Open letter to 610 Sports Radio: we have to break up
by mcook83 on Jan 19, 2010 7:15 PM CST
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I'm sorry, 610 Sports, but we have to break up. Our relationship was good while it lasted, and I've had some fun, but it's over. I've removed you from my stored session list.
It's not you; it's me. You see, I'm a Kansas State fan. I understand that I don't represent a large part of your demographic. I can't have you all to myself. I don't even expect an equal share of your attention. Just a little here and there, when my team does earn a share of the spotlight.
So, when I turned to you today, I expected a brief discussion involving the game last night against Texas. On my drive to work this morning, the discussion centered on the students' "Overrated" chant. On the way home, you focused on Frank Martin's sideline demeanor. This simply isn't fulfilling my needs.
It's not that I'm expecting only empty fawning on your part. After the game, my wife and I discussed the puzzling substitution patterns Martin employed. Why didn't Martin put Samuels on the floor to start the second half? McGruder was effective; why has it taken so long for him to get playing time? Clemente was erratic and ineffective last night; at what point will that limit this team?
These are legitimate questions, as far as I am concerned. I crave discussion on these and other basketball-related issues with the team.
My mother was in attendance last night. I'm sure if I asked her, she would comment on the intense defense employed by Kansas State. She would bemoan the atrocious performance at the line. She might even go so far as to point out that she could defeat any of the players in a free throw competition. Big talk, but she could back it up.
My grandfather coached high school basketball. He has passed, but my grandmother shares his passion and knowledge of the game. She follows Wichita State and Kansas closely, and will not hesitate to share her opinion on the offensive schemes employed by each. I have discussed the sport at length with her before, and learned a good deal from it.
So, in short, I think I can expect better. There's plenty of other venues which do provide the in-depth analysis I desire.
Please don't go away mad. I think we can still be friends. I'm sure that at some point we'll change uniforms. I know you'll have intriguing insight on that subject. Or maybe the court design will change. You'll be the first I'll turn to for an opinion. But for now, if I want to talk basketball, I'll call my grandmother.
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610 is an official propaganda branch of the KU Athletic Department
I’m mildly surprised it took you this long to realize that.
810’s where it’s at — KK’s drama whoring notwithstanding.
I'm a KU fan and can't listen to 610 unless it's Royals games.
Glad I came, just wish I hadn't stayed so long.
610? Yes.
Nick Wright in the mornings isn’t too bad when he’s not trying to be Jim Rome. Outside of those moments, there isn’t one good thing about 610.
Glad I came, just wish I hadn't stayed so long.
Well, you're among the most reasonable of KU fans I've ever encountered
So what is intolerable to you might be entertaining to some of your, shall we say, “less enlightened” Hawk brethren.
I mean, they have to be making money somehow, right?
Agreed...
.. but I was trying to avoid being blinded by my rampant KSU paranoia. I still expected to be criticized, just for basketball-related deficiencies.
I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. - Life's Been Good
No big deal
But when Fescoe gets on air and publicly proclaims his bias toward the University of Kansas and then proceeds to trash K-State at every opportunity solely for the purpose of playing to his base, it’s pretty obvious we’re not the intended audience.
2 turntables and a microphone
810 is definitely where it’s at right now. They’ve been bringing the love for K-State.
by williewildcrack on Jan 20, 2010 8:43 AM CST up reply actions
You know...
I can only get 810 intermittently where I’m at, so I listen to 610 when I can stand it. This morning, when Fescoe wasn’t giving his American Idol analysis (seriously, LMAO) they focused on Frank Martin ‘hitting’ a player. Give me a freakin break, that’s old news, and when it came out, it wasn’t even newsworthy. I’ll say it again, if it had been Bill Self, it wouldn’t even have been an issue. Drives me nuts, guess I’ll start listening to 580 on the way home.
Good stuff, McCook
I’ll just add this:
I used to work as an intern at 610 sports, so I have had some first-hand experience with the place. Granted, when I was there they still had Whitlock (insecure), Bill Maas (hilarious), and Grunhard (good guy). All I can say is that it was one of the worst-run stations I’ve ever been around. Right hand didn’t know what left was doing, fighting among management and talent, things of that nature. The only person that is still there from when I was there is Josh Klingler. Though he does stuff for KU radio, he’s a nice guy who does a good job, considering the poison they’ve partnered him with the last 3-4 years.
I don’t know how the place keeps the lights on. They have horrible personalities, horrible insight, and horrible callers. However, to your point about wanting more basketball insight rather than the intangible fluff they discuss, that’s the going thing now in sports radio. Frank Martin cussing at Dom Sutton is much more controversial than why Denis Clemente refuses to pass to the post off a ball screen.
www.bringonthecats.com
Can't we just get info?
Is it really so hard? Like I say, trash us, but do it intelligently. I’ll listen to KPR before that garbage.
I have the same situation as a previous poster; I have trouble picking up 810 when the sun isn’t up (Topeka). That’s the only reason I tried 610. And don’t get me started on the snorefest going on at 580…
I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. - Life's Been Good
Not a basketball powerhouse program?
I guess being one of the Top 25 teams in all time NCAA appearances does not count as a powerhouse? And here are the facts:
Twenty-three NCAA tournament appearances. Sixteen “Sweet 16” appearances. Eleven “Elite Eights”. Four “Final Fours”. Nineteen conference titles. Thirty-six All-Americans. Fifty NBA players.
In regards to the snide comment regarding our location I offer this counter-analysis. The announcer asked, “How do you get players to come to Manhattan?” Well, how do you get players to come to Lawrence, KS? Could it perhaps be through recruiting? What is the draw for a coach to live in either locale…I guess one could argue that Lawrence is 90 miles closer to KC but you take away the KU label and you find there is little difference in terms or geography, atmosphere, etc. between the two rural towns in Kansas.
Iowa a better program? Nope.
Tournament Appearances 22, Final Fours 3, Championship Seasons None
Calling Iowa City, “cosmopolitan” was just too funny. I guess if you substitute wheat for corn and the campus changes its attractiveness.
And Miami? Well I guess it would be closer to home for Martin but their short and long term historical stats are not that attractive. The locale wins hands down but is that really enough?
Tournament Appearances 6, Final Fours 0, Championship Seasons None
And to think that Miami could have the same success as K-State under Martin? In order for that to happen Miami would have to be on par or better than UNC, Duke, Wake Forest, NC State, Maryland and Clemson. I mean they obviously were not asked to join the ACC for their basketball prowess and its deep history. And Martin would have to be on board for at least four years to even be competitive with the top 4-5 teams in this league.
UConn, UCLA? I just don’t see it. I don’t believe they are the right fit for each other. The expectations for both are lofty and provide a high level of stress to the incoming candidate. They also would require immediate on court results in order to remain gainfully employed. In the case of UConn the Big East provides the same challenges as the aforementioned ACC.
Holding out on a contract negotiation for leverage is one thing, but actually leaving a program that you built and can now sustain in exchange for one that is in a rebuilding stage to be closer to your hometown is quite another.
I have confidence that the two sides will find common ground and a new, higher paying contract will be signed that keeps Martin in Manhattan for the foreseeable future.
The factoid I like to drop on people
After the 1990 season, only six teams had more tournament appearances than KSU.
SIX. SIX. And KU wasn’t one of them.
A good run of a few years, we could be back knocking on the top 10.
This space for rent.
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