Jarick Howard
Guest Columnist
I know it is frustrating that the football team is 0-3. Frankly, it flat out sucks. Over the past four years, the Buffs have posted records 10-2, 11-1, 12-1 and 11-2. Thanks to Head Coach Don Carthel, the football team has built a strong reputation for being a winning program.
This year we have started off slow and less people are showing up to the home games. On opening week, the crowd was estimated to be about 15,000 people. After losing to #1 ranked Grand Valley State, which turned out to be a pretty good game. The next home game the crowd was estimated at 9,000 people. Really folks? We are jumping the bandwagon way too early.
For those of you who don’t know what a bandwagon fan is, you won’t find it in the dictionary. My definition of a bandwagon fan is one who only cheers for his or her team when they are winning and does not cheer or acknowledge the team when they are losing. If you are what I just described, please keep reading this article.
Many of you new students are young and might not remember the good ole’ Ronnie Jones era. For me, I would much rather forget it. Jones was the head football coach at WT for 3 seasons (2002-2004). His career record at WT was 5-27. The ironic thing is that he wasn’t fired for being a terrible head coach. He was fired because he was using state and school resources for his own personal gain.
Coach Carthel is not Ronnie Jones. I know Carthel is not happy with a 0-3 record. This team is 0-3 because of a tough schedule and a young team with little experience. This team will get better with more experience. Now that the target is off the backs of WT, this will make them more dangerous. Are they where they need to be as a team? Heck no. But once they correct the stupid penalties, the dropped passes and fix the mechanics, they can make a playoff run.
The season is far from over, so don’t make any plans on the weekends to do something else. Go out and support our team. They need it. We have been spoiled these past few years when the team was beating everyone. As a true fan, you have to stick with it even during bad times. It’s like being in a relationship with someone you really care about. You’re not going to leave your significant other just because a few things go wrong, are you? I expect bandwagon fans from people who don’t go to school here. But for you students who are passionate football fans, I expect to see you out at Kimbrough.