ESPN's Van Pelt rips Maryland students for lack of support

"I was as angry....I still am," he began. "I may say things that get me into trouble. I just don't care. When I turned on the television and I saw that wall where the students are supposed to sit and it looked like the Longwood game, all I wondered is what happened to my university.

"And I know what happened: They started letting in a lot more smart people that are really driven about their futures, and you guys had to study last night, and good for you. We had class back when I went to school, too. And we went to games. Because part of a college experience is a well-rounded experience, and going to athletic games is a big part of that.

"And our students right now at Maryland have this attitude where they can't be bothered to go. Like the football games, they come late and leave early. There was a football game this fall where it was about 50-to-Idontevenknow against Wake Forest, and the student section was empty. I think it was 'hot' that day, or something.


http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsport....l?hpid=newswell

 

Kids aren't going to high school games anymore either. They aren't going to necessarily start when they arrive at college.

 

Van Pelt woulda' HATED going to school at Pitt then.

 

Clearly they need a new stadium in a better location.

 

I, for one, never considered going to class to be a core part of my college experience. I got SVP's back on this one.

 

Ha. Agreed. Although in the end I did end up going to more classes than sporting events and parties.

Just barely.

 

I like Fridge but he is running their fathers offense. Maryland needs to bring in someone like Mike Leach to generate some excitement in the program.

 

You work at ESPN! Nothing's gonna get you in trouble... unless you sexually harass someone. And even then... <veiledmiketiricoreference>

 

So Van Pelt thinks it has to do kids today being serious and wanting to study too much? Seriously, did I read that right?

Umm, no, I think it probably has more to do with the internet, facebook, X-boxes, I--Pods, 400 satellite channels and the fact that the party outside the stadium is more fun than the game itself. Today's kids have so many other damn diversions and distractions it's hard to get as caught up in how old State U is doing.

 

The Mizzou games I've seen this year are also pretty sparsely attended.

 

"And I know what happened: They started letting in a lot more smart people that are really driven about their futures,

You can bet your ass attendance will never be a problem in the SEC.