What would you do?

[DinwiddieProud]

I'm going to start a thread here asking a legitimate question of you forum members.

"What would you do to enhance or improve Virginia Preps?"

Let me state a few rules.

1). No personal attacks allowed, period.
2). All ideas, and suggestions must be substantiated.
3). Desenting opinions must be equally substantiated.

I will occasionally chime in with a question or statement if the topic gets bogged down on a point that has run its course. (Meaning, if we are beating a dead horse.)

And remember, the topic is how to improve Virginia Preps. Stay clear of topics that VP has no control over.

I'll get things started with this. What do you think of the content of the reporting during football season? How would you change it if you don't think it was adequate?

 

[hamspear]

Make Shauntclair the moderator?

 

[falcettik]

Add a "Dislike" button. Perhaps there is a reason Preps uses only the "Like" button, but despite the vast majority of posters being positive and contributing thoughtful commentary, sometimes there is a post you just disagree with or is venomous. Currently, the the only way to voice a negative opinion is to write a response, and not everyone wants to always write a post.

 

[gwb16]

Make Shauntclair the moderator?

Enhancements, not death knell. Just saying....

 

[one man]

I'm going to start a thread here asking a legitimate question of you forum members.

"What would you do to enhance or improve Virginia Preps?"

Let me state a few rules.

1). No personal attacks allowed, period.
2). All ideas, and suggestions must be substantiated.
3). Desenting opinions must be equally substantiated.

I will occasionally chime in with a question or statement if the topic gets bogged down on a point that has run its course. (Meaning, if we are beating a dead horse.)

And remember, the topic is how to improve Virginia Preps. Stay clear of topics that VP has no control over.

I'll get things started with this. What do you think of the content of the reporting during football season? How would you change it if you don't think it was adequate?

I'm not a subscriber of premium content so this may be something that is done already for those people and I don't see it but I'd love to see Q&A each week with the weekly Player of the Week from 1A-6A. It may be a bit of a chore to get in contact with players over the weekend and a have a story out by Monday or Tues but it's the first thing that came to my mind. More power to the players and get them more recognition. I think VA Preps does great, if they only covered football, they could do so much more but the site is for all sports so have to spread the wealth so to speak. Maybe what I really would like is another site under the Preps umbrella designated specifically for football, 24/7, year round. It may get dry in the offseason I guess but those are my wishes.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

I really like the idea of some form of "dislike" button. Maybe even something along the lines of "agree", or "disagree"?

Do non-premium members have access to the bar at the top that permits options such as bold, italics, etc.? Do they have access to the emogies? Speaking of which, I would like to see the emogie choice expanded. I liked some of the ones from the old format that had animation.

Along those lines, (and my apologies for being so technologically challenged), I would like to see an easy "drop down" menu that would walk me through the process of doing things like adding a picture, etc.

One Man, that's a darn good idea about "player of the week". As you stated, it would be a challenge to produce and manage. But, it would certainly cause more members to add "their two cents worth!" Plus, it would give a few kids their 20 minutes of fame. If this idea is to reach fruition, Matt will need some help. Va Preps is currently seeking reporters to lend their skills. The distinguished Lynn Burke recently came aboard to share his journalistic expertise. But more help is needed. If you have the time, and can dedicate a little time, reach out to Matt and discuss the opportunity with him.

Good start guys. Keep thinking. Throw in some ideas that may be eccentric, but within the realm of the possible. This is what gets everybody's ideas flowing. For the time being, let's focus on this first topic; what suggestions do you have to improve the reporting during the football season?

 

[tommythecpa]

It is very good now. Maybe a link page for media and internet

 

[VaPrepsRod]

Along those lines, (and my apologies for being so technologically challenged), I would like to see an easy "drop down" menu that would walk me through the process of doing things like adding a picture, etc.

https://forums.rivals.com/help/

 

[Clarkefan]

https://forums.rivals.com/help/

He's ALIVE!!!!!!

 

[DinwiddieProud]

Let's change directions for a minute.

What are YOUR favorite features on Virginia Preps?

Personally, the ability to have a private conversation via the "Conversation" feature is near the top of my list. It provides the ability to get to know someone a lot better, and to share contact information such as phone numbers and email addresses. It gives members that really HAVE to protect their identity the chance to interact a little more freely.

How about you?

 

[Clarkefan]

Let's change directions for a minute.

What are YOUR favorite features on Virginia Preps?

Personally, the ability to have a private conversation via the "Conversation" feature is near the top of my list. It provides the ability to get to know someone a lot better, and to share contact information such as phone numbers and email addresses. It gives members that really HAVE to protect their identity the chance to interact a little more freely.

How about you?

My favorite feature is that this forum is free. I wouldn't have as many people I could call friends if it wasn't for this forum.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

My favorite feature is that this forum is free. I wouldn't have as many people I could call friends if it wasn't for this forum.

And we wouldn't have Bleeding Navy to beat up on either. (Even if it is like drawing on an unarmed man!)

 

[Clarkefan]

And we wouldn't have Bleeding Navy to beat up on either. (Even if it is like drawing on an unarmed man!)

[/IMG]

 

[DinwiddieProud]

LMAO! I feel so sorry for your wife.

 

[Clarkefan]

Don't laugh too hard, I heard the guy in the picture is named "Bob".

 

[DinwiddieProud]

I hate it when someone that works for me comes forward with a problem or an idea, without having a suggestion for the solution. So, I'm going to proffer both.

I always love it when someone post a "mini-history" of a high school. It is usually centered on the evolution of the football program, but I enjoy just hearing the story behind the school.

I would love to see an occasional story about a high school. Even, and maybe especially, the ones that no longer exist.

Those of you that know me, know that I especially love the Eastern Shore and Southwest Virginia. But, stories are everywhere, begging to be told. They just need a story teller.

Let me throw an idea out to you ladies and gents. Most of you have a story inside of you that wants to be told. And almost an equal number of you say, "I don't know how to spell, let alone write". Or, "I'm too embarrassed to try to write something anybody would read".

I've got news for you. Not being a good speller, or knowing the best way to write a sentence has absolutely nothing to do with intelligence. It has everything to do with the opportunity for an education you had. And not just if you went to school. Sweet Jesus, I know 8th grade drop outs with a better education than I have. Not because I didn't go to school, but because I just choose not to learn while I was there.

So how do we work around your reluctance to share your stories? What about a private and discrete editor, that you can submit your story to for a few corrections? I have a couple of members in mind. I would be willing to act as an intermediary so that no one, including the editor, knows who the author is. And, if you prefer to continue to remain anonymous, (after your approval of a final draft), I'll post your story for you. Or, you can post it yourself, if you prefer. (Additionally, some of you need to remain anonymous because of your jobs, or for other reasons. This would be a way for you to share you knowledge and experience.)

What do you think? I'm sure a little tweaking is in order. Rod, Matt, would you support something along this avenue?

 

[gwb16]

An occasional "Where are they now" segment would be a cool feature. You know, from our gridiron hero's from years gone by....
That might be a bit more difficult to cultivate into fruition. It would definitely take the village to bring that together. Someone's cousin, or friend knows where "XXX" is today. But, it truly is a small world, the more people we meet, the more connections we find. We have names in VHSL record books from YEARS gone by that went on to lead everyday normal lives. As an example, Jim Hogan of Newport News High School scorched the record books as a QB, passed for over 1200 yards in 1965 or 66 in back to back games - not in the season, just two games! He went on to have a storied career as a Newport News Police officer, sadly, he passed away a few years ago after retiring to Smithfield. Little bits like that would be pretty cool....

Now here's the danger of making suggestions on a forum that run a shoestring budget....who's going to volunteer to step up to pull these ideas together?

 

[MntnrMark]

Could we get a link to websites and/or apps to radio stations that cover Virginia high school football teams with the corresponding team each one covers?

 

[VaPrepsRod]

[QUOTE="DinwiddieProud, post: 247077, member: 5454"
What do you think? I'm sure a little tweaking is in order. Rod, Matt, would you support something along this avenue?[/QUOTE]

I mean, I have no problem with it, but it's 100% not my call. I'm not in charge around here anymore, or even on staff.

I'll try to put in a good word for you though.

 

[shauntclair]

An occasional "Where are they now" segment would be a cool feature. You know, from our gridiron hero's from years gone by....
That might be a bit more difficult to cultivate into fruition. It would definitely take the village to bring that together. Someone's cousin, or friend knows where "XXX" is today. But, it truly is a small world, the more people we meet, the more connections we find. We have names in VHSL record books from YEARS gone by that went on to lead everyday normal lives. As an example, Jim Hogan of Newport News High School scorched the record books as a QB, passed for over 1200 yards in 1965 or 66 in back to back games - not in the season, just two games! He went on to have a storied career as a Newport News Police officer, sadly, he passed away a few years ago after retiring to Smithfield. Little bits like that would be pretty cool....

Now here's the danger of making suggestions on a forum that run a shoestring budget....who's going to volunteer to step up to pull these ideas together?

I don't know who can pull this together but I do like your idea. I cannot see this as an ongoing thing and I believe the assistance of local news reporters will be required but I, for one, would love to see these kind of stories.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

An occasional "Where are they now" segment would be a cool feature. You know, from our gridiron hero's from years gone by....
That might be a bit more difficult to cultivate into fruition. It would definitely take the village to bring that together. Someone's cousin, or friend knows where "XXX" is today. But, it truly is a small world, the more people we meet, the more connections we find. We have names in VHSL record books from YEARS gone by that went on to lead everyday normal lives. As an example, Jim Hogan of Newport News High School scorched the record books as a QB, passed for over 1200 yards in 1965 or 66 in back to back games - not in the season, just two games! He went on to have a storied career as a Newport News Police officer, sadly, he passed away a few years ago after retiring to Smithfield. Little bits like that would be pretty cool....

Now here's the danger of making suggestions on a forum that run a shoestring budget....who's going to volunteer to step up to pull these ideas together?

I really like the idea of a "where are they now". And you are right, the world grows smaller each day.

A quickie. Coach Roland Day was hands down the greatest Coach that ever graced the sidelines in Petersburg. He was an active coach well before my time, but I still knew of him as a "legend" all my life. I actually met him once when I was in my early years of high school. However, I never had the opportunity to know him personally.

A decade or so ago I was doing work at an old historic church in Petersburg and the lady that was my primary contact mentioned her daughter by name during casual conversation. A bell went off in my head. As we talked a little more I found out she had named her daughter after her grandfather, the great Coach Roland Day. (No, not Roland. LOL). Over the years, this lady's family and mine have grown very close, sharing many a meal and many a story.

And, to make this circle even tighter, the highly respected, long term Coach and AD at Prince George, Billy Russell, is also Coach Day's grandson. I've know Coach Russell for years, but did not know until I met his sister that he too had the bloodline of Coach Day.

Everyone has these stories to share. Why don't you?

 

[DinwiddieProud]

I would like to see a convenient way to provide a gift membership to Preps.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

I wish there was a catagory that was organized to track football coaches openings and new hires, organized under the affected school.

While I'm wishing, I would love this thread to be updated with the the roster of assistant coaches and their duties and areas of responsibilities as it evolves.

But I realize this would be a monumental undertaking. Plus it would take someone with resources and connections.

But what the heck, go big or go home!!!

 

[mbonape1]

I am liking the new homepage redesign. I also like that the forums aren't buried in the site anymore and you can see the convo's from the homepage.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

I am liking the new homepage redesign. I also like that the forums aren't buried in the site anymore and you can see the convo's from the homepage.

I agree. Hopefully the easy access will pique the interest of more fans.