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Date Posted: 16:44:26 03/09/03 Sun
Author: BudManPoly
Subject: Re: What topics would you like to see covered?
In reply to: kjsmith00 's message, "Re: What topics would you like to see covered?" on 15:23:13 03/09/03 Sun

How about ranking the recruiting classes for each squad?

Or, a profile on the conference's big men Parada and the up and comers like Alex Graham, Phil Johnson--I'm talkin' 'bout real big men, not people like Varnie playing center at 6'8". Since the conference officials seem to have a bias against allowing the bigs to bang in the paint, I think its interesting how Adam, Phil, and Alex all have a finesse side to them--perhaps its in response to officiating, or perhaps they are just not bangers by nature?

I wonder if conference coach's would grant interviews during the off season for publication in the Breakdown? Have you sent a copy to the conference SIDs? Any feedback?

I don't mean to be critical, especially since I'm not writing the stuff, and we get it for free. . .but, paragraphs should be shorter, less rambling, more succinct--if there is any hope of gaining credibility from our athletic depts, dum-dum himself, etc.

Also, I have a thought. If we want to gain credibility, we may want to publish this document for the radio outlets that broadcast our games and to KDOC. What right minded play-by-play guy wouldn't want to glance at another source of information in preparation for a game broadcast? It'd be a different take than the standard media guide stats that the broadcasters get. Just a thought.

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Replies:

[> [> [> [> Re: What topics would you like to see covered? -- Jon Ralston, 16:06:16 03/10/03 Mon

I had an idea for both the Big West Message Board and the Breakdown was we should put together our own Big West Around the Horn topic every week. AG or myself could put forward 4-8 topics in a post on the message board, we could rank them, then give the "winner" the opportunity to sound off in the Breakdown.

We could also approach a LB or CSF fan to put together a baseball article.

As far as Budman's comments, considering what the Breakdown is, which is a free fans newsletter by the fans for the fans, I think you have to take the rough edges with a grain of salt. Also, if we want it to be more than that we should decide what the intent of this newsletter should be, whether it is a forum for fans to sound off or a semi-professional piece of media generated by the fans. While the Breakdown apparently is being read by people in athletic departments and media alike I think keeping it "unprofessional" for lack of a better word is too our advantage. It makes it more inclusive of the readership, allows for a broader discussion of issues without being held to "journalistic standards."


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[> [> [> [> [> Re: What topics would you like to see covered? -- BudManPoly, 20:20:26 03/10/03 Mon

Just got done reading the Mar 10 edition. I'm not suggesting we meet the quality of reporting in the LA Times sports section. However, if we are writing to inspire people (fans, administrators, BW officials) to act, succinct = power.

A 15-20 page single-spaced document, even on a subject we all love, is difficult to wade through. Bullet points, bold faced highlighted terms, charts, etc. catch readers' attentions. Look at it this way, most readers would lose interest in a 15-20 page Penthouse letter by page 3 without some graphics or highlighted text!! I like the highlighted quotes in the Beazer piece.

With that said, Jon I enjoyed your article and your passion shines through. Jon you got in our faces and challenged us without preaching--nicely done. I loved the tourney preview. I always read the grades. There was some very good insight in the Beazer interview as well. Nice job fellas.

I am not being critical for the sake of criticism, I really am trying to help. Jon, you don't know me, but you've seen my posts--I am not a negative person. I want what's best for this conference, for my alma mater (UCI) and for my adopted team (Cal Poly).


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[> [> [> [> [> [> Re: What topics would you like to see covered? -- Jon Ralston, 20:54:45 03/10/03 Mon

No offense taken, and I think your points are very valid. I guess my point is that this started out as fun thing for fans by fans, and has grown bigger than I know I could have possibly imagined. So with this success I think AG, myself, and the other contributors need to decide in what direction we want to take this. Do we want to keep it rough around the edges, true to the original concept, or with the growth and success fo the breakdown do we now have an obligation to make it as polished a product as possible. I don't know as of right now. AggieSports, myself, No33pc and whoever else would like to chime in should discuss this issue. I know that you weren't attacking myself or the breakdown, for the record whenever I post if it isn't a silly response, I usually approach my responses on these boards in as much of a detached analytical mode as possible, and rarely in a threatened emotional mode.

Also, thank you for the feedback on my column.


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[> [> [> [> [> [> [> The Future of The Breakdown -- AggieSports, 21:53:34 03/10/03 Mon

Simply put, we have created a monster...a good monster. Each and every week I strugle with the length of the Breakdown, but what do I cut out?? I look at todays Breakdown and there is nothing I would cut out. I took out all the tables and fancy fonts to save file space. A lot of reading don't like getting 300kb messages in their email boxes..."there must be a better way". It was suggested by one of our readers to make it more like a news letter (actually format it into columns) and less like a "term paper". He has a good point. I added the Beazer quotes to try to make it more professional looking. I could do that to all the features. I am on the fence, I think BudMan and Jon and myself all have exellent points, we need to find a way to make it all work. MY FIRST DECISION, however, is more basic than that, and I need honest opinion on this from whoever will offer it. Utah State is saying "goodbye" to the Big West for a season, for lack of a better way of putting it. About 100 of those requesting the Breakdown are Aggie fans. They are going to want FOOTBALL now, but that leaves around 80 who have no interest at all in Football. How do I make this work? I need to make two groups of people happy here. We first need to decide this, and then we can talk about the formatting and professionalism. I think as was mentioned earlier, and I think my earlier polls on the Big West Board reflected this as well, we should have a few writers who will cover Big West Baseball and other Sports, and I will concentrate on Football. One article on each. Then we could have one more article (much more general sports) that would fit for both. A total of 3 articles per week. That may leave room for some graphics/tables etc. I am open and hoping for opinions here, please let me know. And Jon, I love the idea about polling some topics on the Big West board for ideas...get right on that.


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[> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> Re: The Future of The Breakdown -- BudManPoly, 04:29:25 03/11/03 Tue

I feel your pain Aggie--on two fronts. 1) As the editor, editing material that people provide out of the kindness of their hearts, you are in a tough spot. Cut too much, you discourage the writers who do it for free. Cut too little, you risk turning off readers and diluting the power of the messages. 2) you are on the horns of a dilemma re: how to approach the basketball off season. Football is the cornerstone of Aggie sports, but the rest of the BW fans don't care much about Aggie football (or Vandal or Mustangs football).

Regarding number 2, this is the Big West breakdown. As such, I'm not sure football has a place in it. But, if you print it, many of us will read it. Who knows, you may create a new fan base in California for USU and Idaho football!!


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