Column follow-up

There were a pair of columns in the DP today and I think that both deserve a second look and further comments here at the Buzz. Read below if you're interested in my defense of my own column and my opinion on Noah's.

First off, I wrote one about Coach Bagnoli's use of the term adversity. To be completely honest I was surprised at the level of outrage at this column. It was certainly not intended to be inflammatory. I didn't mean to take anything away from the team's victory Saturday. It was definitely an impressive one. Nor did I mean to understate the dramatic impact the loss of three quarterbacks can have on your season. Obviously, injuries can deal a crushing blow to even the best of teams, especially if these injuries continue to pile up or wind up being season-enders like Ragone's.

My point is, in the singular game against Dartmouth Saturday, the Quakers almost didn't need a quarterback. They were so effective on the ground (against a horrendous Dartmouth rush defense) that they were able to get a nice win without needing to throw the ball. Look at Penn's last drive as evidence: 9 plays, 43 yards, and 4:15 of clock eaten up to ice the game with the only pass thrown by running back Bradford Blackmon (a brilliant call by Bagnoli I might add). Yes, injuries to your top three quarterbacks is tough for a team to recover from, and yes the Quakers did so nicely against Dartmouth, but the point I was trying to make was that the Quakers are going to see even tougher battles ahead.

Bagnoli is a successful, experienced coach who I personally have tons of faith in. I'm sure he will tell his team exactly what they need to succeed, and I'm sure he will make the necessary adjustments moving forward. My column was merely pointing out what I hope is a discrepancy in what Bagnoli is telling the media, and what he is telling his players behind closed doors.

For the Quakers to have a successful season, they can't relish too much in their ability to overcome the obstacles they faced this past week, as they will surely face bigger obstacles in the future. I'm sure Bagnoli is preaching this to his players, but as the season progresses, Penn will face stronger competition, obstacles will build up and the mettle of this team will be tested further. All I was saying in my column was that I hope this team is prepared to face those roadblocks head on.

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As far as Noah's column encouraging students to attend the Line, I second that. I have participated in The Line all 3 years I have been here, and will be there again Friday night. However, I am afraid that I am among a very select (perhaps even single-digit) number of seniors who will be able to boast four-time participation in this incredible tradition. Upperclassmen participation, more than encouraging freshmen to attend, is what is necessary to return the Red and Blue Crew to what it was my freshman year.

As each year has passed, I have noticed that a higher percentage of Line participants are freshmen. While it is great that people are experiencing it once, newcomers are less familiar with the customs and traditions of Penn basketball, and, I've found, are often less boisterous than the smaller group of upperclassmen who sit courtside, lead cheers, and heckle opponents. In the old Line system, first-time season ticket holders were placed among seniors, so cheers began all over the place, and everyone was included in the rowdiness. Last year, freshmen tended to sit (a little more quietly) in their own groups, not joining in with us loud, obnoxious upperclassmen in the first few rows. I can assure you, sitting quietly at a sporting event does not make the event special and does not make you want to come back year after year. The sense of community in the RBC is what has kept me coming back, even through these recent dark years.

That could end up being the most lasting impact of the recent changes to the Red and Blue Crew. Now incoming freshman can see a group of people as the "face" of the crew, and will hopefully be less shy about sitting with those of us who are leading the cheers game in and game out. I'll be there Friday night, and I hope to see a great turnout of both freshmen and upperclassmen.