AP study on griz fans
Posted: Tue Nov 16, 2010 8:37 pm
Study: 96-Percent of UM Sports Fans Have No Idea How Annoying They Are
By The Associated Press
According to a study set to be released today by the Center for Sports Research, a whopping 96-percent of UM sports fans have no idea how unbelievably annoying they are to those who are not supporters of the griz.
“It’s amazing. The vast majority of these people actually think that they behave just as any other fans do, and that people who have a problem with them are simply jealous,” said the study’s director, Dr. Michael Kreager, a Princeton sociologist. “When in fact, almost all UM fans have become obnoxious Grizzholes of the highest order.” The study found that UM fans are woefully lacking in knowledge of how to respectfully conduct themselves when one of their teams wins. But worse, they revel in their boorish behavior and seem to find more enjoyment in flaunting their good fortune in the faces of others than they do in sincerely celebrating and relishing their teams’ achievements. “This behavior has been festering for awhile,” said Dr. Kreager. “By harping on and on about how great their team is, as though they are the reason for it, UM fans have actually started to believe they are more important than fans of other schools and therefore deserve to win more. When in fact, all they are are crappy fans of a great program.” Hailing from the Big Sky Conference, UM has enjoyed massive success on the football field, but it’s not as easy to make a mark in basketball. During the 2005-06 NCAA tournament the Griz did just that by beating Nevada to advance from the first round. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to make a vicious cocktail that transformed even the most subdued and casual UM sports fan into an obnoxious, drunken meathead, unbearably annoying to anyone with different rooting interests. “I wanted to be happy for these people when the Griz won, but I found it impossible,” said Dan Miller, a Boston native who now lives outside Missoula. “Before I could even congratulate any of my friends or acquaintances they got up in my face, yelling and screaming and saying how my favorite teams suck, or leaving messages on my cell phone gloating about it. So instead of being a mild supporter of UM teams, now I hate them with every fiber of my being. Same with most of their fans.” The study also found that some 89 percent of UM fans believe they are the most knowledgeable fan base in the world, when in reality they are no more savvy than any other. “We found this to be most evident in relation to their football team,” said Dr. Kreager. “Until they won the National Championship in 1995, most
Montanans barely paid attention to UM football, but now – thanks to the Griz making the playoffs every year for over a decade – they seem to believe they invented the game or something and that their stadium is the epitome of all things football. Of course, once the Griz inevitably start struggling some day, we expect most of their fans to ignore them again.” The only saving grace for Griz fans – or perhaps more for people who come into regular contact with them – is that UM is basically a degree factory that continues to push sub-par academia through it’s sullied halls. But even in that mediocrity, the Grizzhole-ishness finds a way to shine through. “I personally found it hilarious that the Griz manage to squawk about how great their core academics are, or about how high their graduation rate is. Well duh! It’s hard to flunk out of school when simply learning how to roll a joint ensures a degree with honors. Star athletes have actually graduated from the UM who can't read. I usually try to step back and stay completely objective when I’m studying a group of people, but I have to say – these people are freaking morons. Absolutely unbearable.” Predictably, the ever-belligerent and cantankerous UM fans do not agree with the study’s findings. “That is wicked stupid, yo. People are just jealous. Griz envy! What – did some Kittie fan make up that study? Probably, ‘cause the Kitties suck!” said Tommy Reilly, a 27-year old drive-thru cashier and UM grad. “Yeah, that’s right. You heard me. The Kitties suck!”
By The Associated Press
According to a study set to be released today by the Center for Sports Research, a whopping 96-percent of UM sports fans have no idea how unbelievably annoying they are to those who are not supporters of the griz.
“It’s amazing. The vast majority of these people actually think that they behave just as any other fans do, and that people who have a problem with them are simply jealous,” said the study’s director, Dr. Michael Kreager, a Princeton sociologist. “When in fact, almost all UM fans have become obnoxious Grizzholes of the highest order.” The study found that UM fans are woefully lacking in knowledge of how to respectfully conduct themselves when one of their teams wins. But worse, they revel in their boorish behavior and seem to find more enjoyment in flaunting their good fortune in the faces of others than they do in sincerely celebrating and relishing their teams’ achievements. “This behavior has been festering for awhile,” said Dr. Kreager. “By harping on and on about how great their team is, as though they are the reason for it, UM fans have actually started to believe they are more important than fans of other schools and therefore deserve to win more. When in fact, all they are are crappy fans of a great program.” Hailing from the Big Sky Conference, UM has enjoyed massive success on the football field, but it’s not as easy to make a mark in basketball. During the 2005-06 NCAA tournament the Griz did just that by beating Nevada to advance from the first round. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to make a vicious cocktail that transformed even the most subdued and casual UM sports fan into an obnoxious, drunken meathead, unbearably annoying to anyone with different rooting interests. “I wanted to be happy for these people when the Griz won, but I found it impossible,” said Dan Miller, a Boston native who now lives outside Missoula. “Before I could even congratulate any of my friends or acquaintances they got up in my face, yelling and screaming and saying how my favorite teams suck, or leaving messages on my cell phone gloating about it. So instead of being a mild supporter of UM teams, now I hate them with every fiber of my being. Same with most of their fans.” The study also found that some 89 percent of UM fans believe they are the most knowledgeable fan base in the world, when in reality they are no more savvy than any other. “We found this to be most evident in relation to their football team,” said Dr. Kreager. “Until they won the National Championship in 1995, most
Montanans barely paid attention to UM football, but now – thanks to the Griz making the playoffs every year for over a decade – they seem to believe they invented the game or something and that their stadium is the epitome of all things football. Of course, once the Griz inevitably start struggling some day, we expect most of their fans to ignore them again.” The only saving grace for Griz fans – or perhaps more for people who come into regular contact with them – is that UM is basically a degree factory that continues to push sub-par academia through it’s sullied halls. But even in that mediocrity, the Grizzhole-ishness finds a way to shine through. “I personally found it hilarious that the Griz manage to squawk about how great their core academics are, or about how high their graduation rate is. Well duh! It’s hard to flunk out of school when simply learning how to roll a joint ensures a degree with honors. Star athletes have actually graduated from the UM who can't read. I usually try to step back and stay completely objective when I’m studying a group of people, but I have to say – these people are freaking morons. Absolutely unbearable.” Predictably, the ever-belligerent and cantankerous UM fans do not agree with the study’s findings. “That is wicked stupid, yo. People are just jealous. Griz envy! What – did some Kittie fan make up that study? Probably, ‘cause the Kitties suck!” said Tommy Reilly, a 27-year old drive-thru cashier and UM grad. “Yeah, that’s right. You heard me. The Kitties suck!”
