The Bobcat Nation

rtb wrote:This reminds me...is there enough interest from the BobcatNation members to look into adding a halftime clock for the tailgaters donated by us? I think this is something we all could do to contribute.

Where would the clock be located exactly?

When the idea came up, the clock would be mounted near the top of the student section facing the tailgate area so everyone could clearly see the clock from the tailgate area. I would be nice ot put one on each side of the stadium, but before any of that happens we need to first find out if there is enough interest in the project and then talk to MSU to see if they are willing to work with us on the project. If there is enough interest from MSU and the members here then it would be nice to get someone who is in Bozeman to spearhead the project.

I think it is a great idea! I would be intrested in helping out.

mquast53000 wrote:I think it is a great idea! I would be intrested in helping out.

I love the tailgating as much as everyone else. And I used to remember that you could only tailgate during before and ONLY during HALFTIME of the game etc. I'm not sure on the number of people that come just to tailgatge/hang out in the tailgate areas (so I don't want to diminish that part either), but wouldn't it be wise to instill that plan again to get people back into the stands after halftime is over? I'm curious on what everyone thinks about this. I know they used to have that policy at one time. I don't want it to clobber our awesome tailgating we currently have now though. I guess we almost need to know how many people in the tailgate area actually have tickets to the game (percentage wise etc.).

I think all we should have to do is contact the department and tell them to make an announcement with something like 2 minutes or so before halftime is over.

"2 minutes until the second half, please return to your seats." Maybe have a loud horn blow or something. Just a thought, a cheaper thought but perhaps a more effective one.

I don't think a clock will make much of a difference. People tend to "know" how long it is until the game starts again!

At "our" games the cannon blasts signaling the end of half time. Everyone can hear it. Most of the people who want to be in their seats for the 2nd half kick off are either already in them, or very close by.

IMO people will tailgate as long as the beer is flowing or their wifes will let them! In Missoula, I believe the public tailgates stop offering beer when the second half starts. What seems to happen is that as soon as the cannon sounds, people line up for "last call", get their beer and wonder back to their seats with a "pit" stop on the way. Net result is that it's 5 or 6 minutes into 3rd quarter before the stands look full again.

Private tailgates do what ever they want, whenever they want. I once saw where it was estimated that in Missoula, there are hundreds of people who never even go into the stadium. They party and watch the game from their RV, car/truck.

IMO, if you're wanting people BACK into the stadium at the start of the 2nd half, then you have to close down the public tailgates at least 10 minutes BEFORE the 2nd half starts, or not allow the public tailgate at all during half time. I don't think a clock will make much of an impact.

Myself, I like tailgating! I love the game but the tailgating is also part of it. It's the only time I get to visit with some of my "friends". Some days, (depending upon the score/situation), I've even been known to head to the tailgate early and stay late! I also know, even though I am one of the loudest screaming, noise making, jumping up and down people in WGS, it does NOT make 1 iota of a difference in the out come of the game if I'm in my seat at the kick off, or a couple of minutes later!

If the tailgates are closed 10 minutes before the start of the second half, that would give a person just about enough time to leave the stadium at halftime in order to watch them put out the "Closed" sign.

I agree with you that people will tailgate as long as there is beer, and that they will drift back to the stadium in their own good time.

Bleedinbluengold wrote:If the tailgates are closed 10 minutes before the start of the second half, that would give a person just about enough time to leave the stadium at halftime in order to watch them put out the "Closed" sign.

I agree with you that people will tailgate as long as there is beer, and that they will drift back to the stadium in their own good time.

If they hurry, they might make "last call"!

Ok, I like the conversation, but MSU is in a budget crunch. Is a halftime clock worth spending money on, when what we really need is a stadium expansion. Just a thought.

badasscat wrote:Ok, I like the conversation, but MSU is in a budget crunch. Is a halftime clock worth spending money on, when what we really need is a stadium expansion. Just a thought.

I am with you, badass. The clock might be a good idea, but I wonder if there is something else we could spend our money on?