Question for UT fans

[Amanda]

Do any of you guys post on any of the UT-specific sites - like HornFans or any of the others? I am trying to get a feel for the level of interest out there in cyberspace for UT women's basketball info. If there was more info, do you think it would create more interest?

Any thoughts? Anybody?

[carolann]

Well, no one has answered this post yet. Does that say anything?

I read but rarely post on hornfans. I don't like the women's board being mixed with the men's but there doesn't seem to be enough interest among women's fans to justify a separate board. I don't think you will see interest pick up in Texas women's b-ball w/o a consistent return to the top 10. I'm not sure even a sweet 16 finish (something I consider a realistic hope this year) would excite many fans.

[Amanda]

Thanks for the reply. I guess my next question is, do you think if more information was available that more people would get interested.

[Bevo]

I only post here. I agree with carolann, I read hornfans, but not very much interest there. Plus I like the broader Big XII focus here and the overall tone of this forum.

To answer your second question - no. Again, carolann said it best, the only thing that will generate interest is a top-level team (consistently there for several years).

[Bobcat4956]

No interest in Texas women's hoops until Conradt is gone. We need new blood to revive the program and Conradt just (in my opinion) does not have it any more. Her arrogance has gotten in the way of success. She refuses to change - PERIOD!!!!! The game has changed and she does not see it. SAD SAD SAD!!!

[Amanda]

bobcat, you sound like a broken record, ya know?

[JK]

Well, Amanda, as much as I hate it - - there is a lot of validity in the criticism directed towards the UT coaching. Having friends who are insiders at the Tech camp, I can tell you that (FOR YEARS) they have always said that they'd always have ONE automatic advantage on us as long as JC remained the coach at UT. I, for one, know that the coach always gets blamed. Thus, I have made a conscious effort to look elsewhere when trying to figure out the problem with the Longhorn program. I'm sorry, but everything keeps pointing back to the head of the bench. Let me reiterate that I would love nothing more to see Coach Conradt bring this program back to the level where it once was (and should still be). But I just don't see it happening. I'll keep on being a trooper and hanging in there win, lose, or draw. It just gets more and more disheartening with each season. Evidentally, Bobcat and some of the rest of us are not the only people who feel this way. Look at the stands these days when UT plays - - it's pathetic!!!

[This message has been edited by JK (edited 12-26-2001).]

[Amanda]

JK, I can totally understand what you are saying. I had a good friend who played at UT and I know a little about the program - I grew up wanting to be Kamie Etheridge or Clarissa Davis or Johnna Pointer...I could go on and on.

I guess my deal is - complaining about the coach is never going to help anything. Jody Conradt is there until she is ready to go. I doubt there is anybody on the site who doesn't know how ole bobcat feels about JC. So why keep harping on it? I have also seen people talk about Kathy Hartson and Karen Aston, which is ludicrous IMO. Kathy has forgotten more about basketball in the last 5 minutes than most people will know in their life. Karen is a well respected recruiter and seems to be thought highly of within coaching circles. I know kids who were recruited by UT but went to other schools, and they spoke very highly of Karen's efforts in the recruiting wars.

I enjoy watching UT's team. Tracy Cook is my kind of player. Stacy Stephens is a work horse. It is a disservice to the players who work their ass off for fans to focus on the coaches. I tend to channel my energy towards the positive, not the negative, and frankly I don't understand people who do the opposite. If you blame the coaches for losses, you have to give them credit for wins, IMO.

I can understand being frustrated with the current situation at UT and feeling there needs to be a change. I don't agree 100% but I can see how some people feel that way. Personally I think Jody would be more valuable to the program if she stopped coaching and worked as an AD. I just don't think it solves anything to harp on Jody Conradt because it takes the focus away from the kids. Texas is still a top 25 program. Should they be a top 10 team year in and year out? Probably so. Can Conradt get them back to that point? Maybe not. Do the fans have any control over whether Conradt stays or goes? No way. So why even worry about it? Support the team as is, be thankful you aren't A&M, KU, or one of a hundred other programs who would kill for UT's worst record, and get on with it.

That whole spiel wasn't directed at you JK - I was just typing as the thoughts came to mind.

[JK]

Hey, Amanda. No offense taken here. I try not to complain about it either, and just keep hoping for the best. Again, sure would LOVe to see JC sock it to 'em once more for old times sake. I'll hang on in there like I have for the last 20 years. I just hope we shape up real quick, or else we could be looking at a 1-5 start in Big 12 play!

[Bobcat4956]

Well Amanda, I actually thought that is what these sites were far - to express your opinion. Sorry if it offends you or you don't like to hear it, but I, like you, have been a Lady Longhorn fan for a long, long time. I would love to see Jody do well. I admire and respect her. But I have watched the last several years and see a disturbing pattern. The game has changed and she has failed to change with it. I have been a faithful, die-hard fan for years and years. I think that gives me the right to express my opinion. If you don't like it, don't read it. I don't try to take away your right to express your opinions. I will continue to express mine.

[Amanda]

bobcat, I have no problem with you expressing your opinion. That is fine. My point is, try expressing some other opinions, too! Most of your posts (that I have read, anyway) seem to include some shot at JC. It just gets old IMO when somebody is a broken record on a topic and takes any chance they can to bring it up.

My question was a simple one, and it didn't require a jab at JC to answer it. The other folks who answered did so without making mention of JC at all, yet they still expressed the opinion that the only thing that would generate more interest would be a better record.

I am all for people expressing their opinions - I'd just like to read what you think on some other topics besides JC - because everybody already knows your opinion on that issue. Ya know?

[Bobcat4956]

Yes, I do understand. Sounds to me like you are one of her staunchest defenders - AND THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT. If you had read some more of my replies on other topics, you would see that I have expressed my opinions on what I think is wrong with the team and what we need, etc. UNFORTUNATELY, most of the criticism is directed at JC because I FEEL that is where it belongs. These are not JABS at JC. I have tremendous respect for her as a person and coach. HOWEVER, should young TALENTED players suffer because she does not provide the leadership and mentoring that some of the other good programs have. I think not. When I criticized Kenya Larkin everyone jumped down my throat about that. Yet Kenya Larkin is the player who lost the ball in the final seconds against Penn State. Thanks goodness for Nina Norman next year. Hopefully, we will have a good point guard. I stand by my comments and opinions and hope I end up wrong about JC. You asked about interest in the UT women's program and I merely stated that until they have a good program again, there will not be the interest that has been present in the past. I hope it improves. I will stand by my Lady Horns no matter what. I have heard people defend JC for years now and things have not gotten any better. Here's to hoping they do this year.