Any word on new digs for football?

[HarrisburgFlame]

I was just curious if any insiders down in the Burg had any info related to a new look for 2005. I think it's time to ditch the Arena league unis.

Where did prototype go?

[PAmedic]

should we really start this again?! I know you and me (I, we, us???) are old school. I'd love a combi of Penn State/Auburn (obviously w/ RED not orange) including MILITARY/BLOCK numbers- but I know I'm beating a dead horse on this one.

oh, and no last names on the back. (NO "I" in "TEAM")

[HarrisburgFlame]

I wasn't looking to open a can of worms I just thought I heard someone mention new uniforms this year. The team picture was taken in the Arena League white jerseys so I assumed there will be no change this fall.

[PAmedic]

yeah- but you're right. More importantly- I agree w/ you.

[HarrisburgFlame]

Yep. 2 old schoolers we are. Those things we wear now make my head hurt looking at them. If they ditched the jerseys and kept everything else that would be a great step in the right direction.

[bigsmooth]

im with the old penn state look personally...the more old school the better.

[PAmedic]

THANK YOU, THANK YOU. Sanity rules the web for once.

[HarrisburgFlame]

That may have been our second best look. I'm still partial to the uniform from the Dowling years. We should keep our current helmet minus the "horns" on the front. But we need white pants and a different style jersey - maybe like we had back when we had the PSU look going. The Flames on the shoulders look more like a pasley pattern than anything else.

[Sly Fox]

Thanks, guys. I'm not feeling as old now. I kind of like the new uniforms. But then again, I've loved the Bengals gear since they debuted it the year Boomer took us to the Super Bowl for the 2nd time (I still cringe when thinking about Montana).

[HarrisburgFlame]

Speaking of uniforms - I called the football equipment manager at LU in January asking about buying an old jersey or two for my office. He COMPLETELY blew me off. No return calls or e-mails, nothing. The football secretary passed a note to him for me - nothing. I would call him or send a nice e-mail about once a month. I am sorry but how hard is it to say - we can't help you or return a call to a fan/alum?

[PAmedic]

I vote we all meet up at homecoming and bum rush the dude.

he sounds pretty arrogant if you ask me. I'm a busy guy managing 50 people at 2 paramedic stations and I return calls.

[HarrisburgFlame]

Thank you very much. I thought the same thing. I mean I thought of buying something as more of a donation as anything else. He can't even return a call? In the off season no doubt? Pitiful. I made it clear I was with the school and had no intention of ebaying the stuff or selling it to a third party. Nothing.

[rokamortis]

I like your uniforms

[HarrisburgFlame]

It's our board and we can hate our uniforms if we want to!

Seriously, I had to get back at you for jumping me on your board the other night (re: JMU bragging). What's up with that? I hope you guys roll JMU. But you have to admit - they are the defending national champs and preseason ranked #1 - until someone knocks them off they own the thrash talking rights.

The CCU board is pretty dead - does it pick up during the season?

[bigsmooth]

im down with rushing the equip mgr. gimme a break his life is not that important. i would like to see the chants win too, but it's not gonna happen... dukes roll 35-14.

[HarrisburgFlame]

JMU is loaded. I hope we resume a home and home with them sometime soon. FYI - this was the first time I had ever been blown off by an equipment dude. I have his contact info. Maybe we should all call him and e-mail him until he tells one of us to beat it! At least that way we would know he knows how to use his e-mail and phone right?

[rokamortis]

harrisburgflame said:

It's our board and we can hate our uniforms if we want to!

Seriously, I had to get back at you for jumping me on your board the other night (re: JMU bragging). What's up with that? I hope you guys roll JMU. But you have to admit - they are the defending national champs and preseason ranked #1 - until someone knocks them off they own the thrash talking rights.

The CCU board is pretty dead - does it pick up during the season?

LOL

I apologized a little earlier today - I must have been PMSing - so sorry if I offended you. I like to post that stuff on our board - I thought you were being critical of that.

The CCU board has its moments. It just depends on what news is out there. Our schoolm is so tightlipped about everything that we usually don't ahve much to talk about. One of our guys pissed off the Eagle Nation so it has been rather busy tonight.

It will pick up a lot when we start playing again. And if we beat some of the better teams - I don't think some of us will ever shut up.

[HarrisburgFlame]

I like the folks on your board. I stop by on a daily basis to catch up with what's happening down your way. I wasn't offended in the least - just poking fun back at you.

We like having you over here as well. During game week bring your buddies over with you!

[LUfbfan315]

It's actually LUfbfan3, but I also am waiting on being able to sign in as a registered user Boooo

I haven't heard anything about uniforms-I don't mind the ones they have, I think they look pretty good for being 4-5 years old, but I wouldn't mind them getting new ones either. I think it does a lot for morale. Maybe they'll have them for the first game? A surprise?

As for the equipment manager-from what I've seen of him and heard of him he seems like a nice guy-I think a lot of the players talk to him a lot. It's strange that he ignored you.

[PAmedic]

good- when you see him tell him to call H'burg back or risk making enemies of the ultra powerful Liberty Sports Message Board homies.

[HarrisburgFlame]

I'm sure he's a good guy. But I am done with him. I mean that's flat out rude to not even acknowledge someone. Like I said - even if they have nothing to auction or sell - just say so. Actually, I promised my son a jersey and was going to buy one for my office and one for his room.

[trbcer]

Hey all-

I was the head football athletic trainer last year and I am very close friends with the current equipment manager, Robert Burggraf. He's a great guy and a solid Christian. He does not have the authority to sell anything out of the equipment room, new, used, trash, or whatever. He has asked the head coach in the past about such a thing and not been provided a response. You have no idea how difficult his job is, often exceeding 60-70 hours per week even in the off season. The guy is responsible for all uniforms, field equipment, sideline gear, headsets, trucking the stuff to and from the games, and planning according to the weather. He is really an awesome man and I am sure he did not intentionally "blow you off..." he just never learned whether or not it was acceptable to sell anything. He is your brother in Christ, so I'd ask you to reconsider before "bum rushing" him anytime soon.

tb

[Sly Fox]

Its all good, trbcer. But you can understand the frustration of not hearing back to say anything ... even if it is that he has no answer. I'm sure right now is extremely busy with all the new players need sized and re-sized.

BTW, when are you going to get another of your auctions up & running? And do you know anyone who might be interested in selling some gear?

[bigsmooth]

please dont use God as a crutch here.(im sure i will catch some on this but it's my opinion) im sure Mr. Burggraf is a fine christian man, and does an excellent job, but the answer could have been easily attained, and a return phone call could have been made. it is not only couteous but professional. these are the kinds of things that fans and alumni will ask for, and not giving responses does not help and gives a poor representation of the program. BTW the bum-rush was a joke.

[HarrisburgFlame]

trbcer:

Thanks for your response. As I said, I am sure Robert is a fine man. The bum rush comment was a joke (not made by me). Two points:

1. I spent 6 years coaching on the Division III level. My last year as a coach I coached DB's, was the special teams coordinator, planned all travel arrangements (bus, hotels, meals, room assignments, Firday movi, Firday snacks, etc.) for the team on the road, ordered equipment, assisted with strength and conditioning, fitted players for protective equipment, coordinating the video exchange, all normal coaching functions (film breakdowns, strategy meetings), attended high school games, recruited - you get the point. If an alum called or a fan - I called them back. If a parent called or a high school coach - I called them back. It's all part of point 2.

2. The total marketing effort. When alums, fans, students, reach out to the Athletic Department we should receive first class attention. When we call the ticket office or Flames Club - they call back. Not us calling 6 times to get a response. When we call for tickets not getting a voice mail but a live person. When there are updates with the program - update the web site in a timely fashion to note the changes. This stuff matters.

To not return a call. To ignore someone is rude - period. The last time I called him (July 2005) I got his "on the phone" message. You think he could have called me back right? As a matter of fact Bev Cole directed me to Robert per one of the coaches! How hard is it to respond to 4 or 5 e-mails and 4 or 5 calls over a 12 month period?

[LUconn]

I think all of these problems could be solved by selling replica jerseys in the bookstore. The End.

[HarrisburgFlame]

Good point. My son has been pounding my over the head for a year for a FLAMES jersey. Every time I go away for business when I ask him what he wants for his surprise it's "I want a white FLAMES football jersey".

[PAmedic]

and I'm still in favor of bum rushing him. Maybe say "God bless you first"

[aLUmnus]

Guys, the equipment manager in no way has any obligation or responsibility to call anyone back. It's not his job to keep good relations with anyone but the players and coaches. He's the equipment manager! I don't think people are really supposed to be contacting him anyways, I doubt it's anywhere in his job description or in his responsiblities to take calls from fans or alumni. If you contact the appropriate person, you should get the appropriate response, but I seriously doubt that this was the appropriate person to contact. He has his job to do, and does not owe you guys anything. I would have to side with trbcer and say get off the guy's back.

[HarrisburgFlame]

No offense but I think you are off the mark here. I did contact the FOOTBALL office first. The football admin said (per one of the coaches) that the equipment manager would be the guy to speak with. She even passed on my info and instructed him to give me a call. I originally asked about the possibility of an auction to get rid of some of the old stuff. When I was told that one was not planned - that's when THEY referred me to him.

I am off the guy's back. But let's try this one on for size - someone comes into your building and asks where is such and such - it's not in my job description to help out - common professional courtesy says you do the right thing. I guess as far as call backs are concerned you're right - but taking the extra step and going the extra mile might be the difference in someone giving $500 to the program or $5000 to the program. Everyone in any organization is in marketing and sales - from the top down. At least in any good organization.

I'm not some freak bugging the heck out of someone. I called the guy (for my son mostly) and am disappointed that he chose not to return the call. End of story. I understand what you're saying but the "it's not my job" attitude really doesn't fly anywhere, anymore.