The Fan Triangle

[VFL-82-JP]

What kind of Vols fan are you? What motivates you when you watch our lads play? What motivates you when you come to volnation.com to chat?

Seems to me, speaking in generalities, the three strongest motive forces for Vols fans are: enjoying success where we find it, demanding championships, and supporting the student-athletes who don orange for us. There are other motivations, but those seem to cover most of it when you really boil it down to essentials. And we are all some mix of those three elements, stronger in one than another perhaps.

So I came up with a triangle as a way of talking about how we're different from each other, and how we share viewpoints, too.


As you can see, I put some dots at a variety of places on the triangle. Mostly, they're extreme points. Here's what I think they mean:

1. Sunshine Pumper -- focuses entirely on the good ... more wins would be better, of course, but the key is that we did win some good games.
2. Nega-Vol (most of the time) -- unless we just won the National title, red-hot angry for what we missed, what was left on the field.
3. Parent, Close Family -- 100% devoted to the players and their success as individuals.
4. College = NFL Light -- healthy balance of demand for improvement and enjoying success we have ... but don't think of the young men as people.
5. Care Bear -- Kind of like a Sunshine Pumper, but with a balanced focus on the lads' well-being, too.
6. Tough as Nails -- very demanding, but tempered by love for the young men who play for us.
7. Perfect Fan -- pretty demanding of success, tempered by care for the student-athletes and appreciation for success where we find it.

Where are you on the triangle? I'd like to think I'm at (7), but I'm probably guilty of not thinking of the lads as much as I should. I'll try to do better.


[it is no coincidence that the "perfect fan" dot is in the orange area of the triangle...I did that on purpose, of course, haha, moved the definitions around until it fit pretty well ... sue me, I'm a Vols fan ]

 

[USMCatFan]

This should age well...

 

[EconVol92]

I'd say that I'm somewhere between 5 and 6.

Championships are special, but the players need to be appreciated and supported.

You can have frustration about a player (JG, Crompton), but they are trying their best and it's the coach putting them out there and not their fault if they are not quite up to the task (few are in the SEC), but sending vile messages or posting vile things about them is out of bounds.

I don't think anyone except for Bray ever went out and tried to lose a game, they just weren't up to the task for some reason or other.

I don't think JG should have seen the field this past year and I felt that way after the BYU game last year much less the Alabama game last year or Kentucky game this prior season, but I can't be mad at him as he did not put himself out there, the coach did.

Remember these are still kids even if they are 20 or 21 years of age.

 

[Power T-Rev]

"Perfect fan" lol

 

[BIGORANGEBUBBA]

I'd say that I'm somewhere between 5 and 6.

Championships are special, but the players need to be appreciated and supported.

You can have frustration about a player (JG, Crompton), but they are trying their best and it's the coach putting them out there and not their fault if they are not quite up to the task (few are in the SEC), but sending vile messages or posting vile things about them is out of bounds.

I don't think anyone except for Bray ever went out and tried to lose a game, they just weren't up to the task for some reason or other.

I don't think JG should have seen the field this past year and I felt that way after the BYU game last year much less the Alabama game last year or Kentucky game this prior season, but I can't be mad at him as he did not put himself out there, the coach did.

Remember these are still kids even if they are 20 or 21 years of age.

Why does everyone always treat players with kid gloves? Not saying bash them or don't bash them. They aren't kids at 20 years old. Maybe if they are they should grow up.

 

[BlinghamptonVol]

I'd say that I'm somewhere between 5 and 6.

Championships are special, but the players need to be appreciated and supported.

You can have frustration about a player (JG, Crompton), but they are trying their best and it's the coach putting them out there and not their fault if they are not quite up to the task (few are in the SEC), but sending vile messages or posting vile things about them is out of bounds.

I don't think anyone except for Bray ever went out and tried to lose a game, they just weren't up to the task for some reason or other.

I don't think JG should have seen the field this past year and I felt that way after the BYU game last year much less the Alabama game last year or Kentucky game this prior season, but I can't be mad at him as he did not put himself out there, the coach did.

Remember these are still kids even if they are 20 or 21 years of age.

Ditto. Good take.

 

[SmashMouth]

I think I'm somewhere east of 7. Lost in the blue area. Drawn away from reality but the inviting glow of Hope, only to realize its another dumpster fire!

 

[sanefan]

"Perfect fan" lol

Yep. In this little "exercise", such as it is, unless perfect is right in the middle it could be different for every fan depending on which point you tend to lean toward. In other words, not helpful.

 

[VFL-82-JP]

Yep. In this little "exercise", such as it is, unless perfect is right in the middle it could be different for every fan depending on which point you tend to lean toward. In other words, not helpful.

I think "right in the middle" might fit better at a place like Kentucky, Duke or Iowa State. Where winning championships is rarely in the cards, but successful football can still be had.

I think at any program with a proud history and multiple championships, the fan base is going to be shifted a bit toward the red corner from the absolute center.

Could be wrong about that. But it made sense when I started placing dots.

 

[Ratvol]

I think I’m halfway between 5 and 7.

Go VOLS

 

[VFL-82-JP]

Why does everyone always treat players with kid gloves? Not saying bash them or don't bash them. They aren't kids at 20 years old. Maybe if they are they should grow up.

I'm thinking that shifts you toward the (4) position. Nothing wrong with that, just good to be self-aware.

 

[Vol524]

I'm halfway between 5 & 7. I know some of you think I am a sunshine pumper. I'm not really. I just get sick and tired of all the bitching and whining. I have always been the kind of person that if I don't like the way things are I try and change them. If change is out of my control and the majority of posts are bitching and whining, then I try and look for the good. I guess what gets me the most is I am pretty sure the ones screaming the loudest are the ones that wouldn't help if they could. At least that is what I have noticed from watching people for the last 55 years.

 

[VFL-82-JP]

I'm halfway between 5 & 7. I know some of you think I am a sunshine pumper. I'm not really. I just get sick and tired of all the bitching and whining. I have always been the kind of person that if I don't like the way things are I try and change them. If change is out of my control and the majority of posts are bitching and whining, then I try and look for the good. I guess what gets me the most is I am pretty sure the ones screaming the loudest are the ones that wouldn't help if they could. At least that is what I have noticed from watching people for the last 55 years.

Great point, 524. That we influence each other, individually and collectively.

See a bunch of negative? Try to counteract it with some positive.

See people being "too happy"? Rain on the parade a bit.

Maybe those social forces push us away from being who we would naturally be. Or maybe they reveal who we really are in spite of what we'd LIKE to be. Where's a psychologist when you need one, heh, I don't think we can answer that question alone.

Thanks for the insight.

 

[southpaw75]

Reminds me of this:

 

[VFL-82-JP]

@EconVol92 , @BIGORANGEBUBBA , @BlinghamptonVol , @SmashMouth , @sanefan , @Ratvol , and @Vol524 , I added a poll, in case you wanted to join in.

Go Vols!

 

[sccshortstop]

Why does everyone always treat players with kid gloves? Not saying bash them or don't bash them. They aren't kids at 20 years old. Maybe if they are they should grow up.

Maybe a tour in the military like most did at 18 back in the day! Viet Nam was a hell hole and these so called kids complain about every thing that is free, but the National Anthem is good for kneeling. Not just our team but for all that are unappreciative! JMHO

 

[Vol524]

Great point, 524. That we influence each other, individually and collectively.

See a bunch of negative? Try to counteract it with some positive.

See people being "too happy"? Rain on the parade a bit.

Maybe those social forces push us away from being who we would naturally be. Or maybe they reveal who we really are in spite of what we'd LIKE to be. Where's a psychologist when you need one, heh, I don't think we can answer that question alone.

Thanks for the insight.

I don't really try and rain on someone's parade. When I see someone that is unrealistically happy I just smile and SMH. I figure they will learn. My wife says I can be a pain because I have a weird way of looking at things. She gets pissed when she is mad and complaining and I say stop bitching and do something about it. She just looks at me and then I say affect the problem or be quiet. She says I live in a black or white world. I just feel you either did the right thing or you didn't. It is either right or it is wrong. Not a lot of gray in my life.

 

[Mrgro]

I think people are just frustrated and it is coming out the wrong way. Like when your in a bad mood (for 20 years) and you snap at someone who doesn’t deserve it. The fans are just tired of seeing the mismanagement of something they love and hold sacred. I am not saying it is right the way some act but BVS is a real thing imho. I really think most Vol fans are #7s but the last few decades have sucked the joy out of even the most hardcore fans. I know my dad has been season ticket holder for 40 some odd years now and it had to be something major going on in the family for him to miss a game and now he is to the point where missing a game is not even a big deal now.

 

[kbear01]

I'm in the middle. Sunshine pumpers say, Praise the team, at all times, no negativity, even when it is abundantly obvious, to the most novice fan. Negavols spew negativity, even when things are good. They only criticize, pointing out the short-comings, and that we will get destroyed by team x next week. I point out the good and the bad. Very much bad, as of late. But, despite it all, I am here, pulling for The Big Orange, no matter what. I am getting behind the hire. But, I will continue to point out the good and bad, in my opinion. GBO!

 

[UTNoFear]

Seems to me, speaking in generalities, the three strongest motive forces for Vols fans are: enjoying success where we find it, demanding championships, and supporting the student-athletes who don orange for us. There are other motivations, but those seem to cover most of it when you really boil it down to essentials. And we are all some mix of those three elements, stronger in one than another perhaps.

So I came up with a triangle as a way of talking about how we're different from each other, and how we share viewpoints, too.

View attachment 347217
As you can see, I put some dots at a variety of places on the triangle. Mostly, they're extreme points. Here's what I think they mean:

1. Sunshine Pumper -- focuses entirely on the good ... more wins would be better, of course, but the key is that we did win some good games.
2. Nega-Vol (most of the time) -- unless we just won the National title, red-hot angry for what we missed, what was left on the field.
3. Parent, Close Family -- 100% devoted to the players and their success as individuals.
4. College = NFL Light -- healthy balance of demand for improvement and enjoying success we have ... but don't think of the young men as people.
5. Care Bear -- Kind of like a Sunshine Pumper, but with a balanced focus on the lads' well-being, too.
6. Tough as Nails -- very demanding, but tempered by love for the young men who play for us.
7. Perfect Fan -- pretty demanding of success, tempered by care for the student-athletes and appreciation for success where we find it.

Where are you on the triangle? I'd like to think I'm at (7), but I'm probably guilty of not thinking of the lads as much as I should. I'll try to do better.


[it is no coincidence that the "perfect fan" dot is in the orange area of the triangle...I did that on purpose, of course, haha, moved the definitions around until it fit pretty well ... sue me, I'm a Vols fan ][/QUOTE]

Great poll JP.... another home run! Also one of the best posters on the board/forum! Keep it up brother!

 

[VFL-82-JP]

Great poll JP.... another home run!

Thanks, NoFear! Kind words. I appreciate them, and you.

 

[PEPPERJAX]

I like it when we win and dislike losing. Either way I watch the games and root for the Vols. Orange defense is my hero.

 

[DaphneVol]

I’m a 6-7 to the student athlete but guess I’m a negavol to the UT administration. We‘ve had some great players come through since 2007 and many who could have been great with development and toughness. Multiple coaches, player attrition, and lack of HC experience spells complacency and falls on UT admin. Thats growing old. As fans we are between madness and depression and argue over whether we should accept it or not.

 

[TJVol95]

We need to support this coach and give him a chance. We will know when he turns the corner either way. GBO!

 

[Vol524]

I just hope he hires a really good DC.