Message for SN and WSU Players/Coaches/Staff

[WuShock16]

Is this a joke? Please tell me this is a joke.

It’s time to get the popcorn ready because business just picked up.

[Onegreatracer]

LOL and I was thinking about going to the AACSB tourney to support.

Not anymore

[Onegreatracer]

Just elaborating a bit on why this ****ing sucks -

flyingMoose is an absolute ROCK STAR. 90% of me following the softball program and becoming a fan, and then staying interested when I can't watch, is due to him. Not to mention what he does for all the other women's sports. I'm not kidding when I say 90%+ of my women's sports following is directly through him. He deserves a thank you, a job within the AD, something. Definitely not this. Not sure I will ever support ADKS without an apology.

As far as I'm concerned, flyingMoose IS Wichita State women's sports.

EDIT: He's also described FAR worse teams both in softball and other sports with the same level of truthfulness. Never seen ADKS or any coach have a problem with it before. If you do now, after all the winning we've done, congrats on elevating the program's expectations. Meet them and I bet you won't have issues with what people say on here.

[1972Shocker]

Really disappointed at what I heard. I'm certain that Kennedy knows this board is not just made up of trolls (far from it) but saying what he did is maybe even more surprising. Probably personally knows some of the posters here and that they help fund Shocker sports. Really jaw dropping.

Unless she apologizes to Moose and this board, I may be done supporting her and the program. I feel bad for the team as they may be affected by this blunder. Too bad this comes at a time more donors and bigger donations are so essential. Our AD needs to have a heart to heart with both of them.

I agree. After listening to it more closely and thinking about it I am finding it even more offensive than when I heard it on Tuesday evening. As you point out KB's rant included quite a few things that were less than accurate.

KB siad "I’ll tell a funny story, um, you know I’m sure were all familiar with the good ol’ Shockernet that the trolls from Wichita State athletics get on. I don’t read that but were going to tell a funny story about it.

MK joined in with a snide comment and a laugh. Not sure why KB and MK think that is a funny story. Also while there are no doubt some trolls on Shockernet they are a distinct minority plus as far as I know most of us are not from Wichita State athletics.

KB went on further to say more or less the following:

They are trolls who don’t know a lot about sports in my opinion. They only want to sit at home and talk bad, they never say anything positive. They’re there to scrutinize people, they couldn’t play softball so they’re going to sit at home on their couch and figure out a way to downgrade all the people that do and nitpick everything that they do.

This is so inaccurate and off-the-wall to be laughable. I guess in that way it fits right in with some of the occasional crazy stuff on Shockernet. Not all Shockernet posters know a lot about sports but many do in varying degrees. We WANT to sit at home and talk bad and NEVER say anything positive BECAUSE WE COULDN'T PLAY SOFTBALL?. You got to be kidding me, especially coming form someone who claims she doesn't read Shockernet.

One particular guy named FlyingMoose really did not like Lauren Howell and it bothered her. We talked a little bit about it. From that point on we had a little bit of a mantra of FFM and you can figure out what the first F means.

Very classy coach. About the last guy you could accuse of being negative about Shocker softball is flyingMoose. Not sure there is any real evidence of that. There is no doubt the pitching staff has struggled this year compared to last. It almost feels like KB is trying to deflect the blame for that from the coaching staff and players to an anonymous fan who is generally very supportive of the program. WTH.

I am contemplating sending an email to ADKS and to KB expressing my dissatisfaction with these very public comments. But I will wait until after the end of the season and perhaps KB and MK will realize they probably did not handle this very professionally and perhaps walk this back a little.

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UNLESS YOU POST ON SHOCKER THEN YOU NEED TO STAY AWAY.

[Stickboy46]

I agree. After listening to it more closely and thinking about it I am finding it even more offensive than when I heard it on Tuesday evening. As you point out it is the statement included quite a few things that were less than accurate.



MK joined in with a snide comment and a laugh. Not sure why KB and MK think that is a funny story. Also while there are no doubt some trolls on Shockernet they are a distinct minority plus as far as I know most of us are not from Wichita State athletics.

KB went on further to say more or less the following:



This is so inaccurate and off-the-wall to be laughable. I guess in that way it fits right in with Shockernet. Not all Shockernet posters know a lot about sports but many do in varying degrees. We WANT to sit at home and talk bad and NEVER say anything positive BECAUSE WE COULDN'T PLAY SOFTBALL?. You got to be kidding me, especially coming form someone who claims she doesn't read Shockernet.



Very classy coach. About the last guy you could accuse of being negative about Shocker softball is flyingMoose. Not sure there is any real evidence of that. There is no doubt the pitching staff has struggled this year compared to last. It almost feels like KB is trying to deflect the blame for that from the coaching staff and players to an anonymous fan who is generally very supportive of the program. WTH.

I am contemplating sending an email to ADKS and to KB expressing my dissatisfaction with these very public comments. But I will wait until after the end of the season and perhaps KB and MK will realize they probably did not handle this very professionally and perhaps walk this back a little.

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image.png
UNLESS YOUPOST ON SHOCKER THEN YOU NEED TO STAY AWAY.

Well its obvious they read and spend time on here .. so they will probably see the anger without needing an email sent ...

[shocker43]

Not a great thing to be saying publicly. I get that she was likely just trying to be supportive of her team, but that's probably something you keep internally.

[1972Shocker]

Well its obvious they read and spend time on here .. so they will probably see the anger without needing an email sent ...

Maybe, but it also seems that they have an obvious and high degree of disdain for our Shockernet community. So I am not too sure they will be all that concerned about it.

[Onegreatracer]

Yeah 1972Shocker, I just got a chance to listen again and it really got my blood boiling. Generalizing that ShockerNet users don't know sports and then attacking quite possibly one of the best softball minds anywhere on the internet is certainly interesting.

Based on what I know about some people here there is certainly a solid group of basketball minds (with some experience) as well. Although some drag that reputation down lol

[ShockBand]

I haven't had a chance to listen yet, but I get the gist of it from reading this thread. While we do have a few trollish constant negative types, which message boards will always have, by and large there is one thing the vast majority of us here want, even if we don't always agree on how we should get there.

We desperately want our beloved Shockers, and our university as a whole, to succeed. We are mostly the ones who have built our lives from little, often being our families "first gen" to graduate college and see high levels of professional success. We are the "engines that could" and we love seeing that in our student athletes and students in general. We embody #FightForWIchita because I damn well guarantee you no one else will! We ARE the brave spirits!

[shoxlax]

Devils Advocate:


There are what, 30-40 regular posters on Shockernet, most of which don’t go to games or have season tickets or donate to NIL, correct? So they are pissed off. Now look at how many alliances she has either strengthened or built with her rant: current team, their parents, recruits and their parents. If I was the parent of a recruit and heard those comments, I would be saying “hell, yes. That’s who I want Sally to play for.” Is that worth the anger of a few fans that all but admit they don’t even go to games? Not a slam dunk no in my opinion.

She still could’ve achieved all that without calling out a specific poster without even reading all his thoughts first hand.

[Kung Wu]

Coach Kristi Bredbenner is wrong ... and she's right.

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Let's start with where Coach Bredbenner is right, because that's far more important than where she's wrong ...

- Players, parents, coaches, boosters and athletic department staff do visit Shockernet. And they have been for a long time. And they do so more frequently than they will admit.

- Which means the words we say have an impact greater than we realize.

- Therefore, if we are posting things that are causing our players to perform at a worse level than had we not posted those things, then we are the virtual equivalent to that jerk in the stands tearing his own team down, instead of the fans trying to encourage and lift them up.


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Where Coach Bredbenner's wrong ...

- She stated that Shockernet is full of folks that don't know anything about sports.

Shockernet has plenty of alumni, former players, and former coaches that have played and/or coached everything from high level club, high school, WSU club, NAIA, NCAA D1 and even at the pro levels in their respective sports.

So why does that matter? For Shockernetters in that category it matters because: We should know better. As former players we know how the opinions of other people can shake your confidence and throw you off your game. And/or we have had to coach that kid whose confidence is shaken, and it can be a real challenge to help get them out of that funk.

- She stated that Shockernet is a bunch of trolls.

Most Shockernetters have made some frank observations that would have been better left unsaid from time-to-time. I know I have on occasion, and I'm lesser for it. But by and large the overwhelming majority of Shockernet members are NOT trolls and definitely want what's best for WSU athletics.

- flyingMoose is the biggest torch bearer for WSU women's sports on Shockernet and across all of social media. That might be why his opinion has an aura of weight with some players. I'm quite certain that now he knows his voice is being heard by players, he'll be more selective with his opinions on them. One thing is for sure, he is as beyond reproach as one that is allowed to express their opinion can be. His track record is long and exhaustive and faaaar outdates Coach Bredbenner's tenure.


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So now what?

- If a WSU team had to have a team meeting over negative things said on Shockernet, that's a direct reflection on me more so than anyone else. I'll own that and figure out a way to do better. I'm not sure what that means yet though. I'll admit I've been the Darron Boatright of Shockernet. I need to try and be a Kevin Saal -- that guy works hard, listens and makes a difference.

- We should think twice before hitting the enter key when referencing a player that's not playing well. Can you say it with more tact? Does it really need to be said? Would you tell his/her parent the exact same thing you are about to post if you were sitting in the stand right next to them?

[WuShock16]

Devils Advocate:


There are what, 30-40 regular posters on Shockernet, most of which don’t go to games or have season tickets or donate to NIL, correct? So they are pissed off. Now look at how many alliances she has either strengthened or built with her rant: current team, their parents, recruits and their parents. If I was the parent of a recruit and heard those comments, I would be saying “hell, yes. That’s who I want Sally to play for.” Is that worth the anger of a few fans that all but admit they don’t even go to games? Not a slam dunk no in my opinion.

She still could’ve achieved all that without calling out a specific poster without even reading all his thoughts first hand.

There’s a reason that I’ve gained increased levels of respect for this guy. He often offers some sage points of consideration. Plus, he’s just an overall good dude.

[SubGod22]

I respect your thoughts there Kung Wu, but comments here aren't on the same level as someone at the game saying crap. If players are letting posts on SN get to them, then they're going out of their way to see/hear comments about their performance. That's still on them.

I will be disappointed with Moose if comments change. Nothing has been said other than simply showing and comparing stats from one year to the next. Hell, even Kennedy mentioned how porous the pitching staff was early. Coach B wasn't critical of that comment, but apparently fans discussing such things on a message board are our of touch? That's highly hypocritical.

Again, if a player goes out of their way to read ShockerNet and then gets upset, that's on them. I've heard professional athletes talk about when they're in a slump that they simply avoid socials and talk shows because they know and expect people to be talking about it. I don't want to throw any players under the bus, but if you know you're not playing well and then get upset when you go out of your way to read a fan board that is discussing your stats then I don't know what to tell you, but you need to look internally.

If Coach B has doesn't read the board, she has a lot of nerve throwing the most pro women's sports poster on here under the bus by name all while having absolutely zero clue what was posted.

[flyingMoose]

If I care to make any comments (and I may not), they will wait until the Shockers are eliminated from further play this year. It is hard to know how to respond, since I do not know the particular post that upset Lauren. Maybe I think that post is worth an apology and maybe not.

I will say that I hope she is the winning pitcher in the Championship game. Doing that as a senior would be terrific!


Also, I am humbled by the supportive remarks of so many of you. Thank you.

[1972Shocker]

If I care to make any comments (and I may not), they will wait until the Shockers are eliminated from further play this year. It is hard to know how to respond, since I do not know the particular post that upset Lauren. Maybe I think that post is worth an apology and maybe not.

I will say that I hope she is the winning pitcher in the Championship game. Doing that as a senior would be terrific!


Also, I am humbled by the supportive remarks of so many of you. Thank you.

Remember she didn't attack just you. She incriminated the entire Shockernet community.

By the way this story could have been told by KB without all the disdain and vitriol.

She could have just said the some of her players were upset with some of the posts on a Shocker fan message board. They talked about it, came up with a mantra, and turned into motivation for getting better and overcoming some of their issues and they are making progress.