I'm confused by some Vol fans' loyalties

#76
#76
TacomaJPP said:
What does it mean to be a loyal college football fan. Better yet, what is a VFL? What exactly is a VFL loyal to?

Is a VFL loyal to the university, the athletic director, the players, the coach, the program?

Everyone will have their own definition and opinion. That's fine. What confuses me is how some fans seem to put their loyalty to a coach, rather than the program. Coaches come and go. Coaches get paid. Being a coach is a job. Coaches can be motivated by many factors and swayed by many other factors. Coaches are men and can disappoint.

I've watched "VFLs" vehemently defend some of our recent coaches (Fulmer in the end, Dooley until the end, CBJ getting a raise). Do I think they have ill intentions? No. Maybe just misguided loyalties.

I want to see the program succeeded. That means young men succeed and grow. That means coaches succeed and grow. Some players won't, neither will some coaches. As fans we should support them, but our loyalty should belong to the long-term health of the program. It will make us better fans and help us make decisions that are steeped in logic and strategy and less in emotion and reaction.

As a disclaimer, I like CBJ and think he's got us on the right track, I just get really confused by people putting coaches (and not just giving CBJ a raise for instance) ahead of the program.

Flame away.
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I wonder if you've considered that constant coaching carousels are detrimental to a program, thus espousing patience with what we believe to be a good coach would be loyalty to the program.
 
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#77
#77
Orange_Crush said:
I wonder if you've considered that constant coaching carousels are detrimental to a program, thus espousing patience with what we believe to be a good coach would be loyalty to the program.
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Flux is bad. I agree. I really was baffled at the Fulmer love, not so much the CBJ love, as it is more understandable.
 
#80
#80
MWAVolfan said:
I dont know if VFL was meant for players or not. I'm OK if its a player thing. Here's what I know.... I spent six year of my life and money at UT and they were gracious enough to give me two degrees for my trouble. That makes me a Tennessee Volunteer whether they like it or not.

I was blessed and spoiled to have been at Tennessee during what was probably the best period of time in the history of the program, so I, in fact have actually seen with my own eyes what great football looks like and sounds like in Neyland Stadium.

The truth is I dont know if Tennessee will ever get back there. Maybe Butch Jones is the guy that does it, maybe he isnt. I know he can talk a big game and recruits seem to be buying it, so he can have a token raise if he wants one.

As far as where loyalties lie, my loyalty is to the Orange and White and the Orange and White ONLY. My loyalty is not to Butch Jones, my loyalty is not to any player, my loyalty is not to "third down for what" and my loyalty is not to Smokey Grey :) My loyalty is to the collective entity called UT football.

My somewhat cynical view is that coach Jones may care a great deal about UT football, but he gets PAID to care about it. However deep his loyalty is to UT, I have to keep in mind that he was once "all in" for two other universities no matter how many times he claims this is his "dream job". Comparing his loyalty to say that of Phil Fulmer is not even possible for reasons I should not have to explain. What I do know for sure is that no matter how good CBJ is, he will not be the last coach of the UT football team.

I take the same view of players no matter how great they were on the field. I always have to remember that players (especially the great ones) go play football at the school that gives them the best shot at the NFL. Thats what the college game is, its a stepping stone to the professional football league. Unless you or your family hail from Tennessee, I doubt you played football for UT because you didnt ever want to play for any other team no matter what. You played for Tennessee because of the national exposure, or because you thought the coaches gave you the best chance to shine or because the team was winning or because you filled a specific need that you could not fill at another school. Thats all totally fine, but my loyalty is to the Orange and White. As a coach or a player, you are temporary. A page in the book of UT football history. I will remember you fondly, but I have to focus on the next week, the next season, the next conference title. Butch Jones may be the coach of another school one day, but I'll always be a Volunteer.

I want my TEAM to win. Period. That is my greatest desire, that glory be brought to my Alma mater. But at a bare minimum I ask that you as a coach/player/administrator dont continually embarrass my university and by extension embarrass me. On balance, many of the events of the last seven years have done just that. The fact that I am still calling myself a Volunteer proves my loyalty to the University.

I dont get paid dime to hold a candle for UT, in fact I had to pay dearly for the privilege. I do it because I am a Volunteer. I cant just choose to root for another team. I am all in. That's all I ask for in return even though I know those people are only temporary. What is permanent is the Orange and White. You cant really be loyal to anything else.
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This should be a sticky and required reading for all volnation members. Thank you I do not believe anyone could have said it better!
 
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#81
#81
I was born into a Vol family. No I wasn't blessed or smart enough to be able to go to my home states institution. Nor was I gifted enough athletically to play there even though I dreamed about it as a child and tried my best to make it happen. Hell I've never even had the privilege to grace Neyland Stadium for a game. But my children bleed orange just like me. And I promise you all the tradition will continue in my family long after I'm gone.

To me the meaning of Vol for life is simply that, a Vol for life. If you believe it only applies to the players or former and current staff, alum or faculty, I believe you are wrong. The passion that consumes me for UT is only surpassed by my love for my family and close personal friends.

I am a VFL. And to those out there that feel the same as I do, you are too. And I dare anyone out there to try and tell me otherwise. GBO!!!
 
#85
#85
LWSVOL said:
Tennessee sent me a license plate with VFL on it as well as a couple of window stickers with VFL. They think I'm a VFL. :)
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You must have put your $$$ where your mouth is.
A welcome change.


Now, you are valued:birgits_giggle:
 
#86
#86
While I agree that the actual term VFL is meant for former players and coaches, I think it is reasonable that fans call themselves VFL too. I recently told my daughter there are three ways you can get your VFL card: 1. Be born in the state of Tennessee which makes you a Volunteer. 2. Go to the University of Tennessee which makes you a Volunteer. 3. Volunteer to serve in the armed forces which makes you a Volunteer in the purest sense of the word. She is 13 and developing a love for the Vols but she was born on an Air Force Base in South Carolina. She's already a fan, but I hope she becomes a VFL some day.
 
#87
#87
If you are a Tennessee fan, have been a fan, continue to be a fan, and remain a fan your whole life then you are a VFL. They give you the official ring & badge on your death bed or they bury you with it:).
 
#88
#88
MWAVolfan said:
I dont know if VFL was meant for players or not. I'm OK if its a player thing. Here's what I know.... I spent six year of my life and money at UT and they were gracious enough to give me two degrees for my trouble. That makes me a Tennessee Volunteer whether they like it or not.

I was blessed and spoiled to have been at Tennessee during what was probably the best period of time in the history of the program, so I, in fact have actually seen with my own eyes what great football looks like and sounds like in Neyland Stadium.

The truth is I dont know if Tennessee will ever get back there. Maybe Butch Jones is the guy that does it, maybe he isnt. I know he can talk a big game and recruits seem to be buying it, so he can have a token raise if he wants one.

As far as where loyalties lie, my loyalty is to the Orange and White and the Orange and White ONLY. My loyalty is not to Butch Jones, my loyalty is not to any player, my loyalty is not to "third down for what" and my loyalty is not to Smokey Grey :) My loyalty is to the collective entity called UT football.

My somewhat cynical view is that coach Jones may care a great deal about UT football, but he gets PAID to care about it. However deep his loyalty is to UT, I have to keep in mind that he was once "all in" for two other universities no matter how many times he claims this is his "dream job". Comparing his loyalty to say that of Phil Fulmer is not even possible for reasons I should not have to explain. What I do know for sure is that no matter how good CBJ is, he will not be the last coach of the UT football team.

I take the same view of players no matter how great they were on the field. I always have to remember that players (especially the great ones) go play football at the school that gives them the best shot at the NFL. Thats what the college game is, its a stepping stone to the professional football league. Unless you or your family hail from Tennessee, I doubt you played football for UT because you didnt ever want to play for any other team no matter what. You played for Tennessee because of the national exposure, or because you thought the coaches gave you the best chance to shine or because the team was winning or because you filled a specific need that you could not fill at another school. Thats all totally fine, but my loyalty is to the Orange and White. As a coach or a player, you are temporary. A page in the book of UT football history. I will remember you fondly, but I have to focus on the next week, the next season, the next conference title. Butch Jones may be the coach of another school one day, but I'll always be a Volunteer.

I want my TEAM to win. Period. That is my greatest desire, that glory be brought to my Alma mater. But at a bare minimum I ask that you as a coach/player/administrator dont continually embarrass my university and by extension embarrass me. On balance, many of the events of the last seven years have done just that. The fact that I am still calling myself a Volunteer proves my loyalty to the University.

I dont get paid dime to hold a candle for UT, in fact I had to pay dearly for the privilege. I do it because I am a Volunteer. I cant just choose to root for another team. I am all in. That's all I ask for in return even though I know those people are only temporary. What is permanent is the Orange and White. You cant really be loyal to anything else.
Click to expand...

:good!::thumbsup::salute::yes::clap:

This guy gets it! Well said.
 
#89
#89
TacomaJPP said:
What does it mean to be a loyal college football fan. Better yet, what is a VFL? What exactly is a VFL loyal to?

Is a VFL loyal to the university, the athletic director, the players, the coach, the program?

Everyone will have their own definition and opinion. That's fine. What confuses me is how some fans seem to put their loyalty to a coach, rather than the program. Coaches come and go. Coaches get paid. Being a coach is a job. Coaches can be motivated by many factors and swayed by many other factors. Coaches are men and can disappoint.

I've watched "VFLs" vehemently defend some of our recent coaches (Fulmer in the end, Dooley until the end, CBJ getting a raise). Do I think they have ill intentions? No. Maybe just misguided loyalties.

I want to see the program succeeded. That means young men succeed and grow. That means coaches succeed and grow. Some players won't, neither will some coaches. As fans we should support them, but our loyalty should belong to the long-term health of the program. It will make us better fans and help us make decisions that are steeped in logic and strategy and less in emotion and reaction.

As a disclaimer, I like CBJ and think he's got us on the right track, I just get really confused by people putting coaches (and not just giving CBJ a raise for instance) ahead of the program.

Flame away.
Click to expand...

I think it is a matter of attitude. I have been a Tennessee fan since the early 1940s. My father lettered at Tennessee back in the 1930s. My brother played basketball at Tennessee and my son played football at Tennessee. Five generations of my family have attended Tennessee. Our family have enjoyed season tickets (football) since 1933. We live and die Tennessee sports.

I am emotional when it comes to my University. I defend the University and the activities which it sponsors. I become angry when trolls and band wagon fans attach my University. I defend my University. I dislike those who berate the activities of my University.

As far as CBJ, he appears to be the brightest light that has glowed in Tennessee sports since the Majors-Fulmer eras. Call me what you wish, but I have more history with my University than almost all of the posters on this or any other board. Just my personal opinion, but I will not change how I feel about University because of the trash which is posted on this or any other board.

Negative ideas seem to gather more attention than positive ideas. I guess this is the attitude of the now generation and I find it disturbing. The quality of one's life is most often related to one's attitude. Take it for what it is worth.
 
#90
#90
I like to equate the VFL program to The loyalty of the US Marine. They are Marines for life and when death takes them home, the Core lives on. God bless the Core and God bless Tennessee.
 
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#91
#91
nagle said:
this is what makes me hate every part of your post you make, you have that vandy attitude towards your vols teammates.. i laugh at realist who only look at the w/loss record..you laugh at everyone.
Click to expand...

Well that's just not true. I don't laugh at everyone. However, I admit, there are only a few reasons I feel obligated to post on this forum, and one of those reasons is when people post things I find silly.

ericpVOL4LIFE said:
You have to give a little to get a little . You Sir are not getting any:hi:
Click to expand...

I'm not sure if that is legitimate advice or sexual innuendo. Regardless, he tried to disparage an entire generation(my generation), and couldn't even get the word right. I had to say SOMETHING...
 
#92
#92
utvolpj said:
VFL isn't really something for the fans
Click to expand...

While I have never been a member of any UT organized athletics program, I do have a degree on my wall and a ring on my finger that I believe proclaims me a VFL. Some may disagree, fine.

Consider the TAMU situation. They don't have alumni, they have an "association of former students". From what I understand the reason behind this has to do with WWII (and maybe WWI not sure) where many Corp candidates left early to serve in the armed forces and were never able to return and complete their education. Thus, while technically not alums they most definately represet what that school stood for at the time and still does to a large degree, they still turn out a very large number of commissioned officers I believe. Thus from what I understand they now have the "association of former students" instead of alumni. And I believe the universtiy is 100% on board with this also. Frankly I think its pretty cool.

So while I was never a TN athlete I do completely believe I am a "Vol For Life", if others disagree so be it. Won't change how I feel about my own loyalty or accomplishments.

Cheers.
 
#97
#97
TXA&M07 said:
And lastly, because he absolutely sucked, is Dooley a "VFL"?
Click to expand...

No he is not. He was involuntarily separated and cast out of the orgainization. The previous two you mentioned were not and while Foster caused some ire I don't see how he couldn't be considered a VFL and was a great player here.

However Dooley would definately be an associate of the TAMU organization I do believe! grats?

edit: and just to be clear before its asked, no Kiffin isn't a VFL either as far as I'm concerned! And yes John Gruden is indeed a VFL! Should cover most any more cases I can think of.
 
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#98
#98
If said coach happens to be the coach of the team I like...in this case, the University of Tennessee...I think it's probably better to support the coach and hope he does well than to bash said coach.
 
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