SEC Football Book Idea

[hungryhippo]

Hey Guys,

I don't post much, read a lot. Have been on here and ISD on and off the past 4/5 years.

I'm seriously considering taking a year off teaching in Chicago (I'm 28 and not tenured) and spending next fall seeing one home game for every SEC team, and writing a book on the experience.

I'll flush out some more details as I go along, but I'd love to hear general feedback and what topics you'd like to see covered in such a book (recruiting, what it's like to be a student-athlete vs a regular student, the arms race of top-of-the-line facilities, the fanbases, coaching and coaching turnover, etc.) that don't mirror books like The System and Meat Market (both outstanding reads).

Also, if you know people/are a person in one of the SEC cities who you can put me in contact with, maybe PM me about that, as I'll surely want/need to talk to people in the know, people on a team, people who follow recruiting, work for recruiting websites, people who can find me tickets to games on the cheap, and so on..

This is in the beginning stages of planning, but there's a very good chance I might pull up stakes and go do this for a year.

Any feedback appreciated.

 

[NDBoiler]

Expose it for what it is, a $cam.

 

[Cackalacky]

Wear a rubber.

 

[ResLife Hero]

After seeing almost half the SEC, you might find your experience has more fun/ridiculous times than scandalous ones. I readily admit that many programs participate in practices that I'm not a fan of, but I've met some of the friendliest and most fun people at home games. Hell, when we made the 2012 goal line stand against Stanford, I was tailgating in Baton Rouge, and a stranger changed his giant TV to our game, invited all the ND guys over and did shots with us while we had our amazing win.

My point is, if you want to expose the dirt and scandal of recruiting, I don't think visiting a home game will get you the information you want. I'm sure it all happens, and I'd like to see everything get cleaned up, but you'll need deeper intel to really shine a light on the unethical practices in college football.

 

[Cackalacky]

Follow the money.

 

[Kaneyoufeelit]

I've always been really interested in identity, specifically voluntary associations and how identifying as part of a group shapes individual identity. I believe there is literature on the topic as it relates to European soccer. I would guess that SEC football would be a fantastic place to investigate that in America. Fandom in that region of the country is intense and I think it would be great to read about how the success or failure of a team shape the lives and identities of individuals.

 

[irishog77]

Just make sure you don't turn into a pretentious nutsack that becomes a self-anointed expert on ess eee cee footbaw like clay travis did after he wrote his book, "dixieland delight." Or simply become the younger, hipster version of paw f-baum like clay travis is.

If you avoid those 2 dangers, then it should be smooth sailing for you.

 

[Kaneyoufeelit]

Just make sure you don't turn into a pretentious nutsack that becomes a self-anointed expert on ess eee cee footbaw like clay travis did after he wrote his book, "dixieland delight." Or simply become the younger, hipster version of paw f-baum like clay travis is.

If you avoid those 2 dangers, then it should be smooth sailing for you.

One of my best friends is at Vandy Law (Clay's alma mater) and the dude loves him some Clay and can't understand my overwhelming disdain for the prick.

 

[Damion704]

Just make sure you don't turn into a pretentious nutsack that becomes a self-anointed expert on ess eee cee footbaw like clay travis did after he wrote his book, "dixieland delight." Or simply become the younger, hipster version of paw f-baum like clay travis is.

If you avoid those 2 dangers, then it should be smooth sailing for you.

Yes. I really dislike that guy.

 

[T Town Tommy]

One of my best friends is at Vandy Law (Clay's alma mater) and the dude loves him some Clay and can't understand my overwhelming disdain for the prick.

Travis is a douche.... and even he knows it.

A great book idea would be who will win the prestigious Fulmer Cup this year. Mizzou has an early lead, with A&M and Ole Mi$$ not far behind.

 

[Cackalacky]

I am game as long as I can be a silent partner.

 

[Kaneyoufeelit]

Travis is a douche.... and even he knows it.

A great book idea would be who will win the prestigious Fulmer Cup this year. Mizzou has an early lead, with A&M and Ole Mi$$ not far behind.

Mizzou and A&M took their mandate to become SEC in all sports very seriously

 

[irishog77]

Travis is a douche.... and even he knows it.

A great book idea would be who will win the prestigious Fulmer Cup this year. Mizzou has an early lead, with A&M and Ole Mi$$ not far behind.

I think the 2nd part of that statement is far, far from the truth.

 

[hungryhippo]

I've always been really interested in identity, specifically voluntary associations and how identifying as part of a group shapes individual identity. I believe there is literature on the topic as it relates to European soccer. I would guess that SEC football would be a fantastic place to investigate that in America. Fandom in that region of the country is intense and I think it would be great to read about how the success or failure of a team shape the lives and identities of individuals.

I love this idea, and have been bouncing similar things around in my own head relative to(< a kellyism) how central a role sports affiliations play in identity.

Maybe looking for a relationship between, if these fans were okay with a losing culture (a la Chicago Cubs, to cross sports streams) would the recruiting wars and upgrading of facilities be necessary?

But I love the idea of voluntary associations dictating quality of life and identity. I feel like a thorough picture of this would definitely be enough glass to hold a mirror up to anyone else who does that in America outside SEC football.

 

[hungryhippo]

Just make sure you don't turn into a pretentious nutsack that becomes a self-anointed expert on ess eee cee footbaw like clay travis did after he wrote his book, "dixieland delight." Or simply become the younger, hipster version of paw f-baum like clay travis is.

If you avoid those 2 dangers, then it should be smooth sailing for you.

I'm unfamiliar on this guy. Will definitely check out his book and dig around on him on the interwebs. Can someone give me the cliff notes on what makes him so douchey.

And yeah, F-baum is a WINNER.

 

[ndfi78]

I'm unfamiliar on this guy. Will definitely check out his book and dig around on him on the interwebs. Can someone give me the cliff notes on what makes him so douchey.

And yeah, F-baum is a WINNER.

Don't do it, don't give him page hits or buy his book. Only way he goes away.

 

[Black Irish]

I don't know how much you plan to make to book about you, but since you are coming to it from Chicago, I see a lot of "stranger in a strange land" gold to mine. Also, I'd suggest starting a blog to build some interest and keep your momentum going.

 

[irishtrain]

You know boys-I can give my answer in 2 words-not interested.

 

[D-BOE34]

If you commit, I think you should go with the "Recruit" angle. If the school can pay them then you can pay them to follow on a visit. Names are excluded but experience and interviews are real. Go big or go home. Any other way I would assume is word of mouth and would not care. I can't imagine what the big time publishers would say, much less, pay for this info.

Just my $.02

 

[hungryhippo]

...About a month later. I've been busy working on this and I'm going through with this book idea. Thanks for the original posts, a couple, especially the ones about fan culture and identity and the 'stranger in a strange land' first person travel narrative have helped shape my concept.

I'm going to drive around the SEC, see as many rivalry and otherwise big games as possible, hitting 17 games total including the SEC championship game.

The focus is definitely going to center on the fans. The identity of the Southern man as it revolves around College Football fandom.

I've been active on 4 or 5 teams sites and have gotten some great feedback and I've finished a 2nd draft of a book proposal for a publishing grant.

If anyone wants to read it, it's 10 pages. PM me, I'm taking all the feedback I can get at this point and still very open to new ideas and concepts as I shape the thematic inquiry part of this book.

Favor to ask: Can you guys throw me a follow on twitter: @jmmarch2

I have a friend in publishing in NY who told me the book idea is good, keep polishing it, but what I really need right now is to 'develop a social media presence' If you could help me out, I'd really appreciate it.

Beyond that, would love to hear from any Irish fans from or living in the South.

Thanks for being a sounding board and offering feedback fellas

Jim

 

[hungryhippo]

Oh, and here's the schedule:

8/28 aTm @ SC
8/30 Clemson @ UGA
9/6 Ole Miss @ Vandy
9/13 Kentucky @ Florida
9/20 Florida @ Bama
9/27 Mizzou @ SC
10/4 LSU @ Auburn
10/11 LSU @ FLa
10/18 Tenn @ Ole Miss
10/25 Bama @ Tenn
11/1 WLOCP (FLA/GA in Jax)
11/8 Bama @ LSU
11/15 Miss St @ Bama
11/22 Ole Miss @ Arky
11/27 LSU @ aTM
11/29 Iron Bowl
12/6 SEC CHAMP

 

[hungryhippo]

Oh and I read Dixieland Delight. Simply put, he walks right up to where there's gold to be mined and makes a stupid and often-times forced joke about his law school buddies or a shitty pop culture reference. Time after time. I'm not worried that my book idea's been done.

 

[ndfi78]

followed, you might want to put a direct link to your twitter profile so people don't have to search/type it in.

 

[Irish Insanity]

Followed

 

[Black Irish]

...About a month later. I've been busy working on this and I'm going through with this book idea. Thanks for the original posts, a couple, especially the ones about fan culture and identity and the 'stranger in a strange land' first person travel narrative have helped shape my concept.

I'm going to drive around the SEC, see as many rivalry and otherwise big games as possible, hitting 17 games total including the SEC championship game.

The focus is definitely going to center on the fans. The identity of the Southern man as it revolves around College Football fandom.

I've been active on 4 or 5 teams sites and have gotten some great feedback and I've finished a 2nd draft of a book proposal for a publishing grant.

If anyone wants to read it, it's 10 pages. PM me, I'm taking all the feedback I can get at this point and still very open to new ideas and concepts as I shape the thematic inquiry part of this book.

Favor to ask: Can you guys throw me a follow on twitter: @jmmarch2

I have a friend in publishing in NY who told me the book idea is good, keep polishing it, but what I really need right now is to 'develop a social media presence' If you could help me out, I'd really appreciate it.

Beyond that, would love to hear from any Irish fans from or living in the South.

Thanks for being a sounding board and offering feedback fellas

Jim

Followed. I know it's not about sports, but one of my favorite "writer follows a big event and gives his unique take" is Matt Taibbi's "Spanking the Donkey." It's about the lead up to the 2004 Democratic presidential primary. It's one of the most hilarious and informative books about the political process I've ever read. What makes it work is the Taibbi's refusal to write a standard "Boys on the Bus" political journal. I'm not suggesting doing gonzo stunts just to be novel, but you'll likely pull more out of a story if you take an off-centered angle. It's worth a read if you haven't already and could give you some (weird) ideas.

 

[ClausentoTate]

I'm all for this -- As a personal request, please ask 50 Alabama fans how many championships they have... I am interested to see the results.

 

[irishog77]

Oh, and here's the schedule:

8/28 aTm @ SC
8/30 Clemson @ UGA
9/6 Ole Miss @ Vandy
9/13 Kentucky @ Florida
9/20 Florida @ Bama
9/27 Mizzou @ SC
10/4 LSU @ Auburn
10/11 LSU @ FLa
10/18 Tenn @ Ole Miss
10/25 Bama @ Tenn
11/1 WLOCP (FLA/GA in Jax)
11/8 Bama @ LSU
11/15 Miss St @ Bama
11/22 Ole Miss @ Arky
11/27 LSU @ aTM
11/29 Iron Bowl
12/6 SEC CHAMP

So. Much. Talent. In the stands.

If you're single, this is like a wet dream schedule.

 

[Cackalacky]

...About a month later. I've been busy working on this and I'm going through with this book idea. Thanks for the original posts, a couple, especially the ones about fan culture and identity and the 'stranger in a strange land' first person travel narrative have helped shape my concept.

I'm going to drive around the SEC, see as many rivalry and otherwise big games as possible, hitting 17 games total including the SEC championship game.

The focus is definitely going to center on the fans. The identity of the Southern man as it revolves around College Football fandom.

I've been active on 4 or 5 teams sites and have gotten some great feedback and I've finished a 2nd draft of a book proposal for a publishing grant.

If anyone wants to read it, it's 10 pages. PM me, I'm taking all the feedback I can get at this point and still very open to new ideas and concepts as I shape the thematic inquiry part of this book.

Favor to ask: Can you guys throw me a follow on twitter: @jmmarch2

I have a friend in publishing in NY who told me the book idea is good, keep polishing it, but what I really need right now is to 'develop a social media presence' If you could help me out, I'd really appreciate it.

Beyond that, would love to hear from any Irish fans from or living in the South.

Thanks for being a sounding board and offering feedback fellas

Jim

I don't think any SEC football book will be complete without a discussion on the post Civil War Culture and migration of the northerners into the Antebellum South. Many of the schools in the south were A&M type schools and were only men's schools until the turn of the century. Most were closed during the Civil War and opened as part of reconstruction Also, the Jim Crow and Integration periods cannot be overlooked and is a big deal culturally.

For example So.Car along with many of the state schools formed cadet corps during the war. The students served in the war and many never returned. Those that returned were angry about losing the war and had nothing as much of it was destroyed, (Columbia was burned to the ground). There are many documents about how during the post reconstruction period that the yankees brought football down south with them and football became a way for southerners to beat the yankees and northern "elitists".