I usually don't put e-mailers on blast, but this kind fellow specifically asked me to circulate his, so I'll oblige:
-------------- Original message --------------
From: "Riggi, Rick" <XXiiii2@xxxxxxxx.org>
"So, yeah, enjoy that home game"...WOW, way to disrespect a good team with a good tradition. As a father who has seen his son make the playoffs in each of the last four years, and watch as Hobart wins the league 3 of the last four years, I struggle with the fact that all you guys can do is regurgitate Mt. Union's praise. If you people could do more than just spit-up the Mt. Union bile, you might be more than a second rate journalist.
Oh yeah, the above holds true for those other brainiacs Ryan, Frank, and Pat. If you see them please tell them for me.
This is what you guys sound like..."Blah, Blah, Blah....Mt. Union"...."Blah, Blah, Blah...Mt. Union"
Here is my response to him:
Mr. Riggi,
I re-read the paragraph in question on account of your e-mail and I stand by all of it.
I will make sure the others see your note.
Good luck tomorrow,
Keith McMillan
National Columnist
Keith@D3football.com
Certainly I could have said more, but he didn't seem ready for a rational conversation, as parents of a player often are not.
I don't like to give e-mails like this too much credence with a response, although posed differently, I would certainly be glad to have this discussion.
Was I dimissive of Hobart's chances should they earn a game at Mount Union? Yes.
Do I regret that? No.
As we often must remind folks, we are on Mount Union's jock because they have earned it. Well, let me replace "we" with "I" and not speak for the other guys.
Let me remind anyone reading that my own alma mater, a team I would like to see win more than any other, goes to Mount Union this weekend. Was I dismissive of their chances too? Yes.
Not because I think it's fun to all hail Mount Union and knock whoever plays them. Because they really do have very little chance of winning. I have been doing this for 11 years now, eight or nine with D3football.com, and it's been proven over time that Mount Union is not very vulnerable to the type of teams they play in the first three rounds. Semifinals and Stagg Bowl, possibly.
If proven wrong, I would gladly give respect where it is due, even retroactively, and admit that I was very wrong.
Should anyone want to have a rational discussion, the floor is open.
I realize it's not comforting to hear that Mount Union is very likely going to kick the crap out of your favorite squad, son's team, alma mater, etc.
But even a second-rate journalist knows the difference between doing your readers a service by calling it like you see it and doing them a disservice by lying to them outright.
