While it's true that the message boards may provide some gauge for what the fans are thinking, surely you realize that their relative anonymity also lends itself to attracting many of the more extreme fans? In other words, I believe the message boards often tend to drastically overstate the dissatisfaction of the overall fanbase with coaching, recruiting, program direction, or any other relevant issue. Wouldn't you agree?

Sure, especially considering there are 52,000 seats at Byrd Stadium and currently 247 fans online at Terrapin Times and 794 on TSR. (oooh, numbers don't lie people!)

I'm sure this is a worthy debate, but you are just begging for inapproriate comments with entries like this. I am locking this blog.

Exactly, and once you factor in the fans watching or listening from home, the percentage represented becomes even more miniscule. I'm not saying it isn't worthwhile for the press to visit the message boards for inside info, news, or potential story ideas. There are plenty of good posters who certainly provide all of those things. It's just that at the first sign of trouble (defined however narrowly or broadly you want), they often become meltdown central and the more extreme element tends to rant in anonymity. It's at those times that I think the boards often diverge from fairly representing the sentiment of the fanbase.

Heather,
Obviously any reporter covering a team should read the boards on occasion. I read and post on them for some info, but mostly for entertainment. I am usually quite amused how the most insignificant comment can illicit a spew of negative comments from so called Maryland fans. I've always thought your articles were "telling it like it is", but without any intended malice. Some are just so set in looking through their "Terp" colored glasses that they can't take the truth. Keep up the good work, most logical Terp fans appreciate your efforts!

Tortuga,
I guarantee no matter what I write, I'm never "begging for inappropriate comments." And I promise you won't see any show up here, so here's some friendly advice - don't waste your time or mine. Let's talk Terps instead.

Heather,

Don't pay any attention to the haters. I've experienced much of the same on these boards. People who live mundane, Middle America lives don't understand people like you and I who have regular interaction with individuals like Gary Williams and HOF Debbie Yow. Two questions:

1) Would you agree that HOF Debbie Yow is the best Athletic Director in college sports?

2) Do you do high-rep low-weight arm curls as a part of your workout regime?

Dear goterpss,
1) Debbie Yow is a sharp woman who has earned her respect. As to whether or not she's "the best athletic director in college sports?" I've only covered three extensively - Tim Curley at Penn State, Clarence Doninger at Indiana University, and Yow. The first couldn't raise a dime without Joe Paterno; the second couldn't handle Bob Knight. Yow has put a major dent in a debt she inherited and can handle ... her staff. Not bad.
2) I do four sets of 12 reps of various exercises for three different workouts at Gold's Gym. And I'm training for my second marathon. Don't mess with the diva.

Heather,

Did you play sports in high school? Just curious, what was your uniform number? Was it "9"?

Thanks.

It is good to see you out of the house and earning a living for yourself, Heather. My wife makes all of the money in our household and I am happy to sit at home and read your articles and blogs while the laundry is in. Thanks so much and keep up the good work, sister!

Shane are you a Duke fan? Anyway, let's try and stick with the Terps, as fascinating as I am. Since you insist, though, no, my No. was not 9, although I would have been honored because I'm a huge Bill Maz fan. Mine was 18 because of Andy Van Slyke. Quit laughing. That was middle school. In high school I ran track and cross country. Slow. Very slow. Set the school cc record for slowest ever.

Why didn't you just run faster? That's what I'd do.

Heather,

You need to move over to the Suque Board and share your workout tips. (TerpTown Square). How did you do on your first marathon?

Damien

The original point was the people who still read and post at Terrapin Times are STUPID. Too stupid to know they're constantly being lied to by their "leader". I don't mind you taking a cross section of Maryland fans from an internet message board, but that particular one should absolutely not be cited.

This goes back to the Henry Sims commitment. That board is the ONLY one where I have seen Maryland fans even question his recruitment. Most intelligent Maryland fans believe the people who have seen him play. Believe me, he's not that good. That was the only group of people too stupid to realize this.

message board war? huh? sounds like you need to lay off the moonshine young weedhopper. everyone knows tt the only place for terps scoops, cant have too many cooks in the kitchen.

CFHW,
Hahahahaha.
hd

I never did like you

800 rabid Terp posters at TSR in the middle of the day on a Tuesday in May is pretty impressive. Possibly more than will read this blog. But anyway, it's the random cheap shots at HOF Gary and the Fridge in your blog that make some of us less than fans of yours. So, you stay off our interwebs and we'll stay off yours, mmkay?

HD, What was your time in the marathon. I used to run 5Ks when I was a student at Blair High School in Silver Spring, MD. FredTerp

Fredterp:
Oh geez. Um, my first marathon time was 4:37:38. Marine Corps.

I agree with everything that Shane Floppier and GOTERPSS said above. NY rules!

BOBWADE ... really? I couldn't tell.

I'm rarely ever on the internet message forums things but I swear Heather, if you weren't married you would be mine.

HDin, don't let the instant board experts ruin your postings. TT is a good Terps board. Keith Cavanaugh scouted my sons when they were playing ball for Thomas Johnson High School and said they showed great TEAMWORK. Shane Floppier go find your pal JGTerp. Fredterp.

I can't speak to the quality of articles on TT, but the consensus among those who frequent the TSR board is that they're misleadingly optimistic during almost every build up, as to both the quality of the recruits we're pursuing and the interest they return. The other aspect appears to be that TTK freaks out every time we miss out on somebody, and takes it out on Gary even on those occasions when he doesn't deserve it.

Jeff Ehrmann, the staff writer of TSR, keeps an extremely even keel and does as much legwork as he has to, with far less access to the program than TTK, to bring us good, relatively unbiased information. I joined the Under The Shell (pay) portion of the site and I've been very satisfied with the information I get on there. The conversation between fans also seems to be much more civil, respecting all sides of an issue, rather than the typical war of words between "Garyannas" and those who are much more downbeat.

I was never good at getting out my feelings so here goes

YOU SUCK!

That is all

Ah, Hogie. If I had a dollar for everytime I heard that ... "I'm rarely ever on the internet message forums." It's ok, we know you're hooked on the forums.

My my, boblog. Somebody needs a new therapist, no?

Heather -- Would you be so kind to join us in lot 9 at one of our tailgates this season?

Heather, Outback tonight?

Snowed In? I've got room

Who is a good candidate to be the next AD?

FREE JEFF ERMANN!

Heather, do you think it's ethical for a website (a hypothetical website of course) that claims to be independent from the University is tied DIRECTLY to and paid by the university to publish literature for it? Of course this is a hypothetical but shouldn't a true independent website and magazine have no direct ties to the school it covers?

Furthermore, what happens when that website puts pressure on the university to deny a competing website media credentials? Wouldn't you see this as a problem especially when the denied website has an actual journalist working for it who won't put on the dog and pony show to drum up business?

Do you plan on selling Ads on your forehead to make extra money?

TO MY BIGGEST FAN,
I eat more than you can afford.
Locked out?
You've got a dorm.

Heather, how do you feel about Jeff Ermann, a legitimate journalist, and TSR being denied credentials by the Athletic Department?

hi guys.

whoever is trying to pass him/herself off as a more rude, in-your-face version of me, meet me in the chili's parking lot in bowie.

since this seems to have gone somewhat dead, why not compare and contrast Gary Williams and Bobby Knight for us, Heather?

Hey guys! Can't believe I missed this awesome discussion. I think Jeff Ermann should be granted credentials.

What? This discussion died? Dayum!

Ok, but it's "gone somewhat dead" because I've got some real work to do, sorry.
They're obviously very similar in that they're both intriguing, impossible-to-figure-out personalities, which is what makes them amazing coaches. They're both very fun to cover because you never know what you're going to get, but whether it's an expletive or a smirk, you know it's genuine. I don't know how it is down in Texas, but when Knight was at IU, he and Doninger were enemies. Gary and Debbie have a working professional relationship, although they're not meeting for lunch or anything.
I don't know. I will say this: I'm fortunate to have covered both of them.

Heather, please weigh in on the credentials issue for us. We'd love to hear your opinion (if Debbie Yow allows it).

Heather, I used to send you questions all the time for your Terps Q&A. How come I get no love on this blog?

All I want to know is why do you wear Steelers gear in Maryland? Do you not represent the state you cover?

Regardless the ravens are better than the steelers.

TOWSONTERP:
No, the stamps selling "STUPID" were apparently all taken by you.

CONCERNED TERP - I'm not sure how I feel about the online credential thing to be honest with you. I know at Virginia Tech their sports info dept. doesn't credential any online outlets (I'm 99 percent sure about that). I haven't thought about it that much, but I could see how you would think it's not fair Terrapin Times is credentialed and TSR is not.

Have you EVER been around a group of fans with a bigger inferiority complex than Ravens fans? I swear they're the most insecure people in the world.

Heather,

your articles are still reprehensible

ok Heather, Im 0 for 7 now, what is it you are holding out for me to get printed on this comments section?

Heather, could you speak a little on your interactions with Brenda and the women's team? Losing Shay to the WNBA draft must have been bittersweet for the girls.

MANDINGOTERP - Here we go Stillers, here we go! Look, I was born and raised in PA. There were two things I couldn't avoid - the Steelers and Yuengling. If it makes you feel any better, I didn't go to Penn State. :)

Ok, as much as I'd love to continue this stimulating dialogue, I'm done with you people. Thanks for checking out the blog. And my fabulous forehead.

Why do people resort to personal attacks? I'm sure Heather is fine with people who don't like her content or sources or what she prints, but why turn to personal insults? Stick to the facts. I'm sure these people are 300 pound star trek fans living with their moms

wait, I thought Steelers country was Rolling Rock country, and Iggles fans had Yuengling.

Yuengling is the best cheap beer in the Eastern Seaboard, by a wide margin.

Wow too bad I missed all this.

As much as Debie Yow has done in terms of being the steward of improved facillities etc at Maryland, i will personally never forgive her for banning "the hey song". In the years since its banning we have missed several bowl games and NCAA tournament appearances. Thankfully the students have managed to continue the tradition without the help of the band, but it just isn't quite the same

Heather - have you heard anything of a sleeper recruit for the Terps for 2008? The word is that he as UNLIMITED RANGE! Any idea who he might be?
Thanks!

Heather---as a retired journalist, I also weighed in with a similar response on the on-line reporter question. I realize the net has become a huge source of information, accurate or not, but thought they had a tough road ahead in terms of credibility.

I tend to stick up for your articles. But I do think getting story ideas from message boards is a dangerous scenario. Yes, you would get things confirmed, but when a reporter quotes comments that are outrageous, that only gives credibility to those people.

Canyou give me an example of a stgory idea you got from a message board? Thankls

Keith Cavanaugh rules, but it is great to have access to a cite that is readliy available for Terp's consumption. So, thank you Heather. I think you do a great job. But Keith - I look forward to your hour on Bob Haney every week.

Heather,

I think you're doing a great job. Keep up the good work and keep your chin up. And be on guard for the haters!

The problem I have with 99% of message boards is that 1) there is very little news value in them 2) they always, always, always revert to a lot of name calling, trash talking "I know more than you do, and your mother is an idiot" inanity.

I am no longer a reporter, but filled that role a few years back. I found just talking to regular fans on the street provided me more reliable and sensible information than message boards.