tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387050766907671577.post6245414340441468777..comments2024-03-27T00:19:55.641-07:00Comments on Aunt Joyce's Ice Cream Stand: Was Jay Clark Given Enough Time?OlympicEffecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11708554152461551887noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387050766907671577.post-90899603429415136402012-05-07T17:43:37.618-07:002012-05-07T17:43:37.618-07:00Just to beat that drum a bit more -- I've been...Just to beat that drum a bit more -- I've been telling my husband for the past three years that SOMEBODY needed to take over Suzanne's "I love you fans, please come support my team" role. I understand that Jay's personality isn't going to like that role. Fine. But someone needs to do it.<br /><br />My gymnastics buddy and I have been going to UGA meets for 25 years and have had season tickets since there were season tickets. Charter GEF folks and long time Ten-O members - both past board members. My impression is that Jay has no clue who I am. My further impression is that Julie has no desire to know who I am. Doug may not remember my name (no snark there, I'm getting old and don't remember anyone's name either) but he always waves, says hello, and on occasion has hugged my neck. Janet reminded me yesterday how many notes we've gotten from Suzanne or one of the girls. <br /><br />That vibe has slid to nothingness. If you're not winning, you need someone in the AD's ear telling him what a great guy you are and asking for a bit more time. Jay did nothing to cultivate that feeling from the fan base. I don't expect folks to kiss my ass for supporting UGA sports. But a little appreciation goes a long way. Suzanne used to say there's lots of competition for entertainment dollars in Athens and she had to provide a reason for folks to spend time and money on gymnastics. Sadly, Jay slipped on the razzle dazzle AND on the "hey, friends, glad you came" part, both.Carolnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387050766907671577.post-45066430119446580682012-05-06T19:44:42.567-07:002012-05-06T19:44:42.567-07:00As has been stated elsewhere, one of Suzanne's...As has been stated elsewhere, one of Suzanne's greatest strengths through the years was her ability to connect with fans and the general public. She never let up on the idea that gymnastics in general (not just at UGA) deserved as much attention as any other sport and this motivated her to constantly promote, defend, and celebrate the sport to anyone who was around her. She would meet someone at a random event or dinner that had never been to a meet and a week later that person would receive tickets in the mail personally sent by her. Then, she would greet them and know them by name the minute they entered the coliseum. Fans would just keep coming back. Whether someone liked Suzanne or not - everyone knew her in and around Athens/Atlanta and has either tremendous respect or just a curiosity for her energy and committment to the sport. She considered this attention positive because it created a buzz around the sport and brought more people in to see what the hoopla was all about. She never took fans for granted. <br /><br />Those fans that only care about winning liked her for the championships they won, the athletes on her team liked her for her commitment and love for them, and everyone else in the area considered her somewhat of a celebrity and would show up at meets just to see what it was all about. As everyone knows, she was a hard act to follow. So much work had been done in establishing this solid base prior to Jay taking over. For whatever reason - not just the lack of wins - the strong base was fading. <br /><br />When Suzanne departed, Litchey also bid farewell as a volunteer; this surely didn't help the situation, as she was quite the right hand woman with PR. Pre-Jay victory celebrations were truly something fabulous and exciting for boosters. Suzanne made sure the 10.0 club supporters were resoundingly appreciated, with everyone from Valeri Liukin to coaches of other sports showing up to party.<br /><br />Fritzinger, Ericksen, both Kupets sisters were great - truly great - when it came to working the 10.0 club events - full of enthusiasm and gracious humility (And Nikki Child's penchant for football players always came with quite the exciting entourage). McCool grew substantially in this capacity during her 4 years. Grace Taylor provided 3 years of cuteness. With Shayla's class/ Jay's take over, it crashed despite McCool and Ding's generous efforts. Breazeal is reserved and polite; no one knows why she's around. Shayla is too cool for school, and Tanella is a peculiar young woman.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387050766907671577.post-56657750932829634982012-05-06T19:29:18.394-07:002012-05-06T19:29:18.394-07:00Nunno is itching to get back into coaching, but hi...Nunno is itching to get back into coaching, but his own gymnasts got him fired for violating several NCAA rules and completely ignoring the 20 hour a week rule.OlympicEffecthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11708554152461551887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387050766907671577.post-5163355326706571212012-05-06T19:28:22.607-07:002012-05-06T19:28:22.607-07:00I think MLT's personality is much more suited ...I think MLT's personality is much more suited to NCAA than Liddick's. Frankly, Liddick doesn't know how to catch flies with honey.OlympicEffecthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11708554152461551887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387050766907671577.post-29199484885020578592012-05-06T19:09:31.072-07:002012-05-06T19:09:31.072-07:00I'm glad that you pointed out the talent on th...I'm glad that you pointed out the talent on the 2010 Georgia team. The team may not have been as deep as the 2007 and 2008 teams, but they still had plenty of talent. Coaching, a lack of cohesiveness, and several gymnasts, from veterans to freshmen, underperforming were the culprits for the team's performance (or lack therof) that season. I do believe that every coach should be given 4 years to completely flush out the holdovers from the former regime. However, the writing was on the wall after the team failed to make the Super Six, and I could see why the AD didn't want to waste another year when it seemed clear that Jay wasn't the long term answer. Jay would do best to take over a team that is on the cusp of making NCAAs. I think he would be much better suited for a position like that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387050766907671577.post-89229185709260489532012-05-06T17:59:49.795-07:002012-05-06T17:59:49.795-07:00AJ-Awesome posts this week! I noticed that you th...AJ-Awesome posts this week! I noticed that you threw Nunno on the UGA coach poll for shits and giggles, but in all seriousness, I think that they should go after Peggy Liddick. Mitchell got a World title and if she can earn a medal in London, Peggy would have done all that is realistically possible with that program. She would make UGA rockin' on beam which is key, she's a bitch( I mean this in a positive gymnastics way), and she can do the media and politics thing. We'd have to get her out of warm ups and glam her into power suits, but she could definitely get this program turned around. Who knows what she could accomplish when given a team where the best kids can't quit when your program is at its peak (ie Australia in the Beijing quad). Thoughts?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387050766907671577.post-33422061634128133852012-05-06T13:57:27.422-07:002012-05-06T13:57:27.422-07:00Jay was very good for the girls who would be fed u...Jay was very good for the girls who would be fed up or unresponsive to Suzanne's personality. He always seemed very close to both Kupets sisters.OlympicEffecthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11708554152461551887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387050766907671577.post-57430149701595134542012-05-06T13:30:01.456-07:002012-05-06T13:30:01.456-07:00Well. Seems as those "hypocritical Bible-thum...Well. Seems as those "hypocritical Bible-thumpers" know what they're doing down in the SEC. Don't argue with success. As for Jay, it has less to do with his gender, and more with the fact that he has all the personality and charisma of a dead fish. Can you imagine him trying to motivate ANYONE? The guy has about as much fire as a wet noodle.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387050766907671577.post-31875910745940431062012-05-06T13:18:46.681-07:002012-05-06T13:18:46.681-07:00Suzanne's girls were the only ones who compete...Suzanne's girls were the only ones who competed with fire at NCAAs.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387050766907671577.post-77904382608412282812012-05-06T13:09:54.060-07:002012-05-06T13:09:54.060-07:00I personaly think the program would have gone bett...I personaly think the program would have gone better next year when the last of "suzzans's girls" had left. guess we will never know?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387050766907671577.post-63081240440507308842012-05-06T12:57:24.216-07:002012-05-06T12:57:24.216-07:00I wasn't bashing Christians. I was noting the ...I wasn't bashing Christians. I was noting the population at SEC football games as being the same as those in church the next morning. I'm down with GCB.OlympicEffecthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11708554152461551887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387050766907671577.post-55437436187479099682012-05-06T12:52:33.489-07:002012-05-06T12:52:33.489-07:00SEC is old school..at least the top tier SEC schoo...SEC is old school..at least the top tier SEC schools..u r right when you said they need a 'woman in heels'..Jay was doomed to start with the wrong gender..when Ohio State beat them at the NCAA preliminaries ..I felt that was the nail on the coffin for Jay, everyone thought I was nuts when I was at the meet proclaiming loudly..there goes Jay..It seemed from the body language of Jay and Julie at the Event Finals with Kat Ding that they even knew it was over for them..like the air was out of their balloon..As dynamic a personality as Suzanne was..you have to wonder if she knew Jay was ill equipped for success at Georgia, especially with her working with him for as long as she has..sad..Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387050766907671577.post-26992506345350447082012-05-06T12:52:02.511-07:002012-05-06T12:52:02.511-07:00I noticed you put MLT on your poll as candidate fo...I noticed you put MLT on your poll as candidate for the UGA job.... any bullet point reasons? She's only been a club coach right? or has she had some college experience I'm unaware of. I do like the idea of her coming onto the college scene but the head job at UGA may be much.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387050766907671577.post-39488035101677852232012-05-06T12:47:11.568-07:002012-05-06T12:47:11.568-07:00Insightful and entertaining analysis--just what yo...Insightful and entertaining analysis--just what you are known for, and I appreciate the read. Really wish you didn't feel the need to start it off with the Christian-bashing, though....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com