The water looks cold - I think I'll jump right in

by Glenn Logan on Mar 8, 2007 9:14 AM EST in Kentucky Wildcats Basketball

I was going to enter this as a comment, but it turns out to be too long and detailed for that, so I decided to make it a post.

In a wonderful post just below, JL Blue editorializes on his view of how the more radical elements of the Kentucky fan base have managed to do what radicals always do - drown out dissent and supplant reason with canard and invective. Let's take a look at some of the kind of comments that are generally made to defend that radicalism:

First of all, there is the "I'm tired of fans being attacked for demanding [pick among "better", "excellence", "accountability", etc.] ..."

JL isn't "bashing fans". The problem is, too many fans have decided to abandon ethical behavior under the rubric of rescuing the program from "mediocrity". The sad fact is, the two aren't mutually exclusive, and JL, like me, is bemoaning that fact.

When people like Katman and others decide they are going to make fun of things Smith has no control over, like public speaking, or create rumors that have no foundation but many who hope it is true, they are engaging in unethical behavior that should not be held up as an example of what UK fans represent. I can say without question that he and his brethren don't represent me. Yet the loud, repetitive and radical nature of his commentary are allowing the media to turn Katman and his ilk into the face of the Kentucky fan. I ask all Kentucky fans - is that what we want?

Next up - "The passion of the fan base is what drives this program. We are just holding Tubby accountable for his actions"

Some UK fans think passion is all that is really required of a fan. They seem to take the position that fandom gives one the right to abandon ethical behavior as long as it can plausibly be construed to be supporting "excellence", "tradition", or rejecting "mediocrity" - in other words, unrestrained passion in support of achieving desirable aims.

There are endless historical examples of the consequences of unrestrained passion, and virtually all of them are bad. Unrestrained passion starts wars, creates the conditions for genocide and slavery and in a much more applicable and far less dire example, creates the conditions necessary for NCAA violations. Passion must be tempered by reason and good will, not just to a notion one embraces, but to all who participate with them.

And now, for the Big Kahuna - "Tradition". Much of the unctuous behavior we have seen in some Kentucky fans is done in the name of defending a tradition of success. This is admirable on its face, but when unprincipled smears and rejection of other points of view become the method of defending tradition, the tradition itself is besmirched with the slime of intolerance, the soil of dishonorable behavior and the tar of shameful action.

Too many Kentucky fans have found vent to their frustration by disengaging their heart and brain, and joining in the cacophony of the choleric by applying the Golden Rationalization - "Others do it, so it must be OK". Most of them are probably fine, upstanding members of their community who have for some reason decided that there are no real consequences to being a fan and spewing forth electronic bile, and so have rejected their moral principles behind the comfortable anonymity of the Internet. The right to hold and state an opinion has metasticized into the right to discard reason and embrace behavior that few of its authors would countenance in their daily lives - intolerance, angry invective, vituperation to excess.

Wouldn't it be sad if these misguided Souls of the Program became the face of all Kentucky fans? I have bad news for those who think so - it is already happening.

Tweet Comment 11 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Good take ...

Yeah, that's what I meant.

I don't want readers to think I hate UK fans, or think they/we don't deserve 22 national championships. We, and they, do.

But at what price? Moving past whether Tubby stays or goes -- a decision the administration and Tubby's success rate will answer -- all this other stuff, this excess, is what galls me.

Also, hte word 'vituperation' is not used nearly enough. Bravo.

The Online home of Big Blue Nation ...

by JL Blue on Mar 8, 2007 10:02 AM EST reply actions

Thanks ...

for that.

But at what price? Moving past whether Tubby stays or goes -- a decision the administration and Tubby's success rate will answer -- all this other stuff, this excess, is what galls me.

Aye, that's exactly what I read in your post. Not to wax all religious or philosophical here, but I find it instructive that the foundational principle for each of the "Seven Deadly Sins" (lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy and pride) is "excess". I think sometimes we forget that anytime we allow our passion to overwhelm our reason and "better angels", "excess" is almost always the result.

Sadly, many of the "deadly sins" are easily found in the histrionics of the fans who make such comments.

Maybe there are really eight deadly sins, and the author of them just overlooked "Obsession with Kentucky Basketball".

by Glenn Logan on Mar 8, 2007 10:33 AM EST up reply actions

Just plain tired of it!!!

I like everyone else I'm sure have recently debated the state of UK basketball with more than one "diehard" fan of another program. In talking to supporters of other teams it has become almost impossible to get a point across that our beloved Cats have some real problems (recruiting, monster blowouts to IU and Kansas, losing streaks to florida and Vandy) just to name a few. What has made these conversations impossible you might ask? Every single one always comes around to the fanatical fans that pound their keyboards spewing filth and hate or close to it. The actions of many fans have made our coaching issue a race issue in the eyes of way too many people (reporters especially) and it is getting harder and harder to keep ones head up. It is time for people to realize that they are doing more harm than good with these actions and stop the reprehensible videos and blogs. If for no other reason than the fact that there are people involved, our coach admittedly has had a down couple of years but show me a more upstanding and honorable person in that profession. Now is not the time to act with dissention and hate, now is the time to make a statement and show the rest of the country that Kentucky fans can act with class and honor.

by wldcatsfreak on Mar 8, 2007 10:04 AM EST reply actions

ok

however, are you willing to accept that there are fans out there, and i count myself in this maybe small group, that want more for the program but can call for that in a respectful and ethical manner?

i will never bash tubby smith as a person unless he shows a side of him i have yet to see that deserves said bashing. i will not criticize him as a person. i simply wish to discuss his job performance. it is his performance, not his character, that i feel is sub-par.

by small balls on Mar 8, 2007 10:47 AM EST reply actions

Oh, absolutely .. .

Small balls,

100% I agree with you. I'm not happy. Tru isn't happy. Plenty of well-intentioned and reasonable fans are through with Coach Smith. And I do not harbor any ill will to any of them for their earnest belief that things can get better only with change.

Those folks are great, and they love UK hoops as much as anyone else.

We're focused -- obsessed? -- with the other ones, the ones who'd film themselves blowing up a photo of Tubby with a firecracker (indoors, I might add) or post on a message board something about Donna Smith, etc.

But Joe UK Fan who wants change or sees problems, etc?

Not even remotely a problem.

The Online home of Big Blue Nation ...

by JL Blue on Mar 8, 2007 11:07 AM EST up reply actions

Absolutely

The intent of my post wasn't to criticize the opinion that Smith has underperformed or isn't getting the job done. I'm not even critical of the opinion that he should be fired or forced out, just isn't right for the program, has presided over a decline, etc. I may disagree with them, but that certainly doesn't speak to their propriety.

It doesn't take an expert in ethics to understand that all the opinions above are perfectly fine and not whatsoever inherently blameworthy. I think you, and certainly I, understand that it is the words and methods that are too often used in the expression of those opinions that should be a source of concern for most Wildcat fans.

by Glenn Logan on Mar 8, 2007 11:15 AM EST up reply actions

Couldn't agree more......

there is absolutly a huge difference with being dissatisfied with the current lack of sucess and direction of the team and using that to justify personal attacks and rumormongering.

To those out there how truely love the program and show their passion with class, there is nothing wrong with wanting the best.

To those who just can't figure out there is a line that should never be crossed, you need to stop reresenting yourself as the majority and realize the true problem is you.

by wldcatsfreak on Mar 8, 2007 11:23 AM EST reply actions

Wow

Well put. Someone send this into the Herald-Leader. I think everyone in the state should read this.

by shamsway on Mar 8, 2007 12:36 PM EST reply actions

I don't know...

I think there are multiple lumpings in with little effort to make any seperation.

First, anyone who is critical of Tubby is lumped together. Some are critical but believe (for whatever reasons) that Tubby should stay on but make varying degrees of changes.

Then all the people who want him gone are made to be the same, sometimes to the point of blanket charges of racism (alluded to in the statement-the tradition itself is besmirched with the slime of intolerance).

I'm black and I believe beyond doubt that Tubby should be gone. I find the tactic of using prejudice as a shield in this situation is about unforgivable because it's irresponsible at best and evil at worst.
You stain EVERYONE who shares an opinion without knowing WHO THEY ARE or WHAT THEY FEEL OR THINK by just throwing it out there knowing it applies to some utterly unknown and probably minscule percentage to lay down coverfire.

EVERY FAN I know or have spoken to in the real world in the past year or so would pretty much celebrate Tubby's departure.
I did talk to a guy before the summer who thought Tubby was doing a good job but I don't know if he is still firm or not.

The post even melds utterly different issues into an attempt at a coherrent case, pretending they all have the same source or motivation.
This is all a clear cut case of an attempt to blanket disqualify the entire concept.

The idea apparently being if you call those who want Tubby out as racist, whackjobs, unreasonable, and whatever else that can be thought of, then find an example or two and let it ride. The labels cannot be disproven and the attempt to some degree infers the need for defense.

I'll try to talk about the items that where pointed out as the problems.

Public speaking (which can be learned and polished or else colleges and HS are stealing $$$, btw) is fair game because it is absolutely a part of the job.

A coach HAS to communicate, if he cannot he is worthless.
A coach must be able to get his players to understand what they are suppose to do, how to do it better, their roles, and his expectations. He must communicate with his fanbase (or forego massive amounts of his pay), his job is to "sell" us on him and the state of the program. A coach must communicate with recruits, HS and AAU coaches, friends and parents.

IT'S PART OF HIS JOB AND FAIR GAME JUST LIKE AN ACTOR'S DELIVERY.

Creating rumors.
Only a positive can be PROVEN.
I was not a fly on the many walls in question.
I cannot say if the word going around last Summer was true or false. I will say I have reason to believe the people that shared the information believed it themselves.
Joy is hard to fake, especially for the angry and frustrated. I have ZERO belief that anyone I'm familiar with created any rumor. Spread, is a different matter.

Abandoning reason and goodwill.
Sounds high and mighty. Envokes a reponse but it's just there standing on a set of lose assumptions and judgements.

Goodwill? What does that mean? Can you want all the best for something or someone (at least from their point of view) that you believe is damaging something you care about?

Being loud, with repeatitive, radical commentary.

The squeaky wheel gets the oil and silence gets you ignored or lumped in to accepting.
Repeating issue with unresolved problems is both logical and to be expected.

Your mom probably told you to clean your room when you were a teen until you did it or moved out.

3. Radical commentary.
This is a non-starter issue, in my opinion.
You state your case and back it up. That's it.
The term "radical commentary" is in my opinion only used to either describe a groundbreaking view point or in an effort to silence "heresy".

The entire statement reads to shut up and leave Tubby alone, and if you do not you have some serious character flaw(s).

Most of the rest (including the responses) is some feeble attempt say Tubby is good and honorable and that should suffice. Which is crap.

We can get a nun that coached HS to be as good and honorable, maybe even moreso than Tubby Smith at a substantial discount.
The Kentucky Coach's job is to win big, competing for and winning championships.

EVERY coach has the responsibity to run a clean program. EVERY SINGLE ONE, not just Orlando Smith.
Running a clean program is no less demanded than a cashier is expected not to rob the register or like your Dr is supposed to do what he can to help you recover.
It's a GIVEN, in the sense that NOTHING ELSE CAN BE TOLERATED.

Beyond that and having his players make progress towards graduation being "decent, classy, and honorable" are FLUFF.
The fame, influence, power, and huge money is for being the best of the best not for being a great guy.

I promise you there have been better men than Tubby and I, and will be in the future, none of them are or will be rewarded with a huge payday for their "goodness".

I am proud to associate with those who not only want but demand that Kentucky Basketball be the greatest program in the game.
I am deeply ashamed to be connected in anyway with those who can stomach anything else. It's like encouraging your child to be an orderly when they clearly have doctor.

If you love something then you want the best for it.

by Bluegrassking on Mar 9, 2007 6:20 AM EST reply actions

Thanks ...

for taking the time to make such a long comment.

I'll respond to your points as best I can understand them:

All critics of Smith are lumped together regardless of the fundamental propriety of their arguments;
I "alluded to" racism;
I I implied or stated that Tubby Smith is an honorable man who should be left alone, and anyone who disagrees with me is wrong.

I made exactly none of these points. When you read commentary, do you actually read the words, or have you decided what it is all about before you finish the first paragraph? I am betting the latter.

Nowhere in my commentary did I defend Smith, his honor or his coaching, address his race in any way whatever, nor suggest that those holding the opinion that Smith should be dismissed were all the same. To the contrary, I addressed that last point in a comment above.

You have erected an impressive strawman, but in attempting to dash it asunder, you have rejected logic in favor of the very vitriol I decry in my post. Since I didn't do any of the things you accuse me of, you had to do them for me, then demonstrate how easy it is to use logical fallacies and invalid reasoning to defeat your own arguments.

You appear to be the very archetype of one of the many types of commenters I intended to criticize in my post - those intolerant of the views of others, simplistically disdainful of everything to do with Smith, and so obsessed that you can't read any form of dissent from or criticism of your view without restating it into a form you can attack.

Finally, using your own race to impute racial intent to my comments is the highest form of unethical behavior and is worthy of serious opprobrium. You should be ashamed, but for some reason, I don't believe you are.

by Glenn Logan on Mar 9, 2007 7:44 AM EST up reply actions

UK's role in this

I remain convinced that UK has to go on the offensive with this kind of stuff. They shouldn't lower themselves to respond to individual actions, but they have to put out the message to the media that these guys are in the minority. Out-of-town journalists need to hear more about the positives of UK's fan base: a continually packed Rupp Arena (with crowds, btw, who still cheer like hell when Tubby is announced), sold-out Midnight Madness, the positive crowds that turn out when Tubby makes public appearances in malls, etc. I always think back to Tubby's secretary's comments a couple years back -- they were something to the effect that Tubby gets less hate mail and more positive mail than any UK coach she's worked for.

"Crazy redneck fans with unrealistic expectations" is too easy of a theme for journalists to fall back on. Mitch and company have to fight that year-round and promote the program and the fan base in a positive light. As far as I can tell, they fail miserably to do this.

by dave @ A Sea Of Blue on Mar 9, 2007 6:44 AM EST reply actions