville did things the way he did. One of the points I made was about the onside kicks. If Tuberville opens the game against Texas State with an onside kick, I’m not going to get on here having a fit. I may question it, but I’m not going to immediately say he should be fired. As someone said on there, I trust that Tuberville knows more about football than I do. However, as a fan, I’m going to be a Monday morning quarterback, that’s in the nature of fans. I did the same exact thing every time Leach went for 4th-and-8 on our own 30.
Realignment has hovered over us the last two summers. We have a hard time trusting our administration to do the right thing here, in large part because of what happened with Leach. That is understandable and warranted. I’ll also say that the administration doesn’t get nearly enough credit when they do things right (i.e. Hance telling Texas what to do with the LHN deal, the work towards Tier 1). Some credit, but they deserve more. Everything I just said about the administration also probably applies to Beebe.
This topic shows how much we love our school. We want to make sure Tech isn’t left out in the cold, and certainly don’t trust the likes of Texas, Texas A&M, or any other school to look out for Tech’s best interests. When the administration gives a boiler-plate statement, it’s frustrating. I’ve also seen several posts saying that’s exactly what they are – boiler-plate. Also, look around the other sites in the conference. There is just as much negativity on the Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Texas A&M sites. Last year, after A&M buckled to the pressure, there were just as many calls for heads in their administration as there was for us after Leach.
Pat Knight got a lot of negativity here, but he also received a lot of praise (and I mean a LOT of praise) for the classy way he exited. Much of the negativity he received was not entirely of his own doing, but like Beebe, he also didn’t always do anything to help himself.
Gillispie has received VERY little negativity here, and that lack of poison in itself deserves notice. This is a man who left Kentucky in disgrace, who was accused of being a drunk and of mistreating players and reporters. We’ve embraced him with open arms here.
Gerald Myers deserves his own category, because most of the situations we’ve dealt with over the last two years have started with him, ended with him, or passed through him. The Leach situation, realignment, and certainly Pat Knight, he had a hand in all of them. I’ve been as negative about him as anyone. If you can think of anything positive to say about him as an AD, I’m certainly willing to discuss it, because I personally think he was horrible. I’m sure he DOES deserve credit for some things, I just don’t know what they are.
Hocutt has been getting either neutral or positive comments on here, until the Miami situation came out. Everyone wanted to see what he was capable of. I agree that some were probably waiting for a mistake so they could jump on him, but I think those people were probably in a very small minority.
I agree there has been a lot of negativity, but there has been a lot of praise on here too. We’ve been at the center of a lot of negative national attention over the last two years, and that hasn’t helped a bit.
If we can just get through a school year where our teams win most of the games they should win, lose most of the games they should lose, our administrators don’t embarrass us, and our school has a secure future, everything will calm down a great deal.
by RedRaiderForLife95 on Aug 18, 2011 9:17 AM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, sorry, I got a bit wordy, but couldn’t find anything I was willing to take out.
by RedRaiderForLife95 on Aug 18, 2011 9:56 PM CDT up reply actions
C'mon 92
You don’t really think we spend time here because we just like to bitch, and don’t really care a lot about Tech. It’s exactly because we do care that this is a fiesty place.
"What the hell did you do that for"... Tubs Mom
by raider realist on Aug 18, 2011 10:44 AM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
I usually agree with your opinions on DTN but not today
That does not mean I am disrespecting you or your opinion. It just means you and I are not on the same page on this issue.
Similar to other posts …. I LOVE Texas Tech. That does not mean I shouldn’t question or inquire into the actions of any Texas Tech representative.
Anytime I have checked out other team sites, they fall into two categories: the ones that are so negative and full of foul language that I am instantly turned off. These sites don’t have open discussions on the issues of the day. They just have a lot of yelling and name calling and vulgar language. The second type is just a mouthpiece for the teams they represent. Those sites are a lot of advertising and sugar coating. IMO, that makes for a pretty bland recipe.
DTN (both Seth and the members) does a really good job of discussing the various issues and situations in a calm and intelligent manner. These posts are individual opinions and add to the recipe that makes DTN a GREAT site.
I might not agree with everyone’s opinion on each post, but I don’t take it personal and I never question the member’s loyalty or their love for Texas Tech.
.
NUTS - Never Underestimate TEAM Strength
My name is RRaider5355 and I endorse this message.
I need this site to keep informed and to learn things about sports, law, money, TV contracts, injuries, and about Tech sports.
RoundRock, I can live without a third category: People who randomly add a snide comment about something totally irrelevant. For example, the post is about Billy G recruiting a new player but someone snipes about Hance scr___ing Mike Leach. C’mon. I’ll listen to a snide comment in a post that is about that subject. The Hance bashing and the Tub bashing and the Myers insults and ____ bashes don’t need to reappear in every single post.
by RRaider5355 on Aug 18, 2011 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions
+1
"Hunt together, Kill together"
by I bleed Red and Black on Aug 18, 2011 2:54 PM CDT up reply actions
Hance has a Strawberry Shortcake tattoo
Go hard like Russian
by San Antonio Red Raider on Aug 18, 2011 6:25 PM CDT up reply actions
Damn!
I am gonna have to laser mine off then!
"There is no chance he will win, but if you think about it carefully he would be a pretty good candidate. He says a lot with no substance, he's proven he can be bought, he's dishonest, and he has the personality of a TV evangelist so I think he would be perfect in Washington!"-- Mike Leach (When asked if he would vote for Craig James for Senate)
just turn it into a sweet dragon or wizard
Go hard like Russian
by San Antonio Red Raider on Aug 18, 2011 6:26 PM CDT up reply actions
Now I cant get this scene out of my mind...
"There is no chance he will win, but if you think about it carefully he would be a pretty good candidate. He says a lot with no substance, he's proven he can be bought, he's dishonest, and he has the personality of a TV evangelist so I think he would be perfect in Washington!"-- Mike Leach (When asked if he would vote for Craig James for Senate)
http://youtu.be/3ISn1Hc2V_Y
Well my link did not work
"There is no chance he will win, but if you think about it carefully he would be a pretty good candidate. He says a lot with no substance, he's proven he can be bought, he's dishonest, and he has the personality of a TV evangelist so I think he would be perfect in Washington!"-- Mike Leach (When asked if he would vote for Craig James for Senate)
I heard his mom wears Army boots!
But only when she is kicking the snot out of a blow-up orange plastic steer.
Gerald
deficates on his kitchen table
"Trust your gut....mine always finds good Mexican food"
-Me
by oldschoolraider on Aug 18, 2011 9:39 PM CDT up reply actions
Why the negativity
It is difficult to take a positive position on any issue without insider information or facts. This information is typically hard to find from the pundits. As a result most of us tend to post negative comments because the news is generally negative and easier to base a negative slant to an argument. More important negative comments are easier to express anecdotally. This is the season for bad news from everywhere – economics, foreign affairs, politics and sports.
The timing is unfortunate with the conference re-alignment news and now the U’s "play for pay" bombshell that come out now. It has taken us away from the one thing everyone has been panting for – the start of football. Let me add some positive spin to this discussion…Tech is trending up, we have more leverage in the conference re-alignment process than we give ourselves credit for; the U investigation will dent Hocutt but he will survive; and better yet, I think we are going to surprise a few teams this season.
"Sure, luck means a lot in football. Not having a good quarterback is bad luck." Don Shula
by jdhud on Aug 18, 2011 4:25 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
A little too critical...
I admit that I certainly post more during the season, but I almost always agree with Tech92. We are certainly cut from the same cloth…maybe because we both work in healthcare. Anyway, I tend to side with London here. We are tracking the news of the day and doing so by coming at the topics from both sides. In particular, we have indeed seen our share of interesting news around our university and beloved team. There is plenty to be critical of and DTNers don’t shy away from that. There will be big time support when we are 4-0 and hosting Aggie in our backyard. Hang in there and keep contributing…I for one look specifically look for comments.
by Techsan71 on Aug 18, 2011 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I read what Tech92 wrote shortly after it was posted this morning but I had an early meeting and could not post
See, I start every single day with the TV on “Morning Joe” and my laptop showing the DTN webpage. I am a fairly new member of the DTN nation, but I enjoy coming here to cuss and discuss and to hear the most recent news about Texas Tech Athletics. I enjoy posting and participating with all of the discussions when I can. Heck I even had one account banned because when I first came on I was posting fan shots like a mad man! (By the way, I am sure sorry about that Seth, and thanks for giving a newbie a second shot!) I love reading all of the different opinions posted here and I really learn a lot of what’s going with Tech here first. I live in Bryan/College Station and my world is inundated with Aggies so this is my place of escape.
I understand your feelings about the negativity that we see on the site. I myself have been very critical about many things that have gone on at Tech since I started visiting this website. I have said some very, very critical things that could be viewed as negative comments, but to be painted as someone who simply likes to bitch a lot and not really caring about my University because I have been a part of that, that part really bothered me all day. I think that saying something like that is really no different than what you say you are against and what has caused you to become less involved. When a statement like that is made it really seems to have no other purpose then to try to marginalize the opinions of the other folks on this site that do not share your views.
Many of the other posts seem to hit the nail on the head when they talk about the perfect storm of events that have hit us all over the course of the last few years. No matter what side of the fence you are on many of these situations seem to be the types of things that don’t lend themselves to middle of the road opinions and I think that the discussions and sentiments that have been expressed on this board proves that. To insinuate that people who are having a hard time reconciling all that has happened and still have negative feelings about certain issues and/or people at Tech might not really care about Tech is flat out wrong in my book.
I grew up in Muleshoe just about an hour drive away from Lubbock. All I ever dreamed of as a kid was some day going to Tech, in the interest of full disclosure I did have a slight flirtation with going to Nebraska, but it was just slight and never really serious. I, like all of us on here, am very passionate about Tech and all of its programs. I want to see us become the Leader not only in this state but in the country in everything we do. If we field a Tiddlywinks team I want it to win a national championship. I enjoy being able to come here and express my feelings about the directions we are going in. I know that my opinions won’t change a single thing but it is good therapy for me to have a place to come express myself. I believe that most of us feel the same way. I know your post was not directly aimed at me, but I have been one of the negative ones and I just wanted to let you know that my reasons, and I am sure that those of the majority of the folks on here, truly are the result of my wanting to see Tech do great things, and be led by the best people!
I hate to see that you have curtailed your involvement. Your posts are some of the ones that I enjoy reading the most! I know we will all be able to get past all of what we have been through as students and alumni of one of the greatest universities in this country and hopefully our tone will be more of a unified one! DTN must remain a site where we are not asked to tow the company line and where everyone can come to feed their addiction for all things related to Tech sports and beyond!
In closing I say we show the aggies the door, FREE SCOTTY, Shock the Fing nation and let’s win the Big 12-2 this year, and let’s fill up The Jones and every other sporting venue we have this season and every season after that!
"There is no chance he will win, but if you think about it carefully he would be a pretty good candidate. He says a lot with no substance, he's proven he can be bought, he's dishonest, and he has the personality of a TV evangelist so I think he would be perfect in Washington!"-- Mike Leach (When asked if he would vote for Craig James for Senate)
by Filemon G on Aug 18, 2011 6:25 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I'm late to the negatvity discussion, but wanted to throw out a few thoughts
A lot of controversial stuff has happened in TTU athletics the last couple years. Strong, emotional responses are to be expected; though I would tend to characterize them as impassioned rather than negative.
I think one big reason for the overall tone of this site is that we collectively feel the pressure on the athletic program. Re-alignment is not complete and we want Tech to come out of it in good shape. Tech teams need to win games. The university needs to achieve Tier 1. Recent hirings are more critical than ever. There is a lot on the line right now and the stakes are high.
Another reason for the perceived negativity is the anonymity provided by a site like this. I think there is a tendency for posters to be more polarizing, aggressive and even vulgar in this forum. Many of you would likely not make such comments directly to your co-workers, friends and relatives. (Or who knows? Maybe you would.)
I am a frequent reader of a forum based in East Texas. There, anything Tech is brushed aside at best or generally ridiculed. The site is dominated by Aggies and Longhorns and nearly any subject can devolve into a rock-throwing contest between those two. It’s ridiculous. I appreciate this site and the well thought out posts I read here. And whether or not I agree, it’s nice to know that we are on the same team.
I read the Scout board
But i sure as hell don’t post in there. In other places, you are not allowed question the decisions of the higher ups, and must toe the line. I love this place because you get a variety of opinions, both positive and negative. I can make my own decisions, I don’t need everything spun in a positive light. Also, any place I can’t mention Mike Leach without fear of being banned isnt for me. Thank you DTN and thank you Seth for running a fair and balanced (Fox shoutout) places for Texas Tech fans to come and discuss our beloved school. Guns Up!
by TexasTechForever on Aug 18, 2011 8:33 AM CDT reply actions
YOU SAID LEACH!!!!
NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! :)
"Hunt together, Kill together"
by I bleed Red and Black on Aug 18, 2011 8:35 AM CDT up reply actions
I can still post though... Weird
I in no way think that every single damn conversation should circle back to Leach, but the fact that the owner of raiderpower has put out a warning to anyone who talks about our coach of 10 yrs is absurd. Free Scotty!
by TexasTechForever on Aug 18, 2011 8:45 AM CDT up reply actions
FREE SCOTTY
"I feel sorry for the guys," Tech head coach Tommy Tuberville said. "They fought hard tonight. We didn't look good on offense or defense at times, and at times we looked pretty good. It's just, I don't know. Weird game.
Which is the reason I rarely even look at those sites. As was said before, at that point it’s just PR.
by RedRaiderForLife95 on Aug 18, 2011 9:21 AM CDT up reply actions
Agree
The scout board reminds me of Texags. Lots of silly comments and speculation with little merit.
"You've got to find your inner pirate" - Mike Leach
"We started too late" - Neal Brown
Go cheer lead somewhere else...
Put your ideas and opinions out there for all and engage in dialogue. If you are too above the fray to do so, you won’t get as much out of dtn. I
"Trust your gut....mine always finds good Mexican food"
-Me
by oldschoolraider on Aug 18, 2011 9:18 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
This is where
i come for ‘table talk’ and I leave most of my homerism for the outside world.
"Trust your gut....mine always finds good Mexican food"
-Me
by oldschoolraider on Aug 18, 2011 10:24 AM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
I may be naive but....
but I believe Hocutt is telling the truth….now he may have told just to keep his head in the sand but it is still very obvious that there is a culture in south Florida that will not stop doing these type things…..As ____ Corbin ( an miami alum and director of the 30 for 30 “The U”) said on Cowherd yesterday that The U has now not 1, not 2 but 3 boosters who are ponzi scheme artists and the President, Donna Schlayla does reallys seem to care about anything but the big fat check these boys can bring to the table, I think it is a posionous culture that has been going on for 30 years…..Remember Hocutt was there only for 2 years of this investigation that goes back to at least 2002 and maybe before that……So at this time, IMO Hocutt really may not have anything to do with this except have been the AD that had to be around one of the big donors that is a crook!!!!! Free Scotty! Wreck’Em Tech
It does not make sense.
How could an AD not know or not inquire about a donor that is going to have a facility named after them? The AD would be present at the ceremony. I want to have high hopes for KH as our AD, but I am pretty sure he is guilty of being a poorly informed “Director” or was kept in the dark by his bosses on matters he should have been a part of. The look on his face is that of STRESS at the very least. I hope he is honest, and I think our eggs are in his basket as we go through this debacle concerning TV revenues and reorganization of conferences.
by RRaider5355 on Aug 18, 2011 12:34 PM CDT up reply actions
Wasn’t that a student lounge, or something else equally non-athletic? I’m not sure Hocutt would be involved in that at all.
by RedRaiderForLife95 on Aug 18, 2011 3:57 PM CDT up reply actions
A solid foundation and a free press can cure and prevent a lot of heartaches.
Finally our family has another friend’s child headed to Tech. Just one this year, but it’s a start. Being able to be confident in the people associated with a University is imporant to the ‘sell’ for us. (Especially after the experience our baby has gone through.) DNT harbors (puns intended) a boat load of people that tell the story of the University through its football program. And DNT gets it just right! I love it!
PS: Baron had his surgery yesterday, with a SMILE on his face! … and my knee is still hurting!
So... I gotta say this.
Everytime someone mentions Shalala, I can’t help but get an image of the Aggie yell leaders singing and dancing to “She touched my tralala”.
by RdrPwr on Aug 18, 2011 10:30 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
The Hocutt thing -
A lot of us cut our teeth dissecting the Leach fiasco.
If there is a contingent of fans better equipped for making sense out of the Hocutt issue than right here on DTN – find me one.
The Miami thing is WAY bigger than Leach and we are still in the first week of it.
With studious effort, I think we can get a fairly clear picture of what went on- at least what is relevant to Hocutt. Momentarily I will stay away from the issue simply so I can digest information overload. I have to say I am not very comfortable with what I have heard so far.
Also, the big 12 implosion discussion has gone silent, and I doubt the problem magically went away. Regardless of weather Hocutt stayed clean, is a little dirty, or turns out to be a bad guy – and regardless of weather he is here or not things look very precarious to me and I would rather talk about this than Hocutt.
Like all of you – I can’t wait for football either, but Football lives in a context. Football will be here sooner than we think, it it will be alright.
If Hocutt gets us into the Pac 12
That absolves him of any and all sins from his Miami days. Sins of commission (probably none) & sins of omission (not telling the new coach what was about to hit the fan).
So sayeth I.
2011 Season - No excuses. Just win!
Co-sign
"Trust your gut....mine always finds good Mexican food"
-Me
by oldschoolraider on Aug 18, 2011 9:37 PM CDT up reply actions
RRaider5355....
I my different take then yours is that the vast majority of the aligations accoured before Hocutt got to the U and like I mentioned it is well documented that there has been an outlaw attitude that has been around the U for 30+ years….it even infected a pro francise(Dallas Cowboys) that had had a very good reputation since the Don Meredith days…..Hocutt only was there for 2 years of the ponzi scheme guy’s reported involvement at the U which went on for 6+ years before Hocutt got there…..I believe at this point that Hocutt didn’t know anything about this when he started and when he began to get wind of what was going on he was probably was instructed from the top-pres. Schlaylaylayla to just keep his nose clean and let the money flow in….as we all know Hocutt only stayed for 2 years and fleed back to Texas as quick as he could……again based on reports so far the real responsible parties are former AD Dees and the pres. Schlaylaylaylayla who let this all go on!!! Free Scotty! Wreck’Em Tech
I do have to question...
how ANY representative of “The U” could ever be allowed to head up the NCAA Infractions Committee. How did Dees get that gig?
by RedRaiderForLife95 on Aug 18, 2011 4:01 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm with you on this- For Now
I don’t think whole U situation comes as a major surprise to anyone. Maybe the depravety, and length of time of these issues, but the fact that there were serious NCAA violations shouldn’t suprtise anyone. I dont’ think KH knew the full extend of this crap. I think 2 years on the job was too short of a time to really dig in and find the truth. Besides, thats what the compliance office is supposed to do. They find out then notify the AD’s office. They knew, but didn’t or wouldn’t tell the new AD.
I that think he probably spent the first 6 months just getting a feel for the job and glad handing all the “Golden Canes” members. The next 12 months he worked on getting in thier pockets, and then once he started sniffing around and found out just how bad the culture of the program was he started looking for ways to get the F out.
I just don’t think 2 years on the job is enough to really do anything bad. I think he’s telling the truth about how he turned the issue over to NCAA as soon as the convict made the school aware of the allegations. I don’t think he knew, maybe suspected, but didn’t “know”.
"it's faster horses, younger women, older whiskey, and more money"
techgolf I can see that you may be right. I want you to be.
It may be that he has good character and left because he found out. I am pulling for him to be cleared. So far, so good.
The only thing that would make this more interesting
would be if Adam and Craig James were involved with the stuff going at Miami.
On a serious note – Seth – you do a great job managing the DTN. Thanks!
Seth....
I’m trying to figure out how to bronze this entire set of posts for you as a christmas gift.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harvey "Big Daddy" Pollitt: "What's that smell in this room? Didn't you notice it, Brick? Didn't you notice a powerful and obnoxious odor of mendacity in this room?"
What looks worse...
that he knew about it or that he didn’t? This stuff was pretty flagrant. As they say in politics, the “optics” on this are very bad indeed. The good news is that outside of Lubbock, no one associates the Texas Tech AD with Miami. I haven’t heard his name in any of the stories, have you?
Good thoughts by all
And to be clear, I’m not a sunshine pumper, as those who have been here for a while can attest to. Again, it’s one person’s perspective and it’s how I’ve perceived a lot of what’s been going on here the last two years. I don’t minimize anyone’s opposing perspective. I’ve never gone away, I’ve just refrained from posting. I happen to hold some minority views on much of our situations and haven’t had the want-to to defend them. Partly because I am not as informed as others (or impassioned), partly because I don’t often have the time I have had in the past (worked for myself and had no kids…now, I run a large medical practice and have a little girl…time isn’t what it was, darnit!)
Anyway, there are some good opinions on this particular thread and I’ll noodle over the replies to my comment and take them to heart. It’s been two very weird and long off-season’s in a row. I’m with you all in that I’m ready to quit reading/talking about Hocutt, Big XII realignment, our chancellor, residual Leach/James stuff, uniform choices, helmet color, etc etc…and start talking about the 2011 Red Raider football team. After all, that’s why we’re all here.
Love,
Tech92
We are getting some great stuff from Seth
but my hanger is growing. i want to know more! i want to know how the D-line is doing, if Gallinton is doing alright at center, how Justin is healing, and the other injured players. In short, let’s talk fooootballl! What is it, about two weeks, two days away?
As far as the new center Tubbs presser yesterday indicated it's a work in progress
Tubbs mentioned that the QB’s were having to deal with reaching right, reaching left, reaching up & reaching down to field the snaps & that was throwing off their timing. I hope they get the bugs worked out.
2011 Season - No excuses. Just win!
WSelcome back
I have read much of what was written, but not all. What I really like here is the diverse reactions and the back and forth on any given subject. Texas Tech is one of my passions, but it does not rule my life and I don’t really NEED it, but since I first started reading DTN postings, I have become much more aware of all the goings on concerning Tech, the Big-12 and many other subjects. But reading the things concerning Texas Tech is what keeps me coming back. Yes, sometimes it gets overwhelming or laborious, but that is usually not a common thing. The last couple of years, actually the last 3 years, have been so up and down for Tech stuff that it has spawned much more reactions than would normally have been expected. Passion for Tech is the reason and we all want what is goor and right for our alma mater. Hang in there and lend your insite to the fray. After all, who else will we be able to pick on if aggie leaves us…..sob<:(
TTpilk
"Never, never, never give up." Winston Churchill
Brandon Carter (@bcarter60)
8/18/11 10:49 PM
Ejected from the game for… Get this…. Word for word from the ref “#60 you’re out of here you’re being TOO PHYSICAL” no penalty though???
"Trust your gut....mine always finds good Mexican food"
-Me
by oldschoolraider on Aug 18, 2011 10:53 PM CDT reply actions
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