A blog is an opinion based entity, I do not pretend to have a ‘breaking news’ type of site. Rather, this is a place to voice opinions about the news going on around recruiting which other sites more effectively compile and report.
In response to the comments thread on the previous post – specifically Chris’s rant about the fan reaction and lack of a fan base – winning seems to definitely be the initial anecdote to the attendance conundrum.
However, as you pointed out – that is not the only way to fill seats. Strong recruiting classes build hype and hype builds up the attendance numbers as fans want to see what all the fuss about. Granted, this is no scientific formula, but in my opinion that’s how Stoops has gotten Tucson interested in football to the degree they have been recently.
Stoops, whether the UA fan base is happy with him or not right now, helped to prop up the Wildcats and begin to make money.
The first 3 home games in the 2005 season – the first season after Stoops had a full off season to put together a top recruiting class, the Wildcats set a record for attendance with over 55,000. Granted – there was a winning aspect there as well – even though Arizona lost 8 games, they beat #20 ASU in the final game of the 2004 season.
Greg Hansen wrote about the attendance spike with Stoops’ hiring in this article
Wildcat fans have been buying on faith, investing in Mike Stoops rather than waiting for positive results.
I think that recently, those same fans have grown tired of the continued false hope that Stoops’ solid recruiting classes have built and are now beginning to look for the results that have eluded the team since Stoops took over – evidenced by the extreme lack of attendance at the Spring game.
Well that was about three paragraphs longer than I wanted to use up to go in to that – but oh well.
On to the real point of this post – which may end up being dramatically shorter than the above explanation / opinion.
With Butler on board as the first recruit of the 2009 class to commit to the Wildcats, lets take a look at what he is bringing to the table. This of course, carries the standard caveat of a possible de-commitment. I don’t think many (any?) Wildcats fans are just going to forget the mass exodus that crippled the 2008 class, and when a commitment like this comes in – especially this early – it is eerily reminiscent of that.
Butler is coming from California powerhouse, De La Salle. Same as Maurice Drew, who starred as a Spartan before moving on the UCLA to have a productive college career. Ironically enough, they are both of the same mold – short, stocky and speedy.
According to MaxPreps.com, Butler had 97 carries for 761 yards, which holds a 7.85 ypc average.
He split carries with Tito Pica, DLS running back as well as fourth-place state wrestler. Pica, a senior in 2007-08 season, will not be there for Butler to split time with in 2008-09, so his numbers should jump up a bit.
In the real game that I am sure many readers would like to know about, the CIF state championship, Matt Scott and Ryan Bass of Centennial took on DLS and Butler.
In that contest, Bass won the yardage award with 133 yards, Butler won the ypc award with 5.57 ypc and Bass scored two touchdowns to Butler’s zero. However, DLS defeated Centennial 37-31.
Boxscore here
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Yeah it took 36 carries to reach 133 and only 14 for Butler to reach 78. Also Butler’s receiving stats were better as well.
— matthew 04/17/2008 02:31 PM #
I appreciate the counterpoint Eric, and agree with everything you said. I completely understand since I fell off the bandwagon when Tomey was fired. And it’s funny you mentioned the 2004 ASU win, that is exactly when I jumped full force back on the wagon (the Wisconsin loss also helped me along a little). I think I attended one game during Mac’s tenure, I believe it was a loss to Boston College. So I can’t blame anyone for turning their back on the program. I know it’s somewhat of a hypocricy, seeing as I’ve been whining about the lack of fan support. It’s just a little frustrating to see so many empty seats and people leaving early during a time when football is so popular.
And I think most, if not all UA football fans have some sort of pessimistic view towards the program. I have two major concerns other than the defense. One, the running game. Secondly, Tui…his accuracy has never really seemed to develop. I really thought that Lyon was throwing better balls than Tui, and I didn’t get to see Bierne. Tui is going to have to carry this offense on his back. He’s got to live up to expectations this year.
At the risk of repeating everything that’s already been said, we have to help ourselves, help ouselves. Eric, you had written a while back as to what would help strengthen recruiting, and next to winning, I would think the next thing in line would be a rabid fan base. I know if I was being recruited, seeing the fan base coming out in droves would be a key reason why I would want to attend; regardless of win/loss records. Oh well, wishful thinking I guess.
I am praying that this program gets turned around this year. I do not want to have to watch another coach come in and try to rebuild this program. Not to mention the fact that I work side by side with an ASU alum, and sit next to the visitor’s section at Arizona Stadium. I don’t think my heart will hold up to another home loss to the Devils. Either that, or I’m going to get stabbed for mouthing off at the games. Oh, and lastly, how great would it be to crush the decommits, especially Bass. If you don’t understand the contempt I have for the guy, maybe Eric can re-post the link to his MySpace page.
BEAR DOWN 2008-2009!!!
— chris 04/17/2008 03:31 PM #
Here ya go Chris – Ryan Bass’ MySpace.com profile is right here
It was totally ASU’d out, he has since updated it – but it is still quite ASU’y
Click on the “right here” it doesnt show up as a link, but it’s there.
— Eric Hess 04/17/2008 04:18 PM #
Hey Hess, the ASU’y, ASU’d out Jarrell Barbour from Chandler Hamilton, the flip-flopping DB who says he didn’t say to Stoops what Stoops says he said to him — what exactly is his status, please?
Last I heard — and I got it from the Arizona Republic, the purest, finest, most dedicated purveyors of Marooned and Galled Kool-Aid anywhere, well, next to you, of course — Mr. Barbour was spending the greater part of the spring semester in Missouri with his dad to contemplate his next move.
He was deciding whether or not to go the JC-route to qualify at ASWho?! or, if qualified, going directly to ASWhat?!, otherwise known as Scholar Baller Junior College, the JC of all JC’s.
I know you know the situation well, Mr. Hess.
But any answers?
BEAR DOWN, Shelton.
BEAR DOWN, UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA WILDCATS!
— Carlos 04/17/2008 11:41 PM #
Thanks Eric. He has toned it down quite a bit from what it was.
— chris 04/18/2008 08:53 AM #
Uuuugh….on second thought, as a warning to anyone who clicks the link to Bass’ MySpace page; make sure not to spend too much time reading it or clicking any of the links on his page.
— chris 04/18/2008 09:24 AM #
bass and barbour are both morons— thats no secret. i dont even understand how they are going to make it out of HS. they both better make it big with football or they can use “proving ability to lead through athletics” on their resume when they apply to jack-in-the-box.
im glad those dummies are going where they belong— to the jc up north. shame on stoops for even recruiting such atrocious charactered individuals.
— russ 04/18/2008 01:28 PM #
one of my favorite stories is one i heard of joe paterno recruiting a kid. joe was meeting with the kid and his mother and the kid kind of talked back to his mom. joe stopped the meeting, thanked them for their hospitality and said “im sorry, but your not the type of individual we want playing at penn state.”
what happened to that? what happened to character? recruit a total individual, not just an impressive athlete. as much as we knock asu, this goes as much for uofa. we have some real morons down here too. if you recruit loosers, your team is going to loose.
a lot of these kids are very good individuals—actually most. but it only takes a handful, or sometimes one (marcus williams) to throw a whole teams attitude off.
— russ 04/18/2008 01:37 PM #
For better or for worse, winning, not character, is what matters. That’s why DE keeps getting Div 1 jobs even though he always has guys with questionable character. I can’t blame any coach these days for taking a chance on some “bad-apple” who can play. All I read is how bad this program is and how, after four years, Stoops is on the hot seat. Do you think he’s worried about character? Would you, if it might mean your job?
I’ll second the thought that most of these kids are of fine character. To play any college sport and get decent grades is extremely difficult, and the many that do it shouldn’t be tarnished by the few that don’t. Unfortunately in football, a few of those kids that don’t excel off the field might be the difference between 6-6 and 9-3.
— RJ 04/18/2008 10:09 PM #
Best thing on Bass’s MySpace…..
Here Kitty Kitty Kitty….
Devon Kenard (DE) 5th prospect in the Nation from Phoenix, Top 2 choices….USC, ASU.
I’d Say if he comes to ASU….CATS better scratch off 4 loses…Kenard looks like a David Flutcher on Steriods…..UofA can’t recruite because they can’t coach their way to a victory…Fire Stoops!
— Devils666 05/06/2008 12:49 AM #