http://mississippistate.infusionsports.com/2011/01/21/welcome-to-our-state/
It is from BDJ and about as well put as can possibly be.
It is from BDJ and about as well put as can possibly be.
Everyone read this.
- Thread starter TheBigDA
- Start date
don't respond. It would be nice if every time one of those fahgs comes here to stir up ****, the response from the board was "GO AWAY" or use my standard text response to the ex -- "I don't care what you think."
I really hope everyone in the Bulldog family reads Wardlaw's comments and lives by a similar policy: Focus on MSU, not on what other people or teams are doing. I would include not only fans, but everyone in the administration (yes, even coaches).
Here's my example. Just for fun, I put it in Mad Libs format.
<span style="text-decoration:underline">My nephew</span> is trying to decide where to <span style="text-decoration:underline">attend</span> college next year. He's really good at <span style="text-decoration:underline">math</span>. I want him to go to MSU to <span style="text-decoration:underline">be an engineer</span>. I think he could really help out the <span style="text-decoration:underline">engineering department</span>. During our <span style="text-decoration:underline">Christmas dinner</span>, should I spend more time talking to him about (a) how great State is; or (b) how much the <span style="text-decoration:underline">engineering school</span> at <span style="text-decoration:underline">LSU</span> sucks? Which is more productive? Which one makes MSU look like a leader in the <span style="text-decoration:underline">engineering industry</span>, and which one makes us look petty, scared and jealous? Really, which is the more responsible thing to do? I promise to talk to <span style="text-decoration:underline">my nephew</span> more about (a) than (b). I hope everyone else takes that same attitude. We may lose one or two good <span style="text-decoration:underline">engineering students</span> every once in a while who don't really get it yet, but in the long run I think we're better off.
Please feel free to try out your own phrases in the blanks above. Examples of other phrases would be:
- Toby
- play ball at
- catching the ball
- play Wide Receiver
- team
- recruiting visit
- quarterback
- Ole Miss
- SEC
- Toby
- Blue Chip prospects
I really hope everyone in the Bulldog family reads Wardlaw's comments and lives by a similar policy: Focus on MSU, not on what other people or teams are doing. I would include not only fans, but everyone in the administration (yes, even coaches).
Here's my example. Just for fun, I put it in Mad Libs format.
<span style="text-decoration:underline">My nephew</span> is trying to decide where to <span style="text-decoration:underline">attend</span> college next year. He's really good at <span style="text-decoration:underline">math</span>. I want him to go to MSU to <span style="text-decoration:underline">be an engineer</span>. I think he could really help out the <span style="text-decoration:underline">engineering department</span>. During our <span style="text-decoration:underline">Christmas dinner</span>, should I spend more time talking to him about (a) how great State is; or (b) how much the <span style="text-decoration:underline">engineering school</span> at <span style="text-decoration:underline">LSU</span> sucks? Which is more productive? Which one makes MSU look like a leader in the <span style="text-decoration:underline">engineering industry</span>, and which one makes us look petty, scared and jealous? Really, which is the more responsible thing to do? I promise to talk to <span style="text-decoration:underline">my nephew</span> more about (a) than (b). I hope everyone else takes that same attitude. We may lose one or two good <span style="text-decoration:underline">engineering students</span> every once in a while who don't really get it yet, but in the long run I think we're better off.
Please feel free to try out your own phrases in the blanks above. Examples of other phrases would be:
- Toby
- play ball at
- catching the ball
- play Wide Receiver
- team
- recruiting visit
- quarterback
- Ole Miss
- SEC
- Toby
- Blue Chip prospects
<grammar-police>
But damn, BDJ needs to employ a proofreader in the worst way. I wish Mike nothing but the best, but every free article I read from there is allergic to commas and just looks like it was thrown together. Does this not bother you guys who pay for BDJ?
</grammar-police>
But damn, BDJ needs to employ a proofreader in the worst way. I wish Mike nothing but the best, but every free article I read from there is allergic to commas and just looks like it was thrown together. Does this not bother you guys who pay for BDJ?
</grammar-police>
1
1dawgfan09
Guest
That’s right… on top!<span style=""> </span>The Rebels are leading the way in the state of Mississippi and you need not look any further than the current leadership to see why.
<p class="MsoNormal">For the first time in a very long time the Rebels are united from Dr. Khayat to Pete Boone, Coach Nutt to the ticket taker, everyone is on the same page with the message we’re here to win. It isn’t just talk; they’re backing their promises up with wins on the field and growth on campus.<span style=""> </span>If Ole Miss is involved the clear goal is to lead the way.<span style=""> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal">This newfound attitude didn’t happen overnight, it has been and continues to be a process, a process that requires dedication and determination to push the “Flagship University” to the forefront.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Just this morning Ole Miss’ athletic director gave a great example as to their purpose in one of his early morning tweets.</p><p class="MsoNormal">“Our 3 “Foundations” for success: 1) focus on student-athletes; 2) possess great integrity & 3) aggressively promote Ole Miss,” this was his message.<span style=""> </span>It is just a simple reminder that Ole Miss knows who they are and where they are going.</p><p class="MsoNormal">This philosophy that guides Ole Miss has led them into uncharted waters, at least from my vantage point.<span style=""> </span>They are going places and doing things they’ve not dared to dream of.<span style=""> </span>Sure, there have been successful periods in the past, but never has Ole Miss had the leadership it needed when the opportunity was present.<span style=""> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal">Rebel Club memberships are up.<span style=""> </span>University donations are increasing.<span style=""> </span>They are on the verge of announcing a multi-million dollar gift.<span style=""> </span>Facilities are improving.<span style=""> </span>Stadium expansion plans are in the works.<span style=""> </span>The bottom line is that Ole Miss has become an intelligently aggressive university.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Time to step forward… </p><p class="MsoNormal">For the first time in my lifetime, Ole Miss is in a true leverage position in the state.<span style=""> </span>And the time has come for the fans to realize the opportunity the University has in front of it.</p><p class="MsoNormal">I’m not being critical of the Ole Miss fan base, you’ve been amazing.<span style=""> </span>Record season ticket sales, stadium sellouts, and wearing Red with pride.<span style=""> </span>No question the Rebel faithful have been doing their part.</p><p class="MsoNormal">That being said, it is time for the fan base to take the next step, changing the mindset.<span style=""> </span>I’m not talking about the woe-is-me attitude… I’m saying it is time to think and act like leaders.<span style=""> </span>You do it every day in your day-to-day lives.<span style=""> </span>You run your company as a leader.<span style=""> </span>You lead in your community.<span style=""> </span>Now it is time to lead as a fan of Ole Miss.<span style=""> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal">The time has passed where you’re overly concerned with the antics and tactics from a rival university.<span style=""> </span>As a leader you will always be attacked and undermined, but because you are leader you’re prepared for those events.<span style=""> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal">I’m not suggesting you turn the other cheek… just the opposite.<span style=""> </span>By leading the way you handle the threats as they come at you not ignore them. <span style=""> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal">Case-in-point… our rival university is currently employing the tactics to slander Ole Miss, spreading rumors and false information with the goal of impacting Ole Miss’ current recruiting class.</p><p class="MsoNormal">The plan is designed to get a reaction from the Ole Miss fanbase, not Ole Miss leadership.<span style=""> </span>They want fans to react with venom and disgust, ultimately taking the focus off of back-to-back the 9-4 seasons and Cotton Bowl victories.</p><p class="MsoNormal">The one flaw in the plan is that it requires a negative fan reaction.<span style=""> </span>If the fans don’t react … the plan doesn’t have the desired impact.</p><p class="MsoNormal">So the challenge is with us… are we going to help the adversary’s cause by reacting in a negative fashion or will be react with the realization they have made themselves irrelevant?</p><p class="MsoNormal">For years the guys down South have lived with the completely misplaced attitude that Ole Miss is inferior.<span style=""> </span>They simply projected the falsehood as a fact.<span style=""> </span>Now the shoe is on the other foot and you have the chance to factually tell them they are no longer relevant.<span style=""> </span>The Rebels are now driving the bus and there is simply nothing they can do to change that fact.<span style=""> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal">Ole Miss has moved past the days where the only game that matters is the rivalry game.<span style=""> </span>Sure that game is big, bigger than the others, but Ole Miss is now about competing for and winning championships and that requires goals that are much bigger than beating your rivals. <span style=""> </span>The players believe it, the coaches believe it, the administration believes it and now it is time for the fans to live it!</p><p class="MsoNormal">Winning is a learned behavior… </p><p class="MsoNormal">From day one we’ve heard Pete Boone, Houston Nutt, and Andy Kennedy preach the message of changing the culture to a winning culture.<span style=""> </span>It took time.<span style=""> </span>It took an aggressive plan.<span style=""> </span>Now your university is in position to win and win consistently and with that comes a new set of difficulties.</p><p class="MsoNormal">When you win you’ll have an increase in coaches leaving for other jobs.<span style=""> </span>You’ll have more attacks from your rivals. You’ll have to learn how to deal with expectations.<span style=""> </span>And I think we all would agree…what a great set of problems to have!</p><p class="MsoNormal">As fans we all need to learn to trust in the plan and the people in place at Ole Miss.<span style=""> </span>They have proven they can adapt to change and make good hires when needed.<span style=""> </span>Gone are the days when there is a need for panic when a coach leaves.</p><p class="MsoNormal">As a group we need to learn from others who have experienced winning at a high level for an extended period of time.<span style=""> </span>Take Florida for example… for years their coaches have been plucked from their system yet they don’t panic, they just make a solid hire.<span style=""> </span>When Urban Meyer stepped down they just went out and got the guy they wanted. <span style=""> </span>Texas didn’t panic… they hired Manny Diaz.<span style=""> </span>That’s just how it works with programs that win.<span style=""> </span>The time has come to accept that Ole Miss is moving in the right direction and with that will come the problems of winning.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Know that the Rebels are there yet, but with a couple more seasons of winning and New Year’s day games, Oxford will cease to be a mere stopover until something better comes along.</p><p class="MsoNormal">At the end of the day… </p><p class="MsoNormal">When you stop and think about it, Ole Miss has come a long way in a very short period of time.<span style=""> </span>The mindset has changed.<span style=""> </span>Expectations have increased.<span style=""> </span>The passion for the Red and Blue is off the charts.<span style=""> </span>Know that the leadership at Ole Miss is focused on delivering a product and a reputation we can all be proud of.<span style=""> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal">We’re not going to win every game.<span style=""> </span>We’re not going to get everyone recruit.<span style=""> </span>However, you can rest assured Ole Miss is focused on the task at hand… win with integrity.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Isn’t it time we’re all on the same page…</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For the first time in a very long time the Rebels are united from Dr. Khayat to Pete Boone, Coach Nutt to the ticket taker, everyone is on the same page with the message we’re here to win. It isn’t just talk; they’re backing their promises up with wins on the field and growth on campus.<span style=""> </span>If Ole Miss is involved the clear goal is to lead the way.<span style=""> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal">This newfound attitude didn’t happen overnight, it has been and continues to be a process, a process that requires dedication and determination to push the “Flagship University” to the forefront.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Just this morning Ole Miss’ athletic director gave a great example as to their purpose in one of his early morning tweets.</p><p class="MsoNormal">“Our 3 “Foundations” for success: 1) focus on student-athletes; 2) possess great integrity & 3) aggressively promote Ole Miss,” this was his message.<span style=""> </span>It is just a simple reminder that Ole Miss knows who they are and where they are going.</p><p class="MsoNormal">This philosophy that guides Ole Miss has led them into uncharted waters, at least from my vantage point.<span style=""> </span>They are going places and doing things they’ve not dared to dream of.<span style=""> </span>Sure, there have been successful periods in the past, but never has Ole Miss had the leadership it needed when the opportunity was present.<span style=""> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal">Rebel Club memberships are up.<span style=""> </span>University donations are increasing.<span style=""> </span>They are on the verge of announcing a multi-million dollar gift.<span style=""> </span>Facilities are improving.<span style=""> </span>Stadium expansion plans are in the works.<span style=""> </span>The bottom line is that Ole Miss has become an intelligently aggressive university.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Time to step forward… </p><p class="MsoNormal">For the first time in my lifetime, Ole Miss is in a true leverage position in the state.<span style=""> </span>And the time has come for the fans to realize the opportunity the University has in front of it.</p><p class="MsoNormal">I’m not being critical of the Ole Miss fan base, you’ve been amazing.<span style=""> </span>Record season ticket sales, stadium sellouts, and wearing Red with pride.<span style=""> </span>No question the Rebel faithful have been doing their part.</p><p class="MsoNormal">That being said, it is time for the fan base to take the next step, changing the mindset.<span style=""> </span>I’m not talking about the woe-is-me attitude… I’m saying it is time to think and act like leaders.<span style=""> </span>You do it every day in your day-to-day lives.<span style=""> </span>You run your company as a leader.<span style=""> </span>You lead in your community.<span style=""> </span>Now it is time to lead as a fan of Ole Miss.<span style=""> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal">The time has passed where you’re overly concerned with the antics and tactics from a rival university.<span style=""> </span>As a leader you will always be attacked and undermined, but because you are leader you’re prepared for those events.<span style=""> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal">I’m not suggesting you turn the other cheek… just the opposite.<span style=""> </span>By leading the way you handle the threats as they come at you not ignore them. <span style=""> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal">Case-in-point… our rival university is currently employing the tactics to slander Ole Miss, spreading rumors and false information with the goal of impacting Ole Miss’ current recruiting class.</p><p class="MsoNormal">The plan is designed to get a reaction from the Ole Miss fanbase, not Ole Miss leadership.<span style=""> </span>They want fans to react with venom and disgust, ultimately taking the focus off of back-to-back the 9-4 seasons and Cotton Bowl victories.</p><p class="MsoNormal">The one flaw in the plan is that it requires a negative fan reaction.<span style=""> </span>If the fans don’t react … the plan doesn’t have the desired impact.</p><p class="MsoNormal">So the challenge is with us… are we going to help the adversary’s cause by reacting in a negative fashion or will be react with the realization they have made themselves irrelevant?</p><p class="MsoNormal">For years the guys down South have lived with the completely misplaced attitude that Ole Miss is inferior.<span style=""> </span>They simply projected the falsehood as a fact.<span style=""> </span>Now the shoe is on the other foot and you have the chance to factually tell them they are no longer relevant.<span style=""> </span>The Rebels are now driving the bus and there is simply nothing they can do to change that fact.<span style=""> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal">Ole Miss has moved past the days where the only game that matters is the rivalry game.<span style=""> </span>Sure that game is big, bigger than the others, but Ole Miss is now about competing for and winning championships and that requires goals that are much bigger than beating your rivals. <span style=""> </span>The players believe it, the coaches believe it, the administration believes it and now it is time for the fans to live it!</p><p class="MsoNormal">Winning is a learned behavior… </p><p class="MsoNormal">From day one we’ve heard Pete Boone, Houston Nutt, and Andy Kennedy preach the message of changing the culture to a winning culture.<span style=""> </span>It took time.<span style=""> </span>It took an aggressive plan.<span style=""> </span>Now your university is in position to win and win consistently and with that comes a new set of difficulties.</p><p class="MsoNormal">When you win you’ll have an increase in coaches leaving for other jobs.<span style=""> </span>You’ll have more attacks from your rivals. You’ll have to learn how to deal with expectations.<span style=""> </span>And I think we all would agree…what a great set of problems to have!</p><p class="MsoNormal">As fans we all need to learn to trust in the plan and the people in place at Ole Miss.<span style=""> </span>They have proven they can adapt to change and make good hires when needed.<span style=""> </span>Gone are the days when there is a need for panic when a coach leaves.</p><p class="MsoNormal">As a group we need to learn from others who have experienced winning at a high level for an extended period of time.<span style=""> </span>Take Florida for example… for years their coaches have been plucked from their system yet they don’t panic, they just make a solid hire.<span style=""> </span>When Urban Meyer stepped down they just went out and got the guy they wanted. <span style=""> </span>Texas didn’t panic… they hired Manny Diaz.<span style=""> </span>That’s just how it works with programs that win.<span style=""> </span>The time has come to accept that Ole Miss is moving in the right direction and with that will come the problems of winning.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Know that the Rebels are there yet, but with a couple more seasons of winning and New Year’s day games, Oxford will cease to be a mere stopover until something better comes along.</p><p class="MsoNormal">At the end of the day… </p><p class="MsoNormal">When you stop and think about it, Ole Miss has come a long way in a very short period of time.<span style=""> </span>The mindset has changed.<span style=""> </span>Expectations have increased.<span style=""> </span>The passion for the Red and Blue is off the charts.<span style=""> </span>Know that the leadership at Ole Miss is focused on delivering a product and a reputation we can all be proud of.<span style=""> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal">We’re not going to win every game.<span style=""> </span>We’re not going to get everyone recruit.<span style=""> </span>However, you can rest assured Ole Miss is focused on the task at hand… win with integrity.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Isn’t it time we’re all on the same page…</p>
I do enjoy the articles, and I admit that I'm a grammar snob of sorts. You guys work hard, run a great site and it's really taken off.