Half (50%) the respondents to a recent Rattler Nation poll said they disliked the new FAMU Athletic Website. Level of dislike varied from "It's Garbage" to just plain "Don't Like" to "Hate It".
Another 17% said the site appeared to be incomplete, while 12% said the were neither liked it or disliked it.
Only 24 % of respondents said they "liked" or "loved" the site.
Most critics lamented the fact that the website used a majority of its articles the Tallahassee Democrat and said it more resembled a "blog" rather than a college athletic website. Still others said it needs to be more visually appealing and (original) content rich. "Perhaps the athletic department should have enlisted the help of the CIS Department or students in the Graphic Arts Department to put together something," said a poster on a message board.
Also see: Athletics website lost in cyberspace
Yet, Booster Director Mickey Clayton sent out an email hailing the new website and touting its "record breaking" web traffic of 4,500 on its first day. "The FAMU faithful have evidently been waiting the arrival of the new website as they have responded with 4,583 hits in one day," Clayton wrote.
In response to Clayton's overly zealous self praise one message board poster wrote, "assuming that all of these hits are from supporters of FAMU, a fund raising opportunity was missed. Where is the prominently placed donate button?"
Another wrote, "What he (Clayton) failed to mention is that it was 4,500 folks checking out and going WTF !"
Still another, "They don't tell you how many people don't like it....as we all know it's not all postive. Nobody hating but there's other site in Div II and in the Meac that looks better than what's we have."
Also see: Athletics website lost in cyberspace
I called the athletic department last week and voiced my concerns. I encourage you all to do the same. I was told that the dead links and misspellings were temporary. I was also told that the website would be fully functional very soon. I offered my services and the services of my Internet design friends. My offer was declined though. They said they have it under control. We'll see...
ReplyDeleteLet's see how long the athletic department keeps up this stubborn scharade even when the majority of Rattlers voice their dissent. With all of the spectacular recent student graduate designers, Mickey's bullishness just makes him look like a complete fool. And it's unfortunate, especially when the very people who fund the site are outraged(and they don't use discretion-they are VERY verbal)!
ReplyDeleteThere's no time and there's certainly no room for this type of tomfoolery when we just shelled out all of this money for a great coach and football season, and then skimped on our number #1 marketing opportunity! Just complete absurdity if you ask me! Let's stop trying to save face and get help when we clearly need it!
A recent FAMU graduate's work
ReplyDeletehttp://moonlitmondays.com/
http://www.axildevelopment.com/
And I know for a fact that this doesn't even begin to scratch the surface when it comes to our talent.
Let's do better.
In this day and age of technology your website is the first look into your program and the direction you are headed. I must admit that the Athletic Cite is a work in progress, but we must have faith in the leadership of the department and give the benefit of the doubt before we crucify anyone.
ReplyDeleteMickey is doing his best to work with what he's got and that is nothing. To run a website through CSTV, JumpTV, or anyone else would cost the department in the upwards amount of $10,000 to $20,000 dollars. With a $2.5 million deficit looming there is a need to cut back and find progressive ways to get our message out.
Now before you try and crucify me for standing up for them let me first ask any of you a few questions.
1. How many of you have donated to FAMU Athletics this past year (I have $500 and will continue too even though i have not attended a game since college)?
2. How many of you have experience in college athletics (I do with over 6 years as a Division I-A senior administrator for a major university)?
3. How many of you truly understand how difficult it is to direct and manage a HBCU and try to lead it to heights never before seen?
Anything that is worth something needs time to cultivate. When fiscal solvency is within reach maybe a new website with all the bells and whistles can be obtainable, but applaud the effort to place a product up on the web that will save money and still get a message to patrons and vendors.
Also, if you tight a%$es gave a little money to your university and the athletic department then there would not be a deficit. Attend a game, donate to the scholarship fund, encourage perpetual donations by your fellow rattlers that will help usher in a new era of dominance and fiscal responsibility.
I am one rattler who believes in the pride of FAMU and the seed that Jake planted on the Hill that blossomed into one of the greatest athletic departments in the history of the country that has not been told. Let's show pride and support rather than be crabs in a barrel.
1:47 am,
ReplyDeleteYou are making most of this about money. We understand that cuts had to be made; however, lets at least be smart about the product you put out to the public, cuts or no cuts. If the new site cost any money (other than the purchase of the domain) then we still have as much of a problem as we had when we were paying cstv. You must weigh the pros and the cons evenly to understand what I am saying. Point blank, as many others have mentioned before, the site could have been done 250% better by students at the university, at no cost. Why not utilize the resources you have at hand? Again, lets at least be smart.
famus#1fan, I understand your remarks regarding the site, but lets give the department time to correct any issues and visualize the final product that will satisfy the needs of the department and its constituents.
ReplyDeletepulling resources at the university maybe an option, but if it was not explored then we must continue to be supportive and place faith in the administration.
If money were truly an issue, they could have purchased this template (used by the J-School) for $40.
ReplyDeleteSee how the J-School makes use of this template: http://famunewsnetwork.com/news/
This looks 1000% percent better than what is currently up.
One thing I can't stand is exuses and idiotic statements about believing in and supporting crap. I believe in and support quality. Even if you want to be cheap, you can still produce better than what we currently did. It ain't about money as some have suggested. It is about leadership and judgement, or lack there of. Get a clue on how to market. Give people quality products, services and options before you try and call folks out. Not the other way around. WE Got to and Can do much better. This is unacceptable period. You don't have justify and explain jack schitt when you put out and market things that are professional and innovative. :)
ReplyDeleteFor the record too I support FAMU in all ways possible but it's mess like this that makes me cut back.
Dear Rennaisance Men:
ReplyDeleteI am a booster. I have season tickets for football and will do the same for basketball. I follow softball and baseball. ETC. Okay?
Ten years ago we might have been excited about the site. Unfortunately, it is very much out of date with the times and technology. Just look at the top sites and compare. If you don't want to be a top site then you don't want to be number one. My desire is is for us to be the best at all that we do. Not all donations have to be monetary. Volunteer time and services can be just as beneficial. Don't be so proud, defensive, and dillusional (sp). Let the alum and students help you!
Why is Mickey still with the university anyways? Who does he know? Hmmmm?
ReplyDelete