To understand the psychology of negativism on sports boards, one must consider the milieu in which this behavior occurs. Because the negative poster's perception is often weak, his or her perceived power becomes colored by the poster's anonymity and sense of omnipotence. The poster's delusion of omnipotence is derived in the way in which his or her need for attention is met by posting negative comments on Internet boards and then hiding behind anonymity. But negativism is usually not successful for long because sooner or later a poster practicing it is ridiculed or rejected. Consequently, the negativistic poster is never really happy in spite of his or her perceived victories because he or she cannot help feeling inferior to those he or she is criticizing.
Note: I appreciate the positive tone from posters during the last two weeks but am weary that negativism may rear its ugly head again should the Flashes lose another game. If Kent is unable to win out, I hope posters on this board use discretion in their postings.
This post was edited on 10/30 6:49 PM by nashvillegoldenflash
Posted on 10/30 10:14 AM | IP: Logged
NGF...it's the nature of the beast.
It's like going to a game and hearing the things shouted by people in the crowd.
There's nothing wrong with criticism, especially if warranted. What upsets me is the lack of class by certain individuals (and I'm not talking about any of the regulars here).
There were a couple posters that forced me to shut down the free board a couple years ago. They said some nasty things about Doug Martin and Julian Edelman. It went way beyond criticism and became personal in nature.
It's the type of thing I'd expect from a middle school child, not an adult.
At any rate, message boards are the quietest when the team is winning. It's the same at the Notre Dame board...same at Ohio State...Michigan...etc.
As I said in another post, my preseason pick to win the league was Temple. I stick to that prediction, although I'd love to be wrong.
I expected KSU to compete for the MAC title this season and they are doing it. I expect them to compete for that title for several years to come.
Last season, even in a losing year I thought the program took a giant step forward. This year, they overcame many things that in the past would have crippled a Kent State team. That proved to me that this program is in good hands and good things are on the horizon. Hopefully it happens this season, but if it doesn't:
Next season the Golden Flashes return every starter except Jameson Konz, Kevin Hogan, Anthony Mirando and Aaron Hull. They lose part-time starters Dante Campbell and Danny Sadler.
They return 12 of 15 players that have scored a point including their top 5 scorers (Cortez, Goode, Terry, Archer, Simpson).
It's kind of funny...the next year after that, 2011, they return almost as many starters.
This reminds me a lot of the rebuilding project at Notre Dame after the 2006 season.
The Irish started a bunch of freshmen and sophomores in 2007 and went 3-9. Then they went 7-6 in 2008 and are 5-2 without much competition the rest of the way.
Kent State's freshmen and sophomores are playing like Notre Dame's did in 2008. They are ahead of schedule.
This team is more talented and deep, which is just as important, than any team I've witnessed at Kent State.
Coach Martin said it best in his weekly media conference:
"Hopefully we keep winning and people keep coming. But we need people in this community and this area to get invested in our football program. We understand that we have to win to make that happen, and hopefully we keep doing that. We certainly need everybody here we can get here."
Win and they'll come. Martin knows it. The Flashes know it. They know when they lose they'll be criticized.
I just hope that criticism remains respectful to the individuals that make up that team. It makes for a better message board!
Posted on 10/30 10:54 AM | IP: Logged
Steve with regards to the fan support. Is the team doing anything to get out in the community. I realize they have busy schedules but sending some players to some youth practices etc would not hurt. There are a ton of youth programs within 15 miles of Kent and reaching the kids would be great so they can become longtime fans. Also the parents would see it and that is big when it comes to a positive image. In the mean time they just need to keep winning, but win or lose I am behind this team 100 percent this year regardless of the outcome.
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