The Culture of Losing Runs Deep (Editorial)

[KureVol]

I am a lifelong Vol. My first game that I ever attended in person was 1977 Rutgers. We lost. It was a massive upset, but we lost. As a 7 year old, I would listen to the post game call in shows on the radio as we left the stadium in our '70 something land yacht. I could always sense an underlying current of negativity, and phrases like "Typical Tennessee blowing it to someone that they should beat by 30." The program recovered, and Johnny Majors brought us back to national prominence.

The 80s, 90s, and very early 2000s are to be considered, for me, the glory days of Tennessee football. What made us relevant those days? We allowed ourselves to believe that we were, not only as a football program, but as a university as a whole. I graduated from Tennesse in 1996. I lived in Knoxville from 77-80, and from 86-96. One thing that I can't help but notice that sets the Knoxville area apart from other areas of the country, is the underlying belief current that we suck, but we are unwilling to let you know it.

It has been my experience that a large percentage of those people that have been born and raised in the region, raised on TN football, familiar with all the local culture, always clings to the belief that there is no place else like TN. However, it is said with this almost prideful rebellion to the truth that there are MANY places that are like TN, and better! It is like the wife who sees a pretty woman, and out of her own insecurity ensues to put her down to her husband in order to convince her husband that she is still pretty. We have done that with the state of TN football. Instead of just being who we are, we try and convince ourselves that we are relevant, which is actually born out of feelings of irrelevancy. What we believe is why TN football, which represents the hopes and dreams of a vast number of East Tennesseeans, cannot win the big game. What we believe is why we grab an early lead, only to see it vanish and we lose in some heartbreaking fashion. What we believe is why we continue to languish in mediocrity, and get the same results despite having superior talent. When we get real with ourselves, and drop the prideful facade of "We are Tennessee," we can create a culture of winning not only on the football field, but also in the region.

The truth is that even throughout the "glory days" of Tennessee football, the fan base felt as if they were on borrowed time. The overwhelming feeling of "waiting for the shoe to drop" permeated the stadium during every big game. We have truly NEVER expected to win the big games. Except for the miracle 98 season, we ALWAYS choked when the big boys came calling. As long as I have been alive, which is 45 years, Alabama and Florida have OWNED us the majority of the time. It is time to deconstruct the culture of "We are Tennessee," and reconstruct a new culture that forgets about the past and focuses on the here and now. Every Tennessee is a new team. As a fan base, we shackle them with the burden of performing up to the standards of teams past. The truth be told, we need to create new heights and levels to strive to attain. Forget about the trophies of the past, for they end up being overly exagerated anyway. To all my fellow East Tennesseans, you are fine just the way you are. Do not walk around with a chip on your shoulder, waiting for someone to knock it off. Just be yourself. Tennessee football, just be the 2015 version of Tennessee football. We allow you to stumble and fall. Get knock around, bruised up and beat up, but always remember to get up. EVERYTHING IS ABOUT WHAT YOU BELIEVE. Do not base your successes off of trying not to be a failure, for that ALWAYS gives you the opposite desired effect.

It is time for a culture change in Knoxville, and not another coaching change which is always counterproductive. We could resurrect Vince Lombardi as head coach,Knute Rocne assistant, and every other legendary coach that you can imagine, and the results in Knoxville will always be the same. IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THE PHYSICS OF BELIEF. Change the belief, change the culture, and everything else, including the sports programs are sure to follow. Why not redefine what the term "Typical Tennessee Team" means. To quote an old Billy Joel song "The good old days weren't always good, and tomorrow ain't as bad as it seems."

 

[Volsfaninva917]

Too long to read but in paraphrasing I take it your saying we should accept losing?

The sheep tell the negavols to go pull for vandy, how about the sunshine pumpers follow CBJ back to the MAC. Where you guys can compete with other individuals and give a 63 effort for win a MAC title.

 

[KureVol]

If you read it, it is not about accepting losing at all. It is about perspective. It is not for everyone to read. Only those who can see beyond the surface issues.

 

[VolunteerHillbilly]

The time from Battle through the first half of Majors era were probably our worst streak since the SEC was formed in the 30s, until now. Personally, I expect us to be better than we are because I know that until the 00s we were the second winningest program in the conference and, rather that being a team that was only really good once in the 90s, we were world beaters for significant stretches of the 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and 90s. It's not unrealistic to expect UTK to be dominant in the SEC.

 

[barknoxbrawler]

The time from Battle through the first half of Majors era were probably our worst streak since the SEC was formed in the 30s, until now. Personally, I expect us to be better than we are because I know that until the 00s we were the second winningest program in the conference and, rather that being a team that was only really good once in the 90s, we were world beaters for significant stretches of the 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and 90s. It's not unrealistic to expect UTK to be dominant in the SEC.

Your expectations may be your failure.

 

[Bgasman]

Stuart Smalley?

 

[gasguy98]

Interesting philosophical rant. Not sure what it means, accept that we as a state and football program stink and maybe we will get better?

As another poster put it, we have the historical facts to suggest that we don not historically stink and that is what makes all of this so disgusting. We stink NOW and no one seems to know why.

 

[GAVol]

If you read it, it is not about accepting losing at all. It is about perspective. It is not for everyone to read. Only those who can see beyond the surface issues.

I understand exactly what you're saying, but it's way too rational and thoughtful for people who are hungover to digest.

 

[Smartvol17]

Yeah, we need to forget about the past and realize that the program has to comeback from the bottom up. We are at rock bottom right now, and I don't take any pride in that.

 

[river rat]

Interesting. I've long observed that the hallmark of Knoxville culture is complacency. I attribute it to the fact that the largest employers in the area are government related.

That keeps things on an even keel through good times or bad. Wages stay about the same, not too low, not too high, just comfortable. And everybody is working for a government pension that will keep them comfortable if they're able to keep their sanity working in government jobs.

Real estate prices stay about the same, business growth stays about the same. We are about the same. When anyone breaks loose of of the status quo, they frequently turn out to be crooks, or they aren't from around here and don't stay long. We don't celebrate success. We are jealous and mean to motivated, successful people.

We are not a boom or bust town. Either requires taking risk. We are risk averse. We are complacent. Same thing with UT football and other sports. Except the Lady Vols. And look what happened to them.