Of the new digs?
I think it looks better. Feels more professional. We’ve gone corporate here, apparently. I haven’t been downsized yet.
OK, I need your help again. The first time I asked for advice, I think we turned this thing into an entertaining and informative site. I almost said a “must read,” but how arrogant would that make me sound? Truth is, I’m not satisfied - and I suspect you aren’t either.
What else do we need to be doing? Yes, Levi is going to be doing live, in-game blogging. At home games, anyway. What else? Video? More photos? Contests? Get at me…
44 Comments
Jeff- The “Fiver” with Coach Figger was the best piece I’ve seen on this most excellent blog. K-State typically keeps their cards pretty close to the vest in terms of access to players and assistants. Through the HCBS years, I got pretty used to knowing only what the media guide told me about the assistant coaches. It was awesome to learn what these assistant coaches go through in “paying dues” to get to the big time. The Festiva story was priceless and shows what coaches are willing to do to pursue their passion. Keep it up!
If there’s anything I’d like to see more of, it’s opinion pieces. I know you’re not a columnist for the Eagle, so maybe offering opinion on the subjects you cover is inappropriate, but maybe find an outside source to offer opinion on what we’re seeing from the FB and MBB teams in terms of recruiting, performance, coaching, etc. Shoot- I’d volunteer for that gig.
I believe, if you can use it because of copyright, you need a powercat in the top right corner.
When we land a recruit or recruits verbally commit such as Wally Judge and Rodney McGruder for 2009 there needs to be a big announcement. The likes of a Recent/Latest News section/ticker would be nice.
Thanks for all you do! It feels good to feel like I am on this inside.
Nick
The new site is too blocky. I don’t think it looks very good.
What else? Video? More photos? Contests? Get at me…
All of the above. I think Kusports.com does a pretty good job of incorporating multimedia into their site. Always tons of pictures after games, some video, etc.
Check it out.
i notice my comment on the figger 5-on-it was “accidentally” lost in the transition. needless to say, i don’t care for the new look.
suggestions? more bball and bball recruiting info. less other stuff. building a better blog isn’t rocket science.
agree w/ Clams. More video and pics plz! Thanks
I think it just needs more catlab.
I know it’s hard to do, but a daily update/feature would be cool. It was probably hard with the holidays. I was checking the site every day for a while but switched to once or twice a week when I saw no updates.
Can the players write blogs or is that against NCAA rules? Guess the Q&A will have to do.
I know it’s bball season, but once winter workouts start I think you should add a 5 with one of next year’s fb seniors and a incoming JuCo guy just to see what each thinks of the offseason and where the team is heading.
And I would love to see a 5 with HC Prince considering the somewhat rocky relationship it seems that you two have.
Daily updates would be cool too.
Opinion-type posts would be good. Also, posts about the Big 12 and college sports in general would be ok every now and then.
Daily updates and Opinion based entries would be awesome
5 on its with
Tim Weiser
Jon Wefald
Is hour by hour updates on recruiting too much to ask? Afterall, the Waffle House never closes for FB or BB.
Other than that, I echo was clams said.
Links to other K-state sports websites, if possible. Weekly scores. A J-Mart player/play of the week.
I liked the old look better, kind of looks dated imo.
the figger interview was very good but didn’t make me feel better about bball.
jeff, it looks much better. don’t listen to sys, this fanbase wants football coverage. That being said, i wouldn’t mind some interviews with the 09′ bball commits.
And pissclams nailed it. My dream is for a website to cover KSU like kusports.com covers KU.
How about a ‘Tyree Says’ segment after each of his games.
You really need to cut someone in the design department loose on the site design. It could be better. As for the rest, just keep on keepin’ on. I have yet to be disappointed, which puts you light years ahead of other K-State media correspondents who apparently don’t have an internet.
Frankly, I think that the old blog format was MUCH more aesthetically pleasing and professional. Sorry to see it go (bring it back!). As far as content, just keep doing what you’re doing, amigo. Amazing blog. Anything to remind us that having a talent like Beasley is basically a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity would be great. Actually, now that I think about it, some stories/legends about Beasley and/or Walker on the playground from former friends/foes/neighbors would be pretty sweet. Bonus if you can find pics of Mike and Kevin Durant hanging out as kids.
If you ever seriously consider a new writing gig, let us know in advance so that we can put together an impressive gift certificate-based counter offer.
Jeff, you’re work is a welcome improvement on information from/about KSU. I’m only interested in seeing something daily. I check the site daily and what you’ve had on the site keeps me coming back. I appreciate you’re efforts. Keep up the good work.
My “Tyree Sayz” weekly blog journal idea has not been utilized. That should be priority #1. I don’t want to just know he was out until 3 the night before I want to know where he went, who he saw and how much BK/T-Bell he pounded on the way home. TIA.
You need to have a “Daily Nugget”! Could be anything of interest pertaining to KSU everyday. We would all like to know what JMart’s Daily Nugget would be
ps - Is there a player in the country that looks better than Sutton in a basketball uniform?
Go Cats!
How about a “Women of KSU” pictorial?
NO WOMEN OF KSU PICTORIAL! Gross.
I guess ku fan steve dave would rather see a “Men of KSU” pictorial.
For starters, the Eagle could work on keeping the K-State site more fresh. For instance, are we going to have to get into baseball season before we see the Fresno State/K-State football score from November of 2007 come down? While the Eagle does run some descent stories, the KU Star, I mean the KC Star, seems to run more stories that get to the heart of more K-State issues. Another example, how sad yet interesting was the story about Stewart and his mother who has cancer? Granted, I know that K-State doesn’t spawn as many stories as KU, however, that’s the job of a sports reporter, to go dig up some interesting, less known factoid about the players, coaches, recruits, and facilities. Don’t get me wrong JMart, I think you do a great job, better than any other sports writer covering K-State from the Eagle that I can remember. All I’m asking is to make the KSU site at the Eagle, including your blog here, a primary destination point where I (or better yet, ‘we’ as K-State fans) can get fresh, meaningful daily stories that other papers/sites don’t cover.
Tyrone, I think that’s the first time I’ve ever heard someone praise the Star’s coverage of Wildcat sports. I cannot stand the negative tone coming from the majority of K-State coverage. And while that story on Stewart was touching, it was also written by several different media outlets A YEAR AGO.
JMart -
Content wise, the site ROCKS.
Aesthetically…well…if you had a 3rd grader using an etch-A-sketch, I suppose what you have now would be acceptable. However, since your original version was so unique and eye pleasing, I’m afraid I have to give the new layout a 1 star ranking that wouldn’t be recruited by the lowest DIII team. Is it too late to get a refund from the page designer?
Barn, O.G.
Jeff,
Our previous record for Juco signings was 12 (11 + 1 transfer), in 2002. Turned out to be great for 2003, then it all went to hell and fast.
Maybe an article about this year’s heavy Juco recruiting class….full of speculation and innuendo about the motives of such a feat.
Godspeed,
Pete
Hi Jeff,
I have to agree with a few folks around here. I liked the look of the old site better, this one seems pretty generic. However, I love the concept of the blog and I think the updates during the games would be cool. Also, I know they may not be newsworthy items but some of the inside or intersting tidbits would go great on a blog… ie, the new hair cuts that Fred and Bill have, Dominique’s kneepads, you know just the off wall kinda things that probably wouldn’t be considered news. Just a suggestion. Thanks, love your work though.
Video blog entries every once and awhile and video interviews would be great. Just don’t ramble like Richman does sometimes. Have a format, maybe weave them into five on it interviews.
Jeff:
What we all enjoy about you and your contribution is the information that you bring to the table. Other outlets are either too afraid, too lazy or too distracted to tell us that “Bill Snyder is retiring” or that “Bob Huggins has been hired”, those are 2 stories off the top of my head that I personally credit you for breaking. Those are MAJOR events and you were the tip of the sword (I like it, I may start referring to you as TOTS!) PLEASE, keep up the professionalism and effort you put towards KSU athletics. If I have one beef, it is your attitude towards Prince. IMHO, Prince is not to blame for KSU’s situation right now. Prince may have never been qualified for the job in the first place. That said, he is the man now and I will support him until it becomes apparent he cannot do the job. I like that Prince is from my perspective working hard to make it work at KSU. If he does succeed, he will deserve all of the credit. Please consider that perspective.
For a “got five on it” please invite Tim Weiser and ask him the following “hard” questions:
1. Why is KSU not being promoted as a Nike Elite program, as was announced last year after Bob Huggins and Ron Prince were hired?
2. Why do KSU fans outside of Kansas not receive KSU basketball broadcasts on Fox, when I can still get Fordham, Charlotte and FIU broadcasts here in Colorado.
3. Why were you completely unprepared for Bob Huggins resignation when it was well documented that John Beilien was unhappy at WVU prior to Huggins hire at KSU?
4. Why was a backup plan not put in place to name Bill Snyders successor once Snyder originally attempted to retire after the 2003 season?
5. How big of a role did you personally play in Bill Snyders desire to retire after 2005.
6. (bonus) Why are you letting your former employer, KU AD Lew Perkins, beat your AD to a pulp in all sports?
TOTS:
Please do an “I got five on it” with Stan Weber. He was very frank with his opinions on the direction of the football program after HCBS retired and I have yet to read or hear an update on his statements in that regard.
I would like to see more recruit info. Keeping in touch and phone interviews with commited and interested. Possibly updates on stats and info. We more “inside” info that we can’t get through traditional media. I would talk to Jordy too and try to get an occasional update once he goes pro.
the old look was better…i liked the “kstated” banner with swoopy graphics.
i don’t care about multimedia crap. i mean, insidekstate sports has great videos and information. the reason i keep coming back to this site is the insider info as it pertains to recruiting. keep the content different…don’t do what everybody else does…
keep up the good work.
Alright, JMart, grab a pen and a pad.
First, we need more ’stuff’. You cannot take a month long vacation every month and expect me to come to your site daily. Some of the articles rock. Matt Figgers article was awesome, as are most of the ‘5 on it’. I like Mama Sayz, but its not enough. It cannot be the only weekly article.
I dont need your journalistic integrity to show here. This is a blog, dog, so just write what you are feelin. If you think Kstate is no better than an NIT team (which they are), then say it. But be direct, not subversive like your attacks on RP.
That brings me to my next point. You dont have to be a fan of KState, but be an advocate. I mean, I dont want to hear a bunch of Kool-aid pumped up my booty, I can get that for 10 bucks a month at another site. But at least make me feel like you want the Wildcats to win. And dont be smug about Ron Prince. Tell me you think he has too big an ego (which he does) and that if he would just take some advice and use a resource like Bill Snyder like Bret Bilemma uses Barry Alvarez then we could be successful (which we will).
Ok, i digressed and forgot my points, but the point is be creative, be supportive (just dont be a player hater), and be consistent. I think. If all else fails, start a message board, that will bring the folks.
Can we get you to interview our new OC Brock? Maybe some pointed questions about how he and Prince will tailor our offense this year. His approach to offense in the past has been more of a spread attack and we know Prince uses a more traditional NFL offense.
I think we need more on the K-state debate team and more on the equestrian team. These teams represent the school on so many levels, it shows…. Oh I can’t be serious with this. I love this blog and I would like to see more in it as in every day a new tid bit. Even if it’s nothing big just something about recruting? Pics and video would be good as well.
I agree with heavyd about the Stan Weber idea. I don’t know Stan personally, but I think he’s got some great opinions on KSU, the Big 12, and college sports in general. It would be awesome to have him provide some regular (weekly) information.
Great call on Stan Weber! H’es sort of a geek, but in a great KSU fan geek sort of way, whatever that means. Either way, I like to listen to him talk KSU athletics because he generally provides very educated opinions to poignant questions. I know he’s an incredibly busy guy, but if there was any way he would be willing to take on a weekly “5″ or write a short column I think it would be awesome.
Good stuff. Good observations. Couple of things - Stan Weber isn’t going to happen. Brock isn’t available to media. And, yeah, I have to stop taking “vacations.” Peace.
JEFF…
What about the PHOTOS…My readers(lol) need “visuals” to better appreciate my weekly. Just kidding…I love the new concept!
They didn’t bring the photos over, but we’ll still be using them. Or you’ll still be using them. You know what I mean. Oh, I also think I have your next “Sayz” set up. Check my most recent post…
Here’s something for you, I’d be interested in knowing what the traffic is for the K-State, KU, and WSU sites on the Eagle, and I’d be REAL interested into how much coverage that team receives on the front page of the sports section and if it is in proportion to the web traffic. Of course, we all know that the Eagle gravitates towards Lawrence for the most part, however, I remember the Eagle also doing a story last summer showing all of the Kansas counties and which ones favored one team or the other. It seems to me that most of the state was K-State country, including Sedgwick county, however, the Eagle STILL has yet to pick up on that. Give the people what the people want or we’ll find it somewhere else.