Top College News Subscribe to the Newsletter

Partners in crime strike again

Letter to the Editor

Published: Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Updated: Wednesday, February 1, 2012 23:02

 

I would start this opinion piece by comparing The Kennel "Club" Board to a corrupt organization that has been fleecing students and the Spokane community for years, but that would be giving them too much credit. The Kennel Club Board is no more than a group of kids who put up a "No girls allowed" sign on a treehouse. While many people continue to see this "club" and its board as the epitome of true Gonzaga fans, I look past the smoke and mirrors and see the true colors of this organization: Not blue, red, white and sometimes black; but just one, green.

While I have written extensively about what I believe are  the corrupt nature of the Kennel Club Board and its partner in crime, GSBA, I felt called to once again bring this point up because of a recent YouTube video I had the unfortunate opportunity to waste three minutes of my life on. It was a regular Wednesday night for me, watching a rerun of "Revenge" and tending to my farm on Farmville, when my Facebook newsfeed was littered with a YouTube video about the history of the Kennel "Club" and its board. Being a crusader for the regular GU fan, I decided to watch, hoping that someone finally took up my rallying cry and exposed these frauds for what they really are.

Unfortunately, what I saw was the exact opposite. I saw current and former "presidents" of the Kennel "Club" wrap themselves in the GU name, acting as if they have invented how to root for the greatest college basketball team in the history of the world. They exuded such a false bravado and fake self-importance I almost thought I was watching Washington fans talk themselves into their irrelevant "football team" (if you can even call it that). I was also not surprised to see that baseball players started this "club." Knowing several personally, I can attest to their bloated egos and delusional reasoning. However, I digress. What I really got from this video was that people still believe that these select few, however they are selected, are the standard by which GU fans must follow.

       I, like most people, believe in freedom and the right to watch a GU game however you want to. Where you will not be judged for not overpaying and wearing some ugly shirt. Where seats are not reserved for a select few because they decided they are better than everyone else. I believe in the GU fans who, in their hearts, do not need some title or group to validate their rooting interest in the greatest team ever. I believe in the fan that year-in and year-out will pick GU to win the national championship in their brackets, the ones who find their own personal ways for rooting for this beloved team.

           In closing, GU nation has no place for people who run groups such as the Kennel "Club" board, GSBA and The Slipper Still Fits. These archaic organizations mirror those of Augusta National or a 15th-century monarchy, where people are excluded for being themselves and people who are "in charge" mistake nepotism for power. Leaving these types of people in power will lead to the dreaded Big Ten syndrome: where delusion and entitlement rule, where a lack of responsibility poisons the very essence of what is pure about GU basketball. In my heart of hearts I believe that GU basketball is bigger than one phony self-appointed group of corrupt thugs, but their reign of terror has lasted long enough. It's time to clean house and start anew. I once again call for the disbandment of both the Kennel Club Board and GSBA.

I may be ridiculed or defamed for stating these ideas, but let me tell you, I am ready to fight for these beliefs. I know they are gonna hate me for saying this, but, Roll Damn Zags.

Recommended: Articles that may interest you

14 comments

Anonymous
Sat Feb 4 2012 12:52
When I read this article I was wondering why you were so upset at these two organizations...but now I know it is just because you are still burned from not being president! Get over it, ZagUp!
Anonymous
Fri Feb 3 2012 02:33
You do know the current Kennel Club President is a woman, right? Also, things have vastly changed for both Kennel Club and GSBA since you have graduated. Neither group feels any entitlement and are all extremely helpful and nice. Before writing this article I would have had researched a little harder because you sound like a bitter Zag.
Anonymous
Fri Feb 3 2012 02:32
Next time you write an article to the editor make sure you do your research. Maybe talk with people who are actually on Kennel Club or GSBA because you have no factual evidence to back up anything you said.
Special_K
Thu Feb 2 2012 19:48
Three random thoughts from an alum:

1. Farmville.. really? REALLLLLY? #cmonman
2. Willing to bet the work of the KC over the years is what made you aware of GU in the first place.
3. Exclusivity and elitism is everywhere. Both are typically earned, not given. Time to grow up young man.

Anonymous
Thu Feb 2 2012 19:29
In total agreement with you on the readily applicable benefits of Farmville, John. That game is the bees' knees. Thank you for defending it from that vicious and untoward remark.

What's wrong with a letter expressing an opinion? I do agree that the Kennel Club has gotten better, but I too was grinding my teeth as I watched that video about the "history." It was the kind of material that South Park could go to town on. Reminded me of their parody of George Clooney's acceptance speech during the "Smug" episode. Too much self-aggrandizing.

Also, and this is probably the most pressing issue; Publius, what's the name of this "fiery dragon?" How fiery is it on a scale of 1-10?

John Reid
Thu Feb 2 2012 19:11
Anonymous,

I respect your opinion and I am glad to see my article is creating a conversation amongst students. However, I am fine with you attacking my intelligence, my lack of "contribution" to the world, when you call Farmville a "mindless" game you have crossed a line. The game takes both dedication and skill that is relatable to a real world setting. To get back to your main point, this is the kind of stuff they want you to believe. That nothing could happen without them, that Gonzaga Basketball would drop off the face of the earth if the Kennel Club Board was not there to "run" the show. This is why I wrote this article, I believe that these two groups add nothing to the Gonzaga experience that say a few students could not handle. As for my lack of caring and trying to do something, I once tried to run for President of GSBA to institute this chance but, after collecting my signatures, I was told I would not be allowed to run because I did have a semester of "experience" in GSBA aka I was not one of the "good ole boys". But, again I appreciate your comments and I hope you have a wonderful rest of the semester.

Anonymous
Thu Feb 2 2012 17:57
Wow. After reading this article I am beginning to wonder if Gonzaga is really becoming so lax on their admissions policies that they would let someone like the author of this article into the school. Now don't get me wrong, I can understand how someone would be upset at the GSBA and Kennel board for the things they do, such as coordinate all events around campus and athletics, put in countless hours trying to do things that will help the students enjoy the games more, not to mention help the school get some national recognition. I can totally understand how those things could infuriate someone who has nothing better to do than watch TV, play mindless games, and scan Facebook for something else that makes them upset enough to write about. I understand that some individuals just cannot accept the fact that there are other people out there, who care so much more than they do about the school and the organizations that they are willing to put themselves out in the open and take the criticism in order to help make Gonzaga a better place. They are the ones who take risks and put 100% of their effort into everything they do, unlike other people who only want to put effort into their Farmville account, while waiting for the COG to open for dinner. Talking about GSBA and the Kennel Board as if they are just the winners of some popularity contest is down right dumb. Those people work harder than anyone else in the school, and even if they don't always make the best decision, at least they try, some of them were even asked to do it by faculty members who have seen how great they are in the MANY of the OTHER things they work on around campus. Unlike some people who would rather criticize and then turn the TV back on and get back to doing nothing. Criticize once you have spent a day in their shoes working hour after hour just for you, the one who criticizes them. Don't forget, these people do all this work for FREE, the least you could do is let them watch the game from the front row. And if a $20 T-shirt is too much to ask, don't buy one, you won't get beat up for not wearing one by these so called "bully's". Comparing these organizations to Augusta National!?! Ha! Might as well get rid of Golf all together right? Since its so old and you have to be somewhat privileged to be able to play or participate. Whoever wrote this, get real. Try putting effort into something other than yourself for once and then maybe you will have a different opinion. But I doubt that will happen, Haters are always going to Hate.
Anonymous
Thu Feb 2 2012 17:23
i lol'd when I read this. Completely untrue, especially since a lot has changed since this guy went here, but I guess humorous. I think GSBA and Kennel Club are doing a great job this year
Anonymous
Thu Feb 2 2012 16:59
Finally the students of Gonzaga have a reason to believe in the dismantling of these awful "leadership" groups. Thank you John for finally standing up for what is right and removing the black blindfold from not only your eyes, but hopefully the eyes of this communities population. I've followed your path of criticism of the GSBA and Kennel Club and have looked for signs of their departure only to find that they are continuing to oppress the true fans of GU. Is anything being done? Can we hold a rally at St. Al's or Mulligan to prove that this MUST stop? I, along with many of my companions are frustrated and tired of being pushed into a corner and need a reason for hope. John Reid is the White Knight! Roll Zags
John Reid
Thu Feb 2 2012 16:09
Dear Anonymous and Publius,
I appreciate your comments but you both miss the main point of why I have peneed this series of articles trying to dismantle both the Board and GSBA. The emoby the idea that students should be put ahead of other students because one person in power deems them cooler, funnier, etc. While hard working and passionate is debateable, their purpose is to conintue this environment of entlitement and false superiority. I have first hand experience with both the GSBA and the board and their bully tactics of silencing someone who tries to make a real chance. I just want people to not be like sheep and blindy follow these two organizations.
Anonymous
Thu Feb 2 2012 16:09
Dear Anonymous and Publius,

I appreciate your comments but you both miss the main point of why I have peneed this series of articles trying to dismantle both the Board and GSBA. The emoby the idea that students should be put ahead of other students because one person in power deems them cooler, funnier, etc. While hard working and passionate is debateable, their purpose is to conintue this environment of entlitement and false superiority. I have first hand experience with both the GSBA and the board and their bully tactics of silencing someone who tries to make a real chance. I just want people to not be like sheep and blindy follow these two organizations.

Publius
Thu Feb 2 2012 15:54
This article makes me sad, not because of the statement he makes but the sheer madness he tries to pass as logical thought. The tone of this article seems nothing more than a 2009 graduate who, empty and sad at the digression of his own life, fearing the irrelevant prospects for his future decides instead of moving the conversation forward to put down those who provide a service that his lowly academic career can not compare. I feel sad that his Jesuit education has led to this. I hope he knows that he has awoken a fiery dragon and it will not be silent. WE ARE GU!
Anonymous
Thu Feb 2 2012 15:16
You do realize that this is a "letter to the editor" piece? So this was not written by a Bulletin staff member. This was an opinion someone e-mailed in.

And I am pretty sure the Bulletin has interviewed club leaders recently too. I applaud their efforts.

Anonymous
Thu Feb 2 2012 12:47
I am appalled by the lack of knowledge of the author in this article. If the Bulletin is a journalistic entity, today it has failed. If time was taken to look deeper into these organizational structures (Kennel Board and GSBA), one would not find a perfect group of students by any means. But one would find a group of hard working and passionate students who have to accommodate for over 4,000 student opinions.
Interviewing club leaders would have been the way to go with this article because whining about something one wants to change hasn't worked since kindergarten.






log out