I'll be interested to see how much "latitude" Buzz Williams has with the guys.
The team has published their stand
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Last: 5 yr ago by trackaggie76
The football team is not out on the field for our National Anthem.
Does it make sense for the players who do not want to honor our American Flag
and our National Anthem to stay in the locker room until that part of the pregame activities is completed?
They can make their statement that way instead of flaunting their politics in front of a patriotic crowd who are there to watch and support our team in a basketball game.
Thoughts?
Does it make sense for the players who do not want to honor our American Flag
and our National Anthem to stay in the locker room until that part of the pregame activities is completed?
They can make their statement that way instead of flaunting their politics in front of a patriotic crowd who are there to watch and support our team in a basketball game.
Thoughts?
I suspect that would cancel the statement they want to make.
I suggested to the AD back in August that they keep the athletes in the locker room during the anthem (like football) problem eliminated. He said the SEC decided to keep their previous pre-game formats.
I suggested to the AD back in August that they keep the athletes in the locker room during the anthem (like football) problem eliminated. He said the SEC decided to keep their previous pre-game formats.
I may go to the game - but go up to the concourse during the National Anthem. I'd like to see how many home games we're going to have. Looks like both the men & women are going to be at Tournaments over Thanksgiving - so 1st home game won't be until December some time.
In our litigious society, most individuals in charge of decisions that contain politics are running scared of law suits.
Hard to criticize them for that, and most of us would be concerned too.
Hard to criticize them for that, and most of us would be concerned too.
No one here seems to be talking about banning free speech. I just don't want me and my country insulted at a basketball game.
Costco is about as left-wing of a company as you will find and they forbid political statements at work. That is a totally separate issue. I just don't want to needlessly be insulted. The players can do whatever they want on their own time.
It is childish to pick a fight with your fans over an issue that good people could disagree about a path forward on. And if you want we to change my mind, kneeling during our national anthem is just going to insult me not change my mind. But isn't this what it is all about?
Costco is about as left-wing of a company as you will find and they forbid political statements at work. That is a totally separate issue. I just don't want to needlessly be insulted. The players can do whatever they want on their own time.
It is childish to pick a fight with your fans over an issue that good people could disagree about a path forward on. And if you want we to change my mind, kneeling during our national anthem is just going to insult me not change my mind. But isn't this what it is all about?
With me, simple response to players who protest "on company time:" Bye!
I'm sorry a person was assaulted in Kenosha, but I had nothing to do with that.
I'm also sorry to see 10-12-15-18-20 people get hurt or murdered in Chicago every weekend, but I have nothing to do with that.
I'm sorry to see 100's of people looting businesses in Philly, or Minneapolis, or Baltimore, or NYC, or ATL, etc, etc, etc. Again, I have nothing to do with all that.
Nobody should be killed in any manner or any way for anything. However, when the black population base starts to realize their own problems, maybe my attitude will change. In the meantime, don't bring politics onto or into our athletic facilities on our campus.
I'm also sorry to see 10-12-15-18-20 people get hurt or murdered in Chicago every weekend, but I have nothing to do with that.
I'm sorry to see 100's of people looting businesses in Philly, or Minneapolis, or Baltimore, or NYC, or ATL, etc, etc, etc. Again, I have nothing to do with all that.
Nobody should be killed in any manner or any way for anything. However, when the black population base starts to realize their own problems, maybe my attitude will change. In the meantime, don't bring politics onto or into our athletic facilities on our campus.
I wonder if GB has been asked about any of this. He, along with the AD, appear to be supportive of the team's off the court activism. I am really curious to know if any of the players have seen the video that Buzz did on this topic when he was at Va Tech.
This is my view as well. Disrespecting the flag which will anger some of the very people you are trying to appeal to and anger some who would support you is just not a good idea. The first couple times it was done you could make the case it was for awareness, now it is just old. Everyone is aware, do something that is meaningful and may actually elicit change...rrtodds said:trackaggie76 said:
I would be shocked if they didn't kneel this year. I am sorting out how to react when it occurs. I have supported the program since the 90's and will likely continue regardless. As a veteran it is difficult to watch but I respect our freedoms.
They don't have to kneel. There are plenty of ways to support a cause ... exercise free speech.
A choice to dishonor the National Anthem and the Stars and Stripes in the faces of a very patriotic and conservative community and fan base will be truly sad and unfortunate.
I will join all those who choose to walk out if kneeling occurs during the Nat Athem.
I was disappointed to see a few members of the soccer team kneel. We have a range of ethnicities on the soccer team. I didn't take note of who was kneeling as I do not care specifically. My opinion of their action is the same regardless.
I am curious what men's basketball will do. Buzz has said the players have taught him a lot about race issues this year. I hope he can teach them about the flag and how to properly conduct ones self while at the same time being able to stand for causes that are beneficial to society. It would be disappointing if Buzz compromises his past stance of the flag based on current conditions that have nothing to do with the flag.
Gonna be a moot point for me now. I got the TMF email yesterday. My current seats since 2002 (courtside-Section 120) are not even available for selection and masks are required while in Reed. No desire to do that. My buddy and I have decided to opt out. I will roll over what I have paid to next year. Happy trails!!
Just a few points to day I found out about seating.
No entrance to bowl by elevator......no bathroom entrances from bottom....no access from bottom........
all access from top......separation of seating is two seats....masks always.......doesn't sound like any fun at all.......
sounds like recreation in a jail yard........
No entrance to bowl by elevator......no bathroom entrances from bottom....no access from bottom........
all access from top......separation of seating is two seats....masks always.......doesn't sound like any fun at all.......
sounds like recreation in a jail yard........
The over-abundance of caution will probably be just this year. I'll be watching all the games as I usually do. No elevator, third floor, but Modelo Negra in the fridge!!!
I am excited about this year!!! Gig'em, Ags!
I am excited about this year!!! Gig'em, Ags!
Yep that's why I will watch from my easy chair!
"Not on company time!" A concept that is easy to understand?
Anyone know for sure if some of the team will be kneeling for our National Anthem?
My guess is yes, but I don't know that.
My guess is yes, but I don't know that.
I don't know for sure - but my guess would be Ciera most likely. As far as the rest of the team - no idea.
rrtodds said:trackaggie76 said:
I would be shocked if they didn't kneel this year. I am sorting out how to react when it occurs. I have supported the program since the 90's and will likely continue regardless. As a veteran it is difficult to watch but I respect our freedoms.
They don't have to kneel. There are plenty of ways to support a cause ... exercise free speech.
A choice to dishonor the National Anthem and the Stars and Stripes in the faces of a very patriotic and conservative community and fan base will be truly sad and unfortunate.
I will join all those who choose to walk out if kneeling occurs during the Nat Athem.
I won't watch any Aggie team kneel during the Anthem ... meaning I won't be watching A&M athletes play their game if they protest by kneeling during the Anthem.
If there is kneeling on the court they will soon see ... and they can kiss my back side as I leave.
Won't be watching any more volleyball after their kneeling during the Anthem vs Miss St this week.
They will hear me object at the quietest possible moment.
"Free speech" is a two way street.
"Free speech" is a two way street.
The WBB fan base, already limited due to COVID, may be cut even more if they alienate their loyal baby boomers!
It is already being cut further. Many of my Classmates have already opted out based on the likely
kneeling. and dishonoring our Flag and Anthem. They have heard what the VB team has been doing..
kneeling. and dishonoring our Flag and Anthem. They have heard what the VB team has been doing..
How about a "USA, USA" chant during any kneeling? It is definitely pro-country and can be interpreted however anyone likes. In fact, one would have to be anti-USA for it to offend them. Anyone with me?
Our group of 21 season ticket holders have already voted with their feet and won't be back
until our Flag and Anthem are honored by ALL on our team.
until our Flag and Anthem are honored by ALL on our team.
Given our changing political environment activism like this will be encouraged.
I think we should feel free to give some activism right back to them if you are there. I don't need anyone to preach to me if they don't want to hear my opinion and reasons for them in return.trackaggie76 said:
Given our changing political environment activism like this will be encouraged.
"Bjork supports players' right to protest". Oh well...
Costco is one of the most leftist companies in America, yet they don't allow their employees to protest or wear apparel advocating a political position at work.
A few employees said they were being "silenced" but Costco simply informed them they have banned personal statements across the board to avoid alienating customers and even other employees. But you are free to make whatever personal statements you wish to outside of work and on your own time.
A few employees said they were being "silenced" but Costco simply informed them they have banned personal statements across the board to avoid alienating customers and even other employees. But you are free to make whatever personal statements you wish to outside of work and on your own time.
Bjork's extended comment from the 11/17 live Town Hall as captured via transcription in response to a class of 64 class member question (copied verbatim from link below):
" What are your plans for dealing with student-athletes kneeling for the anthem like they did in volleyball?
Our job every single day is to support our student-athletes, period. That's why you're here. That's why I'm here. Everybody involved in this production. We're here to support our student-athletes, and the last time I checked, freedom of speech is alive and well in this country. It's alive and well at Texas A&M. In fact, Texas A&M just won an award for having the ability to have free speech on our campus. We just won an award for that. And so all of this ties into what's happening in our country right now. There's people that are hurting. Our black student-athletes have been hurting all summer and beyond. And so we've been working with them. We've been trying to empathize and listen and provide opportunities. The protocols of the lining up for the national anthem, that's all set by the SEC. So the teams are out there on the court for the national anthem. How student-athletes choose to express themselves? That is their decision. We've had a dialogue about it. We were proactive in this dialogue. We talked to them about, hey, here's the pros and cons. Here's what you may face if you do this. We've also had our soccer team do it, and I think we also need to anticipate that this could happen in other sports. We have basketball coming up. We have baseball, we have softball. They're all lined up on the diamond for the national anthem. And so our job here is to support our student-athletes, and that's the bottom line in all of this. We need to do that and we need our donors, our former students to support our athletes. All of us were in college at one point in time, and this is part of the learning experience. But it's also part of, hey, we want our country to be the best that it could be. And this is the student-athletes' way of expressing that. The actions taken this school year already, with the Aggie Commitment, and then our student-athletes with B.L.U.E.Print (standing for black leaders who undertake excellence) are actions already taken. This isn't just verbiage. These things aren't just spontaneous right there. There's been a lot of dialogue. We have the UNIFIED patch on all the uniforms, and we have different T-shirts with different sayings. And again, the goal here is to unify. Look, we know people may have different thoughts about the anthem, and that's fine again. That's why it's a free country. The last time I checked, freedom of speech is alive and well, and the reason why they're able to express themselves is because of the First Amendment and because people have fought for those freedoms. And again, we're going to support our students. If we have to err in any direction, we're going to err on the side of our student-athletes every single time."
https://12thman.com/news/2020/11/17/general-bjork-holds-latest-aggie-town-hall.aspx
" What are your plans for dealing with student-athletes kneeling for the anthem like they did in volleyball?
Our job every single day is to support our student-athletes, period. That's why you're here. That's why I'm here. Everybody involved in this production. We're here to support our student-athletes, and the last time I checked, freedom of speech is alive and well in this country. It's alive and well at Texas A&M. In fact, Texas A&M just won an award for having the ability to have free speech on our campus. We just won an award for that. And so all of this ties into what's happening in our country right now. There's people that are hurting. Our black student-athletes have been hurting all summer and beyond. And so we've been working with them. We've been trying to empathize and listen and provide opportunities. The protocols of the lining up for the national anthem, that's all set by the SEC. So the teams are out there on the court for the national anthem. How student-athletes choose to express themselves? That is their decision. We've had a dialogue about it. We were proactive in this dialogue. We talked to them about, hey, here's the pros and cons. Here's what you may face if you do this. We've also had our soccer team do it, and I think we also need to anticipate that this could happen in other sports. We have basketball coming up. We have baseball, we have softball. They're all lined up on the diamond for the national anthem. And so our job here is to support our student-athletes, and that's the bottom line in all of this. We need to do that and we need our donors, our former students to support our athletes. All of us were in college at one point in time, and this is part of the learning experience. But it's also part of, hey, we want our country to be the best that it could be. And this is the student-athletes' way of expressing that. The actions taken this school year already, with the Aggie Commitment, and then our student-athletes with B.L.U.E.Print (standing for black leaders who undertake excellence) are actions already taken. This isn't just verbiage. These things aren't just spontaneous right there. There's been a lot of dialogue. We have the UNIFIED patch on all the uniforms, and we have different T-shirts with different sayings. And again, the goal here is to unify. Look, we know people may have different thoughts about the anthem, and that's fine again. That's why it's a free country. The last time I checked, freedom of speech is alive and well, and the reason why they're able to express themselves is because of the First Amendment and because people have fought for those freedoms. And again, we're going to support our students. If we have to err in any direction, we're going to err on the side of our student-athletes every single time."
https://12thman.com/news/2020/11/17/general-bjork-holds-latest-aggie-town-hall.aspx
greg.w.h said:
Bjork's extended comment from the 11/17 live Town Hall as captured via transcription in response to a class of 64 class member question.
Bjork says ... Our job every single day is to support our student-athletes, period. That's why you're here. That's why I'm here.
I say ... It's not my job. I'm there to watch/support student-athletes be athletes/players/teammates in there chosen sports. It's not my job ... I don't get paid ... but rather, I pay for tickets to watch/support said athletes play their sports.
I'm not to there watch or support their protest of anything.
Bjork says ... This isn't just verbiage. These things aren't just spontaneous right there. There's been a lot of dialogue. We have the UNIFIED patch on all the uniforms, and we have different T-shirts with different sayings. And again, the goal here is to unify.
I say ... Unity may be your goal but the result may well be the opposite. Protest of any kind at a public paid event ... acts that dishonor, disrespect, insult, disparage, even if you call it free speech, unifies what?
Bjork says ... Look, we know people may have different thoughts about the anthem, and that's fine again. That's why it's a free country. The last time I checked, freedom of speech is alive and well, and the reason why they're able to express themselves is because of the First Amendment and because people have fought for those freedoms.
I say ... our smart @$$ AD owes the class of 64 and all who read/heard his answer to the question an apology. He may want to reevaluate his job description or his interpretation of it. His job is a lot more than just being an athletic supporter.
I expect to see about as much of an apology as we have received from our outgoing President Young.
Multiple Aggie sports teams remind me of a line in a Bob Dylan song: "I used to care, but things have changed."
When we go to next week's game, I promised my wife I wouldn't walk out if any of them kneeled during the national anthem. But if they do, it will be my last game to attend while Gary is here.
Meh I don't need to see that kneeling nonsense so I am opting out as an attendee and paying fan of A&M basketball this year.
What is Ross Bjork's email address? Couldn't find it in A&M's directory. Would like to suggest he read the letters to the editor in Nov. 20 Eagle and the one letter today. thanks
MUAG
rbjork@tamu.edu
https://theeagle.com/opinion/letters/letters-for-november-23/article_66ec6322-2cd6-11eb-9a66-af1b0a5767de.htmlMUAG said:
What is Ross Bjork's email address? Couldn't find it in A&M's directory. Would like to suggest he read the letters to the editor in Nov. 20 Eagle and the one letter today. thanks
https://theeagle.com/opinion/letters/letters-for-november-16/article_7a547f48-2764-11eb-9ede-171e1fc2d15f.html#tracking-source=article-related-bottom
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