Goodbye to hoopscoop

[ISU3PointLand]

It is with deep sadness that I bid goodbye to hoopscoop. I do not feel comfortable posting on this site due to the continuing escalation of hostility that I have seen growing on the site.

When I joined hoopscoop, it was a small group of knowledgeable fans who enjoyed talking about Big XII women's basketball. Sure we ribbed one another on certain issues and we all rooted whole-heartedly for our favorite teams, but above all, we were respectful. Over the past few months, I have seen that respect go out the proverbial window and watched as the site has slowly downspiraled with the increase in membership. There isn't always strength in numbers.

I am tired of seeing poster's sincere opinions trashed. I've read as other fans were simply put down for something they believed and schools insulted simply because they have a relgious affiliation.

When I myself posted opinions on how I saw the game, I was criticized for being a "cryclone" and treated as if I had no idea what I was talking about. I have been a fan of the women's game for a number of years, and while I know that I don't know everything, I feel that I am a very knowledgeable fan and you can only take being put down for your beliefs for so long.

I am disturbed by the direction of women's basketball. It has become a more aggressive and physical game, and is a far cry from the game I fell in love with just a few years ago. I took to the women's game because it was the way basketball was meant to be played. Now I see it travelling down a road towards the style of the men's game and to be honest, I truly don't know how much longer I can watch that.

I wish only the best to the fans of the Big XII. While I may not agree with your posts or heck, even like your teams, I'm still a fan of Iowa State and that makes me a fan of the Big XII. Unfortuantely, I don't feel comfortable posting here any longer, and that's a shame, considering this was the only site I posted on.

[YCN]

ISU, if you leave things won't be better, they will be worse. Please reconsider your decision for those of us who are here in support of women's basketball, and not to attack others.

That's the only way we can keep the congenial character of this site alive.

If you decide to leave anyway, God bless you, and may your life be filled with happiness and the joyous company of those you love.

[KSUron]

Agreed. And I hope I haven't offended you.

[swok34]

I agree, I appreciate your comments and information about Iowa State. The spring/summer seems to tone way, way down since we are only talking of recruiting and coaching changes.......and there are a whole lot less visitors to the site.

I used to read everything posted, and there are some posts that I have skimmed this year.......particularly the ones as you mention where there was a lot of criticism.

[elfdenmom]

I do hope you will reconsider, 3ptland. I have always enjoyed your posts and your insight into ISU and wbb in general. I love this sport and viewpoints other than my own are valued. I am afraid that I agree with you on the path that wbb has taken later. I hate the thought that it may soon be like the men's game. Sadly I think womens pro ball is largely responsible for this.

[cctigerfan]

I agree that this site has gotten a bit rough around the edges. While I am one that joined this year I have thoroughly enjoyed the posts that I have read. As was previously mentioned, I too, skip those posts that seem to be just trash talk. All I can encourage others to do, is not respond to such garbage. The more we respond, the higher the pile of garbage becomes. While boards are meant to promote free discussion of topics, that discussion can deteriorate. I still believe that this site is the best one out there. Whether you choose to go or not, I believe you will not find anything better. I sincerely hope that you stay because as the good ones start to leave, others will follow. Why not turn it around and force the bad ones to go and show them that they have NO audience here at Hoopscoop.net.

[grojc]

Why are people getting so sensitive? Everyone here just loves their team and feels passionate about "their" girls. That's what it is all about, isn't it? We get mean sometimes, but we apologize. Argument is healthy and a good thing. What is the whole point of having this board if we can't argue about what we all love? Except for one thread this season, I can't see anything that anyone would take so personal. I am going to miss this site so much during the summer. But I will still check it out to see if I can learn from any of you and LAUGH a lot at how silly we can all get over our teams.

[cyfanatic]

Well, I've mentioned it before, but I'll mention it again: there is a lot of selective anger here. By this I mean people get mad when someone says something personal about a player or coach, which I think they should. Fans should have the maturity not to defame a player by labeling her, or calling her names. For the most part, everyone always seems agreed on that. Yet, I see Chipper calling players for Nebraska things like "Charro" and basically makes fun of the entire team with what he considers a witticism or two, and no one says anything to him. He said in a post that ISU player Nina Smith is "overweight" and that she "doesn't care." I think that is a personal attack, and if we ever say anything back, we are called "cryclones." It's not just Chipper, either, there are plenty people who post frequently, and for that reason alone people seem to let them have free reign as to what they say. The point here, is that I think we need to get back to the philosophy that this is a website for wbb discussion, and sure, arguments (when constuctive) can be healthy, but I think we need to be more respectful of players and coaches, even if we think they don't deserve it. (TT and Texas fans, for example)I as an individual think I am worthy of respect, and that is how I try to live my life, and I give that same respect to everyone I encounter in my life. (AT least I try to.) I think ISU3POINTLAND feels he is personally attacked, and I think that's really unfortunate, as I know him personally, and he really does know his stuff. I hope emotion-driven and just plain opinionated fans who post in the future can think about what they say next year...maybe wait until the morning after a game before posting something where they call someone "classless." I still believe that 99% of people who post on here mean no malice, and I think we all have a responsibility to call those out who do.

[ChipperF1]

"but I think we need to be more respectful of players and coaches, even if we think they don't deserve it."

I couldn't agree more, cyfanatic.

"If Nebraska breaks into the top 15 this season, I'll eat his shorts. Robinette isn't all that and a bag of chips like she thinks she is, either."

"Maybe he doesn't know he's a bad coach. Does anyone have his phone number?"

"In my opinion, it's bad sportsmanship to play like that, and it's bad coaching. Hence, I have no sympathy for teams like Nebraska and Kansas. We talk about "class" some of the coaches in the Big Twelve have....there are a couple in the same league that could take a lesson from some of these more "classy coaches."

You cannot comment about the speck in your brother's eye, and not look at the beam in your own eye.

"if we ever say anything back, we are called "cryclones."

I believe you are greatly mistaken. I have never personally defamed anyone here for their opinions. As for the situation as far as ISU3PTLAND is concerned I e-mailed him directly an explained where I was coming from. Whether he takes that into account or not is up to him.

But I take exception to being called out unfairly, given that you have acted and posted similarly. I find your concern about my opinions about Nebraska curious given that you don't like them or so your posts say.

"Fans should have the maturity not to defame a player by labeling her, or calling her names. Yet, I see Chipper calling players for Nebraska things like "Charro" and basically makes fun of the entire team with what he considers a witticism or two, and no one says anything to him."

"I as an individual think I am worthy of respect, and that is how I try to live my life, and I give that same respect to everyone I encounter in my life."

Seems to me you've decided to brand me "immature". Well, I must say, as least you didn't use the words "childish spoiled brat". http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/wink.gif
If you don't let other calling someone out unfairly, don't do it to anyone else.

If I've offended anyone, I ask forgiveness for that. I enjoy the exchange of information, and at times playful banter, between us all.

Do I go over the top sometimes? Yes I do. But one thing I feel I have never done is attack a fellow poster personally. I live by the simple idea that the person on the other end of the screen is someone whom I may someday meet at some future ballgame. I would prefer such a meeting to be on friendly terms, not unfriendly ones.

I believe much of ISU's concerns are based on a misunderstanding and at times that happens with the written word. "Cryclone" was a pointed poke at a group of fans who, in my opinion, continually whine about officiating, it was NOT a personal smack at a particular poster, nor was it ever intended to be. Unfortunately it was received that way.

I would like to see ISU3ptland return, he brings a lot to us here.

Now on to the off season...