An open letter to OBNUG readers
by Kevan Lee on Jan 19, 2009 12:55 PM PST
in Boise State football
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Dear OBNUG readers,
Unfortunately, we are not writing to tell you we've been granted a sit-down Marty Tadman interview. We're not announcing a book deal or an Idaho Statesman backpage contract. We're not even here to let you know that the OBNUG forum is up (it's not ... still).
We're writing to say good-bye.
Well, maybe "good-bye" is too strong of a term. It's more like "see you less frequently" or "talk to you less often than usual." We do know one thing: the OBNUG that we have come to know and love is no longer an OBNUG that we can maintain. Blame our increasingly busy work schedules, early onset burnout, and some strong coercing from David Augusto's legal department. OBNUG as we know it is taking a break.
We did not come to this decision easily. We don't come to any decisions easily (on that note: have we missed the deadline to renew our 2008 season tickets?). OBNUG has been like a child to us for the past year, so considering that we'll be giving it less attention now probably means we shouldn't be having kids any time soon. Nevertheless, every minute we spent was worth it. We were able to document one of the greatest Boise State seasons in team history and meet some incredible Bronco fans along the way.
It is these Bronco fans, you readers, whom we will miss most. The snarky comments, the grammatical corrections, the community - these are things we could never find anywhere else before we started this site. Changing things up here at OBNUG was toughest on us because we knew it would affect the community we have here. You guys are smart. You get it. Mark Johnson should be so lucky.
Boise State football deserves a site like ours. And now that Bronco Nation has been given a taste, hopefully another site will emerge. We sort of consider OBNUG to be like a Gale Sayers of Bronco websites - a shooting star that was ahead of its time and had its career cut too short. Also, Gale Sayers is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, so if a WAC blog HOF ever opens up, we've got that going for us.
A question on all of your minds at this point must be, "Can we keep our IntenseDebate accounts?" Yes, you can keep those. Others of you might also be wondering what is going to happen here at OBNUG in the future? Good question. We cannot fathom a world in which Boise State football happens and we don't feel the need to write about it, so we fully expect our opinions to find their way back here. It just won't be nearly as often.
Since times are changing, we're going to try to make the transition easy on everyone. If you look below, you'll see a link to sign-up for email updates. If you want to keep up on what we post and what we have planned, just follow the directions to do so. You might also try grabbing our RSS feed or joining our Facebook group.
We'll still be hanging out on other Bronco sites and keeping up with the team from a distance. To be more specific:
- Yes, we will be at the spring game and the fall scrimmages and the Oregon season opener.
- Yes, we will still predict 83-0 final scores on every Brian Murphy pizza post.
- No, we will never replace Marty Tadman as our favorite player, no matter what George Iloka does over the next three years.
- Yes, we will still be the biggest Bronco fans that our budgets and significant others will allow.
We don't know what we'll do for our daily fix of Boise State news. If you have any ideas, let us know. And feel free to keep in touch, too. Send OBNUG's Kevan an email anytime at kevanlee932@gmail.com. Please, no signing him up for Idaho Statesman alerts.
Other than that, we simply can't thank you enough for the past year. You readers have meant a lot to us, and we'll miss each and every one of you (well, not you, Jared Zabransky apologist). We came into this blogosphere on the inauspicious heels of the Taylor Tharp era, and we'll leave it with the Broncos headed toward their greatest teams ever. We may not have the greatest timing, but we feel that we did succeed in our goal to provide the online voice of Boise State football fans.
We'll see you around the Internets, OBNUG readers. But probably not on Bronco Country. They never did like us that much.
OBNUG out.
Sincerely,
OBNUG
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1st the loss to TCU. Then the college football season ended. Now this! I can't take it anymore. What I'm going to do for 8 months? Watch BB (it will last that long!)? Hockey? Bowling? Golf? This is just cruel! I'm crushed….
by BroncoNavy on Jan 20, 2009 4:42 PM PST reply actions
Remember at the beginning of Napoleon Dynamte, Napoleon is trying to leave school early and lets out that long drawn out sigh? Picture that. That's me right now.
You guys have done a fantastic job with this site. I'm astonished at the amount of work you have put in. I tried my own Boise State blog a few months ago and after only a couple months I felt completely overwhelmed with it. And I was only doing about 2 posts per week, if I was lucky. Good job guys, I'm impressed.
OBNUG will keep it's place along with my other bookmarks. I'll miss the great articles and the witty comments, but most of all I'll miss the constant Augusto bashing. He's a midget.
Good luck guys!
by Jeremy on Jan 20, 2009 5:54 PM PST reply actions
I'll see what I can do.
You know what really sucks? I just figured out how to use this intense debate thing and made myself a profile. Oh well.
I think I will keep my true identity secret for the time being. Unless you really gotta know, then you can email me at OBNUGIntern@live.com. (I just figured the email thing out too! This has been a big week for me!)
by OBNUG Intern on Jan 20, 2009 9:09 PM PST reply actions
Well, finally got around to making a comment without choking up. Kevan and Obnug was definitely the cream of the crop of football blogs. It was the Colbert Report of Boise State Football. Nothing can ever replace that wit and fun that this site was able to gift all readers. It was even evident from visitors from other football teams who would comment about how good the blog post was or the bet post was. It made this year of football the funnest of my life. Thank you, OBNUG!
Intern, Augusto said he could use an intern, but only if you're willing to dress up like "Z" and go to parties and media events. If you have a slightly deep, not-so-munchkin sounding voice, he would like to use that to for voice over of his reports. He said it would be easy since he doesn't report breaking news until it becomes obvious, giving time for voice dubbing.
by KYBronco on Jan 21, 2009 8:08 AM PST reply actions
Well, finally got around to making a comment without choking up. Kevan and Obnug was definitely the cream of the crop of football blogs. It was the Colbert Report of Boise State Football. Nothing can ever replace that wit and fun that this site was able to gift all readers. It was even evident from visitors from other football teams who would comment about how good the blog post was or the bet post was. It made this year of football the funnest of my life. Thank you, OBNUG!
Intern, Augusto said he could use an intern, but only if you're willing to dress up like "Z" and go to parties and media events. If you have a slightly deep, not-so-munchkin sounding voice, he would like to use that too for voice over of his reports. He said it would be easy since he doesn't report breaking news until it becomes obvious, giving time for voice dubbing.
by KYBronco on Jan 21, 2009 8:09 AM PST reply actions
this really sucks. i live in Oklahoma and have been depending on this site to get all the bronco news i can. im overloaded with sooner info, but i need my blue turf fix, where do i go now??? oh the life of a military man!
by harpdog! on Jan 21, 2009 1:07 PM PST up reply actions
I live in california and its the same story usc this and usc that. I dont think kevan really knows how much this site means to bronco fans out of state. Im seriously considering purchasing a camper shell and moving to boise, so i can stay in the loop.
by TerminatorM on Jan 21, 2009 5:41 PM PST up reply actions
Well, I do look like Zabransky… If he were a lineman, red beard and all. My voice is pretty deep, I should be a shoe in! Too bad that Kerrith girl is gone. I think I'll give him a call.
by OBNUG Intern on Jan 21, 2009 3:07 PM PST up reply actions
I'm sad about this. I tried to get onto OBNUG about 20 times on Monday, so when the open letter was posted, my relief was short lived. Thanks, Kevan, for offering us the best Boise State Football blog, and one of the best college football blogs in the country. We were definitely spoiled. I hope you end up taking the off-season to build up your inspiration again. But hey, you have all my respect. For anyone to put out such a quality blog for as long as you kept it up, I hope you get paid for your journalistic skill one day. (if not already).
OBNUG is a kick ass blog. Thank you for the laughs and the insight, brother.
by pretendhuman on Jan 21, 2009 2:41 PM PST reply actions
I keep checking this site out of habit. Does anyone else have that going on?
by Jeremy on Jan 22, 2009 9:00 AM PST reply actions
Yeah, I'm still here. Kevan should just keep an open comment thread here so we can all keep in touch.
by goodhandsman on Jan 22, 2009 10:00 AM PST up reply actions
dude thats so sad. THIS SUCKS!!! ok so i have gone through Denial, now im obviously going through Anger, soon acceptance…
by TerminatorM on Jan 23, 2009 12:03 AM PST up reply actions
You guys are too nice. You're welcome to hang out in the comments as long as you want. This is not a Dairy Queen. There is no closing time.
Miss you all.
by kevanlee on Jan 22, 2009 11:40 AM PST reply actions
ooooohhh Dairy Queen. i miss that place, they got rid of them here in Oklahoma.
by harpdog! on Jan 22, 2009 4:21 PM PST up reply actions
Too bad this isn't a DQ, I could sure go for a blizzard right about now! What's the intern up too? He could go pick up something and deliver to each of us!
by goodhandsman on Jan 22, 2009 4:27 PM PST up reply actions
Too bad this isn't a DQ, I could sure go for a blizzard right about now! What's the intern up too? He could go pick up something and deliver to each of us!
by goodhandsman on Jan 22, 2009 4:27 PM PST up reply actions
If we keep commenting kevan and the obnug staff will come back!… I know it.
by TerminatorM on Jan 22, 2009 4:40 PM PST reply actions
I actually checked out Murph's turf yesterday. And bleacher report. And its sad. Wouldn't it be nice if we could all pitch in our spousal allowances of $20 per month so Kevan could work 20 hours per week and have a legitimate reason to renig on the blog's demise? 50 people at $20 is $1,000. Sleep on it, sir. I am in.
by pretendhuman on Jan 23, 2009 7:13 AM PST reply actions
It would probably be better money spent than BroncoCountry
The sad thing is that newspapers are dying and nobody reads them yet Brian Murphy is paid to write and nobody has found a viable model to make money with a blog like this. Maybe some day
by Nick on Jan 23, 2009 10:27 AM PST up reply actions
Good point. This site is 100 times better then the drivel Brian Murphy produces. You guys just needed press passes. Damn!
by Jeremy on Jan 23, 2009 12:37 PM PST up reply actions
BroncoCountry (and Scout.com) represent a lot of what is going wrong with college football. Leaches are making money while "reporting" on 16 & 17 year olds, all of which is speculation and hyperbole. This town is so punch drunk with Bronco love that any site offering 'inside' information will make a buck. Sooner or later, the fanbase as a whole will realize what happens on the field in the most important. (Raise your hand if you were excited about Kellen Moore on Letter of Intent day 2007)
Newspapers can't even use enough space to print a full boxscore, much less an article with any opinion on the game (although the Fresno Bee has had some good sports writers.) As long as there are Sunday coupons, somebody will have a need for the newspapers.
OBNUG, BNN and the other blogs at least offer a view for the fan, with some insight that is not offered in the other outlets. In addition to the superb writing skill of Kevan & Co, the respectful interaction within the comments is what makes/made OBNUG entertaining.
by BlueTurf on Jan 23, 2009 12:59 PM PST up reply actions
Funny that some of you all still check the site every day. I do, too. I am not very good at good-byes.
On a similar note, thanks for spelling my name correctly in your comments. It really means a lot to me.
Keep up those fund-raising efforts! Be talking to you soon.
by kevanlee on Jan 23, 2009 8:49 PM PST reply actions
Anyone else surprised at the double report on Boise's recruiting class on Bleacher report? The author is even more enthusiastic than I am. (And I'm thrilled with the class we have coming in). Have a nice weekend, fellow Bronco fans… and OBNUG….
by pretendhuman on Jan 24, 2009 8:00 PM PST reply actions
So, the MTN West made a proposal to be acknowledged as a BCS conference and they said that they would only invite BSU to join their conference only if it would help their chances of achieving that status. At this point, they do not feel that BSU could help their chances so they will not be extending an invite anytime soon. I wonder if that would have been different if had we beat TCU? Who needs them anyway?
by goodhandsman on Jan 26, 2009 5:00 PM PST reply actions
I really don't think it would have made a difference. Note that last time the MTN west we going to expand, they were deciding between TCU and Boise, well we won the Fort worth that bowl and everyone got excited because they thought we would then get the invite. But no, wins don't mean anything to the MTN west conference. Thus why they took TCU over us, and don't ever recognize our 12-1 record agains them as a conference! Cheers to that… who needs them!
by BigBaloo on Jan 26, 2009 8:50 PM PST up reply actions
Perhaps the 12-1 record is the reason that they won't invite us. They don't want us to come in and completely take over the conference like we did the WAC!
by goodhandsman on Jan 27, 2009 7:48 AM PST up reply actions
I'm really glad Utah whipped Alabama, but it went to the heads of the Mtn. West. Good teams come and go, but comparing BSU's future teams to the best of those of the Mtn. West gives us a good case. If they took just Boise State, they deserve an automatic bid. The competition would be that good. I doubt their conference fares as well in 09, especially as senior-heavy teams revamp across the board… Its up to BSU to prove its salt against our meager competition, once again. And I see us thumping the Mtn. West in the upcoming seasons. One field goal, and we beat TCU by 2…
by pretendhuman on Jan 26, 2009 6:16 PM PST reply actions
Two more inches for Vinny, and we win the game by 6…
by BigBaloo on Jan 26, 2009 8:51 PM PST up reply actions
I found out about the MWC thing from the deejays on a Lite FM channel while I was working out. It is not the way I prefer to have my disappointing news broken to me. Although having Elton John's "Tiny Dancer" as a follow-up song did help.
Wonder what kept the MWC from including Boise State? Academics? Women's softball? The fear of having all their teams lose to Boise State all the time?
by kevanlee on Jan 27, 2009 8:07 AM PST reply actions
I found out about the MWC thing from the deejays on a Lite FM channel while I was working out. It is not the way I prefer to have my disappointing news broken to me. Although having Elton John's "Tiny Dancer" as a follow-up song did help.
Wonder what kept the MWC from including Boise State. Academics? Women's softball? The fear of having all their teams lose to Boise State all the time?
by kevanlee on Jan 27, 2009 8:07 AM PST reply actions
I hope Boise can sign Ricky Tjong-A-Tjoe, the kid from Boise via The Netherlands. He's listed at 6-4 295. How sweet would it be having him and Billy Winn holding down the interior of the D-line?
by Jeremy on Jan 28, 2009 4:32 PM PST reply actions
I assume we'll get him, just because we got 2 other guys from the Netherlands. I'm hoping, anyway… But, yes, we need some stability on the offensive line… How else is Avery going to penetrate and prove himself this year?
by pretendhuman on Jan 28, 2009 4:55 PM PST up reply actions
Yeah, I thought that too. I guess the only reason I have my doubts is he has an offer from Oregon too. BSU would be so much better though.
by Jeremy on Jan 28, 2009 8:46 PM PST up reply actions
I assume we'll get him, just because we got 2 other guys from the Netherlands. I'm hoping, anyway… But, yes, we need some stability and size on the defensive line…
by pretendhuman on Jan 28, 2009 11:56 PM PST up reply actions
I'm pretty excited about Boise's recruiting. And now we have another 3-star guy from Cali. Jonathan Brown looks good on film, and most media outlets are calling him a big steal for the Broncos. WOOHOO! Its good to be a Boise State fan. __
by pretendhuman on Jan 28, 2009 11:53 PM PST reply actions
It seems that Graham Watson is reapplying for a seat on the 2009 Bronco Bandwagon.
<a href=“http://myespn.go.com/blogs/others/0-3-141/Boise-S…” target=“_blank”>http://myespn.go.com/blogs/others/0-3-141/Boise-S…</a>
Its nice to see Kellen Moore on the front page of ESPN's NCAA Football page though.
by goodhandsman on Jan 29, 2009 5:46 PM PST reply actions
She would.
Don't make me come back to everyday blogging, Graham. You don't want that to happen!
by kevanlee on Jan 30, 2009 11:28 AM PST up reply actions
I feel he will come back, at least i hope. im tired of getting my news from broncocountry. statue left, bronconationnow and fightfightbsu are good sites, but they just dont give me the steady flow of bronco news i need.
by TerminatorM on Jan 31, 2009 2:57 AM PST reply actions
You know, we just need a webcam in coach Pete's office… or atleast a microphone! I can't imagine how hard it would be to come up with stuff to talk about right now. Once we get to spring practices and all that jazz it will be easier. But right now is the worst time of the year! Absolutely nothing going on. It'll be nice to have LOI next week!
by BigBaloo on Jan 31, 2009 6:41 PM PST reply actions
Happy LOI day, everyone. Here's to forgetting half of these kids' names by August!
by kevanlee on Feb 4, 2009 11:07 AM PST reply actions
I don't know for sure, but I'm going to have a hard time forgetting these kids names, especially after watching their videos and imagining their collective and individual impact on the Broncos. It seems like every year is more exciting and better covered by even the mainstream media. ..Are you basically saying there will be many gray and red shirts?
by pretendhuman on Feb 9, 2009 7:18 AM PST up reply actions
I don't know for sure, but I'm going to have a hard time forgetting these kids' names, especially after watching their videos and imagining their collective and individual impact on the Broncos. It seems like every year is more exciting and better covered by even the mainstream media. ..Are you basically saying there will be many gray and red shirts?
by pretendhuman on Feb 9, 2009 7:19 AM PST up reply actions
So true Kevan. What was that Kirby guy's last name again?! (okay, maybe we won't forget that one.)
by BlueTurf on Feb 4, 2009 8:29 PM PST reply actions
Moore to Moore for a touchdown kind of has a nice ring to it!
by Brian on Feb 6, 2009 9:56 AM PST reply actions
No, I'm just saying that we won't hear much of anything from these kids until they arrive in camp in the fall. The media does a great job building buzz around LOI day, but after that, they just kind of pack it in for the next several months and say little. I can hear the wind blowing through Chadd Cripe's Bronco Beat as we speak.
by kevanlee on Feb 9, 2009 2:25 PM PST reply actions
lol. Looks like I'm in for disappointment, I guess… I'm not gonna miss Murph's turf…When does he change jobs already?
by pretendhuman on Feb 9, 2009 7:53 PM PST up reply actions
At least spring ball starts March 6th. Then the Blue and Orange game and the draft in April. That will have to get me by until fall camp.
by Jeremy on Feb 10, 2009 9:26 AM PST up reply actions
I have to post something…anything. I've been enjoying some of the Bleacher report coverage, but I don't like it when somebody posts a "part one" article and never posts a "part two." Its been more than a few days… We were just spoiled at Obnug…
by pretendhuman on Feb 16, 2009 9:30 PM PST reply actions
So, spring ball is finally here. Titus is back, Harsin is allowing Moore to be more flexible with the offense including throwing the deep ball and Doug Martin is getting a shot at defense. Isn't Bronco football great?! I've discovered I get a bit moody without Bronco Football.
I can't wait for the scrimmages!!
by Jeremy on Mar 10, 2009 2:50 PM PDT reply actions
You and me both, Jeremy. Spring football is the only thing that keeps me from becoming a soccer fan. And for that, I owe spring football my life.
Plus, we've got the NCAAs coming up. Anyone here interested in doing a bracket pool? I'll set something up and get a few invites out.
by kevanlee on Mar 11, 2009 6:25 AM PDT reply actions
I would be interested, except that I am not into basketball anymore… Boise State football is my only vice, and it satisfies…
Unrelated, but cool to my life:
1. My wife almost let me name our child Kellen (to be born in April..) seriously.
2. I finally got back the football I bought for my preschool class (me, mostly) and it was signed like 50 times! -notables…Vinny, Ian, Kellen, Jeron, – most of the rest are illegible, except for the numbers… Funny that at least 2 guys signed it twice by accident! Ha ha ha!
3. And yesterday, I found out that one of the little girls in my class has an interesting babysitter who is picking her up and dropping her off this whole week…. Anyone know Andrew Woodruff? Man, he's a big dude! Apparently, he is an awesome babysitter and great with kids… Boise always gets good guys…
So, thats my piece of Boise State happiness! I swear its all true, and I would love to show any pics of the football if you guys are interested… I'm still blown away we were so lucky!
Peace, and keep up the enthusiasm…. Travis
by pretendhuman on Mar 11, 2009 7:28 AM PDT reply actions
It's articles like this when I realize how much I miss the OBNUG. http://collegian.csufresno.edu/2009/03/11/it%e2%8…
Glad to have spring football here, for unlike Kevan, I have become a soccer fan – spent my "lunch" yesterday watching Champions League quarterfinals.
I am definitely in for a bracket pool if you set one up. Guess it's time I join the OBNUG club on facebook.
by BlueTurf on Mar 12, 2009 7:57 AM PDT reply actions
Cool. We'll get the pool set up soon and let everyone know. You won't want to miss it.
by kevanlee on Mar 13, 2009 11:27 AM PDT up reply actions
Tourney pool is set up here:
http://games.espn.go.com/tcmen/group?groupID=4770…
by kevanlee on Mar 17, 2009 11:34 AM PDT reply actions
Tournament announcement: R.Ahrens, J.Sholley, and n.kroes are your leaders heading into the final week of the tournament. The n.kroes is the same n.kroes who won our bowl pick 'em contest, so let's see if we can't break his winning streak. And by "we," I don't mean "me" because I am currently in third to last place.
OBNUG announcement: Thanks to everyone for keeping in touch with the comments and posts on this site. I need to tell you something important at the end of this month, so don't go unsubscribing between now and then. You are all the best, but you probably already knew that.
by kevanlee on Apr 1, 2009 6:34 AM PDT reply actions
Are you kidding man? I still check this site almost every day!
by Jeremy on Apr 1, 2009 9:26 PM PDT up reply actions
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Broncos Football Schedule
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Georgia
|
Sat 09/03 | W 35 - 21 |
| @ Toledo | Fri 09/16 | W 40 - 15 |
| Tulsa | Sat 09/24 | W 41 - 21 |
| Nevada | Sat 10/01 | W 30 - 10 |
| @ Fresno St. | Fri 10/07 | W 57 - 7 |
| @ Colorado St. | Sat 10/15 | W 63 - 13 |
| Air Force | Sat 10/22 | W 37 - 26 |
| @ UNLV | Sat 11/05 | W 48 - 21 |
|
TCU
|
Sat 11/12 | L 35 - 36 |
| @ San Diego St. | Sat 11/19 | W 52 - 35 |
|
Wyoming
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Sat 11/26 | W 36 - 14 |
| New Mexico | Sat 12/03 | W 45 - 0 |
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Arizona St.
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Thu 12/22 | W 56 - 24 |
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