Return on your Investment as a Hog Fan

[WilsonHog]

For the investment of your time, your money, your energy, your devotion, what return do you expect? What makes it worth it? What makes it not worth it?

[bphi11ips]

I've never even considered looking at it that way. But if I did, the Razorbacks have always been there and I assume always will be. Friends, family and loved ones come and go because that's life. But the Razorbacks are always there.

No way to measure the return. It's all good.

[ThisTeetsTaken]

For the investment of your time, your money, your energy, your devotion, what return do you expect? What makes it worth it? What makes it not worth it?

I came to terms with this reality a few years back.   The product on the field isn't worth much right now.  Crazy that some people think it's worth $15M.  I confess, though, that football in general doesn't mean as much to me as it used to.   

[ricepig]

An honest effort, nothing more.

[Dominicanhog]

The return has been non measurable... kinda like kids.. though I never had any.. you love them through thick and thin.. the Hogs have consumed so many hours of my life and still do.. how do you put a price on that?

[Pigasaurus]

I keep hoping for a 2006 type run. That season we got destroyed by USC-W,  should have lost to Vandy and Bama,  and went on a tear. Granted,  McFadden isn't walking through the door but I can still hope. We had the "high school" drama behind the scenes to overcome. And the jackass with a whistle.

[ChitownHawg]

For the investment of your time, your money, your energy, your devotion, what return do you expect? What makes it worth it? What makes it not worth it?

The time and airline ticket for $2000 keeps me from investing in being at the game.

Beyond that I'm invested. 

[PORKULATOR]

That's not fandom, that's business... Or a selfish person in a relationship.

[MuskogeeHogFan]

For the investment of your time, your money, your energy, your devotion, what return do you expect? What makes it worth it? What makes it not worth it?

I expect to be competitive in every game and not shoot ourselves in the foot taking away opportunities to win.

That is really all that you can ask, providing yourself with a chance to win and not getting blown out because of self inflicted wounds.

That's the competitive part of the equation.

Some of my happiest memories come from tailgating at Arkansas games in the fall, being surrounded by friends and family, good food, leaves turning, heck even sitting in a driving rain storm in the stadium with water up to my ankles. OK, well, that wasn't the best memory but it certainly was, "memorable".

I could go on and on. So much value aside from just winning, but winning did make it a sweeter experience overall when coupled with everything else but it wasn't everything. Shared moments with family and friends made it a better and more long lasting experience that I will always remember. It "ain't" over.

[Bubba's Bruisers]

An honest effort, nothing more.

Simple and correct.  From the AD all the way down to the water boy.

[ThisTeetsTaken]

An honest effort, nothing more.

What line of work are you in?

[ricepig]

What line of work are you in?

On that appreciates a honest effort, yourself?

[ThisTeetsTaken]

On that appreciates a honest effort, yourself?

One that demands results.

[Kevin]

Not if we are not trying to win titles

[DLUXHOG]

For the investment of your time, your money, your energy, your devotion, what return do you expect? What makes it worth it? What makes it not worth it?

you forgot bitching, pissing and moaning....   I'm guessing a few have an investment in those as well.........

[Calling All Hogs]

I confess, though, that football in general doesn't mean as much to me as it used to.   

I am the same way. Only so many "next years" I can go through especially when there doesn't seem to be any real hope that the program will get better in the foreseeable future.

[DLUXHOG]

I am the same way. Only so many "next years" I can go through especially when there doesn't seem to be any real hope that the program will get better in the foreseeable future.

guess you weren't a fan from 1990 to 1998.... pretty much, 8 consecutive losing seasons..........

[Nashville Fan]

Chance to win most games. High graduation rates and low arrest rates

[BigoBoys]

Being a Hog fan is hard, I know that and accept that.  Lifetime Underdog 

[OneTuskOverTheLine™]

For the investment of your time, your money, your energy, your devotion, what return do you expect? What makes it worth it? What makes it not worth it?

After talking to many Cubs fans I have come to the decision that we need a scapegoat...

[factchecker]

I've never even considered looking at it that way. But if I did, the Razorbacks have always been there and I assume always will be. Friends, family and loved ones come and go because that's life. But the Razorbacks are always there.

No way to measure the return. It's all good.

Damn...... that is awesome.  I'd have to agree with every word you said there.

[OneTuskOverTheLine™]

I keep hoping for a 2006 type run. That season we got destroyed by USC-W,  should have lost to Vandy and Bama,  and went on a tear. Granted,  McFadden isn't walking through the door but I can still hope. We had the "high school" drama behind the scenes to overcome. And the jackass with a whistle.

Why does everyone leave off the interloper with a clipboard..?

[hogsanity]

For the investment of your time, your money, your energy, your devotion, what return do you expect? What makes it worth it? What makes it not worth it?

I have fun watching the games, I enjoy talking about the team, and that's about it. They do not owe me anything. I really get nothing out of their win's nor does it cost me anything when they lose.

[hogsanity]

guess you weren't a fan from 1990 to 1998.... pretty much, 8 consecutive losing seasons..........

ummm they won the secw in 95 and won 9 games in 98.

[swineology]

7- 9 wins and enjoy friends at the tailgate

#HogLife

[DLUXHOG]

ummm they won the secw in 95 and won 9 games in 98.

95' 8-5
I didn't say "through" 98, said "to" 98' which means not including 98'.   8 seasons would be 1990 - 1997... and yes Houston did have a little light in 1995 during his otherwise losing seasons in that period.......

[factchecker]

Crazy to think that 8-5 (6-2 in conference) won the SEC West in 1995.

We lost to a horrible SMU team that season as well..... we were their only win.

[jkstock04]

For the investment of your time, your money, your energy, your devotion, what return do you expect? What makes it worth it? What makes it not worth it?

What I can say is when I get in my mind that the administration doesn't care that much about having a winning program it absolutely deflates me as a fan. I've had a tough time coming to terms with this over the past couple of years. I feel like what's important to them is for me to buy tickets, donate as much as possible, show up and spend $$$ on concessions. On the flip side of that I feel like what's important to me is on the backburner to them...they get your $$$ and that's all that matters to them.

So with all that said I guess the return on my investment I want to see is the administration doing everything in their power to build and keep a winning football program...which of course would trickle down to the coaches as well. I don't feel like we have that right now.

[hogsanity]

Is it possible some people are too invested in the Hogs? Expecting the Hogs to give them things that people were never meant to get from following a sports team/program?

[sickboy]

I've definitely come out ahead. And the Hogs could lose for the next hundred years and that's still how I'd see it.

[BroyledNutts]

For the investment of your time, your money, your energy, your devotion, what return do you expect? What makes it worth it? What makes it not worth it?

Honestly - I decided after Petrino was let go that my monetary investment would be better spent given to Razorback Baseball ... and they need the money more. I've never regretted my decision a single day. From game day experience to amenities, I always feel I get a really good return on my investment with the baseball program.

[Tejano Jawg]

I've been a season ticket holder since 2006, not counting my 4 U of A years. I split 4 tickets with another Hog buddy. We donate to the Foundation, but it's reasonable. The time is significant, because I have a 5 hour drive to Fayetteville, 5+ to my overnight headquarters in Bentonville. From Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon, that's my football/weekend commitment. Seeing family and friends in NWA, tailgating, has always been part of the football experience.

Last question first, what makes it not worth it?...well, our performance against TCU is as close as I can come to an answer. Our lack of effort trumped the times we did put out. That was a hard game to watch. And makes for a rough drive back to Dallas.

What makes it worth it?...anything that doesn't look like the above description.

[ricepig]

One that demands results.

And......that has nothing to do with sports. So, I assume you switch teams you follow in the different sports to the one that is winning? I've been extremely successful in life, I don't confuse sports and business.

[PonderinHog]

Many happy, some sad.

[hogsanity]

And......that has nothing to do with sports. So, I assume you switch teams you follow in the different sports to the one that is winning? I've been extremely successful in life, I don't confuse sports and business.

I do get a kick out of the " demand results" " need to hold them accountable" " we deserve better " type of posts.

[Inhogswetrust]

For the investment of your time, your money, your energy, your devotion, what return do you expect? What makes it worth it? What makes it not worth it?

It's not an investment to me. It's in my DNA and a part of my culture as to who I am.

[DeltaBoy]

For the investment of your time, your money, your energy, your devotion, what return do you expect? What makes it worth it? What makes it not worth it?

I expect since it been over 18 years that we joined the SEC that we would have risen the level we were in the SWC.  But Years and Millions of dollars later we are not much closer in on the field performance as we were when started.

[PonderinHog]

18 years!  Seems much longer...

[hogsanity]

18 years!  Seems much longer...

well, since it's actually been 25, it is longer.

[DeltaBoy]

I knew is was almost 25 but my memory not as good as used to be.
I will add If the Hogs on both sides ball played for 60 minutes like Texas did Sat night I would be at least satisfied with the Effort.

[Keyser Sooieze]

I don't invest much money because I don't have much expendable income, but I get to 2-3 games a year, and always watch every game from start to finish, regardless of the score. Perhaps if I was a big donor, I might have more a sense of "return on investment." But I don't think so--to me being a Razorback fan is kind of like being a member of my family.

I'm most proud to support a program that seeks to improve the lives of the athletes in every way--on and off the field, and shape character which is going to last a lifetime. I would probably be most disappointed if high-paid coaches were morally bankrupt and run a program that reflects their character. That too can shape young people into self-centered, entitled jerks.

I love to see the team win and it feels good as a fan to glory in a victory, but character is shaped for the players in wins AND in losses.

[DeltaBoy]

After 5 years a bad year should be 7-5 and a 8-5 finish with a bowl win.

[BearsBisonsBoars]

One that demands results.

This is a weak argument. I guarantee you that your job does not contain the same variables as professional coaching

[AirWarren]

Silly thing to "invest" on in the beginning IMO.

[ricepig]

Silly thing to "invest" on in the beginning IMO.

Fandom?

[ThisTeetsTaken]

And......that has nothing to do with sports. So, I assume you switch teams you follow in the different sports to the one that is winning? I've been extremely successful in life, I don't confuse sports and business.

This is a weak argument. I guarantee you that your job does not contain the same variables as professional coaching

The problem (for the UA) is that I am in the market for entertainment and the product on the field isn't entertaining enough for me to spend my entertainment dollars on it.  It's actually hard to watch now.    Of course, the UA and other programs understand that my (and others like me) meager $2000-$4000 per year spending means nothing compared to the revenue the new seating being built for corporate fans will generate.     That's not to mention the TV money the SEC provides to the UA.    Fact is they don't really need me or fans like me anymore and that's ok.  I was never going to win the "best fan" award anyway.   Bottom line, for me, is that for my dollars to be spent on UA Football there has to be results on the field that keep me entertained and interested.   Now UA Baseball, that's a different story.  Great product.  Great results.   

[OneTuskOverTheLine™]

I've never even considered looking at it that way. But if I did, the Razorbacks have always been there and I assume always will be. Friends, family and loved ones come and go because that's life. But the Razorbacks are always there.

No way to measure the return. It's all good.

Say it again...!

[The NewEra]

An honest effort, nothing more.

In a few words you summed it up.

[OneTuskOverTheLine™]

The problem (for the UA) is that I am in the market for entertainment and the product on the field isn't entertaining enough for me to spend my entertainment dollars on it.  It's actually hard to watch now.    Of course, the UA and other programs understand that my (and others like me) meager $2000-$4000 per year spending means nothing compared to the revenue the new seating being built for corporate fans will generate.     That's not to mention the TV money the SEC provides to the UA.    Fact is they don't really need me or fans like me anymore and that's ok.  I was never going to win the "best fan" award anyway.   Bottom line, for me, is that for my dollars to be spent on UA Football there has to be results on the field that keep me entertained and interested.   Now UA Baseball, that's a different story.  Great product.  Great results.   

Simple...

[hogsanity]

The problem (for the UA) is that I am in the market for entertainment and the product on the field isn't entertaining enough for me to spend my entertainment dollars on it.  It's actually hard to watch now.    Of course, the UA and other programs understand that my (and others like me) meager $2000-$4000 per year spending means nothing compared to the revenue the new seating being built for corporate fans will generate.     That's not to mention the TV money the SEC provides to the UA.    Fact is they don't really need me or fans like me anymore and that's ok.  I was never going to win the "best fan" award anyway.   Bottom line, for me, is that for my dollars to be spent on UA Football there has to be results on the field that keep me entertained and interested.   Now UA Baseball, that's a different story.  Great product.  Great results.   

Good reply to the topic the OP brought. Takes the emotion out of it, for the purpose of the OP. Many people can not do that with things they invest time and money into.