Muda69

1 minute ago, Bash Riprock said:

I understand his role...but he was first a journalist and one would hope there would be an ounce of integrity.  

This has also lost the STAR some business as well....I am hounded via email, social media, etc. for some pretty cheap subscription offers....I won't go back until he is gone.  I don't miss it one bit.  Too many news options

Oh well.  Your loss.

1 minute ago, Bash Riprock said:

Now, where I do agree with Temp is about Doyel....he is a huge disappointment as a journalist.  Sadly the Star and Gannett pay him to be nothing more than a $hit stirrer. 

 

And in his current role at the Indy Star he is not a journalist.  Shit stirrer's bring hits/views, and advertising dollars. 

1 hour ago, temptation said:

When others bring him up and he is attempting to marginalize the accomplishments of my favorite program with limited evidence in order to get clicks?

Yes…I’m going to bitch about him.

I could name a half dozen posters on this forum that have more legitimacy than Doyel…I’d read them in a heartbeat.

I don't see limited evidence.  If this evidence was so 'limited' why was Mr. Harbaugh banned from the sideline for 6 games this season?

Please, I would like to read this list of posters, and exactly why they more legitimacy regarding college football than Mr. Doyel.

2 minutes ago, temptation said:

Nope.  That’s what he wants and gives him actual legitimacy.

So you just bitch about him on an internet football forum. No actual legitimacy there.   Got it. 

16 minutes ago, temptation said:

Ok, well his opinions suck and have for quite sometime.

When you have a platform, you also have a responsibility to have educated opinions…instead he digs his heels in and takes the most controversial stance possible while actually alienating himself and his employer from common sense.  This “antagonist view” gains clicks which is a high priority in modern day journalism.

Maybe I was too kind with my Fox/CNN/MSNBC take…the National Enquirer is more appropriate.

I'm sure Mr. Doyel would appreciate the feedback.   It looks like this opinion piece has a link to where you can leave your educated comment for him to peruse.

6 minutes ago, temptation said:

Doyel is CNN/MSNBC/and Fox rolled into one.  He wishes HE had someone he could “cheat” on.

Sensationalist journalism.

“Thousands will die if there are fans at the Indianapolis 500 and if college football is played.”

NO ONE has held him accountable.  “Journalism” is full of hacks in the modern era.

Mr. Doyel's current position at the Indy Star is a sport columnist.  He's paid to write his opinions.  IMHO a columnist is different than a "Sensationalist journalist".  

Mr. Doyel from the Indianapolis Star weighs in on Mr. Harbaugh: https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/columnists/gregg-doyel/2024/01/04/jim-harbaugh-cheated-twice-to-help-michigan-reach-national-title-game/72019343007/

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Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh isn’t the destruction of college football. He's the messenger.

The sport had been disfigured beyond recognition before Harbaugh’s heel turn, a downward spiral accelerated by the approach of one tsunami and then another – NIL and the transfer portal – and the NCAA’s response of diving behind the nearest potted plant. But someday we’ll look back and ask:

When was college football kind of … over?

Could be late Monday night – Jan. 8 in the year of our Lord 2024 – if Michigan is crowned as national champion. Jim Harbaugh hasn’t been merely accused of cheating (twice). He has been caught.

Twice.

The first instance was during the COVID-19 dead recruiting period, when he kept recruiting many of the players who will play Monday against Washington in the College Football Playoff title game. In the years that followed Michigan was illegally stealing signs, a scandal uncovered this season as the Wolverines were building momentum toward the grand finale.

Understand this: We could be days away from Jim Harbaugh hoisting a national championship trophy to cap a season in which he was suspended twice for cheating – the first three games of the regular season, and the last three – because of two different scandals that helped the 2023 Michigan Wolverines achieve greatness.

When that time comes, if that times comes, college football will be thrown into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, to borrow from a book Harbaugh likes to thump. That’s from the New Testament, Matthew 13:42.

Perhaps it is right and good that Jim Harbaugh be remembered as one of the horsemen of this apocalypse. Because if Michigan wins the national championship in a season it was popped twice for cheating – violations that helped this very team – college football will become like something from the Book of Ecclesiastes.

Meaningless.

Transfer portal, NIL cause Georgia 63, FSU 3

The system has been breaking down for years, well before Jim Harbaugh decided only fools play by the rules. The combination of NIL and the transfer portal hasn’t brought free agency to college football – it has brought chaos. Tell me, in what professional sport is everybody a potential free agent after every season?

No, not after every season – during every season.

That’s what we have now in college football, with everyone free to enter the transfer portal, typically after their final regular-season game in November. Seeing how 86 of the 128 teams at the highest level of Division I still have a bowl game to play, most of the 1,000-plus players in the portal are leaving with a game still to play. Close to 20 schools played bowl games this year without their starting quarterback, who was already in the transfer portal.NIL is the accelerant of this dumpster fire, because schools are offering transfers more than the promise of a fresh start or starting job.

Schools are now offering money, as much as seven figures for the best players.

Is this what we wanted?

Jim Harbinger I mean Harbaugh is the messenger, but the tipping point for this broken system – the moment it crumbled right before our eyes – was Dec. 30 when No. 6 Georgia beat No. 3 Florida State 63-3 in the Orange Bowl. That was the kicker to a story the NCAA had been writing for years. NCAA officials serve at the pleasure of schools but advise university presidents how to proceed, and their advice was to dig in and deny players fair compensation or freedom – until the dam broke in the form of NIL and transfer portal.

And on Dec. 30, the Seminoles were washed away.

Less than a month earlier Florida State had been 13-0 and hoping for a spot in the College Football Playoff, but the Seminoles were denied that chance because the season-ending injury to quarterback Jordan Travis had demonstrably changed who they were.

Then came the disfigurement. Without Travis, without anything meaningful to play for – just the FedEx Ecclesiastes Bowl – 14 FSU players entered the transfer portal and nine others opted out to protect their status for the 2024 NFL Draft. Including Travis, 24 of the Seminoles' best players didn’t play against Georgia.

Victorious coach Kirby Smart was disgusted, and not with anyone at FSU. He was disgusted with the system that made such a result possible.

“People need to see what happened tonight, and they need to fix this,” Smart told reporters after the game. “It's really unfortunate for those kids on that sideline that had to play in that game.”

Jim Harbaugh, Moses? Nah, he's guilty as sin

One way or another this season will end with Harbaugh at its rotten core, one last spectacle of his creation.

The cheating he did during the COVID shutdown wasn’t the worst we’ve ever seen, more like something from the Kelvin Sampson playbook circa Oklahoma 2006 or IU 2007, when Sampson and his staff made hundreds of recruiting phone calls during a period such calls weren’t allowed.

That was Harbaugh during the COVID shutdown. We’ll never know how many players on Michigan’s current roster were contacted illegally by Harbaugh, or how many were subliminally swayed to Michigan by the special attention. If the number is greater than zero – and it has to be – it’s too many.

The cheating since then has been more egregious, with Harbaugh’s analytics assistant, Connor Stalions, arranging for himself and others to scout opposing teams in person and use video cameras to steal their sideline signals. Harbaugh says he didn’t direct Stalions to do that, or even know about it, but he lost the benefit of the doubt during the COVID shutdown. And we’ve seen tape – “Sweet Jesus there’s always a tape,” as Scott Glenn’s Washington Post reporter says in the 1996 movie “Courage Under Fire” – of Stalions standing next to Harbaugh during games, studying the opposing sideline and telling him … something.

What was he saying? And why was Harbaugh listening to a low-level staffer, right then and there, as he called plays?

Look, no need to prosecute Harbaugh again. The case is over and beyond a reasonable doubt he has been found guilty. It’s not a matter of knowing he’s guilty, but accepting the results.

 

Harbaugh survives because he’s a demagogue in khaki pants, making outrageous statements while his followers close their eyes, lift their hands and shout, “Preach!” He’s the guy who couldn’t decide in early 2022 between quarterbacks J.J. McNamara and Cade McNamara, and used theology to explain.

“No person – that’s Biblical – no person knows what the future holds,” he told reporters before a September 2022 game against Hawaii. “Some people have asked, 'How'd you come to that decision? Was it based on some kind of NFL model?' No. It's really Biblical. Solomon was known to be a pretty wise person."

Last week Harbaugh chose another analogy – and more theology – to credit his coaching staff, which had won six games while he was suspended.

“Like Moses,” he said, “I’m going to die leaning on my staff – and no one’s got a better staff to lean on.”

After Michigan beat Alabama in the Rose Bowl to advance to Monday’s title game, Harbaugh considered his 2023 team’s journey – having its coach suspended for three games, twice, for obtaining an unfair advantage – and said the following with his typical blank stare.

“It's almost been an unfair advantage, all the things that the team has gone through,” Harbaugh said without self-awareness, irony or decency as the monster he has created – and the sport he has sullied – slinks toward a conclusion that feels inevitable, and worse.

Meaningless, meaningless, utterly meaningless.

13 hours ago, Bobref said:

That’s if you only work once in each venue. Indiana’s adoption of the “crew” concept makes that impossible, practically speaking.

Ahhh.  So Lone Wolves are not welcome in the Indiana high school football official milieu.

So what exactly was the big kerfuffle about non-gender neutral toy aisles?   

56 minutes ago, Bobref said:

Highly unlikely. There are over 300 football playing schools, and only 9 regular season games per year.

Only approx. 33 years.    What is the average career length of an Indiana H.S. football referee?

20 hours ago, superjay said:

Frankfort’s new press box looks amazing!

Fake news.  No way FHS can afford a press box like that.    More than likely that is the design for the monied Tri-West's new press box..............................

https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/high-school/2024/01/03/ihsaa-basketball-casey-gaynor-completes-goal-to-ref-at-every-indiana-high-school-gym/72078840007/

Nice story.  

Makes me wonder if the same feat has been performed for Indiana high school football fields/stadiums?

4 hours ago, foxbat said:

Court order?

Probably more like a state, or at least a Warren county, law.

9 hours ago, IndianaWrestlingGuy1 said:

When Westfield is whining about Carmel amenities, one must really question the IHSAA P/P hegemony. You really don't have a pot to piss in, Miuuuuuuuuda. 
 

And, if you think the indoor Carmel practice facility is for the band, I'll be happy to give you a tutorial on the mental acuity of our current President or the strength of our Southern border and ironclad immigration policy. 

Poor Muda. He just wanted some equality for all the destitute public schools that got dealt a rotten hand. 

Do we have proof of recruiting going on in regards to the Carmel H.S. girl's swimming program?  Or is it just a matter "it's girl's swimming, who cares?"

https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/high-school/2023/12/27/carson-steele-mr-football-from-center-grove-declares-for-nfl-draft-2024/72042842007/

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Carson Steele, the 2020 IndyStar Mr. Football from Center Grove who has been billed "the most interesting man in college football," believes he is ready for the NFL.

Steele posted on social media Wednesday that he's entering the 2024 NFL Draft after three years of college football, two at Ball State and one at UCLA.

...

Good luck.

8 hours ago, WestfieldRocks said:

I know your joking, but that $9.5 million construction you see next to the stadium at Carmel is an indoor center for the band. They are also constructing a $43 million addition/renovation to the existing natatorium, so that they can continue to recruit the state's top girls swimmers. Lord knows, some other school may someday win the girls state swimming championship. Or perhaps hey are jealous of Westfield's new natatorium that opened two years ago.  🙂

WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?

On 12/24/2023 at 1:27 PM, IndianaWrestlingGuy1 said:

Muda. Muuuuuuda. Just jet setting around living the private school lyfeee. Just glad the we P/Ps can minimize and capitalize on all the poor Public schools. 

I just drove by Carmel's new indoor practice facility on my way down US-31, but I almost missed it because their 15,000 seat stadium clouded my view. 
 

Since Cathedral is getting evicted from our grass IPS rental (and substandard stadium by Center Grove's thermometer among others), we're searching for a new home field. Maybe Frankfort will host us?? 
 

In the meantime, we'll take any and all public players that want to play for the imperialistic private school. Free tuition and no academic standards for all incoming football players. 

Call (765) 654-8545 and ask for FHS Athletic Director Mr. Niehaus. 

https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/2023/12/15/indiana-state-basketball-josh-schertz-leads-sycamores-revival-mvc-mid-major-ball-state-indianapolis/71884535007/

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Indiana State basketball coach Josh Schertz has built his head coaching career on quickly turning around programs. In 2009, he led Division II Lincoln Memorial to a 14-14 record in his first year, a six-win improvement from the previous season.

What followed was an extremely successful 13-year run leading the Railsplitters to 11 consecutive 20-win seasons and 10 trips to the NCAA tournament while becoming just the second team in the history of Division II to post four consecutive 30-win seasons from 2014-18.

Schertz had stability at Lincoln Memorial, but he took the ultimate leap of faith in 2021 when he took over at Indiana State. A string of transfers after former coach Greg Lansing's departure and the logistical difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic meant Schertz joined a program with just two players officially on the roster and no way for players to visit the campus in person.

He stressed the importance of "faith over sight" to prospective recruits, using his natural charisma and stellar career at LMU to attract new players and re-recruit former Sycamores who entered the transfer portal.

Year 1 was a mix of former LMU players, three freshmen, several transfers and two holdovers from the previous regime. The result was an 11-win season, but the Sycamores did not stay down for long. Last season, Schertz orchestrated a 12-win improvement, leading ISU to a 23-13 record.

In Year 3, ISU is off to a 9-1 start and is ready to re-introduce itself to a national audience ahead of Saturday's game against Ball State at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The game will be broadcast exclusively on Peacock and serves as the lead-in to the Purdue vs. Arizona game, a possible Final Four preview.

....

Schertz's free-flowing offense has the Sycamores playing some of the best offensive basketball in the NCAA. Per KenPom, ISU is No. 4 in the nation in 3-point percentage and No. 5 in the nation in 2-point percentage, giving the Sycamores the No. 1 offense in the nation in effective field goal percentage, a stat that differs from regular field goal percentage because it adds extra value to 3-pointers made.

....

ISU has five players averaging double-figure scoring. Southern Indiana transfer Isaiah Swope leads ISU at 19.7 points per game. Sophomore center Robbie Avila is second (16.6) followed by former Pike standout Ryan Conwell (15.2), junior Jayson Kent (13.1) and junior Larry Julian (10.5).

Per ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi, ISU would be one of the first four teams out of the NCAA tournament if the season ended last Tuesday. With a chance to make a statement in front of potential selection committee members, ISU is embracing its opportunity to be on a national stage.

...

Go Sycamore, beat the Cardinals.  Too bad Mr. Schertz probably won't be in Terre Haute for long.

7 hours ago, Lysander said:

Hey…I knew what “manga” was although the kids and I some years back were much more into “anime”….especially the “mecha” and “cyberpunk” stuff.  “Ghost in the Shell” (anime version) is simply incredible….arguably one of the top 10 Sci-Fi films over the last 50 years.

But hey, time for me to get back to my Gene Tracy and Redd Foxx 8 track tapes…right after I install that new carburetor on the Buick.

I found this to be a pretty good video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGJtqTK8GP8

On 12/11/2023 at 5:19 PM, Bobref said:

I don’t usually listen to that stuff, because all you get is “coachspeak,” but I heard part of an interview with Coach Eberflus today. Honestly, listening to him butcher the language, and struggle to complete a thought, made me yearn for Dave Wannstedt.

Incidentally, little known fact. Wannstedt was the model for the bust outside the International Bad Mustache Hall of Fame.

Come now Bob, these coaches are supposedly working 14-16 hours a day, day after day, week after week during the season.  Eberflus is probably so exhausted he can't think straight and Wannstedt had better things to do than worry about his mustache.

2 hours ago, Donnie Baker said:

Cool. Hopefully they have enough players. The ode guard doesn’t want to give up The Bruce 

Bruce field would be good for soccer.

https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/high-school/2023/12/07/indiana-high-school-fight-songs-woman-seeks-to-find-save-all-600/71247866007/

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FRANKFORT -- Reta Williams is a retired elementary school principal, a fiery, redhead, who is part historian, part high school basketball fan, part lover of nostalgia and part chaser of wild dreams.

As she sits inside her farmhouse in Clinton County trying to explain the latest wild dream she is chasing, Williams repeatedly says things like, "I'm not being practical or logical," and, "I know it won't happen, but I can try," and "It's pretty farfetched."

Come hell or high water, Williams wants to track down the lyrics and music to every fight song from every closed Indiana high school that has been depleted of its magical, melodic history.

Scattered throughout Indiana are more than 600 forgotten high school gyms that sit shuttered or, more likely, torn down and razed. They are tiny gyms that were silenced by consolidation decades ago.

But inside Williams' living room as she talks, if you concentrate closely on what she is saying, you might be able to hear the sounds of one of those gymnasiums roaring with students, basketballs echoing and a pep band playing the school fight song.

Williams has a way of bringing nostalgia to life.

"Back in the 1930s and '40s and even '50s basketball games were the social life. That was it. Basketball was king," says Williams. "The gyms were packed, the atmosphere was electric and the playing of the school fight song was the tipping point."

Williams should know. For the past several years, she has been deep in Indiana high school history, and she has learned more about the Sugar Creek Crickets and the Michigantown Ganders and the Scircleville Ringers than any human should know.

Those are just a few of the 70 schools that Williams has been able to uncover fight songs for, which is pretty darn impressive.

Now, she has just 530 more to go.

.....

She's asking for anyone who knows the lyrics and tune -- or just the lyrics or just the tune -- to a fight song from a closed Indiana high school to send them to her.

"This history should not be forgotten," she said. "Let's not let these gyms be silenced forever."

Have school fight song info?

Contact Reta Williams via email at retawms@hotmail.com, by phone at 765-414-4388 or by mail at P.O. Box 2, Michigantown, IN 46057.

A worthwhile endeavor.