Bad News, Good News

Ok, first the bad news. Everywhere I went the past few weeks people who know me and know how big of a Troy fan I am (or those who saw the Troy shirt, hat, or flags/magnets on my truck) have been asking the same 2 questions: "What do you think of Tony Franklin going to Auburn?" and "So, what bowl is Troy playing in this year?" This is bad news because it makes me sick. Don't they know enough about Troy to know we aren't bowling this season? Have we not reached the point where people know about things at Troy? Are we still that unknown for people in our own state not to know we got shafted at bowl selection?!

Now the good news. Even though we blew the last game of the season and let FAU dominate us at home on Senior Day, nobody apparently knows all that! That means that we didn't really lose any credibility in the eyes of college football fans. And that probably means that we didn't lose any credibility in the eyes of recruits....how could we if they don't know?! Well, at least that's the way I'll choose to look at it.

Until tomorrow when they announce the new OC, it's all I've got to hold onto at this point!!

Needing Some Good News!

Wow, so much has happened since the last blog entry and we Trojan Fanatics are in dire need of some good news! Let's review....

First, we get word that a key WR recruit de-commited to Troy. By the way, isn't that word and oxymoron?! If you've committd, how in the world can you de-commit? The prefix de is in direct contradiction to the very meaning of the word commit!!!!

Anyway, the big blow came days later. OC Tony Franklin leaves to none other than an in-state SEC team. Sickening. While we can't blame the man for leaving for more money, it doesn't mean we Trojan Fanatics will wish him success...just the opposite!

That left us holding out hope for the unlikely--that Franklin's prize QB recruit, JUCO Chris Todd would still honor his commitment and come to Troy. No such luck! Todd de-committed (there's that word again) to Troy and followed TF to the other school.

But there's plenty of room for optimism! JUCO early signing day is here today and who knows what that holds for our future?! It looks as if a new Offensive Coordinator will be named in early 2008 and there are still several talented HS recruits flirting with Troy. We have a strong foundation of talent coming back for 2008 and there is no reason to believe that we won't build on the success we've had these last 2 years!

Go Trojans!

All I Want For Christmas...

Well, since I can't have the bowl game that I was looking forward to so much, I thought I'd make a list of all things Troy that I want! This list is one of those "if I could wish for anything and it would come true" lists! Feel free to add your thoughts and comments!

The first thing I'd ask for is a quarterback to replace Omar Haugabook! Yes, I know I'm starting out with a biggie! But let's face it, when you lose someone who constitutes 70% of your offense you need somebody to step up and step up quickly!! That's right--70%! Ouch. And I know we have Jamie Hampton, Tanner Jones and others who have been there along with Chris Todd--the hot shot transfer--but 70%?! That's at the top of my list. Someone who can throw and run.

The second thing I'd like is for Jeremy Rowell to throw the Nickel Base defense where it belongs--in the trash can! The reason so many teams could run up the middle at will is because we had no beef in the middle with the base Nickel. The opposing teams knew it and they ran all over us! I want to go back to the "Mighty Trojan Death Machine" that dominated teams in the past.

The next thing is pretty big too. I would like for Troy to have a real fan base. I mean a huge group of people who show up in Troy to tailgate hours before kick and who get to the stadium early. Folks who cheer the whole game and leave the earphones at the house because the only team they care about is on the field at "The Gallery." Fans who would never, ever, be caught dead wearing clothes with some other team's name on it. Fans who give it their all the entire game. Basically, I want a stadium full of fanatics!

That's just a few of the things I would ask for. If, by some amazing, miraculous event I was granted a wish for anything I wanted concerning the Trojans that's what it would be for me...or at least that's all I can think of at the moment! What about you?

Inspired

As weird as it seems, the devastation that was Saturday has inspired me! I've decided I'm going to do my part and update this site more often. I've posted some thoughts about Saturday below. I'm going to post a "What I Want For Christmas" as it relates to Troy later this week.

The good news is that there is no offseason for fans! The offseason is our time to shine! So that's what we're going to do! I'm going to be updating the site and adding things often. Join me. Please post your thoughts to the blog! We need to grow the Fanatics! If you have problems posting, let me know - mark@4thpointe.com.

Where are the fanatics?

To say I was disappointed this past Saturday is such an understatement that I can't quantify it! But I'm not talking about my disappointment with the team. Yes, they didn't show up until the 4th quarter. However, I'm talking about my frustration with the lack of fan support at the biggest game of the season!

On a day when our beloved Trojans were playing for the conference championship and a bowl trip we had a whopping 18,000 people in the stands. 18K! Where did all those pretend Troy fans go to in 2 short months?!

Do you remember Okie State? We had a nice crowd that day! What were we playing for then? Nothing! No conference championship on the line. It appears to me that when we play the "big boys" Troy fans come out of the woodwork! When we went on the road to Arkansas, Florida, and Georgia we had a great following. Where were all those people?

But my disappointment goes well beyond the numbers. The few that did show up were comatose at best! Where were the fanatics?! (Thanks to Trojan Man for showing up once again...you inspire me...you are a true fanatic!) Several times during the game I looked around and there were only a few up and cheering. Pathetic. How can we hold our team accountable if we as fans aren't willing to do our part?

The answer is that we don't have a very big, dedicated fan base. We have a bunch of wannabe fans. We have a bunch of people who consider Troy as their "second" team. That makes me want to puke.

In life I've learned to deal in reality. As hard as reality is at times, it's better to face the truth and go from there. The sad truth about the Trojan Nation right now is this: The contingent of Trojan Fanatics is small and almost non-existent. But there is hope. There is optimism in this statement. While we are few, we are here. And we will remain. We will grow.

So, fellow fanatics, do not despair, do not give up hope. It is bleak today, but there is always tomorrow (or Spring Practice in 3 1/2 months!). Let's do our part to spread the word before next season begins. Let's get organized and loud! We must lead the Trojan Nation to understand what it means to be a fan! We show up, we cheer...no matter what!

Go Trojans!

Road Trips

Hey Trojan Fans!!! Tell us about some of your Road Trips to see the Trojans play this year! It truly has been an "Anytime, Anyone, Anywhere" year for Trojan fans!

For anyone interested...

We are trying to build a fanatical fan base in section 107. Some of us have previously had tickets in the premium area only to leave because people get upset when we stand and yell and make noise. Our goal is to build our little group of sold-out, obnoxious, rabid fanatics to fill the entire stadium one day. Come on over and join us. We're even making t-shirts!

fan-a-tic (noun): frenzied; a person marked by excessive enthusiasm and often intense devotion.

Welcome!

Welcome to this new site. Our dream and desire for this simple blog is to attract Trojan Fans from far and near to share their memories and experiences of the Trojans. This isn't a place for opinions on the current season or where people call for coaches to be fired. This is simply a place to record our thoughts, reflections and love of our Troy University Trojans! Whether you've been a fan for 50 years or 50 hours, you're welcome here in Trojan Land!

Whether it's a recollection from NAIA football, 1980's baseball, 1990's basketball, the championship football years, Sound of the South moments, or even last week's game--this is the place to post about it.

We would also like to see lots of pictures here! You know what they say--a picture is worth a 1000 words!! We want the words and the pictures. So, sit back, and relax...and post away!